Penguins Can Still Save Season
Things are trending down, but the Pittsburgh Penguins still have a chance at success.
PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins have two games remaining before their bye week and the All-Star break. It is at about this time that president and general manager Kyle Dubas said he would have a better grasp on the direction the Penguins are going in.
After a pair of embarrassing losses against the Vegas Golden Knights and the Arizona Coyotes, it seems like the Penguins are a sinking ship without much hope. They sit seventh in the Metropolitan Division and five points out of a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
With most of the team trending in the wrong direction, it’s fair to wonder if there is any chance salvaging this season? The door is still open for a push to the playoffs, but changes will need to be made quickly as that door is quickly closing.
The Penguins say they are a confident team, but they sure don’t play like it most of the time. Too many scoring opportunities slip away thanks to a lot of hesitations with the puck. That sort of timidness is highlighted on the 31st ranked power play in the NHL. Not getting enough pucks on net is proving costly.
The number of defensive lapses leading to numerous odd-man rushes is forcing the goalies to come up big on far too many occasions. Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic has been good this season, but they can't stand on their heads forever.
Sidney Crosby is putting up a monster year and can carry this team, but he's going to need some help. If the Penguins have any plans of playing hockey into late April, they'll want to mend these issues and help keep Crosby's name in the MVP race.
It's not the players so much as it is the lack of consistency throughout the lineup. It's been an issue all season and a huge reason for missing the playoffs last year. They will need to find a way to succeed with regularity or continue to be one the outside looking in.
There is still time to gain ground and make their way back to the dance, and head coach Mike Sullivan is confident in the group.
“I don’t think discouraged is a word that should enter our dressing room,” Sullivan said. “I think we just got to get more determined.”
It’ll be up to him to guide this team back to where they want to be, but also up to the players to execute in a much improved manner.
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