The Penguins leave Pittsburgh with the hope that they will not return for the rest of the season. After a couple victories, the Penguins could wrap up the Stanley Cup Playoffs in San Jose. What is the secret to their success?
1. Quantity of Shots
The Penguins have in the past been criticized for valuing the quality of their shots over sheer quantity. They have corrected that in the Stanley Cup Finals, putting up 71 shots in two games. These extra shots are allowing the Penguins to pick up extra garbage goals that they were not getting due to them trying to make the pretty play instead of the easy play. In today’s NHL, many of a team’s goals will come from just outside the crease, and that is where the Penguins are getting their chances from.
2. Stars Are All Playing Well
The Penguins are highly reliant upon their four stars, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel and Kris Letang. When they are hot, the Penguins are close to unbeatable, however if they go cold the team goes south quick. So far, the four have five points and are responsible for all but one of the team’s goals. Also, Letang cannot get enough credit for his work in making Joe Pavelski go scoreless through the first two games.
3. Nick Bonino
The Canucks have to be looking on in disgust in seeing Bonino perform so well a year after they gave him away. Bonino has four goals and 17 points in 20 games this post season. He has had instant chemistry with Phil Kessel, something that Crosby and Malkin were unable to obtain. Kessel and Bonino got the scoring started in game two with Kessel’s first period goal, and the two hope to continue their success as the series moves to San Jose.
4.Olli Matta
The 21 year old is playing the best hockey of his life at the perfect time for the Penguins. In his last five games, Matta has four assists and a 5+/-. It might have been a blessing in disguise for the Penguins to have Trevor Daley go down due to injury, because they now see that have a star in the making with Matta.
5.Matt Murray
I hate to give too much credit or blame to a goaltender, but Murray has been a hug part of the Penguins success this post season. After years of suffering through Marc-Andre Fleury and his post season debacles, he has been a steady figure in net. This series he has been at his best. So far he has given up three goals and has a 93.8 SV%. It is safe to say that this post season has allowed Murray to break into the spotlight.