continued from page 200
areas, and the puck seems to find me right now.” Eight of Kunitz’ first 18 goals — including two against the Islanders — came on the power play. “The guys were moving around,” Kunitz said of the Penguins’ manadvantage performance vs. the Isles. “We had some good zone time. We won face-offs. We hunted down pucks. We did the things needed to be successful out there and got the momentum in our favor.” Both of Kunitz’ PPGs March 10 came on goalmouth feeds from James Neal, more renowned as a sniper than a playmaker. One came during a 5-on-3. “[Neal’s passes] were really nice,” Kunitz said. “Five-onthree, we practice it a lot. You don’t usually get those passes, but I got good position, and Nealer had good position to throw it to the net and put it on my stick. “The other one, he burst into the zone with speed. I got the puck over to him, and he made a nice play back.” Kunitz’ preferred game plan is a good one: Get Crosby the puck. “Anytime you can get [Crosby] the puck with speed, or anywhere on the ice, it opens up space. It pushes the D back,” Kunitz said. “It lets me create time to get up in the play or go to the net. That’s what you look for when you play with Sid.” After defeating Boston, the Penguins were 19-8 and on a six-game win streak. They led the NHL in goals with 100, and their string of victories included two by 5-4 and one by 7-6. The Pens play highoctane hockey. But will that work in the playoffs when most teams tighten up? “It’s not the perfect remedy,” said the 6-foot, 193-pound Kunitz. “You don’t want to be doing that. We know we can go out there and be offensive, but we have to be responsible in our own end first. When we play with the puck, gain their zone with speed, get the puck behind them and cause turnovers, we’re successful.” Mark Madden hosts a radio show 3-6 p.m. weekdays on WXDX-FM (105.9).
203