OTTAWA, Ontario – Numbers-wise, Ian Cole is blocking fewer shots this season — 1.8 per game compared to 2.4 in 2016-17.
A slight dip would be understandable for anyone, given how little fun it must be to stop a chunk of vulcanized rubber hurling in excess of 90 mph with one’s body, let alone for a defenseman who lost three teeth earlier this year doing it.
It’s also tricky because the criteria for a blocked shot varies by building in the NHL.
For Cole’s part, he said there’s been zero hesitation since he ate a Roman Josi slapper on Oct. 7 and missed the next three games because of it.
“I don’t think so,” Cole said. “I try not to let it affect how I’m playing or what I’m doing. It seems like the past couple of games I’ve gotten cross-checked in the mouth a couple times. That’s maybe a little more irritating now than it was before.
“Overall, I try not to let that unfortunate circumstance affect my ability block shots, especially on the penalty kill. And so far, I don’t think it has.”
Any hesitancy in Cole’s game was not apparent Tuesday night, when he leveled Buffalo’s Sam Reinhart at the blue line, then had Jack Eichel and Evander Kane wanting to fight him for retribution.
Cole stood in, ready for whatever they brought.
“If it’s [teammate Ryan Reaves] coming to fight me, that’s a little different story — no offense to Jack Eichel or anything,” Cole said. “It’s something that’s part of the game. Hitting’s part of the game. It’s something where a good, clean body check is still part of hockey; it always will be. If guys take exception to that, that’s fine. I’ll try to find where they’re coming from and get into it as soon as we can. But no, it kind of comes with the territory.”
Cole’s hits-per-game numbers have also dropped a tad, from 2.0 to 1.2, but again, it’s only been 20 games, and those can be affected by where you play.
Something that’s been irrefutable thus far has been Cole’s versatility. He’s played with almost everyone and on both the left and right side. He’s done so effectively while maintaining his status as one of the team’s best penalty-killing defensemen.
“I’ve played left and right and played with a lot of guys,” Cole said. “I’m fine with that. I don’t mind playing left or right. I obviously love playing with [Justin Schultz]. I think that’s reciprocated by him. He’s a great player, and I think we play really well together.
“I think the ability to get used to guys and their tendencies is something that serves you well. You look at some of the great ‘D’ pairs in the league. A lot of guys have been playing together for a while."
Lastly, Cole brought up another solid point. Two of them, actually.
Blocking shots can even come down to whether the puck hits you, and many times, it’s better that you don’t wind up in that position at all.
Most preferred would be breaking up an offensive rush before it develops.
“Shot-blocking is obviously great when things tend to break down,” Cole said. “Ideally, you don’t want to get in a situation where you have to block shots. That’s why I think a lot of them are on the PK, a lot of them are in those desperation situations.
“As defensemen and as a team, we’d rather shut down plays in the neutral zone. We’d rather have good sticks and deflect shots while still being able to skate. But it’s one of those things. Sometimes they hit you, sometimes they don’t.”
Dion talkin' Phil
Phil Kessel is enjoying arguably his best season as a Penguin.
He has points in 16 of 20 games and goals in four games in a row. Kessel entered Wednesday’s game tied for the team lead in goals (8) and sits alone with a team-high 16 assists and 24 points.
Good friend and Senators defenseman Dion Phaneuf has certainly noticed.
“He’s having a really good year,” Phaneuf said before the game. “I’ve obviously got a really good relationship with him. I’m happy for him when he has success because we were good friends when we played together [in Toronto]. We still are good friends. To see him having a real strong start to the year, I’m happy for him. But not [Thursday].”
Phaneuf called Kessel “a big piece” to the Penguins’ back-to-back Stanley Cups. He said Kessel’s production, more than anything, is why he’s fit in so well with the Penguins.
“I think his game’s gone to another level,” Phaneuf said. “When he went to Pittsburgh, he really fit in well there. He’s playing with really good players. He’s had some really good years. It’s shown with the two rings that he’s got.”
Jason Mackey: jmackey@post-gazette.com and Twitter @JMackeyPG.
First Published: November 16, 2017, 8:39 p.m.
