Back in the early 1980s, then-Penguins coach Eddie Johnston borrowed the basketball pick play from good friend and Boston Celtics coach Tommy Heinsohn and incorporated it into his power play.
The result?
With Rick Kehoe and Paul Gardner serving as triggermen, an ordinary Pens squad tallied a league-best 191 power-play goals over a two-season span.
Last night you might say Nashville’s Ryan O’Reilly redressed the balance. On the opening shift of overtime the crafty Preds center, intentionally or otherwise, picked off Sidney Crosby at our blue line, in the process providing Filip Forsberg clear sailing to our net on the game-winning goal.