Why Malkin is FAR more important than Ovechkin
By Krafty. Filed in Controversy |
If you’re still reading- thank you, and allow me to finish the sentence: “.. to their teams.”
Both Russian aces have recently missed a stretch of games with the dreaded “upper body injury,” however, their teams responded in polar opposite ways.
Without Malkin, The Penguins went on a 7 game slide finishing 2-5-0 – which included sliding by in a shootout win against the Blue Jackets. That’s good for a dismal .285 Winning %. Through these 7 games, The Pens mustered a mere 11 goals, and even suffered 2 shutouts against The Bruins (losing 0-5) and The Sharks (0-3). 7 different ‘Guins scored in Malkin’s absence although no one from Pittsburgh was able to convert on a Power Play, going 0-26.
Does that mean that Malkin’s teammates didn’t step up as they should have? Perhaps. Looking at the numbers since his return, a different picture is painted. The two-time Hart Trophy finalist has lead Pittsburgh to a 2-0-0 record since his return. He put together 3 nice assists, and stands with a +3 rating in the two games since in his return. His team has also responded positively, notching 11 goals from 9 players.
Washington responded to the loss of their star in a completely different manner. The Caps pushed through the 6-game absence with a 4-2-0 record (.666 W%); both losses at the hands of the Atlantic Division leading New Jersey Devils. 11 Capitals players scored 23 goals, and their special teams raced to a whopping 43% on the PP going 6-14.
Washington welcomed Ovechkin back with a win over the New York Rangers. Although Ovie notched the first goal for The Caps in this contest, 3 other players stepped up to also score.
We can only wait to see how the rest of the season plays out, but if Malkin misses any extended time down the stretch, I can only expect his team to miss making the finals again. Even The Penguins organization realizes his worth, naming him Stanley Cup MVP last season – as well as the Michel Brière Rookie of the Year Award (Pittsburgh Penguins’ Rookie of the Year) in2007, AND The Pittsburgh Penguins’ Most Valuable Player in 2008 and 2009.
Sure, sure there is still that “other” notable player in Pittsburgh, but even he didn’t excel in 71’s absence. He was happy the 7 game skid was over after 17 PIM and a -5 rating (with only 3 assists to his credit). On the other hand The Capitals were pleasantly surprised with the emergence of Fleishmann (4 goals) and Perreault (2g), as well as seasoned vets Knuble (2g), Morrison (2g), and Semin (2g).
While some teams might play better without their star player, The Penguins most certainly did not.
Tags: Crosby, Fleischmann, Knuble, Malkin, Morrison, Ovechkin, Perreault, Semin
Thursday, November 19th 2009 at 1:35 pm
Might I point out that in the same stretch that malkin was out the Pens had lost 3 of our 7 defense and by the end of that stretch 6 of the pens 7 Starting d-men were injured.
Malkin has a good defensive set of skills as well as his offensive power, the rebound of the pens probably has more to do with his behind the blueline work then with his offensive power in comming back
Thursday, November 19th 2009 at 1:42 pm
Lookin’ good my friend. I really like the shirts!
Thursday, November 19th 2009 at 1:45 pm
@ TheTrybe
I’ll agree with the loss of defensemen – however, Engelland has been great for you guys. I used to love watching him in Hershey, and when I saw that assist he had the other night to Stall, I missed him all that much more.
Thursday, November 19th 2009 at 1:50 pm
@TheTrybe:
“the rebound of the pens probably has more to do with his behind the blueline work then with his offensive power in comming back”
So you’re in agreement that his return WAS detrimental to the Penguins resurrection?
Thursday, November 19th 2009 at 3:45 pm
@Krafty
No doubt with all the defensemen out, and talbot and malkin both down, what did teams have to worry about other then covering crosby?
Of couse in the stint Malkin was out the Pens got beat up they had no D, and only one “Real” worry on offense, other teams just triple covered crosby with no worries. With Malkin, Talbot and Sarge back in the lineup tonight Pens should be square again.
So Yes I do believe Malkin comming back WAS a huge factor in the bounceback, but not for the reasons in the above article which stated mostly offensive stats as the basis for the opinion. when there are far more factors then just him.
Friday, November 20th 2009 at 8:54 am
Actually, last night, with Malkin, the Penguins were subjected to a 6-2 drubbing…
By the Ottawa Senators.
Yes. The Senators curbstomped the Penguins, even with Malkin in the lineup.
So I am beginning to believe that the defense is the more critical element in the bounceback… because the defense had more holes in it last night than ten-year-old Swiss cheese!
Friday, November 20th 2009 at 10:49 am
I agree that Malkin means more to the Pens than Ovechkin does to the Caps right now. Malkin is not a better player than Ovie, but the Caps are much deeper in talent. Did the Caps take a hit when losing Ovie? They clearly did as the percentage would indicate. Yes, 4-2-0 is a good 6 game stretch (.667 points percentage) but the Caps *with* Ovie are 9-2-4, 22 points out of 30, which is a .733 points percentage. The Caps definitely missed Ovie in the line up.
Malkin’s loss had a bigger impact on the Pens. What this may cost Ovie in 2009-10 is the Hart Trophy…but it may help Ovie win the Stanley Cup instead.
Friday, November 20th 2009 at 1:34 pm
Correlation =/= causation + small sample size + variability in other factors makes it awfully hard to make this case.
Sunday, November 22nd 2009 at 10:36 pm
Here’s the deal. They went 2-5 without Malkin and most of those defenceman playing at least 4 of those 7 games except Gonchar. They have gone 4-1 in the games Gonchar missed with Malkin in the lineup. They are 3-1 since Malkin cameback and most of those injured defensmen are still out including the newly injure Gologowski. What it amounts to is Evgeni Malkin will always be the key to the Penguins success and he is the best player on the Penguins. No ifs ands or buts.