Uptick in power-play productivity a welcomed change of pace for Penguins

Aside from isolated spurts of a few games, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ power play largely has been moribund this season.

The Penguins’ 15.4% conversion rate on the man-advantage ranks 28th in the NHL, but lately, things have been looking up.

Over their last nine games, the Penguins have gone 8 for 32 (25%) on the power-play, with goals in six of their last nine games.

Ironically, that increase in effectiveness has come with winger Jake Guentzel sidelined by injury. Fellow forward Bryan Rust also has missed the past five games because of an undisclosed ailment.

Granted, the Penguins only have gone 4-4-1 over that span.

Regardless, clear traction in an area that’s been a struggle all year long is welcomed.

“I think the (power play) has been better,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “(Players) are certainly doing a better job of executing. They’re getting pucks to the net, I think they’re buying into the scheme. … When you have a little bit of success and you score some goals, you build some confidence and I think that’s helping, as well.”

But putting a damper on the recent power-play success has been the Penguins’ increased propensity for allowing short-handed goals.

The Penguins have allowed four short-handed goals in that nine-game span. They have allowed nine this season, which is tied for second-most in the NHL.

An examination of those nine short-handed goals allowed reveal a mixed bag of responsibility and circumstances.

Some have been the result of egregious on-ice mistakes whereas others, such as the one the Penguins allowed Tuesday night to Columbus, have been more flukey.

In that instance, trouble started right after Rickard Rakell broke his stick on a shot attempt in the offensive zone.

Columbus’ Jack Roslovic came into possession of the puck and took it up the ice, firing a well-placed wrister that beat Tristan Jarry.

Jack Roslovic's shorthanded rip ties it up at 3 for the Jackets!#CBJ pic.twitter.com/gcriqqukxp

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“Some of them I’m sure (are) preventable, and some of them you can’t do much about,” defenseman Erik Karlsson said. “I think last game was an example of that. We go from a scoring chance, to breaking a stick, to (Columbus) having a 2-on-1. They made a good shot at the right time. Those ones you can’t do too much about. You’ve just got to move on.”

However, to the Penguins’ credit, they responded immediately with Jeff Carter netting a power-play goal 22 seconds later.

“We win as a team, and we lose as a team,” forward Lars Eller said. “…You’re just not going to let it affect the next shift, and we didn’t. The next line (came) out and scored a goal.”

For as deflating as short-handed goals have been, the Penguins are 5-3-1 this season when they do.

Note: Per Sullivan, forward Drew O’Connor (concussion) won’t play Thursday night vs. Washington. Fellow forwards Noel Acciari and Jansen Harkins, both of whom are dealing with undisclosed injuries, are game-time decisions. Acciari appeared for part of the Penguins’ morning stake at PPG Paints Arena, and Harkins was a full participant.