If the NHL post-season were to start today, the Pittsburgh Penguins would be in.
Yet in spite of Jim Rutherford’s team’s 12-7-0 record and some superior goaltending by Marc-Andre Fleury, the Penguins have been roundly criticized for their lack of offence.
The addition of sniper Phil Kessel to a top six that already boasts past MVPs Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin made for the trade of the summer, yet the front-loaded Penguins rank 25th overall in goals per game, at 2.37. Earlier this week Malkin voiced the players’ growing frustration.
Captain Crosby has an uncharacteristically low three goals and 10 points as we approach the quarter mark of the season, but those numbers don’t worry Rutherford.
“He’s a guy, as we all know, who is under a microscope,” Rutherford told Hockey Central at Noon Friday. “Overall, I really believe his game’s been good, and the points will come for him. It’s not something I’m concerned about as much as some other people.
“I don’t talk to guys about their production. I’m merely here to support guys when necessary. I haven’t talked to Sid more than anybody else.”
The main source of the Penguins’ woes, in Rutherford’s view, is their abysmal power play, which is converting at a 14.9 per cent success rate (25th overall), down from a 19.3 success rate last season (ninth best).
If they were having an average amount of success with the man advantage, Rutherford figures, the Penguins would have two or three more victories already — and much less criticism.
“We have another level or two that we can take our game to,” the optimistic GM said. “We’re right in the mix with everybody right now. We’d like to do a little bit better.”
One-Timers with Jim Rutherford
On rumours that coach Mike Johnston is on the hot seat: “I’m not the one saying it, so I’m not going to react to it.”
On 18-year-old Daniel Sprong‘s immediate leap to the NHL: “If he has to go back to junior at some point in time, we’ll deal with that. But right now we see him as a guy who can still help the Penguins, and it’s the best place for his development.”
On 3-on-3 overtime, which has eluded the Penguins so far: “I prefer to win in regulation and watch other teams in overtime.”
On the NHL’s new 3-on-3 All-Star Game format: “It’s worth a try…. That’s not a real hockey game, either, but it may create more interest.”
