GUENTZEL BY THE NUMBERS

Penguins left winger Jake Guentzel is 22 and a rookie pro.

He's also a goal-scoring phenomenon.

In 77 games this season, Guentzel has 42 goals. That includes regular-season time with the Penguins, games with their Wilkes-Barre/Scranton farm club in the American Hockey League, and the ongoing NHL playoffs.

It also includes 10 goals in his last nine games. Guentzel is the hottest stick in the NHL.

Guentzel's touch around the net is sublime. It can't be taught. He is an amazing natural goal-scorer.

Rob Brown played for the Penguins from 1987-90, scoring 49 goals in 1988-89 while skating on Mario Lemieux's right wing. Guentzel is a much better skater, but the two can definitely be compared in front of goal. Magic happens.

The line of Guentzel, Sidney Crosby and Conor Sheary has been a sensation since assembly.

But they need to fix a few things.

The Crosby line has totaled six goals and seven assists in four playoff games. But they're also a combined minus-5. Sheary was minus-3 in the Penguins' Game 4 loss at Columbus. Crosby and Guentzel were each minus-2.

The Penguins must tighten up for Game 5 tonight at PPG Paints Arena. If that means slowing down offensively just a bit, so be it. You can't always do what you want. You've got to do what's needed.


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