Get to Know a Penguin: Pascal Dupuis

by David Getz on Apr 30, 2009 2:00 PM EDT

[Ed. note: As part of the build-up to the second round playoff series between the Capitals and Penguins, Japers' Rink will be looking at some of the important but lesser-known players on the Penguins and how they might impact the series.]

Pascal Dupuis

#9 / Left Wing / Pittsburgh Penguins

Height: 6-1

Weight: 205

Born: Apr 07, 1979

Birthplace: Laval, Quebec

Draft: None

Acquired: Trade w/ Atlanta, February, 26th, 2008

Strengths	Plays the game with tremendous energy and combativeness. Is versatile enough to play any forward position or any role required.
Weaknesses	Needs to bury more of his chances around the goal area in order to take his game to another level. Is too inconsistent on offense.
Potential	Third line winger.

Regular Season	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	SOG	PCT
2005-06	67	10	16	26	-10	40	4	0	2	151	6.6
2006-07	71	14	5	19	-17	42	2	2	1	156	9.0
2007-08	78	12	15	27	E	32	0	3	1	143	8.4
2008-09	71	12	16	28	1	30	0	0	2	145	8.3

Playoffs	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	SOG	PCT
2006-07	4	1	2	3	2	4	7	14.3
2007-08	20	2	5	7	5	18	38	5.3
2008-09	6	0	0	0	-2	0	7	0.0

Why you should know who he is - Dupuis isn't the most skilled player in the world, and he's not going to be one of the guys the Capitals are going to spend time try to figure out how to shut down. However, Dupuis still has the speed, awareness, and skill to make teams pay when they make mistakes. Much like having a strong seven-eight-nine trio makes life difficult for a pitcher by not giving him a break, having guys like Dupuis as depth players makes it difficult on opponents by ensuring they can't afford to take a shift off.

How the Caps can stop him - Much of Dupuis' game is built around forcing opponents into mistakes and taking advantage of them, if not by scoring than by the keeping the puck in the opponent's end and wearing out the opposition's defense. If the Capitals can use their superior skill keep Dupuis from getting those opportunities, they should be able to limit the impact he has on the series.

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Comments

Dupuis has been on a massive scoring drought for quite some time now. He picked up his first career hatty this season against the Islanders (nothing to really brag about) but has since been pretty dull. He has explosive speed and will put the puck on net with a hard slapper that more often than opens up rebound chances for a charging winger.

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by FrankD on Apr 30, 2009 2:58 PM EDT reply actions

I think Dupuis is a real good depth forward. Decent speed, responsible defensively, will dig for the puck, backcheck, finish his hits, and chip in a goal every now and then. Guys like him generally don’t lose a series for you, but they just might win a game for you along the way. Probably doesn’t celebrate his team-mates’ goals, as he’s not a superstar, but a good guy to have on the roster nonetheless,

I agree with the analogy to the lower third of the order, such as that of the ~~mercenary turds in NY~~, er, some AL teams that will remain nameless.

Off topic, but while we’re on the subject of baseball, is there anything more predictable than the revelation that, gasp, A-Rod just maybe wasn’t telling the whole truth during his “confession” in Spring Training? What a jerk that guy is.

by fat_daddyo on Apr 30, 2009 2:59 PM EDT reply actions