DearDiary
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- Aug 29, 2010
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I said Kessel was in a bad situation and won't be a problem for the Penguins. My point is, he's not a solution.
The reason he Pens have struggled in the playoffs is because they lack any kind of playmaking from their wingers. It's easy to shut down Crosby/Malkin if they're the only ones who can get the puck up the ice and the only ones who can create scoring chances. Kessel is a gamechanger for their top 6, he can create space for his centers by getting defensemen to back off with his speed. He's also a great playmaker.
The Boston series is a good example. They shut Crosby down because they double teamed him to force an early pass. Then pressured Crosby's wingers to make a play. None of the Pens wingers could do anything other than drive the net or pass off the puck to an open area. Neal became a liability, he had no space because Malkin couldn't create any for him. Neal didn't do anything except give away the puck.
Pens fans here blame Bylsma but there's nothing he could do other than play to the strength of his forwards. That lack of playmaking didn't give Dan much to work with, and Pens fans will be kicking themselves when he wins the Jack Adams again