The Pittsburgh Penguins top line is having success. They have been a big reason why the team is where they are in the standings. Here’s how they are getting it done.
Pittsburgh Penguins Top Line Success
The Pittsburgh Penguins top line of Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust, and Rickard Rakell have been one of the best forward lines in the NHL this season. Since November 26, Rust and Rakell are tied for sixth with 19 each in the league in points. At one point they were first, second, and fourth in five on five point leaders since November 26 as well with Crosby in first, Rust second, and Rakell fourth.
Also at one point since November 26, Crosby, Rust, and Rakell were first, second, and third in the league amongst 252 forwards in expected goals for per 60 minutes. With the exception of Drew O’Connor, the Penguins first line generates a majority of the offense in terms of expected goals.
It All Starts With The Captain
The main focal point of the Penguins dominant top line is due to the captain Sidney Crosby. In 37 games this season, he has 39 points. Crosby is one of the best playmakers not only in the league, but all-time. His 29 assists due to his elite passing this season has helped Rust, Rakell, and others get on the scoresheet.
In his last five games, Crosby has a total of nine points, including two four point performances against the Nashville Predators and the Philadelphia Flyers.
Pittsburgh Penguins Powerplay Is Back
The past two seasons, the Penguins powerplay once great, has been abysmal the past two seasons and were bottom-five in the league each season. In efforts to fix the Penguins powerplay, General Manager Kyle Dubas hired David Quinn to be the new Assistant Coach controlling the powerplay and the defence.
After a rocky start, the Penguins powerplay has been pretty good this season. The Penguins powerplay percentage is eighth in the league at 24.5%.
This season, the Penguins have scored 26 goals on the powerplay. Crosby has accounted for 11 powerplay points and scoring on four of them. Last time the Penguins powerplay was top-10 in the league, the Penguins made the playoffs.
Crosby’s Line mates Being Rewarded
Rickard Rakell is also having a great season for the Penguins so far. In 37 games, he has 31 points. However, he is currently on pace to finish with 65 points which would be the second highest of his career. His 69 points which is his career high, came in the 2017-2018 season which was his lone All-Star appearance. If he can get to the 60 point mark, that would be his third time in his career and his second time during his tenure in Pittsburgh.
The other winger in Bryan Rust has been solid this season as well. After a rocky start to the season, he has looked like his former self and one of Crosby’s go to players. This season in 3o games, he has 27 points. He has also heated up as of late as he has seven points in his last five games. One of his better games in that stretch came against the Predators where he logged four points.
Assuming he stays healthy, Rust is still on pace for a career season in points. Rust’s current career high in points is 58 during the 2021-2022 season.
The Penguins powerplay and top line showed up in the 6-3 loss Saturday night against the New York Islanders. Rakell had a goal and an assist on the night with the assist coming on the powerplay to Michael Bunting.
Cannot Rely On The Top Line All The Time
The Penguins top line has been stellar for majority of the season and especially as of late. However, if the Penguins want to end their playoff drought and get back to winning as many games as possible, other players need to step up. One player in mind is Drew O’Connor as he is now gone 30 games without scoring a goal.
Main Photo: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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