Penguins' Power Play

[JQR]

I think it's been a while since there has been a PP thread, and that is probably because our PP is 2nd in the league. Despite this success, I still see people complaining about the PP in GDTs. Now, this could be chalked up to heat-of-the-moment-passion (read: crying), but I tend to think it's more about expectations.

When you see a line of Geno, Neal, Crosby, Letang, and Kunitz (or Martin now, or even Nisky), playing against 4 guys, it's pretty easy to just assume a goal is in your pocket.

People have to realize that there will always be some kind of diminishing return here. I read this analogy on a fitness blog recently, and I think it can be applied to a lot of things, this being one of them (source here):

The top speed of the original Veyron was 253 mph. To increase the speed to 268 mph — an increase of just 15 mph — the horsepower of the engine had to be increased from 987 to 1184 bhp. That extra 200 bhp by itself is a lot more than you’ll get from a lot of cars.

Why so much extra horsepower for such a small amount of extra speed?

Aerodynamic drag increases exponentially with speed. Ignoring the effect of rolling resistance, if 100 bhp would push a car 100 mph through the air, doubling the speed to 200 mph would require not just 200 bhp but 400 bhp in order to overcome air resistance. A speed of 300 mph would require 900 bhp.

To put it another way, the faster the car goes, the harder it is to go even faster.

The same holds true for point production; just because we have the best players on one line doesn't mean they'll score every shift, it just increases the odds a bit.

Now that Malkin is injured, there will likely be a bit more shuffling around on the PP lines. Ogrezilla mentioned he thought the 1st PP line would be Sid, Neal, Kunitz, Letang, Martin, and I would agree with that. However, I really really hope Martin stays on the point and Letang plays heavily offensive D. Martin is so much stronger on the point, I feel like he gets wasted on the PP when he is playing the boards. Similarly, Letang has been horrible there this season, but really played a great grindy game last night when he was winning puck battles.

Thoughts?

 

[ColePens]

I'll give DB credit and that was using both sides of the ice. It's kept opposing defenders on edge because they have to defend all angles instead of just a strong side.

The players can be their own nightmare. They overpass instead of simply shooting. I also think we could use a bit of a better front net presence but that's being too nitpicky.

 

[Fordy]

I'd like to see Bennett get a shot on the first PP. A righty who can actually get his shot on net. Sid's most likely going to start running the pp again and he needs someone on that opposite side.

 

[Merc29]

I'd like to see Bennett get a shot on the first PP. A righty who can actually get his shot on net. Sid's most likely going to start running the pp again and he needs someone on that opposite side.

Already been said

Kunitz - Crosby - Neal
Martin - Letang

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

I'll give DB credit and that was using both sides of the ice. It's kept opposing defenders on edge because they have to defend all angles instead of just a strong side.

The players can be their own nightmare. They overpass instead of simply shooting. I also think we could use a bit of a better front net presence but that's being too nitpicky.

You and others would have a better understanding of the Xs and Os details about the PP setup/breakouts, but the bolded above is what I notice the most when the PP struggles. The players seem to want to make the highlight reel plays, even when the simple play would be the most effective.

"Shoot the puck on net? Why do that when I can do a 360 spin, between the legs no look drop pass across the ice, with all 4 PKers in the passing lane?"

 

[JQR]

You and others would have a better understanding of the Xs and Os details about the PP setup/breakouts, but the bolded above is what I notice the most when the PP struggles. The players seem to want to make the highlight reel plays, even when the simple play would be the most effective.

"Shoot the puck on net? Why do that when I can do a 360 spin, between the legs no look drop pass across the ice, with all 4 PKers in the passing lane?"

Completely agree. Last night for example... if I saw one more attempted pass through the slot I was going to lose it. What happened to keeping it simple? Park a few guys in front of the net and fire away.

I tell ya what, seeing Crosby and Sutter parked in front was pretty daunting, and I was on their side.

 

[Ogrezilla]

You and others would have a better understanding of the Xs and Os details about the PP setup/breakouts, but the bolded above is what I notice the most when the PP struggles. The players seem to want to make the highlight reel plays, even when the simple play would be the most effective.

"Shoot the puck on net? Why do that when I can do a 360 spin, between the legs no look drop pass across the ice, with all 4 PKers in the passing lane?"

but when those plays DO work, we all drool over how nice the play was. Go watch some Sid or Geno highlights and think how dumb the plays would look if they didn't actually work.

Geno goes coast to coast, stopped by Roloson. Geno, use your damn linemates!
Sid Spin-o-Rama pass around Karlsson to Cooke pokechecked by Karlsson, who leads a rush the other way: Damnit Sid, look where you're passing! Just get that puck deep!

 

[JQR]

but when those plays DO work, we all drool over how nice the play was. Go watch some Sid or Geno highlights and think how dumb the plays would look if they didn't actually work.

Geno goes coast to coast, stopped by Roloson. Geno, use your damn linemates!
Sid Spin-o-Rama pass around Karlsson to Cooke pokechecked by Karlsson, who leads a rush the other way: Damnit Sid, look where you're passing! Just get that puck deep!

See, that's the problem though. I remember thinking last night, "WTF. They try these passes through the slot over and over and they keep failing... but they look pretty awesome when they work." Then I was actually considering trying to quantify the success of their attempts.

The funniest part of last night was that Cooke ended up sending it through the slot to DJ for the goal, not Crosby, not Neal, not Malkin.

 

[Pancakes]

I'll give DB credit and that was using both sides of the ice. It's kept opposing defenders on edge because they have to defend all angles instead of just a strong side.

The players can be their own nightmare. They overpass instead of simply shooting. I also think we could use a bit of a better front net presence but that's being too nitpicky.

The addition of guys actually moving is nice too. In yesterday's game against the Panthers Crosby started a powerplay on the right half wall, moved behind the net, then moved to the left half wall before finally ending up on the top of the umbrella where he ripped a one-timer that sadly went wide.

Crosby literally covered the entire breadth of the offensive zone in that one powerplay. It throws teams too because they can't overplay one particular play or guy.

 

[Rukakapowed]

The only complaints I have about the power play is when they have Neal standing in the middle of the ice and not on the right side circle... That is his spot, thats where 90% of his power play goals come from... he should be posted up there for the 1 timer 100% of the time, its stupid to have him anywhere else.

 

[JQR]

The only complaints I have about the power play is when they have Neal standing in the middle of the ice and not on the right side circle... That is his spot, thats where 90% of his power play goals come from... he should be posted up there for the 1 timer 100% of the time, its stupid to have him anywhere else.

I agree, though there is an ebb and flow there. The PK is playing zone. Say Neal starts out on the right circle. Sid cycles around the ice until he eventually gets to that circle. The plan is that his guy from the left circle will become enamored and follow him, leaving the left circle open. Neal shifts over to the left circle while his guy picks up Crosby who just entered, and is now double teamed, thus leaving Neal in his haven.

It's actually a very effective strategy when it works. When it doesn't work, it looks like Neal is doing nothing.