Analysis: Rickard Rakell, budding Penguins playmaker?

Mike McKenna
Mike McKenna(MikeMcKenna56)
Analysis: Rickard Rakell, budding Penguins playmaker?

Rickard Rakell: Pittsburgh Penguins playmaker.

It had been four games since the Swedish forward registered a point. But during Sunday’s matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators, Rakell responded with three assists.

Penguins general manager Ron Hextall brought Rakell in to boost depth scoring and, for the most part, the move has been a success. Rakell has recorded three goals and five assists for Pittsburgh. But the perfect line combination for the 28-year old winger has proven to be elusive for Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan.

Playing in his 11th game as a Penguin since coming over from the Anaheim Ducks at the NHL trade deadline, Rakell spent most of the night playing on a line with Penguins second-line center Evgeni Malkin. But oddly enough, all three of Rakell’s assists occurred during shift overlaps with the Penguins’ top center, Sidney Crosby.

First assist

Rakell has always been known for his speed. He’s good in transition and can finish: Rakell has scored more than 30 goals twice in his 10-year NHL career. No wonder the Penguins thought he would fit in perfectly with their uptempo style of play.

The goal above is a perfect example of what Rakell brings to the Pittsburgh lineup. From the moment he swings low into the defensive zone, Rakell is building speed and momentum. Even though he doesn’t receive a pass in the neutral zone, he’s still moving quickly. And when the puck gets tipped into the Predators’ defensive zone, Rakell takes several hard strides directly towards Nashville goaltender David Rittich.

Rakell knows he’s F1 in this situation – the first forward into the zone. He’s responsible for putting pressure on the Predators defense or goaltender. And by taking a straight, fast route directly at Rittich, Rakell is forcing the Predators goaltender to make a rushed decision. The result is a soft rim around the boards that allows Penguins teammate Kris Letang to pinch and create a turnover.

The puck bounces away from the wall to Rakell, who immediately cuts to his right. Despite an open lane to the net, Rakell’s body language is showing pass the entire time. But Predators defenseman Matt Benning is in a strong position to prevent it. His skates and stick are occupying the passing lane.

And that’s where Rakell gets creative. He sees Crosby streaking toward the net wide open. So Rakell creates a passing lane by quickly switching the puck from his backhand onto his forehand. The change in angle gives Rakell just enough space to thread a pass to Crosby, who buries 27th goal of the season and gives the Penguins a 1-0 lead.

Second assist

Once again, Rakell’s speed plays a major factor in this goal being scored. He’s moving at such a fast clip upon entering the zone that the Predators’ defense are forced to honor his attack to the slot – even after he drops the puck between his legs to Crosby at the blueline. 

While the main goal of Rakell opening his hips is for a potential one-timer, it also forces Benning to stay tight. That opens middle ice for Jason Zucker, who scores on the backhand after a slick pass from Crosby. Without Rakell driving through the slot and pushing the Nashville defense back, Zucker probably doesn’t have the same look at the net. The goal tied the game at two per side.

Third assist

Sure, this is three-on-three overtime and Crosby does a lot of the work. His initial steal on Predators forward Mikael Granlund and subsequent puck retrieval is really impressive. And credit to Penguins D-man Mike Matheson, who manages to split the Nashville defense and create the original scoring opportunity.

But the puck doesn’t end up behind Rittich if it isn’t for Rakell. Just before the game-winning pass is made, Crosby tries to shuffle the puck over to Matheson on the other side of the Predators’ goal crease. But the pass deflects off Nashville defenseman Mattias Ekholm’s skate directly into the high slot area. 

Rakell is striding right down the middle of the ice and the puck is practically waiting on a tee for him. With this clean of a look at the net, most players would opt to take the shot. But Rittich is thinking the same thing. He sees Rakell’s backswing and prepares for the shot.

But at the last second, Rakell closes the blade of his stick and dishes the puck to Crosby, who’s waiting just feet away from the Predators goal crease. The Penguins captain redirects the puck into the net for the game-winning goal.

Maybe it was just luck that Rakell put up three assists while Crosby was on the ice rather than Rakell’s usual center Evgeni Malkin. But the success – even in a limited setting – is something Mike Sullivan can draw upon if necessary. Mixing up the lines is a favorite mechanism for coaches when they’re trying to manufacture offense. Options are good.

But more than anything, Sunday’s game was a good sign that Rakell is capable of producing within the Penguins system. His scoring has been sporadic since coming over from Anaheim. The eight points Rakell has in a Pittsburgh uniform have come during three separate multi-point games.

The tools are there. Rakell is fast, and the chemistry with his teammates appears to be growing.

If the Penguins are going to make noise in the Stanley Cup playoffs, they’re going to need the most consistent version of Rickard Rakell.

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