The Penguins got what they had hoped for through the first two games of their series with the Rangers — a split. But if Pittsburgh hopes to take the series, it is going to need more scoring depth.
Five of the Penguins’ six goals have come from the team’s top line of Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust and Jake Guentzel. Evgeni Malkin’s Game 1 overtime winning goal is the lone exception.
Beyond that, only three points have come from non-first line forwards, and none have come from the bottom six.
“I’d say there was chances,” said fourth line center Teddy Blueger after Friday’s practice. “I think we had chances all around in both games. Obviously it’s important to put the puck in the net.
“There’s no point in having chances if you don’t score. As long as you’re getting chances, I think you’re on the right track and you’re giving yourself a chance. We do probably have to execute better and bear down a little bit.”
Crosby and Rust each have scored a goal and assisted three more. Guentzel has scored a trio of goals.
But the third line of Brock McGinn, Jeff Carter and Evan Rodrigues has yet to record a point, and really hasn’t played a major role in either game. The fourth line, with Blueger, Brian Boyle and, in Game 2, Drew O’Connor, has not produced either.
The Penguins, which have also dealt with injuries to wingers Rickard Rakell and Jason Zucker, don’t seem discouraged.
“We’ve seen signs,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “There’s been a number of scoring chances throughout our lineup. When you get balanced scoring, it helps your chances to win games. We’ll continue to work at that to try to help our guys create the opportunities to score goals.”
In the series, Pittsburgh has thrown 124 shots at New York goalie Igor Shesterkin, who seems to be a lock for the Vezina Trophy and could be the league’s MVP. It has beaten him just six times, with Shesterkin — who led the NHL in goals against average and save percentage in the regular season — stopping over 95 percent of the Penguins’ chances.
“I think we’re right there,” Guentzel said. “A lot of guys have had some really good chances. You’re not going to score every time you get a chance. We’ve just got to stick with it and make sure we get guys in front of the goaltender. I think the bounces will come. He’s made some good saves, but I think we’re all right there.”
Right there, however, may not be enough, as Shesterkin has been a thorn in the Penguins’ side all year. Pittsburgh scored just four goals in four games against New York in the regular season, with Shesterkin stopping 96 percent of shots in those games.
In all, the Penguins have attempted 225 shots on goal against the New York netminder this season. He has let just ten get by.
“You’ve got to get traffic on the goaltender,” Guentzel added. “If he’s going to see it, he’s going to stop it. If you’re getting shots and creating rebounds, that’s where we have our best chances.”