There has been no shortage of offense, and only a few teams have scored more goals per game.
Despite being near the bottom of the league in total games played, the Pittsburgh Penguins rank 10th in goals scored, and when they catch up, they’ll be close to the top five.
The Penguins are no longer a team full of Hall of Famers, but Sidney Crosby still leads the top line. The second line still includes Evgeni Malkin, though he’s been playing on the wing, either for roster construction or because of a tender shoulder.
And there’s Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, too.
But the surrounding cast is more comprised of players who washed out elsewhere or are still have their rookie stripes. There are surprises and reclamations, but regardless of who, the goals have followed.
In fact, there are only a few poor grades on the Penguins’ Olympic break report card.
Penguins Report Card: Forwards
Sidney Crosby: A
He’s in line for yet another full season and a point-per-game pace. Crosby remains a dominant force below the dots, and his linemates are always on-call around the net. Perhaps he isn’t the Selke-worthy defender anymore, but he remains in rare form with 27 goals and 59 points in 56 games.
Bryan Rust/Rickard Rakell: A
In the games without Rust, the Penguins’ lineup has suffered greatly. He adds the fizz to the top of the Penguins’ lineup with puck retrieval, net-front battle, playmaking, and bursts of speed.
His three-game suspension for elbowing Brock Boeser limited the Penguins lineup
Rakell is not getting enough credit for his complete game. He’s been physical at both ends, and his playmaking remains a step ahead of the opponents.
Evgeni Malkin: A+
He had 60 points last season, and he’s close to eclipsing that already. He’s skating better than he’s skated in a few years. He’s dealing, moving, and pushing for one more year.
Egor Chinakhov: A+
So, the Columbus Blue Jackets allowed coach Dean Evason to banish Chinakhov to limited fourth-line minutes, then fired Evason shortly after trading Chinakhov.
The young Russian winger must feel something akin to those freed inmates at the end of true crime podcasts. He’s filled the net since arriving, scoring eight goals and 12 points in 18 games. He’s shown elite speed, nice playmaking skills, and that shot.
“It’s awesome, isn’t it?” Coach Dan Muse has asked rhetorically on multiple occasions.
Tommy Novak: B
Novak had a fairly uninspiring first six weeks of the season. Actually, he was bad. Missed defensive assignments were costly, including one game-winner, and his offensive output was more in keeping with the player that Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz traded and then criticized.
Once finding his footing in mid-November, Novak has been a good center, showing playmaking and puck skills, as well as defensive acumen.
Ben Kindel: A++
We’re grading on the curve because 18-year-olds are not supposed to assert themselves in the way Kindel has. He’s increasingly adding offense to his game that already included shrewd defensive zone work.
He’s shifty, zippy, knows how to avoid contact, and plays a step ahead of the game. He’s got 14 goals and 13 assists in 53 games.
Remember when Kindel was supposed to be a frequent healthy scratch for development purposes?
Anthony Mantha: A+
Mantha, 32, played just 13 games last season, missing the rest due to knee surgery. Mantha has recovered well and is on pace to hit all of his performance bonuses, which would raise his yearly salary from $2.5 million to $4.5 million.
He’s playing with an edge, impressive playmaking, and a healthy amount of finish.
“It was my goal to score 20 before the break. It was nice to get there,” Mantha told us during an upbeat conversation in Buffalo, which PHN will publish in the coming days.
Justin Brazeau: A+ or B
If we’re grading on the curve for a player who was a fourth-liner and trade fodder for the Boston Bruins last season, he gets a resounding A+ for destroying any and all expectations.
Brazeau, 28, has a career high 15 goals and 27 points in 42 games. He can play down low but has also shown surprising hands and playmaking. He could be stiffer on the walls and more physical, but he’s a high-value third liner.
Fourth Line: Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari: A+
They have been getting more offensive zone shifts over the last month, in part because the Penguins are largely playing in the offensive zone. However, at one point, the line’s offensive zone starts were in low single digits, yet they still managed a positive Corsi.
The line has a 14-7 positive goal differential and a 54% Corsi. They’re also the Penguins’ best penalty killers. They’re one of the most valuable fourth lines in the NHL.
Rutger McGroarty: B-
A nagging upper-body injury cost him training camp, preseason, and the first couple of months of the regular season. However, he quickly rose from his assignment with the WBS Penguins back to the NHL.
McGroarty’s play is a mixed bag. He’s played well. He has had plenty of scoring chances, he’s solid if not stout in the defensive zone, and competes well at the NHL level. So, why the C+? He has just five points (2-3-5) in 20 games.
Perhaps the grade should be a C+? If he finished some of the chances, he would probably shove aside one of the other wingers or put himself in a rotation with them.
Ville Koivunen: F
In his big chance to establish himself as an NHL regular, he … did not. Koivunen has a bad habit of resting on his laurels. One good moment or one good period is not followed by more. In 27 games, Koivunen scored two goals with five points, and on a team with a positive goal differential, is a minus-5.
He wasn’t strong on his skates, not feisty, and very much not the same player who so very impressed at the end of last season.
Kevin Hayes: C+
There is a great misunderstanding of his role. He’s the 13th forward. His job is to sub as a center when needed. A winger as needed. He’s been capable and submitted a few above-average performances when called upon. His five points (3-2-5) in 24 games are indicative of a 13th forward.
He’s handled his career slide very well. Just a few years ago, he was a second-line center, but as the game gets faster and faster, Hayes’s future is increasingly murky.
Filip Hallander: B-
It’s unknown if Hallander will play again this season. He was a surprise inclusion on the opening night roster but showed a solid game. He played 13 games, notched four points (1-3-4), and showed himself to be an NHL player, but his exclusion gave way to the fourth line with Connor Dewar-Blake Lizotte-Noel Acciari, which was much better.
He’s currently rehabbing from and dealing with the results of a blood clot.
Avery Hayes: A+
Ok, it was one game, but he made a lasting impression on everyone with the way he scored two goals, including the head coach. Expect to see him soon.
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