Through 1st month of season, Penguins making strides in 3-on-3 overtime

Roughly a month into the season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have demonstrated increased competence in 3-on-3 overtime periods.

To be sure, some instances, such as overtime being required Tuesday against the New York Islanders in an eventual shootout loss that featured the Penguins blowing a two-goal, third-period lead, have been cause for frustration, not commendation.

The Penguins have played four overtime periods, winning Oct. 16 against the Buffalo Sabres and Oct. 31 against the Anaheim Ducks.

Four games is a small sample size, but two early wins are noteworthy given the Penguins won in only four of 13 overtimes last year.

“Obviously, in the past, it’s not something we did really well, especially when you look at the end of the year, how many points that you leave on the table in those situations,” defenseman Kris Letang said. “I thought we did a good job addressing it in the preseason (and) at the beginning of the year.”

Oct. 22 against the Calgary Flames and Tuesday’s contest against the Islanders resulted in shootout defeats.

But simply surviving overtimes, which mostly have not featured a surplus of odd-man rushes against, as was often the case last season, represents a needed change of pace.

Examining all facets of the team’s game is a routine offseason duty for coach Mike Sullivan and his staff.

That includes looking closely at how the Penguins performed 3-on-3.

Having regressed from 8-10 in overtime two seasons ago to 4-9 in 2023-24, Sullivan sought to inspire some change this year in how the Penguins handled themselves in the extra five-minute periods.

“We’ve talked a lot with our group about our overtime,” Sullivan said. “It wasn’t a strong suit of our team last year. Our coaching staff took a deep dive into it. We’ve done it a few years in a row now. We’ve tried to make it a point of emphasis to challenge our group with respect to the overtime.”

Players have risen to that challenge.

It might not be totally fitting to describe the Penguins’ overtime play to date as conservative. Perhaps more appropriate would be “controlled” or “calculated.”

“I think the guys out there are doing a really good job of possessing the puck, taking the shot when it’s there and if it’s not a (Grade) A look at the net, hold onto it,” forward Noel Acciari said. “It’s worth holding on and looking for another play. We’re doing good with our changes, being smart about that and keeping the other (team’s players) out there longer. If we can stick with that, not get stubborn, I think that record will improve as the year goes on.”

Puck possession and discipline have been key for the Penguins in establishing more robust overtime performances.

Chaz Palla | TribLive

The Penguins’ Sidney Crosby with the game winner to beat the Sabres 6-5 in overtime Oct. 16 at PPG Paints Arena.

Predictably, Sidney Crosby has taken the opening faceoff in all four overtimes the Penguins have played.

He’s yet to lose one of those draws, and the Penguins largely have managed to control the pace of play after Crosby comes away with the opening faceoff win.

In fact, Buffalo, Calgary, Anaheim and New York failed to record a shot on goal against the Penguins in overtime.

All the Flames mustered in a full five-minute period leading into a shootout was a shot off the post by Mikael Backlund, and New York’s Brock Nelson also hit iron on an overtime shot Tuesday.

In total, the Penguins have enjoyed a 7-0 advantage in shots on goal through 14 minutes, 3 seconds of combined overtime play.

For Sullivan, playing better defense, in particular, has been key.

“One of the things that I think is an important aspect of overtime is understanding the importance of defending,” he said. “I think it’s intuitive to think, ‘OK, we’re going to put our best offensive players on the ice, and the offensive guys have an advantage because there’s more ice.’

“That is true, but when you don’t have the puck, you have to be every bit as committed to defending so that you have opportunities to create offense. When you watch how overtime goals are scored, a lot of them are created off of defending. … I think that’s the essence of overtime.”

On that front, Sullivan complimented the play Oct. 31 against the Ducks that led to Crosby’s winning overtime goal.

SIDNEY CROSBY OVERTIME WINNER ????#LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/Z1mye7zUKO

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) November 1, 2024

After Anaheim’s Cutter Gauthier blocked a Crosby wrister, Cody Glass battled Gauthier for possession of the puck along the boards.

Crosby, accelerating into the offensive zone following Glass’ strong forecheck, found the loose puck, raced toward the net and found himself all alone in front of Lukas Dostal before ending the game with a top-shelf flip in at the crease.

Tuesday in New York, the Penguins dominated the majority of overtime thanks to a 4-on-3 power play but had to lock in for the final 1:36 when New York went on the man-advantage, which was successfully fought off.

While the circumstances that bring the Penguins into overtime aren’t always positive, Sullivan has been encouraged with how they are performing in that setting.

“I give the guys a lot of credit,” Sullivan said. “I think their intentions are in the right place, and if our intentions are in the right place, when we get into overtime, we’re going to win a fair amount.”