LAS VEGAS — The Penguins had just completed practice at T-Mobile Arena on Wednesday and, one by one, the players trickled into the locker room. There was some lively chatter around the room.
In the far corner, however, sat Jake Guentzel. His face told the story.
Guentzel is well aware that the Penguins have fallen out of playoff position and that their offense has faded badly in the past couple of weeks. And he knows he’s been part of the problem
For the first time in almost four years, Guentzel has gone seven straight games without lighting the lamp. He had a look of dejection while sitting at his locker.
Guentzel could have lied and said he’s not frustrated by his current lack of production. But he did no such thing.
“Yeah,” Guentzel said. “I am. I just have to be better. I know I need to be better.”
On the surface, there is nothing wrong with the left wing’s numbers. Guentzel, who has emerged as one of the most consistent goal scorers in Penguins history, has 33 points in 33 games. He also has scored 15 goals and is on pace for 31, which probably qualifies as an off season for Guentzel, but is hardly alarming.
Then, you dig a little deeper.
Guentzel started the season on fire, producing eight goals in his first 10 games. However, he’s only scored seven goals in his past 24 games. Three of those goals are empty netters.
For the season, five of Guentzel’s 15 goals have been scored into an empty net. Only Alex Ovechkin (six) has scored more empty netters this season.
While those goals count. the fact is that 10 goals against a goaltender in 33 games isn’t quite what the Penguins have come to expect from Guentzel. So, what’s been the problem?
“I’m trying not to get frustrated,” Guentzel said. “I’m trying to play the game the right way. But it’s tough. It’s been a grind, to be honest. I think, more than anything, I need to start shooting the puck more. That’s probably been a big part of the problem for me. I just need to shoot the puck and, if I start doing that, I think good things will happen.”
The Penguins have dropped five games in a row largely because their ordinarily potent offense is scuffling.
Guentzel essentially feels like nothing can go right at the moment.
“That’s the way it feels,” he said. “For some reason, it’s just happening right now. Nothing I’m doing is working, nothing is going right at the moment. It’s a funny game sometimes, you know? But I just need to keep working. I really think that’s the key. If I keep working, good things will start to happen.”
Sidney Crosby, Guentzel’s center, is also dealing with a funk. He doesn’t have a point in four straight games for the first time all season.
Guentzel said he and Crosby haven’t had any particularly deep conversations about their recent struggles. It wouldn’t be necessary, Guentzel said.
“When we aren’t helping this team win, we aren’t happy,” Guentzel said. “We’re both competitive guys. We just want to score, want to win.”
Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Guentzel’s coach senses that the star winger might be trying a little too hard at the moment.
Mike Sullivan was asked if there’s anything about Guentzel’s current game that he doesn’t like.
“I think he’s pressing a little bit,” Sullivan said. “He puts a lot of pressure on himself to score. He knows this team relies on him to score. He’s a competitive guy. He’s a proud guy.”
That much was clear simply by seeing the look on Guentzel’s face in the locker room.
“I have to get it going,” he said.
Sullivan wants Guentzel to take a deep breath.
“When players go through stretches where they don’t score — most players throughout their careers do, and Jake isn’t any different — it’s a matter of making sure you’re in the right head space so you don’t get in your own way,” Sullivan explained. “It’s an easy thing to do as an athlete. These guys are proud. They care. They want to do their best. They know their team is relying on them. Jake is no different in that regard.”
Psychologically speaking, Sullivan wants Guentzel to relax.
On the ice, he has some other suggestions.
“Our advice is to hang in there and continue to compete,” Sullivan said. “Focus on the details of the game, playing the right way. Simplify a bit. Shoot the puck. Go to the net. That’s when good things happen.”
When the Penguins take on the Golden Knights on Thursday, they’ll do so while sitting in sixth place in the mighty Metropolitan Division. Currently, the Penguins are in the very odd position of being out of a playoff spot.
Players love saying that don’t look at the standings. Not Guentzel.
“We know,” he said. “Trust me, we know. It has our attention. It’s January now. It’s time to buckle down, and it’s time to end this streak.”
It’s time for Guentzel to end his, too.
“That’s the plan,” he said.
Practice tidbits
• Tristan Jarry, who was injured in the Winter Classic, isn’t in Las Vegas.
Sullivan confirmed that Jarry went back to Pittsburgh after leaving Boston, instead of joining his teammates in Nevada. Jarry is dealing with a leg or knee injury and is being examined in Pittsburgh. Sullivan did not provide any additional information.
It’s no time to panic. Perhaps Jarry’s injury isn’t serious. That he went back to Pittsburgh, however, probably shouldn’t be considered a great sign. At the very least, it appears wildly unlikely that he will play in Vegas or in Arizona on Sunday. Sullivan figures to offer more information on Jarry’s status in the coming days.
• Josh Archibald is also injured and is back in Pittsburgh, so he won’t be in the lineup against Vegas.
• Kris Letang’s status remains unknown.
Letang is currently in Montreal following the death of his father. Sullivan said the organization is being respectful and giving Letang as much time as he needs with his family. The defenseman is also dealing with a lower-body injury.
It’s unknown if he will be traveling to Vegas or Arizona for the games this week.
• Ryan Poehling practiced. He’s been dealing with an injury and is still considered “day-to-day.”
It appears possible that he will play against the Golden Knights.
• Marcus Pettersson didn’t practice on Wednesday, but Sullivan said the defenseman was simply given a “maintenance day.”
• Jeff Petry skated following practice. He’s eligible to return off of LTIR on Sunday in Arizona.
• Sullivan stopped practice five minutes in to bark at his team to wake up and pick up its tempo.
(Top photo: Kyle Ross / USA Today)
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