Franchise Players Can’t Do It All

                                                 

"When you play defense, good defense means you play the zone…. With our defense that we play, if [a defensive player] makes a mistake, there’s always somebody else. So it’s tougher. You’d have to beat five guys, not one guy. That’s why I would say it was tough for [Evgeni] Malkin and [Sidney Crosby] because it was a five guy unit."  -Jaromir Jagr, 2013

                Translation:    Even when I was at my best, I couldn’t beat all five guys on the ice.  (Notice the stick-hold in front of the net?)  Neither can Crosby and Malkin.  The Penguins didn’t have enough puck support to beat our defense. 

                Takeaway:  Expecting Crosby and Malkin to “will” their way to take over a game is fine when playing borderline playoff teams in the regular season.  It might even work against lower-seeded playoff teams in early rounds.  It’s sheer lunacy against equally talented teams (teams that have trophy winners of their own). 

                Action Item:   Pittsburgh's All-Stars have to play within a structure that provides them with the support they need.   Tactics have to be adjusted when dealing with a talented opponent employing a great system.   Elite players need to play with players who help to create time and space when matched up against 5-man units.