Penguins enter Canada with a Trade Agreement

The Pittsburgh Penguins are entering a pivotal stretch of games coming up.  From Nov 18th until Dec 04th, the Penguins will be playing against the Canadian Teams.  This stretch of 9 games consists of 8 games versus Canadian Teams and one game against the New York Islanders.

So, with this upcoming block of games, the Penguins want to engage in the North American Free Trade Agreement.  NAFTA was created in 1994 to encourage trade between the U.S.A and Canada.  It is an Agreement that reduces or eliminates imports, tariffs and exports between the countries, creating a huge Free Trade Zone.  More on how this applies to Hockey and especially the Penguins later.

The bottom line is, this is a make-or-break part of the season for the Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins Canadian World Tour begins in Montreal on Nov 18th.  Then over to Toronto Nov 20th.  They head out West to Winnipeg Nov 22nd.  There is pit stop at home against Vancouver Nov24th, then over to the Island Nov 26th (the lone USA game of the 9).

The Canadian World Tour continues in the Province of Alberta where they face Calgary Nov 29th, then Edmonton Dec 01st. The Pens conclude the Canadian World Tour on the West Coast in Vancouver Dec 04th.

Now you might be asking what is the big deal about this road trip or this particular set of games.  That is a valid question.  The answer is, the Penguins need Wins and they need them as soon as possible. Like ASAP.

There is an unwritten stat, a trend that suggests, those teams above the NHL Playoff Cut Line by USA Thanksgiving, typically make the playoffs come April.  Meaning that standings do not change very much from Nov 25th to the end of the season.  The trends are set, playoff teams simply jockey for positioning.  Now yes, I agree, there are always outliers, injuries, streaks and slumps.  However current team trends do speak volumes.

Given the fact, that the Penguins recently lost to Ottawa 6-3 Nov 13th, with 8 of their regular players on the IR.  The Penguins also just lost to Washington 6-1 Nov14th, with 3 of their regulars on the IR.  The Penguin record of 5-5-4 is indicative of a Non – Playoff Team at the moment.  The silver lining is that the Penguins have yet to field a healthy lineup.  The cavalry is on their way…just not quite yet.

The Upcoming Schedule

This Canadian World Tour looks like this. (as of Nov16.2021)

@ Montreal Canadiens on Nov 18th.  (4-11-2 = 7th in the Atlantic)

@Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov 20th.  (10-5-1 = 2nd in the Atlantic)

@Winnipeg Jets on Nov 22nd.  (8-3-3 = 2nd in the Central)

Vancouver Canucks on Nov24th.  (5-9-2 = 7th in the Pacific)

@New York Islanders Nov 26th.  (5-4-2 = 8th in the Metropolitan)

Montreal Canadiens on Nov 27th.  (4-11-2 = 7th in the Atlantic)

@ Calgary Flames on Nov 29th..  (8-3-4 = 3rd in the Pacific)

@ Edmonton Oilers on Dec 01st.  (11-3-0 = 1st in the Pacific)

@ Vancouver Canucks on Dec 04th.  (5-9-2 = 7th in the Pacific)

The Penguins have a great litmus test ahead of them.  There are teams leading their division and some at the bottom.  Meaning, we will see how well the Pens stack up against some of the best in the league, as well as if they can bring their “A-Game” against the bottom feeders.

Roads trips are known to bring teams closer together. Team bonding is crucial if you want to make the playoffs and advance beyond.  It becomes all about Trust.  Trust your Self.  Trust your Line Mates.  Trust your Teammates.  Trust your Coaches.  Trust the Game Plan.  Trust Management.  Trust the Process.

If you want to Win… Model This Game

If you look back at all the games the Penguins have played to date.  Which one stand out?  Why?  Was it the Wins or the Losses?  Was it a heartbreaker or a nail bitter for the W?

Now, what if I asked you which game do you think they should model their game after?  Which one comes to mind?  Which game would you choose?

For me, the game the Pittsburgh Penguins must model their game after is the October 23rd game in Toronto against the Leafs.  At this time, the Leafs are a formidable opponent.  So, this particular game stands out.  It ended up in the books as a 7-1 Win for the Pens.  What went right?  Let’s dive in and find out.

The first stat that stood out, is that the Pens outshot the Leafs 33-29.  Now I understand that they just barely outshot them, however, the fact is, they did. The other fact is, if you put that many pucks toward the net, good things can happen.  And they did.   The first Penguins goal, Pettersson threw the puck on the net and O’Connor who was standing in front of the goalie screening him, had the puck defect off of his chest and into the net.  Bingo.

Penguin goals #3 and #4, both went in off of a skate.  The lead up to both of these goals occurred as Penguin players were making a rush and attempted to pass to their linemate or take a shot on net.  The puck had the chance to deflect into the net, either off of a Penguin or off of a Leaf defender.  Bango.

Passing is one of the most underrated skills in hockey.  The ability to pass the puck, tape to tape, while you are skating at full speed, away from a defender, and connecting that pass with your teammate, who is also skating at full speed, is huge.  It is known that three consecutive passes equal a scoring chance.  And that is exactly what the Penguins did on Goal #5.  Bongo.

The take away from the Leaf game is…

Shoot the puck, do not delay.

Get pucks on the net.

Pass the puck, tape to tape, at full speed.

3 consecutive passes = a scoring chance

Drive the net

These things must happen, in order for the Pens to Win.  It’s as simple as Bingo, Bango, Bongo.

Pens Picks

@ Montreal Canadiens on Nov 18th.  (4-11-2 = 7th in the Atlantic)

I feel this is a must win game for the Penguins.  The Habs are struggling, have no goaltending, are 7th place in the Atlantic Division and are becoming a mess.  Penguins to Win.

@Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov 20th.  (10-5-1 = 2nd in the Atlantic)

As stated above, the Pens beat up on the Leafs in October.  I’m thinking the Leafs will have this game pinned on their bulletin board and want a bit of revenge.  It is never a good thing to be humiliated in front of your home crowd.  The Leafs stand firmly in 2nd place in the Atlantic Division and will not want another repeat of that last game.  Leafs to Win

@Winnipeg Jets on Nov 22nd.   (8-3-3 = 2nd in the Central)

I feel this is a litmus test game for the Penguins.  The Jets appear to be one of the better teams in the NHL this year.  They have lost to some bottom tier teams early in the season, so a Penguin victory would go a long way in boosting team confidence.  Penguins look to steal this one, as the Jets focus will be on Edmonton.  Penguins to Win.

Vancouver Canucks on Nov24th. (5-9-2 = 7th in the Pacific)

This is another must win game for the penguins. The Canucks are struggling out of the gate, and currently on a 4 game losing streak that might just continue until this particular game.  So this game is a must Win.  Penguins to Win.

@New York Islanders Nov 26th  (5-4-2 = 8th in the Metropolitan)

A Divisional game is always an important one to win.  The Islanders are chasing the Pens and are attempting to climb out of the Metropolitan basement by stepping over the Penguins.  NYI seems to be on a “Playoff Hangover” from last season and have yet to find their groove.  This leads me to think this is another must win game for the Penguins  Penguins to Win.

This is also the unofficial Thanksgiving Day Standings Cut-Line date.  So, let’s see where the Penguins are in the standings, come this date.  Above the cut line or below it?

Montreal Canadiens on Nov 27th. (4-11-2 = 7th in the Atlantic)

I feel this is a must win game for the Penguins.  The Habs are a struggling tire fire, as mentioned above.  Penguins to Win.

@ Calgary Flames on Nov 29th.. (8-3-4 = 3rd in the Pacific)

I feel this is a litmus test game for the Penguins.  The Flames appear to be one of the better teams in the NHL this year.  Flames to Win.

@ Edmonton Oilers on Dec 01st. (11-3-0 = 1st in the Pacific)

I feel this is another litmus test game for the Penguins.  The Oilers appear to be one of the better teams in the NHL this year.  They have the top 2 scoring leaders in the league and have beaten the teams they should beat so far, especially if you consider them one of the top teams in the league.   will.  Edmonton can score at will.  Oilers to Win.

@ Vancouver Canucks on Dec 04th. (5-9-2 = 7th in the Pacific)

This is another must win game for the penguins. The Canucks are struggling out of the gate, as mentioned  above, let’s see how long the VCR losing streak goes.  This game is a must Win.  Penguins to Win.

For this pivotal block of games, I’m thinking the Penguins go: 6 Wins, 3 Losses.  I”m thinking the Penguins are tickling the “Playoff Cut Line”.  Time will tell.

My View from the Cheap Seats

As mentioned earlier, the Penguins want to engage in the North American Free Trade Agreement during this Canadian World Tour.  They want to take advantage of the huge Free Trade Zone that exists between U.S.A and Canada.  The Pittsburgh Penguins are now ready to collect on the North American Free Trade Agreement.

The Agreement reads as such.

The Pittsburgh Penguins will enter Canada, spend US greenbacks enjoying the sites and sounds of the Great White North. 

In Exchange For.

WINS.  Every time the Pittsburgh Penguins play a Canadian Team, the Penguins receive the 2 points in the form of a Win. 

It seems like a fair trade to me. Eh?  Go Pens.

Quote of the Day:

“Canada is Hockey.”

Mike Weir, Canadian Golfer