Kunitz Showing Signs of Age

Throughout the first round series against the Rangers, Chris Kunitz never recorded a point. A feat imaginably difficult to do when playing on the top line with the likes of Sidney Crosby and Patric Hornqvist. At 36 years of age, is Kunitz slowing down? Is the long season grind of 82 games plus the steady stream of post season matches taking a toll on the elder statesman’s body? Does Kunitz’s smash mouth style of play leave him battered for a long post season run? The answer to all of these questions is YES!

No question, Kunitz is a very good hockey player. But at the age of 36 and a consistency of extended seasons, Kunitz is starting show signs of slowing down. Over the last 2-3 games Kuni has seen his minutes on ice drop slightly. Part of this is due to the fact that the Penguins coaching staff has realized that Conor Sheary’s style of play is meshing well with Crosby. But we’ll get back to that. The other part is the brand of hockey Chris Kunitz plays. In the five games that were played in the Ranger’s series, Kunitz averaged a little over 4 hits per game, while one of those games recording 7. Number 14’s hits are never a casual bump to keep you honest either. The Regina, SK native finishes his checks and he finishes them hard, letting opponents know that he’s around and to get rid of the puck quicker. At the end of the regular season, Kunitz finished 7th overall in the NHL in hits. That puts him in the company of some very significant and well known NHL hitters such as, Lucic, Wilson, Polak, Gudas, and Martin (Matt not Paul).

Any player in the top 10 in hits during the season is a minimum of 6 years younger than Kunitz with the max being 11 years younger. Out of those top 10 only four other players besides Kunitz is heading into the second round of the playoffs this week. Kunitz’s 264 hits throughout the season, 20+ hits in the 1st round of playoffs, and his age at 36, leave no doubt that his body is beginning to feel the effects of his play. Also with the injuries from a few violent hits he has taken throughout the season, Kunitz is undoubtedly playing more hurt than most others at this stage of the season. So, yes, Kunitz’s minutes have gone down the last few games for a few reasons. If the coaching staff can allow Kuni to play 2-4 less minutes per game they will have helped to conserve him when his style of play is needed the most in the final round.

The other main contributing factor for Kunitz’s diminished TOI besides his age and lack of production right now, is Conor Sheary. The early on Wilkes-Barre Scranton call up turned official NHLer has been a complimentary and hardworking fit for the Sidney Crosby line. While having the capability to add Sheary to that line gives Kunitz a little more rest while allowing the young fresh legs of Sheary to showcase what he can do while playing with world class talent. Sheary is proving that he can play as he has contributed two goals in the last two games and has seen his ice time increase drastically from 10 minutes to 17. There is no doubt that Coach Sullivan will give Sheary some extra opportunities on that top unit during the Caps series. Look for the Penguins coaching staff to keep Washington guessing by mixing and matching Kunitz and Sheary on the Crosby’s line. This will give different looks to the Capitals defenseman and have to constantly keep adjusting to what they are seeing in front of them. Kuni might be banged up, but he will continue to be a corner threat against the Capitals. Something that will play to the advantage of the Penguins with Orpik out of Washington’s lineup.