{"id":69515,"date":"2020-02-22T08:15:37","date_gmt":"2020-02-22T13:15:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=69515"},"modified":"2020-02-22T00:42:14","modified_gmt":"2020-02-22T05:42:14","slug":"jason-zucker-has-been-a-game-changer-for-the-pittsburgh-penguins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2020\/02\/22\/jason-zucker-has-been-a-game-changer-for-the-pittsburgh-penguins\/","title":{"rendered":"Jason Zucker Has Been a Game Changer for the Pittsburgh Penguins"},"content":{"rendered":"

The experiment is only five games old. However, Jason Zucker<\/a><\/strong> being acquired from the Wild has made the Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> top line fearful again.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jason Zucker Addition Needed<\/h2>\n

When Jake Guentzel<\/a> <\/strong>went down essentially for the season, the Penguins were down a 40 goal winger. Acquiring that would\u2019ve cost the Penguins an arm and a leg that they don\u2019t have. Instead, they went with a safer, yet still very efficient acquisition. <\/span>Zucker isn\u2019t the sniper that Guentzel is. However, Zucker\u2019s straight-line speed and above-average goal-scoring ability makes him a more than adequate replacement.<\/span><\/p>\n

Head coach Mike Sullivan<\/a><\/strong> remarked about Zucker\u2019s abilities prior to practice on Thursday. <\/span>\u201cWe try to find a combination of speed and guys who have tight-area skills, who can thrive in traffic,\u201d Sullivan said<\/a>. \u201cBecause that\u2019s where [Crosby] thrives. He\u2019s so good at that give-and-go game down below the goal line or underneath the hash marks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The early returns from the line have seen top-notch results. <\/span>Zucker has potted three goals and an assist. Crosby, on an otherworldly pace right now, has two goals and eight assists for 10 points in five games together.<\/span><\/p>\n

Zucker Acquisition Game-Changing for Penguins<\/h3>\n

The Penguins acquired Jason Zucker with this season in mind. However, the thought of being able to role Guentzel and Zucker as the top six left-wingers next season and beyond is very enticing. <\/span>Zucker is around for four potential playoff runs before his contract expires. Guentzel, who signed a five-year deal last season, is around until 2023-24\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

Zucker is very aware of Crosby’s playmaking prowess. “If I give him that extra second to make a play by pushing the defenseman back, it’d going to make things easier for everyone.” Zucker said. “He makes some unbelievable plays out there, especially when he has that extra second.”<\/p>\n

There’s obviously no guarantee the duo stays together. Jared McCann<\/a> <\/strong>has seen success with Crosby at times. Dominik Simon<\/a>,<\/strong> seemingly Crosby’s mainstay right-winger, also plays well with the Penguins’ captain. Zucker will likely stick as a left-winger, whether it be with Crosby or Evgeni Malkin<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Going Forward<\/h3>\n

Regardless of what ends up happening, Crosby and Zucker have displayed chemistry. Keeping them paired together and letting it ride come playoff time likely seems like that most opportune option.<\/p>\n

Rutherford figures to make another move or two prior to the deadline this coming week. A depth forward would suit the Penguins rather well. If Brian Dumoulin<\/a> <\/strong>and John Marino<\/a> <\/strong>can’t come back in time, a defenseman would be ideal as well. No matter the situation, Zucker is the prized possession the Penguins coveted. They got their man and they’ll have him for a handful of seasons beyond this one.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>