MORNING PENS BUZZ
The Penguins over the last 15 games:
Win vs Anaheim Ducks
Loss vs New York Rangers
Win vs Carolina Hurricanes
Loss vs Florida Panthers
Win vs Detroit Red Wings
Loss vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Win vs Buffalo Sabres
Loss vs Boston Bruins
Win vs Winnipeg Jets
Win vs Arizona Coyotes
Loss vs Washington Capitals
Win vs New York Rangers
Loss vs Calgary Flames
Win vs New Jersey Devils
Loss vs New York Islanders
The inability to string wins together has been a hot topic of discussion. To me it’s alarming when projecting the Penguins to win four out of seven games in a first round playoff series against a likely superior team. Over the Penguins last 55 games, they have only put together one winning streak of more than two games, a four game winning streak (Jan 21-Feb 2) with wins vs teams currently outside the playoff picture — Philadelphia, Vancouver, New Jersey and Ottawa. —
In Penguins circles, though, they’re looking at the trend of win-loss-win-loss as being a positive in that they’ve been competitive in almost every game over the last month and have avoided a dreaded three to four game losing streak. “We’ve played a lot of good hockey. We’ve had a few games here that could have gone our way and didn’t and some of those will go our way down the stretch,” Mike Sullivan said this week.
If the Penguins play .500 hockey the rest of the way, they’ll likely still sneak in with 92 points and the thinking from most in the organization seems to be ‘we just need to get in’ and that this same trajectory of being a 7th or 8th seed all season isn’t a bad sign that they can’t go on a deep run in the post-season.
On the flip side, who will be surprised that a first round series plays out like this:
The Penguins are really competitive but go down in six games with five of the six games being one-goal games.
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
Of their remaining opponents, the Penguins boast the toughest schedule of all Eastern Conference teams with a combined winning percentage of their opponents being .587. Among teams in a playoff spot, Detroit currently in the top wildcard spot has the second easiest remaining schedule (.536). The Flyers who trail the Penguins by three points, also have a generally tough schedule (.567) the rest of the way.
For the Penguins, the schedule is even tougher than a combined winning percentage total of their opponents will tell you. Eight of the Penguins remaining 16 games are against teams currently outside the playoff mix, but three of those eight games are against the Flyers and one (tonight) against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Both division rivals that often play the Penguins tough and have a way to get the Penguins off their game.
Nine of the Penguins remaining 16 games are against the Flyers (3), Islanders (2), Rangers (2) and Capitals (2).
Tough schedule or not, If the Penguins were to stumble down the stretch and miss the playoffs, it should be an embarrassment for the organization when you factor in every team chasing them (New Jersey, Carolina) were sellers at the deadline or like the Flyers who are retooling with a younger squad that made no attempts to add any players for a playoff run as their focus is on the big picture of being a contender in two to three years.
Pittsburgh’s difficult remaining schedule, though, is the best thing for the Penguins to being properly prepared for the playoffs. You don’t want this squad beating up on the Coyotes, Sabres down the stretch and teams like that, giving them a false sense of security coming into playoffs and then get hit with a dose of reality against the Capitals or Lightning.
You need to go into the playoffs playing the right way and these divisional games down the stretch are going to have to get the Penguins into a playoff mindset immediately and that can be a good thing.
They also need to make sure they win just enough of them to avoid the embarrassment of missing the playoffs.
Did you guys see earlier where Sam said he’d fuckk Phil kessel?
So this year pens first round excuse is set. No malkin
But he stinks, why would him being there matter? Sid got this.
That’s right. Per Sam. He’s basically General Patton
Malkin out a month per Madden (I know).
Just around the WC. How coincidence
Don’t know which one is worst him being in the lineup and be a ghost for last 2 months or being injured and not be part of the team. I say him being in lineup I worst since all he does is take penalties and cost team most damage
Martavis Bryant:
http://i.qkme.me/3tyn7n.jpg
Kessel should hang out more with Bryant.
Martavis making Sam look smart.
DePaoli, any update on the Malkin injury, or you gonna wait for one of us to post it so you can then write about it?
In all fairness there is no update to give.
Out tomorrow, sent home to Pittsburgh for additional testing including an MRI isn’t an update?
Malkin will be day to day for the next 3-4 weeks with a vague upper body injury.
DePaoli asleep at the wheel on the Bryant news.
Million dollar talent, 10 cent head. Moron.
in no way is depaoli a million dollar talent.
19-10-6 last 35
(103 pt. pace)
In games that #Pens have lost, Phil Kessel has only scored 3 goals and a total of 7 points in those 24 games.
Phil is the straw that stirs the Pens drink. He is their difference maker. He’s their key to the cup.
Fuckk him
I’m sure you would. No nhl player is off of your gaydar
What we learned
Pens won.
I don’t care if he’s a Pirate, I still hate David Freese.
Won’t be long before Benny is here to tell us how this puts them over the top.
It’s a decent add, but nothing to get too excited about.
Also somewhat puzzling.
Emmanuel Sanders gets to enjoy Mark Sanchez now.
Steelers sign Weedle yet?
What about Weddle? Heard he likes the Raiders and they got plenty of cash…
I give players with the balls to sign there a lot of credit. Sure can’t be because of the recent winning tradition.
only balls you need to worry about is npl’s balls in your mouth
http://i.giphy.com/N5PsztQSjkYMw.gif
That actually made me laugh. First time in 5 years. Congratulations.
Coming from the guy that blew DB and used to bang orpig, that’s a pretty ballsy message.
From Jason LaCanfora
Three teams keeping close tabs on former Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle – #Ravens, #Cowboys and #Steelers.
Rapoport says he has offer from 4 teams, will evaluate city, team etc with family and agent. Narrow down to 2, then decide Monday.
Fehr is a huge return.
They are a different team when healthy and we haven’t seen it for a while. Let’s hope they come back to form quickly. On paper they are tough. Just needs to be shown on the ice.
as long as gayjoy and bennett stay out of the lineup i am fine with it
Why Bennett huh you fucking ass? When he is playing we are a better team. Yes it sucks that he is so brittle but at the end of the day I would much rather have him playing and hope he can survive hoping over the bench than not want him in simply because I am worried he will be hit. You’re a special kind of stupid arent you
*hopping
Nobody cares what you’re fine with. You’re a bona fide moron.
Steelers!!!!!!!!!!
come on D … you forgot to mention WC is near too not only nhl playoffs so first round exit is possible once again
Maybe that’s when Sid will start to care. For the WC.
you think ?
Not really – i think he got his money and this is where we are now.
Come on D… there is a clear back to back win in those games.
Glad every player is finally back
exceptt my 2 least favorite players are not back which i prefer they stay where they are Bennett and gayjoy.
if only pens can scrath kessel or put him 3rd line id be even more happy .
Just suckss the fact not only he steals paychecks but also steals roster spot when player likes Rust should get a shot on the 2nd line and not go back on 4th line
You do know Rust is an American born hockey player……since your rhetoric is only what nationality are you and devoid of facts 99.9% of the time.
ill start hating him when they pay him 5 m +
You should hate him because he fux your mom like the rest of everyone
Sam still hasn’t realized that Rust wasn’t traded with a 3rd round pick at last year’s trade deadline.
Interesting that the players Sam wants in the lineup can’t win 2 games in a row.