Penguins Forward’s Start Based in Bad Luck
Jake Guentzel hasn't gotten off to a normal start, but he should bounce back soon for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have started the 2023-24 season in a less than ideal way by going 3-4-0 and sitting in last place in the Metropolitan Division.
While it’s an steep hill to climb, the Penguins are likely to rebound quite nicely, especially if a key goal scorer can start finding some luck.
Jake Guentzel hasn’t necessarily had a ‘bad’ start to the year, but it’s been unusual for him.
In seven games played, Guentzel has eight points, but only one goal to his name; last year, in his first 10 games played, Guentzel had eight goals and five assists for 13 total points.
This time around, Guentzel is producing over a point per game, but with assists rather than goals.
According to moneypuck.com, Guentzel has just hit a rough patch with luck; his shooting talent is 15.3% above the average, but his pacing at a -3.3% goals above shooting talent.
The -3.3% sits Guentzel third in the NHL behind only Filip Forsberg (-3.6%) and Matthew Tkachuk (-4.3%) as the unluckiest players in the NHL right now in terms of lack of goal scoring.
Behind Guentzel’s one goal is 21 total shots and over 19:30 of average ice time per game.
A key contributor on both the first forward line and top power play unit, Guentzel will turn his luck around eventually, but it could contribute to the team’s slow start, as well.
Guentzel wants to be a better player than he was in 2022-23, yet he led the team in goals; if he can start finding some luck and keep firing the puck the way he does, there should be no problem in him leading the Penguins in goals once again.
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