Penguins’ Skaters Among Unluckiest Players in NHL
A pair of Pittsburgh Penguins are among some of the unluckiest goal scorers in the NHL.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are in the midst of a tough start to the 2023-24 season, but it their downfall certainly hasn’t been for lack of effort.
Through 27 games, numerous Penguins skaters have put together solid performances including their true leaders like Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang.
Tristan Jarry has even been outstanding with a healthy and successful start to the year between the pipes.
Despite the great start from certain players, the Penguins have struggled to hover around a .500 record and some of that might be chalked up to luck.
According to moneypuck.com, the Penguins have a pair of players with the lowest goals above shooting talent.
With a minimum of 250 minutes played this year, both Jake Guentzel and Rickard Rakell fall within the top 20.
Guentzel sits fourth with a -6.1 scorer and Rakell (despite being injured) is in 19th with a -4.2.
Ironically enough, despite being one of the unluckiest players in the NHL, Guentzel is leading the Penguins in scoring with 31 total points (12G-19A) in 27 games.
Guentzel has already started seeing more luck roll his way as before he scored a pair of goals against the Arizona Coyotes his number was -6.7.
When fully healthy, Guentzel is 1/3 of one of the best even strength lines in hockey with Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust.
Before getting hurt after 17 games of the season, Rakell has had a much harsher start to the year.
In those 17 games, Rakell is yet to score a goal and has only picked up four assists.
The offense just hadn’t arrived for Rakell despite sharing a line with Evgeni Malkin and Reilly Smith who both found a great chemistry to start the year.
Rakell has missed 10 games with an upper-body injury and is still on long-term injured reserve, but once he’s cleared for a return, he’s sure to look for a way to turn his luck around.
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