Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins scores a goal in the second period against the New York Rangers in Game Three of the Second Round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 05, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Levy/NHLI via Getty Images)
Sidney Crosby keeps things interesting.
When the world’s best hockey player nets a truckload of pucks, what fun is that? But going 13 straight playoff games without a goal generates headlines. The best Mario Lemieux ever did in that regard was six. Small-timer.
Rick Nash of the New York Rangers had a parallel dry spell. He leads the Stanley Cup playoffs in shots but is tied for last with zero goals. Nash certainly isn’t in Crosby’s class, but the Rangers need him to score just as desperately.
Then, at 2:34 of last night’s second period, Crosby changed the narrative and scored, netting a wrist shot on a breakaway.
That goal ended a fascinating drought by the NHL’s once and future MVP. Crosby didn’t stink. But he often looked rattled. At worst, he looked like a prisoner of war. At times, he couldn’t even catch a pass. How did it come to that?
Then Crosby scored, and the Penguins won.
You can’t keep a legend in the shadows for long. Even one who looks like the night cook at a bad Mexican restaurant. Great player. Bad playoff beard.
Doubt Crosby at your own risk. Only Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux averaged more points per playoff game. Past production is the main reason Crosby’s slump seemed unfathomable. It also guaranteed it wouldn’t last.
Crosby makes no excuses, so I won’t make any on his behalf.
But Crosby says he isn’t hurt. He certainly had lots of jump in Sunday night’s game at Consol Energy Center. Same again last night.
When he’s not skating with Evgeni Malkin, Crosby’s linemates are at low ebb. Lee Stempniak is really a bottom-six, and Chris Kunitz seems a bit frazzled.
Crosby plays just about every shift against the matchup the opposing coach wants. This series, it means Crosby too often sees the Rangers’ top defensive tandem of Joe Girardi and Ryan McDonagh. Maybe it doesn’t matter. But probably, it does. Coach Dan Bylsma doesn’t prioritize matchups. But what if he’s wrong?
Lemieux’s coaches used to help him avoid unfavorable matchups. So that couldn’t be a bad thing. And Crosby is no Lemieux.
Crosby’s lack of productivity solved, dumb penalties are a current major concern.
The Penguins displayed the maturity of 10-year-olds in the first period of each of the last two games. Saturday, Kunitz tackled Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist and Matt Niskanen punched Daniel Carcillo. Last night, Marcel Goc punched Dominic Moore and James Neal got careless with a high stick.
The Rangers’ power play cooperated: 0-for-4 Sunday, 0-for-5 last night and no goals in their last 34 attempts. That removes accountability.
The Penguins played an interesting third period last night: They utilized a semblance of a trap, dumped it out, dumped it in, slowed the game to a standstill and limited themselves to one shot, the Rangers nine.
The Rangers held a 35-15 edge in shots on the night, but Marc-Andre Fleury posted his second straight shutout as the Rangers eschewed quality for the sake of quantity. For Fleury, Game 4 at Columbus seems a million years ago.
Crosby looks to be back on track. With Fleury and Kris Letang playing well, who will Yinzer Nation blame?
If the Penguins win, they won’t have to blame anybody.
Mark Madden hosts a radio show 3-6 p.m. weekdays on WXDX-FM (105.9).
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