Phil Kessel shouldn't deviate from the shoot-first mentality that makes him a prolific scorer

By Mark Madden
http://www.timesonline.com/sports/
May 14, 2017


Phil Kessel #81 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against Cody Ceci #5 of the Ottawa Senators in Game One of the Eastern Conference Final during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the PPG PAINTS Arena on May 13, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Senators defeated the Penguins 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

It's going to be a tight series.

That doesn't reflect so much on the result of Game 1 between the Penguins and Ottawa as it does on the way the Senators played.

Ottawa is the first foe the Penguins have faced in these playoffs that isn't willing to just play hockey. Not willing to go toe-to-toe. The Senators sit in their 1-3-1 trap, clog every place and everything that can possibly be clogged, and attack when opportunity presents.

The Senators have no stars up front demanding service. Their lone true standout, defenseman Erik Karlsson, plays a hybrid style that sees him track (and often possess) the puck.

That's not to denigrate the Senators. Their style is what works best for them, and gives them the best chance to win.

Ottawa was 20 points worse than Washington during the regular season, 10 points worse than Columbus and with a startling goal differential of minus-2. The Senators have limitations, and recognize them.

The Penguins actually did a decent job on zone entries Saturday, but bypassed a lot of shots -- apparently forgetting that the last time they faced Ottawa goalie Craig Anderson, they scored seven times in 52 minutes.

Anderson played well Saturday, stopping 27 shots. But the Penguins mostly forced him to be consistently above-average, not spectacular.

Columbus and Washington tried to physically punish the Penguins. Ottawa will attempt to mentally frustrate.

The talent disparity duly noted, Ottawa's tactics may have a better chance of bearing fruit, if not winning the series.

The Penguins deserve to be where they are, but only marginally.

The Penguins have been out-shot in 12 of 13 playoff games, and their puck possession metrics are the worst among all postseason teams. The significance of Kris Letang's absence can't be overestimated. Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has been Horatius at the Penguins' bridge.

Not to worry. If the Penguins can win Game 7 at Washington, they can conquer losing Game 1 to Ottawa.

Ottawa's Bobby Ryan blew by Olli Maatta on Saturday's overtime goal, negating an otherwise good night for the Finnish defenseman. The line of Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel and Chris Kunitz netted the tying goal with 5:35 left in regulation but mostly struggled, passing up a plethora of shots and often committing turnovers high in the offensive zone.

But if there's a true scapegoat for Saturday's loss, it's the Penguins' power play.

The Penguins were 0 for 5 with the man-advantage, including 45 seconds of 5-on-3.

It’s difficult to criticize the Penguins’ man-advantage unit beyond being knee-jerk. It ranks sixth among playoff teams with a conversion percentage of 19.1 (best among conference finalists) and was third in the regular season with a rate of 23.1.

But the Penguins’ power play has something of the unfinished symphony about it.

The best spot for Sidney Crosby is on the right post because of his artistry in close quarters, but he doesn’t get enough touches there. You don’t often see one-timers that don’t require the triggerman adjusting. Not enough pucks get to the net. Nobody shoots enough.

That brings us to Kessel.

Kessel has five goals and eight assists in 13 playoff games. Those numbers make it impossible to criticize him.

But Kessel has scored once in the last six games. He had just three shots Saturday, and has topped four shots in a game just twice in these playoffs.

Kessel had 23 goals and 47 assists in 82 games during the regular season. He has scored 30 or more goals five times over 11 NHL seasons, but seems to be reinventing himself as a playmaker.

That’s a bad idea, and not why the Penguins got him.

Kessel needs to shoot more. Every chance he gets, to be precise. His finishing ability is the biggest part of his identity as a player. Kessel has relative mastery of the commodity currently most lacking in the NHL.

Kessel helps a lot. But he could contribute even more.

Mark Madden hosts a radio show 3-6 p.m. weekdays on WXDX-FM (105.9).