For the Penguins, there have been so many compelling storylines in this first-round series against the New York Rangers. Louis Domingue stepping into the spotlight. Sidney Crosby turning back the clock. Guys like Kasperi Kapanen and Danton Heinen re-emerging to help the Penguins blow out Igor Shesterkin twice.
So you’re forgiven if you have overlooked John Marino and Marcus Pettersson.
Not only have those two settled down to become the team’s most stable defensive pair in this series, which they lead 3-1 with a chance to clinch Wednesday at Madison Square Garden, they have been the NHL’s best, period, per one metric.
After Pittsburgh’s 7-2 victory in Game 4 on Monday, Marino and Pettersson in this series have an expected goals percentage of 75.9% at 5-on-5, per MoneyPuck. Sure, there are three other skaters on the ice that factor into that. And defenders elsewhere, like Colorado’s Cale Makar, may want to slap that stat into the seats.
The point here is that Marino and Pettersson, who both had bouts of inconsistency during the regular season, have stepped up when the Penguins need it.
“They’ve had a good series,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “They’re a steady pair for us. They take what the game gives them. They aren’t trying to do too much.”
Sullivan noted that Marino and Pettersson, who most frequently have matched up against Artemi Panarin and New York’s skilled second line, have defended hard and gotten clears whenever clean breakout passes were not available.
Ryan Reaves and the Rangers took run after run at those two in the first two games of the series. Pettersson, in particular, took a beating. Despite being under duress, they have taken care of the puck, with just six giveaways between them.
Sullivan has also liked their activity level in the offensive end, being available up top for outlet passes and getting shots through the first wave of defenders. No better example is Marino firing the shot Evgeni Malkin tipped in to win Game 1.
Marino has really stood out. The Rangers have mustered only five high-danger chances in his 80 minutes at 5-on-5, according to Natural Stat Trick.
“He’s a great player on both sides of the game,” fellow blue-liner Kris Letang said. “Offensively and defensively, I think he’s simplified his game a lot.”
The six-time All-Star has observed another thing about Marino in this series.
“He’s playing with more jam,” Letang said. “He wants to be more physical and more involved. So I think that makes him even more of a better player.”
So you’re saying that spicy pork and broccoli is better with a little jam? Got it.
Domingue keeping the Penguins afloat might be the story of the series. But how about a hand for two of the guys in front of him, Marino and Pettersson?
Taking the option
Malkin, Brian Dumoulin, Jason Zucker, Jeff Carter, Mark Friedman and Chad Ruhwedel all sat out Tuesday’s practice, which was optional. Sullivan also had his assistant coaches run the relaxed 20-minute skate in Cranberry.
The two players of note among those absentees were Dumoulin and Zucker.
Dumoulin has missed the last three games with a lower-body injury and has not been on the ice since Thursday morning. Zucker, meanwhile, winced in pain after a collision with a Rangers player in Game 4. He is playing through an injury, possibly related to the core muscle injury that required surgery in January.
All-Star goalie Tristan Jarry got in another on-ice workout, his third in four days, before ducking off the ice prior to practice. His return is still not imminent.
Just how special?
Entering Tuesday’s games, Jake Guentzel was tied for the NHL lead with five goals in these playoffs. Crosby, his superstar center, assisted on each of them.
Sullivan noted that their chemistry, which was “almost instantaneous” when they first became regular linemates during the 2017 Stanley Cup run, is “special.”
But how special are we talking here? Has Sullivan ever coached two linemates with that kind of mind-meld? Stumped at first, he considered his Boston days.
“Joe Thornton and Glen Murray were a duo that had a pretty special chemistry way back when that might have been similar,” Sullivan said. “But that’s a tough question because Sid and Jake without a doubt have a certain chemistry and awareness of ... where each other are. They know each other’s tendencies so well.”
Sullivan humbled
Sullivan on Monday ascended into sole possession of the team record for playoff wins. A day later, he reflected on topping a list that includes accomplished coaches such as Bob Johnson, Scotty Bowman, Herb Brooks and Dan Bylsma.
“I don’t really give a whole lot of thought to that kind of stuff, quite honestly, because we’re so immersed in the moment right now,” said Sullivan, who has 44 career playoff wins. “But what I will tell you is that with some of the names that I read [Monday] night after the game, that’s a humbling moment.”
Matt Vensel: mvensel@post-gazette.com and Twitter @mattvensel.
First Published: May 10, 2022, 6:23 p.m.
Updated: May 11, 2022, 3:26 p.m.
