The Pittsburgh Penguins' shootout struggles have been a notable storyline this season. With just one win in their first 11 attempts, the team faced challenges both in finding the net and in keeping the opposition at bay.
On some nights, the Penguins' goalies, including Tristan Jarry, Arturs Silovs, and Stuart Skinner, managed to stop two of three shots, only for the shooters to come up short. On others, the shooters found success, but the goalies were outmatched.
Silovs, in particular, saw his shootout save percentage rise from a meager .350 to .404, showing signs of improvement. Skinner, meanwhile, has been on a roll, winning the last two shootouts and boosting his save rate to .552. The Penguins have invested significant time into improving their shootout performance, and the hard work is beginning to show results.
Skinner credited goalie coach Andy Chiodo for his insightful guidance. "The cool thing about it is that Andy is always very intelligent with how he talks to me," Skinner noted after a recent shootout victory against Ottawa. This dedication to practice has started to pay dividends, with Skinner making crucial breakaway saves in overtime and the shootout.
Despite their recent improvements, the Penguins' overall shootout record stands at 3-11 this season. This trend of post-regulation struggles isn't new, as they were 1-6 in shootouts last season and 6-12 in overtime and shootouts the year before. The combination of factors contributing to these results includes both roster construction and the predictability of their star players' moves.
In their latest shootout, Rickard Rakell, Egor Chinakhov, and Ben Kindel stepped up, with Chinakhov and Kindel finding the back of the net. Kindel's straightforward approach sealed the win. "You’re always looking for different ways to score," Kindel explained, highlighting the importance of practice in finding effective moves.
The Penguins have been diligent in their video analysis and practice sessions, experimenting with strategies like Rakell's slow move, which involves attacking from the side before delivering a clean wrist shot. This commitment is finally yielding some positive outcomes.
Turning to the roster, the Penguins have yet to make any changes, despite public calls for Rutger McGroarty's promotion from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, especially given Ville Koivunen's current struggles. The Finnish winger, who showed promise last season, has managed only seven points in 35 games this year.
Coach Dan Muse has reduced Koivunen's ice time recently, though he has had standout moments, such as his physically engaged performance against the Utah Mammoth. Koivunen himself expressed a desire to be more of an agitator but feels that his current play doesn't warrant it.
WBS coach Kirk MacDonald believes Koivunen thrives when he's physically involved and annoying opponents. However, Koivunen's lack of confidence in his game has kept him from embracing that role fully. The key to unlocking his potential may lie in regaining that confidence and playing with a more aggressive edge.
Ultimately, the Penguins' shootout woes and Koivunen's struggles highlight the ongoing challenges the team faces. Yet, with persistent effort and strategic adjustments, there's hope for improvement as they push forward in the season.