What is the Major Malfunction?

I've been extremely disappointed with the Penguins last two games. First was a 5-2 thumping by the Maple Leafs, then a shootout loss where the Pens went down 3-0 in the first period. This inconsistant play is remininscent of the first 3 months of last season where Pittsburgh was very streaky, losing 3 or 4 in a row and then winning 3 or 4 in a row. They managed to right the ship around Christmas time and pulled off several very long winning streaks that propelled them into the playoffs by April.

I fear that this will not be possible again - here is my reasoning...

Let me start out by saying that first, and foremost, I like the job that Michel Therrien has done the past 2 seasons since he took over for the ousted Olczyk. I am a Therrien fan. However, I do not agree that constantly changing line combinations is good for the club at this point. I say that after seeing new line combos in nearly every game so far this season. The players are not being given the opportunity to get used to playing with the same linemates and this seems to really be one of the main reasons that the Pens are not playing up to expectations. When guys play together on the same line, they get used to what everyone is capable of and better able to react to events that occur on the ice during the course of a play or of a game. Michel - hear me and let's let the lines go for a few games to see if that particular chemistry that is missing starts to come together.

Secondly - something has gotten into Marc Andre Fleury's head and it is setting up camp. He has displayed on several occasions the past few weeks that he can be rattled. A push here, or a shove there and his head is out of the game. This was the case early on in his career, but looked as if he was past it. Sabourin came in Saturday night, in the second period, after Fleury and the Pens gave up 3 goals in the opening frame (and performed admirably through the rest of the game including OT and an eight round shootout!). Possibly this 5 game road trip ahead will get him back in his game. I believe that we will see Fleury and Sabourin sharing duties the next few weeks, for if nothing else, to see if Marc Andre can get back in the groove. And that may not be such a bad thing...

The combination of a poorly performing goaltender with a not quite developed team chemistry may have a very damaging effect upon where the team ends up in the playoff standings come April - or even not in the playoff standings. Time to get the consistency nailed down before the month of November gets into full swing.