Hornqvist net-front force for Penguins
PITTSBURGH — A month ago, Pittsburgh Penguins wing Patric Hornqvist scored a goal that was memorable not for its highlight-reel quality, historical significance or even relevance within the game.
What made his wrist shot that beat Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Steve Mason on March 26 so significant was the distance the puck traveled — 24 feet. It was like witnessing a Tristan Thompson three-point shot attempt.
“For sure, that was probably my longest (goal) this season,” Hornqvist said. “But as long as you score, that’s what counts.”
The rugged Swede has averaged 21.5 goals over the past eight NHL seasons, with most coming on deflections and rebounds around the net. After scoring two goals against the Blue Jackets in a five-game, opening-round playoff series, Hornqvist faces the coach who transformed him into one of the best net-front presences since Tomas Holmstrom.
The Penguins meet the Washington Capitals in a series some believe will produce the eventual Stanley Cup champion. Years ago, it was Capitals coach Barry Trotz, then with Nashville, who moved Hornqvist from the slot to the front of the net on power plays.
He has been creating chaos for goaltenders and defensemen ever since.
“Trotz was the coach and he took care of the power play,” Hornqvist recalled. “He helped me a lot, for sure.”
Blue Jackets fans are familiar with his crease-crashing tendencies from his time in Nashville through last week, when he made a nuisance of himself around goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. Blue Jackets defenseman David Savard grew so sick of Hornqvist that he nearly impaled the wing’s face on the left post, where it meets the crossbar, with a wicked crosscheck from behind in Game 5.
The 5-foot-11, 189-pound Hornqvist takes a beating — he has suffered two concussions this season — to screen and distract goalies while Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel let their talents loose in the slot.
“He gets to the net and, if there’s a rebound, he’s going to clean it up,” Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno said. “He just complements that team very well with his skill set.”
Hornqvist said he’s never met Holmstrom, with whom he’s often compared, but admired the grit and courage the former Detroit Red Wing exhibited. Hornqvist’s idol growing up in Sweden was former Colorado star Peter Forsberg.
“You can’t tell by my style of play?” Hornqvist said.
The defending Cup champion Penguins are looking to add to the Capitals' history of playoff misery. Washington's inability to beat Pittsburgh when it matters — the Capitals are 1-8 against the Penguins in the postseason — is a major reason they remain in search of their first title.
Hornqvist helped Pittsburgh win its fourth Cup last season, and is moving up to the Crosby line to start this series.
Right now, Trotz probably regrets altering the course of Hornqvist’s career. If Trotz doesn’t, many goalies certainly do.