Pittsburgh Penguins: 2017-18 Metropolitan Division Preview
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes didn’t have the 2016-17 season of their dreams. The Canes finished 2016-17 with 36 wins and eight points from tying the Toronto Maple Leafs for the Eastern Conference wild card spot.
While the Hurricanes’ production was impressive and players like Jeff Skinner and Sebastian Aho were offensively reliable, they faced other setbacks. Carolina’s strong offense wasn’t complimented by their inconsistent defense and goaltending.
This season the Hurricanes brought in some new players to help including veteran winger Justin Williams and 2015 Stanley Cup winning goaltender Scott Darling. Their plan is to keep offense high and improve goaltending for a stronger season.
Last season, the Pens defeated the Canes all four times they faced each other. Unfortunately for the Hurricanes, it takes very strong defense and goaltending to hold back the Pittsburgh Penguins. The only shot Carolina has at truly dominating Pittsburgh is by an incredible defensive boost.
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are just two of many Penguins who can easily infiltrate any defensive system. The Penguins will still be able to weave through this team despite the fight they’ll put up.
The Hurricanes will perform better against the Pens this season, as opposed to last, but they won’t dominate them yet.
Philadelphia Flyers
The rivals of Pennsylvania; the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins will forever be rivals despite the performance of each team. Last season, the Flyers finished seven points away from tying the Toronto Maple Leafs for the Eastern Conference wild card.
The Flyers’ had 39 wins during the season but their 33 losses and 10 OT losses set them further back than they wanted. As a defensive team, the Flyers weren’t able to score in important moments or execute on important goals.
The Flyers made some roster changes this offseason and rejoiced when they drafted 2017 2nd overall pick, Nolan Patrick. While a good number of Flyers were able to reach good heights in production the Flyers will want to find steady production, unstoppable execution and continued defense to perform better this season.
Pittsburgh topped the Flyers in two of the four games they matched up for this season. In the Pens’ losing games, they let their defense get infiltrated and the Flyers’ strong defensive play prevented them from getting ahead. In the Pens’ wins, they were able to keep their production high by topping the Flyers’ defense and, since Flyers play defense-first, were able to hold down their lead.
The Penguins will still enter this matchup as a stronger offensive team. While the Flyers might bring hard-nosed defense and high-producing players, the Penguins have an offensive system that will break through the Flyers’ defense when it is strong and the lines are working harmoniously.
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders had a pretty inconsistent season. They’ve struggled, had a coaching change and went through the lows and highs an NHL team come come across in a single season. Despite the inconsistencies, the Isles finished just one point out of the Eastern Conference wild card.
This season is an important one for the Isles. The Islanders need a strong season for their team, their fans and to speed up John Tavares’ contract extension. They’ve lost players, like Travis Hamonic, but gained strong players, like Jordan Eberle, and they’re ready to go all in.
The Pittsburgh Penguins topped the Isles in two of four games last season. The Penguins’ special teams and OT units were able to top the Islanders when necessary. Their wins were a test of better offensive systems and a match of goal-tending skills.
The Islanders are coming back this season as a slightly different team and are looking to use new dynamic offense to get ahead while Thomas Greiss holds down the goal. Pittsburgh is a perfectly balanced team and, while the Isles channel offense, they’ll be able to hold New York back with their strong defense.
These games are a match of wits, especially when they lead to overtime. If the Penguins play their system, they’ll be able to keep the upperhand against the Islanders.
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers didn’t have the playoff run they wanted and were sent packing by the Ottawa Senators before the Eastern Conference Finals. New York has made some significant offseason moves this season, though, and is planning to come back with a vengeance.
The Rangers sent Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta packing and bought out Dan Girardi in an effort to boost their defensive weak spots. After picking up some new defenseman, notably Kevin Shattenkirk, and grabbing two first-round picks in 2017 entry draft, the Rangers are looking for a big season.
The Penguins topped the Rangers twice in regulation and once in a shootout in the five times they faced them last season. In Penguins victories, the Rangers’ defense failed them and allowed the Pens’ offense to get to the net and beat Henrik Lundqvist. The Rangers’ wins came in moments of strong offense and reliable defense.
With the Rangers’ improved defense this season, the Penguins will need to account for that when facing the team. The Rangers will put up a fight and these matchups will be exciting, as usual, and be a match of skill and performance.
If the Pens keep defense strong and push their offense through the Rangers’ D and to the net, they’ll be able to get on top of the team.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets had a big come back season last season and are looking to make an even bigger splash this season. After the Penguins sent the Jackets packing in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, Columbus will be coming back this season with something to prove.
Columbus’ early playoff exit, despite their very strong season, wasn’t in their plans and they’ll be looking to go further this season. Not to mention, the Jackets’ desire to beat the Pens will be coming to an all-time high.
The Pens topped the Jackets in two of four matchups last season with one being an OT win. In the Pens’ wins, their offense was unstoppable and their d-men held down the goal soundly. In their losses, the Penguins’ defense let the Jackets get to the net to beat their goaltender.
The Blue Jackets overcame the Pens in a OT victory and in a big 7-1 victory where the Pens’ defensive system and goaltending were no match for the pushy jackets.
The Penguins are preparing for an improved Blue Jackets. If the Penguins can keep their defense strong and find the best way to beat Sergei Bobrovsky, they’ll be able to find the best system to stay on top of Columbus.
These matchups will be hard, gritty and among the best rival games we’ll get to see for the Pens this season. These two teams will be desperately fighting for the upper hand.
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals had a huge season, again, and didn’t have the playoff run they were hoping for when the Penguins sent them packing, again. Washington isn’t too different of a team this season but will be playing harder than ever.
The Pens topped the Washington Capitals in two of four games last season. Pittsburgh took both wins on home ice in overtime. In their wins, the Penguins demonstrated the abilities of their special teams and overtime capabilties. In their losses, the pushing offense of the Capitals was took much for the Pens’ defensive system and goaltending to keep up with.
Overall, the Penguins are considered the most successful team with a more effective dynamic while the Capitals, though strong, lose their footing and organization occasionally. The Penguins can continue to top the Capitals by keeping their play together and skills high.
The Capitals’ strongest upside is their gritty and pushing style of play and goaltending from Braden Holtby. If the Penguins can keep their defense strong and find the best way to infiltrate the Caps’ defense and beat Holtby, they’ll continue their success against the team.
Skilled plays and a speed game are the Penguins’ specialty and exactly the kind of play they need at a high to top the Capitals.