CALGARY, Alberta — From his net, Marc-Andre Fleury might have had one of the best views for the up-and-down game between the Penguins and Calgary Flames Monday night. Like just about everyone else in the Scotiabank Saddledome, he enjoyed what he saw — well, when he was not busy stopping pucks.
“I think they’re two fun teams to watch,” Fleury said. “Two teams that go on the offense, can create nice plays.”
Of course, Fleury is used to seeing that from the Penguins. One of the defining characteristics of the team since Mike Sullivan took over last season has been the up-tempo system he and his staff have tried to employ. It won them a Stanley Cup last year, and the hope is to do the same over the next few months.
But, as the postseason approaches, Sullivan is looking for something a bit more. It’s one thing to get up the ice quickly, it’s another to do it smartly and efficiently in a way that doesn’t hang the defense out to dry.
“It’s always a fine line, because there’s inherent risk in playmaking,” Sullivan said. “We have guys on our team that want to make plays, and, as a coaching staff, we believe in encouraging them to make plays. We don’t want to take the sticks out of their hands, that’s what separates those guys from others.”
Specifically against the Flames, Sullivan felt the Penguins tried to make a few too many lateral passes during the middle stages of the game, and that allowed the Flames to seize control and ultimately hold on for the 4-3 shootout win.
“I think, as I’ve always said, I think the highest-quality chances that we give up start with our own puck possession,” Sullivan said. “That’s going to be constant conversation we have with our players because of the nature of our team.”
Sullivan often talks, when playing against other up-tempo teams like Calgary, about playing fast but not turning the game into a “track meet.” Monday night, the results were mixed.
“We were all right,” defenseman Justin Schultz said. “I think we had some good moments playing our game. Played fast. That’s what we want to do. I think we didn’t manage the puck well sometimes, but it was a decent game for the most part.”
That ability could be tested again Wednesday night in Philadelphia. The Flyers might not have the blazing speed of the Edmonton Oilers or be as hot as the Flames, but they rank sixth in the NHL with 31.5 shots per game. The Penguins lead the league with 34.5.
Sullivan agreed with Schultz, noting it was a bit of a mixed bag Wednesday night. But he added that he’s seeing signs of progress in the finer points of the game as his team rounds the final corner towards the playoffs.
“Certainly, we’ve got to make sure that we become difficult to play against by forcing teams to have to play goal line to goal line,” Sullivan said. “I think we’re getting better at that. Our play away from the puck, I know guys are making a concerted effort to compete and win puck battles, engage in the thankless jobs out there that help teams win.
“I think that’s where our team’s going.”
Sam Werner: swerner@post-gazette.com and Twitter @SWernerPG.
Scouting report
Who: Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers.
When, where: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia.
Look, listen: NBCSN, WXDX-FM (105.9), PittsburghPenguins.com.
Noteworthy: The Penguins are concluding a season-long, five-game road trip and are 3-0-1 thus far. … The Flyers average 2.50 goals per game, 23rd in the NHL. The Penguins are first at 3.47. … Sidney Crosby has 36 goals in 57 games all time against Philadelphia, the most goals he has against anyone, including three in two games so far in 2016-17. … The Flyers are averaging 2.07 goals per game over their past 28 and have been held to two or fewer goals in 18 of those games. … Evgeni Malkin has 11 goals and 18 points in 14 games since returning from injury Feb. 14. … Philadelphia's penalty kill has been scored upon seven times in 15 chances over the past five games.
Did you know? Monday in Calgary represented just the fifth time in their past 19 first periods the Penguins had been scored upon, the third in their past 15 road games.
First Published: March 15, 2017, 4:00 a.m.
