CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- It's not them, it's us.
That was the Penguins' talking point on Saturday regarding their sagging power play in their first-round series against the Flyers. During a half-hour long practice at the Lemieux Sports Complex, the Penguins worked extensively on special teams. In Friday night's 5-1 loss to Philadelphia, they proved costly.
Through two games, Philadelphia's 29th-ranked penalty kill has so far confounded the NHL's top-ranked unit. In their four-game regular-season series sweep of the Flyers, the Penguins had converted on 5 of 13 chances on the power play or 38.5 percent. That percentage far exceeds even the franchise-record 26.2 that they converted on over 82 games.
But in Games 1 and 2, the Penguins have scored on just one of eight (12.5 percent), with their lone goal coming from the second unit (Jake Guentzel in Game 1). They have also managed just one shot with the man advantage.
Though the Penguins had 35 shots on Flyers goalie Brian Elliott in Game 2, Mike Sullivan said they must get more pucks on net in all situations.
"We have some ideas that we think that can help them, but I think having a shooting mindset is important regardless of where our power play is at," Sullivan said. "It’s an important component of a good power play is establishing a shot. I think we had opportunities to shoot the puck and we passed them up, so we’re going to have to execute better. We’re going to have to shoot the puck when the opportunities present themselves."
They Penguins believe they've gotten plenty of chances but just haven't been able to finish or they've passed up too many opportunities. In Game 2, Sidney Crosby missed from the doorstep:
"It's different things, but the first thing we really need is to be good on our entries," Crosby said. "Probably made a couple mistakes in the zone. Last game, I have a wide open net. I have to put it in and we tie them up on the power play. It's as simple as that. That's how it goes, but we have to execute. That will be a big part of these games."
Evgeni Malkin believes that as well as getting more shots, the Penguins need to play more as a five-man unit.
"I understand we're great players on the ice, but we need to support each other," the Russian said. "It's win battles in the corners. We know how we play. It's just support each other, shoot the puck a little more. We had great chances (Friday) night, Sid have empty net, a couple posts. Just score one goal and the confidence will be coming back."
And, as he told me, it's nothing the Flyers are doing differently:
• With Kris Letang getting a maintenance day, Jamie Oleksiak manned his spot on the second power play unit. Though Letang would seem likely for Game 3, Oleksiak said he's ready to fill in if need be.
"I think everyone has to be ready when they’re called upon," he said. "I got a little power play time (Saturday). Obviously, I know that my shot is my asset there. Wherever they need me, I’m going to do my best."
• With almost all of the practice dedicated to special teams, the Penguins did not show their line combinations and pairs.
• Carter Rowney practiced again Saturday, this time in a full contact jersey.
• The Flyers held an optional skate at their South Jersey practice facility with just 11 players taking the ice. The only players who played a night earlier to skate were: Oskar Lindblom, Scott Laughton, Matt Read, and Travis Sanheim.
QUOTABLE
“Referees, I think, should be a little bit better. Last game, they give Horny a diving (penalty). I did not agree.” -- Malkin on officiating in Game 2.
BY THE NUMBER
3: Assists for Brian Dumoulin in last two games.