Penguins Core Takes Different Roles To Help Find Success
The Pittsburgh Penguins core veterans have seen new roles to help make the team more competitive.
It’s no secret that the Pittsburgh Penguins are the oldest team in the NHL and their age has had a tendency to show at times over the last couple of seasons.
The core group of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang are a huge reason why the Penguins are the only team with an average age over 30, but that doesn’t mean they are holding the team back.
As a matter of fact, Crosby, Malkin, and Letang are still the best on the roster and compete with some of the best players in the NHL.
With their age, however, does come a sense of leadership and knowing when things need to change for the betterment of the team overall.
The power play has been a main are of focus in seeing members of the core take a lesser role to propel the team forward.
Heading into the season, it seemed like Letang would remain on the top power play unit with an incoming Erik Karlsson on the same unit.
Letang had been quarterbacking the Penguins power play for quite a few years and found success, but was forced to relinquish his duties.
When the season began, Letang was moved to the second unit while Karlsson took over as the top quarterback.
Now seeing less time on the power play, Letang has shifted his game to become a useful penalty killer.
It’s not the same style of game Letang has been known for, but he’s been fantastic of the defensive side of the puck.
Malkin was also recently stripped of his spot on the first power play unit, as well.
The Penguins have struggled on the power play and while sitting a few spots behind a playoff spot, a change needed to be made.
The shuffle button was hit on the power play units, separating Crosby and Malkin as the latter was put on the second line.
It’s yet to be seen if these combinations stay for a game, but Malkin being accepting of the move would be another example of the core showing they can be selfless for the team.
At 5-on-5, the Penguins are still a fantastic team, and Karlsson isn’t holding the power play back, he’s realistically been outstanding since finding a rhythm with his new team.
Sullivan says the guys still work each and every day to make themselves better and be as successful as possible.
The Penguins core group knows how to lead by example and are willing to take steps back in order to help the team win.
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