Pens Drop Last Two...Looking for Power Play

The headline says it all. Two for Eighteen on the power play so far through three games. That's 11.1%. Truly pathetic for a team that looked to lead the league before play started last week. And where is the offense in general. Two goals per game average through the New Jersey game on Saturday.

Not looking a whole lot better on defense either. The Pens are tied for 27th in shots per game at 37. If not for the stellar play of Marc Andre Fleury they may not have any of the three points they have earned so far.

Don't get me wrong, I am not calling for the Michel Therrien's head on an over sized puck - he is famous for starting out slow. But for a team that was expected to compete, from the beginning, to get back to where they were last season, this effort has been lackluster, even downright discouraging.

Now, while all of these issues are glaring at this time, all is not lost. The trip to Europe had to have a bad effect, as well as nearly a week off after. Training camp was shortened due to aforementioned trip. And there is the fact that nearly one third of the roster was not on the ice for game 6 of last years Stanley Cup Final. So, while the Penguins have stated out in an unexpected situation all is not lost. More effort on D, a renewed concentration on converting power play opportunities into goals and an overall improvment in team chemistry can go a long way to righting this ship before it is too late and they are looking up from the bottom