In this Puck Prose series, we take a look at the strengths of the final four teams in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The areas that these teams excel in that pushed them this far.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. After winning the Stanley Cup Final last year, the Penguins are pushing to do it again. Here are the ways they are doing so.
Marc-Andre Fleury
Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) follows the puck (Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports)
When Matt Murray went down with an injury, hockey fans outside of Pittsburgh did not know what to expect. Marc-Andre Fleury had fallen into a backup role with the Penguins and was expected to be on the trade block. Well, when he wasn't traded at the deadline, people were confused. That's no longer happening.
Even without his number one defenseman, Kris Letang, Marc-Andre Fleury has been near perfect. Sidney Crosby's best friend is the number one reason the Penguins are still in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Fleury wasn't anywhere near this good in the regular season, so it's a surprise he's the Pens pusher.
In the regular season, Fleury posted a .909 SV% and a 3.02 GAA. In 10 of 14 games this postseason, Fleury has been better than that. And his defense is, if anything, worse. Fleury's playing like he wants that trade value to go up. The man really wants to go to Calgary, and get the Pens something good in return.
Leading the Playoffs
In fact, in two of the last three games, Fleury posted shutouts. That includes a key game 7 win over the Capitals and the first win versus Ottawa. In 12 out of 14 games in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Marc-Andre has remained in net for 60 or more minutes. Fleury's not getting pulled and for good reason. The Penguins are just better with him in net.
In the playoffs, Fleury leads the league in save attempts, saves, and shutouts. HIs defense is allowing the most shots per game, and yet there's Fleury, stopping them. If the Penguins win, he's a serious contender for the Conn Smythe. He's posting a .931 SV% and a 2.32 GAA. The thing is, in 9 of those games, he posted stats better than that.
Jake Guentzel
Pittsburgh's been surprised by Marc-Andre Fleury in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. But they've also stumbled upon their new star winger: Jake Guentzel. Guentzel leads all players with nine goals in these playoffs. He's the Penguins new Connor Sheary, who also happens to be Guentzel's linemate.
Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Phil Kessel (81) congratulates center Jake Guentzel (59) on his goal (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
Guentzel only played 40 games this season with the Penguins. He scored 16 goals. So it's not that surprising that his ability to score translated to the playoffs. Still, the fact that he has the most goals is a surprise. He was unaffected when Sidney Crosby missed a game, stepping in at center. He scored an unassisted goal with Crosby out.
Guentzel is also at a point per game pace in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He's assisted on five goals, two by Crosby, one by Phil Kessel, one by Bryan Rust, and one by Justin Schultz. Guentzel has spread out his playmaking ability, assisting not only the Penguins stars but getting key goals with defensemen and depth forwards.
He also scored an overtime goal versus Columbus, taking the game-winning goal. Guentzel has been a rising star on a team with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Phil Kessel. That should be hard to do, but here's a 22-year-old kid doing it in just his first half-season.
And when Guentzel was the first Penguins rookie to score a playoff hat trick, it's not hard to see why the kid will have scores of fans next season.
Star Power
I've critiqued other teams for lacking this, but it's not a problem for the Penguins. Their stars are showing up, and showing up big. Evgeni Malkin leads the playoffs with 20 points in 14 games. Phil Kessel and Sidney Crosby are tied for fourth in points (with Guentzel) with 14. Crosby's done it in one less game.
Marc-Andre Fleury's shown up big. He's had to. Trevor Daley's never given the puck up in his lacking 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Daley's the biggest name left on defense after Letang's injury.
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) and center Evgeni Malkin (71) (Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports)
The Penguins' highest paid players are scoring goals, assisting on plays, and just generally getting it done. They look like the team they were last year, a team that won the Cup. Pittsburgh, again, is just an unreal force. When they want to win a game, they win it.
Watching this Penguins team, it's clear that they have a lot of depth. But it's also obvious that they have a lot of stars able to live up to their potential. And credit both of those to GM Jim Rutherford and coach Mike Sullivan. Even when their stars go down, they can still win games. As when Crosby got hurt and they won the game.
But those stars want to be the reliable guy. As when Sidney Crosby got hurt and rushed himself back.
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