Penguins/NHL
The Penguins showed absolutely no urgency and no fire in Saturday’s third period debacle against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Penguins got out to a early 2-0 but the final 40 minutes of the game was owned by the Leafs.
When your five points out of the playoffs and playing a team that is basically playing for a lottery pick, there is no excuses for the performance the Penguins had
There needs to be some accountability in the organization and Saturday night showed there are very few untouchables on the Penguins roster as the trade deadline is less than four weeks away.
Sergei Gonchar returned to the lineup for the first time this season since having shoulder surgery in October. Gonchar had 20:01 of ice time and looked very good. He played better than I thought he would in his first appearance of the season. At his age it is difficult coming into the season at this point when most players have a 5 month jump on you.
There is all this talk that the Penguins will not risk their future for a quick fix but ownership has made it known “missing the playoffs is not an option”
The Penguins inability to clear the front of the net is getting to the point where they may have to add a physical top 4 defenseman prior to the trade deadline. Some of it maybe the personnel but on most occasions it comes down to bad positioning. On Jason Blakes highlight reel goal, Ryan Whitney was almost at the top of the face-off circle, leaving the front of the net wide open.
A problem I’ve heard in the locker room currently is the players believe there is no way they won’t make the playoffs. As mentioned at the top of the article there is a lack of urgency. It seems like some players believe they are just going to turn it on when they want. More players need to show the emotion that Evgeni Malkin shows night in and night out.
Is Pascal Dupuis actually a better option on the top two lines then Miroslav Satan? If Satan can’t play with Malkin or Crosby then he has no role on this team
There’s been some talk the past couple days that Mathieu Garon would start against the Islanders on Monday. If he gets the nod on Monday it won’t be because Fleury gave up 6 goals against the Leafs.
Defenseman Hal Gill was obviously not happy about being a healthy scratch against the Leafs after leading all Penguins in ice time against the Sharks on Wednesday night.
I’ve been told Columbus, Colorado, Dallas, Florida, Tampa Bay, Montreal, Edmonton were among teams that had scouts in attendance for the Penguins/Leafs game
The Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins recorded their seventh straight win Saturday night. Forward Connor James recorded his 100th career point. Luca Caputi playing in his first game since being re-assigned scored his 14th goal of the season.
Will have a update on the latest trade talk in the morning.
