Jason Zucker's time with the Penguins hasn't gone the way he -- or anyone else -- had hoped after being acquired via trade from the Wild during the 2019-20 season.
He found instant chemistry next to Sidney Crosby and got off to a roaring start in black and gold, but after two injury-mired seasons that left a bit to be desired even when he was in the lineup, Zucker enters this season -- the final year of his contract -- as someone who could be an X-factor for the Penguins, or someone whose lack of availability or production creates a ripple effect of problems throughout the lineup.
The thing is, Zucker actually played pretty well last season, the goals and points just weren't there. He even told me recently that he feels as if he played a whole heck of a lot better than his boxscore numbers showed, and that can be backed up by the Penguins' strong share of chances when he was out on the ice.
But considering the Penguins' personnel available at left wing, or his $5.5 million cap hit, the Penguins need the goals and points just as much as they need his play-driving capabilities.
It was just one game against the immensely inferior Coyotes when the Penguins kicked off the regular season with a 6-2 victory here at PPG Paints Arena Thursday night, but Zucker performed exactly like the player he was expected to be when he was acquired, and exactly like the player the Penguins need him to be this season.
"He was flying around, using speed to his advantage to make plays when they were there, working hard, and I think he was awesome tonight," Bryan Rust said following the game of Zucker's two-point night.
Mike Sullivan thought so too, including the Penguins' entire second line.
"I thought he played real well," Sullivan said about Zucker. "I thought his whole line played real well. … We were hopeful that Zuck could be a guy that could really complement Geno and Rusty. He goes to the net, he brings a ton of speed, he’s got a physical edge to his game, he’s good in the battle areas. So the fact that he gets on the scoresheet tonight should be a big boost of confidence for him, but I thought he had a strong game."
Zucker-Evgeni Malkin-Rust were every bit as dominant -- if not more so -- than the Penguins' top line. In a little over nine minutes of work together at 5-on-5, they attempted 17 shots to just five for the Coyotes and controlled 88.9% of the expected goals, according to Natural Stat Trick.
"A lot of it’s just getting in on pucks first," Zucker said after the game. "Rusty and I were kind of in there on the forecheck together, I feel that’s a big strength for him and I to create those turnovers and create offense off of it, so I think there were a few times we got in there, you know, created scoring chances out of it and that’s a big part of our game."
Individually, Zucker tied Jake Guentzel and Rickard Rakell for the most shot attempts in the game with eight, even though he logged 14:27 of ice-time to Rakell's 17:26 and Guentzel's 19:02. Zucker recorded five scoring chances, threw two hits, blocked a shot, and put the Penguins up 2-0 early on with this blistering one-timer from the top of the left circle:
"I just tried to sit in that pocket, it’s kind of a tough spot to cover sometimes, and Carts had an unbelievable screen too," Zucker said, downplaying the absolute missile he blasted home. "I don’t think the goalie saw it for a second."
A wind-up one-timer isn't something we've really seen much of from Zucker in his time with the Penguins. I did, however, catch Zucker unload a heavy one-timer past Tristan Jarry during power-play work at practice last week. At the time, I asked him if that was something he was looking to utilize more this season, and it turns out that's the case. He wants to shoot the puck as much as possible. While I do think he has OK playmaking ability, he said it himself that he's not a passer.
I followed up with him tonight to see if scoring on a one-timer in the first game of the season gives him even more confidence to continue utilizing it.
"My only goal is to make sure it’s harder than Guentzel’s, so I think we’re gonna have to look at the shot total there, see whose was harder …" Zucker joked. "Yeah, I’m just trying to shoot the puck more. It’s the biggest key for me."
Zucker isn't putting any specific targets over his head as to what he wants his goal- and point-total to look like at the end of the season. He strongly believes that everything will sort itself out so long as he continues to play like he did on Thursday.
"No," he replied to having a certain number in mind, "I just try to play my game, and I know if I can play my game and try to help my teammates, it’s gonna come back around."
His goal tonight was great, but there will be stretches in which he struggles to score throughout the season. During those times, it's the things he does that don't involve shooting that will still provide value. Just take a look at the great work he did leading up to Rust's tally in the third period that earned him an assist from the seat of his pants:
Zucker was the first one in on the forecheck, then smartly initiated contact with the defender pressuring him before making a play on the puck along the wall. A well-timed shoulder-check to identify his teammates allowed him to appear as if he would carry the puck low, but instead reversed a pass, dragging his checker with him and creating a bit of space for Rust and Malkin to operate.
As the puck was worked off the wall, Zucker darted behind the net to the back door before parking himself out front and causing mayhem among the Coyotes. While he was taking a beating, Rust snuck in and deposited the loose change.
Those qualities are a big reason why Zucker was on the ice for more Penguins shot attempts and expected goals at 5-on-5 than any other forward on the team:
Evolving-Hockey.com
Squares are unblocked shot attempts, scaled to expected goal value. (Bigger = higher value.)
Zucker was asked if there's an urgency right now to show the player he was with the Wild.
"Yeah, for sure," he said. "It’s been a long time since I’ve showed it. I take a lot of pride in my game and my teammates have been awesome trying to help me and push me along and support me the entire time, so it’s fun to have a game like that, but it’s only one. We’ve got a lot more left."
Obviously, he needs to stay healthy for most of the season for any of it to matter, but Zucker getting back to a level that is even somewhat close to his Minnesota days would be a massive win for the Penguins.
His showing on Thursday was a great step in the right direction, and hopefully a sign of things to come.
