Penguins Dead Last in One Key Area
The Pittsburgh Penguins are still a middling team, but one area in particular continues to hold them back.
PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins have put together a respectable enough season in the eyes of analytics with their goaltending, top forward line, and certain players having outstanding years. There is one area of analytics, however, that the Penguins have severely lacked.
According to JFresh and TopDownHockey, the Penguins have the NHL’s worst goals scored above expected in all situations. Whether it’s even strength, power play, or shorthanded, the Penguins have hit a -24.8, bad enough for dead last in the NHL.
All this number really means is that the Penguins are the worst team in the NHL when it comes to finishing on their opportunities. The Penguins sit well behind the San Jose Sharks who are 31st with -20.8.
While the analytics continue to slip out of the Penguins’ favor, so does their standing in the hunt for the playoffs. After allowing a 2-0 third period lead slip away against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Penguins are three points back of a wild card spot. Three teams sit ahead of the Penguins in the hunt for playoff positioning.
The Penguins aren’t totally out of the playoff race just yet, but need to start finishing on their chances and closing out games they’re leading in. While the Penguins fight for their lives, they are the only team outside of an Eastern Conference playoff spot with a positive goal differential at +15.
They also have a higher goal differential than four East teams holding a playoff spot.
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