What's Wrong with the Penguins?

Analysis

I've had quite a few people walk up to me in the past two weeks and ask that question. My typical answer is an abrupt "Nothing!" and then I will walk away in frustration.

There seems to be an expectation that the team would pick up where they left off in June and go on a tear through the league naturally ending up with the Stanley Cup taking a tour of Pittsburgh next summer. Well I hate to crap on everyone's victory parade down Fifth Avenue but it is way too early to start celebrating. And, like the optimist that I am, it is also premature to count the flightless birds out at this point in time.

I have had that feeling of watching Evgeni Malkin on a breakaway only to stop and take a slapper from 10 feet out. In other words, it's just not natural. Pittsburgh is sitting at 4-2-1 with 9 points, in second place behind the Rangers who went on a tear to open the season. Nothing is wrong with that. They are in a much better position this early in the season then, ummm, maybe the FLYERS!

I think the bottom line of what's been going on is just the fact that half of the forwards on the roster had never skated together before the first game three weeks ago. Hockey is a game of intensity, skill, knowledge, sight and chemistry. The Pens have all of that, but the chemistry is still developing. Chemistry takes time. Chemistry takes effort. Most of all, chemistry comes only after experience. The lines have to stay together, play together and most of all lose together before they can win.

Milestones

Sid Crosby scored a milestone hat trick of sorts on Saturday against the Leafs. He marked his 200th assist and his 100th goal giving him 300 career NHL points. What a way to do that in style!

Evgeni Malkin racked up his 200th career point as well this past week. Way to go Geno!

Dare I say...both Sid and Geno will top 400 and 300 points respectively by the end of this regular season.

Injury Update

Gonchar and Whitney are both still out indefinitely. Speedy recovery to both!

News of Note

After starting out the season 1 for 18 on the power play after the first two games in Sweden, the Penguins power play has found new life. Since coming back from Europe, Pittsburgh has converted on 11 of 46 opportunities. That's a 20% rate. Much improved!

The Igloo continues to be sold out for all home games. They have recently topped seventy consecutive sellouts with no end in sight. While this is terrific for the team and it's fans, there are many fans that no longer have the opportunity to pick up tickets at reasonable prices. Small price to pay, I guess, for having a successfully team to watch.