Pens Report – Coachspeak with Dan Bylsma…
On Kris Letang’s numbers dropping recently:
They are certainly special when we’re talking about the power play. It’s a concern, because we’re looking for our back end there to provide some offensive shots to the net. I think the most important thing is getting the shot off and through to the net-front area, not necessarily on net, because we have guys going there. That’s something that I think has dropped for Kris in the last 25 games. I think as a result, he’s gotten less goals, he’s gotten less rebound situations for his players. In terms of taking away from other parts of his game, I think at times it has a little bit. When he’s gone out there looking to carry the puck and make plays or get in the play, it’s taken away from his all-around game. We’ve talked about it. And when it comes to the playoffs, he’s good there because his focus has gone on defending. And it’s opened up more for him the other way as a result. On the power play, I think shooting is a factor for him. He needs to be better. And him playing in our structure is playing that good defensive game and being a shut-down guy. I think it helps his overall game.
