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E-mailGonchar: Power play 'can't get any worse'
Sergei Gonchar
Chaz Palla/Tribune-Review
Josh Yohe is a McKeesport Daily News staff writer and can be reached at 412-664-9161 or via e-mail.
Whether in Pittsburgh, Washington, Boston or while playing on numerous Russian national teams, Sergei Gonchar has quarterbacked many dynamic power plays.
This definitely isn't one of them.
Has Gonchar ever played on such a talented power play that struggled so much?
"No," he said, shaking his head. "I don't think there's one thing in particular that's wrong. It's here and there. It can't get any worse."
The Penguins' power-play conversion rate is a mere 14.3 percent, which ranks 28th out of the NHL's 30 teams. Only Carolina and St. Louis, two of the league's worst teams, have struggled more.
Many believe the Penguins have become too predictable on the power play. Gonchar always plays the right point, while Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin generally roam the right-wing boards.
"It's not working for us," Gonchar said. "But at the same time, it has worked many times before."
Gonchar, however, suggested tactical changes might be coming.
"We're going to try different things," he said. "Power plays aren't just about shots on goal. You have to battle for the puck. You have to help each other. We have to do better at those things."
» Assistant coach Mike Yeo often receives criticism from fans when the Penguins' power play struggles. While Yeo does work with the power play, coach Dan Bylsma said singling Yeo out is unfair.
"What we do as a coaching staff is together," Bylsma said. "Mike doesn't get free reign. When we do a practice, I don't have free reign. We're together."
» Center Mark Letestu, who impressed the coaching staff with his performance Saturday against Chicago, has been sent back to Wilkes-Barre.
» The two remaining injured Penguins — defenseman Alex Goligoski and left wing Chris Kunitz — practiced for a second consecutive day. Bylsma said both players are improving, but he did not say if they will be available Thursday in Montreal.
DIGITS
6 — Consecutive games in which the Penguins have allowed the first goal.
QUOTABLE
"I don't really believe in those stats." — Penguins forward Max Talbot, when asked about Montreal's 10-1 record when it scores first.
