Pittsburgh Penguins: 1. Power Play – Special Teams
In order to win, all 3 aspects of the team must work in unison. Offense, Defense and Special Teams. When these 3 parts lack cohesion, the team fails or get punted in the First Round of the Playoffs.
Last year, the Penguin Power Play ranked 4th overall in the NHL, clipping at 23.1%. This is something to build on for 2021-2022. It appears they have the right players, with the right tools and the right schemes, to be able to take it to the next level and crack the top 3 in Power Play Percentage. However, as we speak their PP is brutal. This must get better over the next 10 games or they will be in trouble this season.
The weak link last year was their Penalty Kill. It ranked 24th overall in the NHL at a 78.8% Kill Rate. This was a must improve for the 2021-2022 in order for the Pens to make some noise, and so far this season it has. The Penguins Penalty Kill ranks #1 overall in the NHL at 92.3%. Wow.
Pittsburgh Penguins: My View from the Cheap Seats
The Pittsburgh Penguins are ready to get to the Next Level This Year. Time is running out for Crosby, Malkin and Letang to solidify their legacies in the league. They should be very motivated to win this year.
They have the Coach (Mike Sullivan 254 wins -133 loss in 432 games coached for a .640 winning % with Pittsburgh over 7 years and 2 Cups in 2015-16 and 2016-17), the Team and all the tools to get there. Barring any serious Injuries to Key Players of course. Oh no, Oh no, Oh no no no no…
Quote of the Day:
I found out that if you are going to win games, you had better be ready to adapt.
-Scotty Bowman