Penguins block Jackets at every turn
PITTSBURGH — Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella is learning what it’s like to play against his 2012 New York Rangers.
His former club reached the Eastern Conference final that season on the strength of its selfless shotblocking prowess. His good friend and longtime assistant Mike Sullivan has brought the same philosophy to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
While most focus on the Penguins’ skill level and creativity, the defending champions have demonstrated ample grit in the first two games of their Stanley Cup playoff series. They repeatedly have frustrated the Blue Jackets by clogging shooting lanes and not giving them clean looks at goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.
The Penguins blocked 23 shots Friday night in a 4-1 win over the Jackets at PPG Paints Arena after blocking 22 in a Game 1 victory on Wednesday.
“We knew what we were getting into at the start of the series,” said Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski, who finished with five shots on goal and three others blocked. “They are going to block shots and they are the defending Stanley Cup champs for a reason. We have to find ways to change angles and get shots on net.”
This isn’t a recent development for the Penguins. Sullivan got a club known for its finesse to sacrifice its bodies on the way to a title last spring. It ramped up this season as the Penguins finished sixth in the NHL in blocks (1,307). The Jackets were 12th with 1,179.
Tortorella has mentioned several times this season he wants the Blue Jackets’ bodies in front of more pucks. The Penguins have demonstrated the importance in these first two games as the black-and-gold also has been black-andblue with its effort.
Among the key moments in Friday’s game is when defenseman Ian Cole, who set a franchise record with 194 blocks, denied a glorious Oliver Bjorkstrand chance early in the second period from his belly. As he lie on the ice, Cole was pitch-forked by Scott Hartnell, who was trying to pry the puck loose.
Ron Hainsey also had an important block on Bjorkstrand in the final minute of the second while the Blue Jackets were on the power play.
“We have to find a way past their guys and maybe get a little more creative,” Bjorkstrand said. “I was just trying to get a shot on net (when Cole blocked it). It happened fast. I was not trying to shoot it into his stomach.”
The Jackets had 79 shot attempts Friday night and put 40 on Fleury. But the Penguins' defensemen so often eliminated chances with blocks. Brian Dumoulin and Cole combined for eight.
Last month, Sullivan grew testy with reporters when asked about the spate of injuries the Penguins have suffered blocking shots. Evgeni Malkin and Carl Hagelin are among at least six players who have missed time from it.
“Every team in the league blocks shots,” Sullivan told reporters.
Right now, nobody is doing it better than the Blue Jackets’ opponent.