The Top-5 Players For Pittsburgh During October

Oct 5, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Chris Kunitz (14) and defenseman Matt Niskanen (2) congratulate center Sidney Crosby (87) after Crosby scored a goal against the Buffalo Sabres during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

What an October it has been for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Leading the Metropolitan Division with record of 11-4-0 through 15 contests, Pittsburgh has clearly been one of the most, if not thee most dominating team in the Eastern Conference so far this season.

Registering 40 goals and averaging 3.14 goals-per-game during the 13 games they played in October, the Pens’ offensive game has been terrorizing to opposing goaltenders, which is expected with all the talented scorers they possess.

Although their offense has translated nicely to the scoreboard, they somewhat struggled defensively.

Surrendering 35 goals, which is just five short of what they logged offensively, is still a number they’d like to reduce for November. They continue to have problems with lackadaisical play and zone coverage, which is the kryptonite that has burdened Pittsburgh for quite some time now.

Despite giving up that many tallies, the team ranks top-10 in the league (8th) for goals-against with an average of 2.36 a game. And a lot of that has to do with goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who leads the league with ten wins — nine for the month of October.

But when you’re looking at all the injuries that plagued the team during October, you almost have to be satisfied with the way they’re able to remain stable.

Losing forwards’ Beau Bennett, Chuck Kobasew, James Neal, and defenseman Rob Scuderi to significant injuries, the team also was without defenseman Kris Letang for the majority of the month with a nagging lower-body ailment. So all things considered, the team made out pretty well in the standings without those big name players.

There were however a specific set of skaters that stood out in my mind — players that contributed vitally and helped propel Pittsburgh to the top in the Eastern Conference.

So without further or do, here are my top-five players for the month of October.