Pittsburgh Penguins Ben Kindel, Ville Koivunen: Photo Courtesy of Pittsburgh Penguins
DETROIT — In the span of a few days, the Pittsburgh Penguins‘ congested battle for the 13 forward spots became even more crowded. Like a pastry shop with a great Instagram review, there is a line of 20-something forwards eagerly pushing for their entry.
After Monday night, add 11th overall pick Ben Kindel to the line. In fact, he may have jumped several spots, close to the front of the line.
For the record, the Penguins beat the Detroit Red Wings 2-1 at Little Caesars Arena. The shots were 22-20 in favor of Detroit, but the scoring chances were heavily in the Penguins’ favor, 22-10.
“I feel happy with the performance. I thought the group to a man, everybody really came to work today. It was for the full 60 minutes. I just think, we talk about what we want to be building here, and the way we want play,” Muse said with an growing smile. “And I thought these guys worked really hard to show that away from the puck. Just the guys, they were connected tonight. They were working. They were above things.”
The Penguins’ first-round pick had a slow start to camp, easing his way into the high-energy camp, at times looking slow if not a little timid, even as he flashed the hockey IQ that vaulted him to the top of general manager Kyle Dubas’s draft board.
Monday, left defenseman Ryan Shea asserted himself, playing a strong game with and without the puck. Just a few minutes into the game against the Detroit Red Wings, Shea bolted up the ice to the Detroit zone and slipped a soft backhand pass around a defender to Kindel.
Kindel raced past his coverage and snapped a wrister glove side past Detroit goalie John Gibson.
Kindel had more than a few moments on Monday in which he showed better skating than we thought he had, and showed top-level game presence, creating opportunities where other players would chip the puck and chase it.
In fact, Kindel’s line with Avery Hayes on right and Ville Koivunen on the left was downright dominant.
“I think (they played well) on both sides of the puck. I mean, you saw it there, they’re out there for that goal early on, but (I liked) the puck movement, the puck support,” Muse said. “And then, like the puck pressure, both on the forecheck and the way they were working above, whoever they were out there against, they made it difficult.
“So those guys are all on the relatively younger side. And they also got some great experience–they went up against some really good established NHL players. And so, I liked the connection from the line on both sides of the puck.”
A few others had noteworthy games, but that’s the second consecutive game in which Kindel has made an impact, rising above his competition, internal and external.
After two periods, Kindel’s line with Koivunen and Hayes showed lopsided advanced stats. Of the 11 shot attempts when they were on the ice, the Penguins had 10 of them. They finished with a 15-2 shot attempt advantage.
If you’re into math, that percentage calculates to … really good.
OK, it’s actually 88.2%. But wait, there’s more. The Kindel line had seven scoring chances and allowed none, and their expected goals for reached 98% (.57 vs. .01). All stats from NaturalStatTrick.com.
In fairness, Detroit made life easy on Kindel by matching him up against a few of their scrubs, Patrik Kane, Alex DeBrincat, and Marco Kasper.
Kindel led all players with five shots on goal, and he notched the goal from Shea’s assist.
Penguins Analysis
Let’s count the odd-man breaks. None.
Let’s count the defensive breakdowns that left goalie Tristan Jarry exposed. None.
“The stick detail I thought was really good. And then the guys were–just the puck movement,” said Muse. “And I think especially in the second period, the puck support was really good, and I just think that when you start to have that kind of a connection, and there’s predictability in our game, good things happen.
Despite the preseason designation, the Penguins are finding some success with a prim and proper, controlled forecheck that less often sends a second forechecker and only launches the F2 when pressure is assured.
At least for now, anyway.
Puck pressure was assured Monay, as was protecting their net. The Penguins did not allow a scoring chance in the second period. None. Zip. Zero. Nada.
Of course, Detroit didn’t dress it’s opening night roster, but they did put enough NHL players on the ice to be a competitive team. The Penguins not only outplayed them, they didn’t make the calvalcade of ungodly mistakes, commit turnovers, or otherwise beat themselves, as this team has maddeningly done for a few years running.
KISS. Keep it simple, stupid.
Penguins Report Card
Ben Kindel: A+
Loved his game. He’s skating well, playing with confidence, creating space, and orchestrating the play. After the first couple of days of camp, he looked a bit overmatched, but that has changed rapidly.
You’ll catch the first glimpse of his hockey IQ in the defensive zone, where he quickly diagnoses the play and puts himself in the right spot. Now, he’s doing so in the offensive zone and skating with purpose.
Ville Koivunen: A
He’s a low-key magician. Koivunen doesn’t yet get the pub or hype of previous slick wingers who wore (or wear) a Penguins sweater, but he makes smart little plays that become bigger plays.
Filip Hallander: A
Finally, Hallander had that big game that burnished his NHL candidacy. He’s been fine to good for the entirety of camp and preseason, but he hasn’t risen above the competition. He did that on Monday, playing on a line with Tommy Novak and Philip Tomasino.
Hallander set up a few chances near the net, including an “excuse me” shin pad pass to Novak for a goal. He was probably the best of the three forwards on the line and his playmaking created opportunities while his defensive game was stellar.
There’s a big difference between playing well and making an impact. Hallander finally made an impact.
Ryan Shea: A
I have really liked Shea’s game in preseason. He’s playing with confidence and commanding his ice time. Monday, he was able to skate away from forecheckers and make crisp outlet passes.
He was good in transition; he and D partner Matt Dumba worked very well together and were not on the ice for a scoring chance against.
Other Grades
There wasn’t a player who had a bad game. Muse wasn’t tossing horse apples when he praised his team’s performance.
Before fans say it, you can read it here: There is something to be said for a lesser lineup that plays the right way rather than decorated players who rely on talent or presume to rely on talent to win the day.
Monday was yet another glimpse into the Penguins future.
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