Pittsburgh Penguins take on the Eastern Conference

The Pittsburgh Penguins are entering another pivotal stretch of games coming up.  From Dec 10th until Dec 31st, the Penguins will be playing against Eastern Conference Teams.  This stretch of 10 games consists of 9 key Conference games and one game against a non-Conference team, Anaheim on Dec11.21.

Pittsburgh Penguins as of Nov 06.2021

11-8-5 = 27pts          4th in the Metropolitan Division (Up from 7th Place in Oct)

27 Points                     8th in the Eastern conference (Up from 13th Place in Oct)

27 Points                     16th tied in the NHL overall (Up from 22nd overall in Oct)

Pittsburgh Penguins are holding the Wild Card #2 Playoff Spot, at this time.

So, if you remember in November, I wrote that the Penguins had an important block of games against Canadian Teams.  (See this article:  Penguins enter Canada with Trade Agreement)

Pens Picks were: The Penguins were to have a record of: 6 Wins / 3 Losses

Actual Results: The Penguins actual record was:  Won 6 / Lost 3

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

The Upcoming Schedule

@ Washington Dec10th  (15-4-6 = 36pts  1st in the Metropolitan)

Vs Anaheim Dec11th   (13-8-4 = 30pts  3rd in the Pacific)

@ Montreal Dec14th (6-17-3 = 15pts  7th in the Atlantic)

Vs Buffalo Dec17th  (8-13-3 = 19pts  6th in the Atlantic)

@ New Jersey Dec19th (9-9-4 = 22pts  6th in the Metropolitan)

Vs New Jersey Dec21st (9-9-4 = 22pts  6th in the Metropolitan)

Vs Philadelphia Dec23rd (8-10-4 = 20pts 7th in the Metropolitan)

@ Boston Dec27th (12-8-1 = 25pts  5th in the Atlantic)

@ Toronto Dec29th (17-7-2 = 36pts  2nd in the Atlantic)

@ Ottawa Dec 31st (6-15-1 = 13pts  8th in the Atlantic)

The Penguins have had a few litmus tests so far and have passed them (see road Wins against the Maple Leafs and Jets).  The other test was playing Calgary hard, losing in the shootout (was not so great).  Playing Edmonton tough into the 3rd period was a small victory, (again more can be said about each game…just not today).  The Penguins are beating teams below them in the standings, as they should and playing hard against those above them.  They won’t win them all folks.  They just need to grab a few more wins against the top dogs to stay in the playoff race.

Winning is 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.

I really feel that Pittsburgh is ready to make another run and here is why.

The Penguins are a Hard Hitting, tight fore-checking team

The Penguins focus on limiting their turnovers and give aways

The Penguins are good at creating turnovers and give aways

The Penguins are good in the faceoff circle

Focused Team D usually equals wins

Jarry is improving every game and he the Key to the Cup

Pens Picks

@ Washington Dec10th  (15-4-6 = 36pts  1st in the Metropolitan)

Recent History: 2020-21 Covid-19 Season -The Pens Won the season series 6-2

Current: 2021-22

The Pens Lost 6-1 – Nov14 in Wash

The Capitals lead the Metropolitan Division.  They kicked the Penguins 6-1 in their first meeting of the season.  Yes, the Penguins had a depleted lineup, however anyway you slice this one, it was a kicking.  The Caps are always a tough out and have already put together a four-game winning streak and a three-game win streak, in this season.  What this means is the Caps can get on a roll and look good doing it.  Like say over the last 14 games in which they won 10 maybe.  Yikes.

The Penguins will look for some revenge, by playing a solid team game.  They will be well rested from their World Canadian Tour, and should be able to bring their A-Game.  This is a “must compete at a high-level” game for the Penguins.

I see this one as a must win game. Pens to win

Vs Anaheim Dec11th   (13-8-4 = 30pts  3rd in the Pacific)

Recent History: 2020-21 Covid-19 Season – Did not play vs each other due to Covid

Current: 2021-22

The Pens have not played them as yet.

Anaheim struggled out of the gate with a six-game losing streak in October.  Then they figured it out and went on an 8-game winning streak in November.  Eleven wins over their last 16 games.  It really makes you wonder which team will show up to PPG Paints Arena in December.

I see this as a let down game for the Penguins.  Pens to lose this one

@ Montreal Dec14th (6-17-3 = 15pts  7th in the Atlantic)

Recent History: 2020-21 Covid-19 Season – Did not play vs each other due to Covid

Current: 2021-22

The Pens Won 6-0 – Nov18 in Mtl

The Pens Lost 6-3 – Nov 27 in Pit

The Habs have lost Price and Webber, two key pieces of the team , in terms of Leadership as well as All World skill.  They are struggling overall and the organization is a complete mess.  Loosing players to free agency over the summer and a slow start to the season caused Montreal ownership to fire their GM.  It appears Les Canadiens are heading into rebuild mode, or at least thinking about it.  There is even talk of trading Price…Wow.

The Penguins kicked them in Montreal.  The Penguins also outplayed them in Pittsburgh, firing 50 shots at Montreal, only to have their goalie Allen, steal the game.

I feel this is a must win game for the Penguins.  Penguins to Win.

Vs Buffalo Dec17th (8-13-3 = 19pts 6th in the Atlantic)

Recent History: 2020-21 Covid-19 Season -The Pens won the season series 7-1

Current: 2021-22

The Pens Lost 2-1 – Nov16 in Pit

Shot out of a cannon, the Sabres began the season, winning five of their first seven games.  They then proceeded to lose ten of twelve games, sinking in the standings, or coming back down to earth.  Either way, they took out the penguins 2-1 in the November game.  In that game Jarry was not playing at his best.  The Penguins also outshot, outhit and won 55.2% of the faceoffs that night.  Things have changed in Pittsburgh since that meeting.  Buffalo is sinking.

I feel this is a must win game for the Penguins.  Penguins to Win.

@ New Jersey Dec19th (9-9-4 = 22pts  6th in the Metropolitan)

Recent History: 2020-21 Covid-19 Season -The Pens Won the season series 6-2

Current: 2021-22

The Pens Lost 4-2 – Oct30 in NJ

New Jersey has lost eight out of their last ten games, however they are still nipping at the Penguins heels in the standings.  The Penguins played them tight in the October game.  It was 2-2 deep into the 3rd period and the Devils goalie Bernier made two jaw dropping saves to keep NJ in this one.

I see this as a let down game due to travel.  Penguins to Lose this one

Vs New Jersey Dec21st (9-9-4 = 22pts  6th in the Metropolitan)

I see this as an inspired, love the home cooking, gotta win this one game.  Penguins to Win

Vs Philadelphia Dec23rd (8-10-4 = 20pts 7th in the Metropolitan)

Recent History: 2020-21 Covid-19 Season -The Pens Lost the season series 3-5

Current: 2021-22

The Pens Won 3-2ot– Nov04 in Pit

The Flyers are stuck in an eight-game losing skid.  They have lost four games in overtime, so flipping the script would add a few more points in the standings.  However, the big question in Phila right now is, should they pull the plug on this year and look to trade assets?  Or can they make a run and get back into the playoff mix?

I feel this is a must win game for the Penguins.  Penguins to Win

@ Boston Dec27th (12-8-1 = 25pts  5th in the Atlantic)

Recent History: 2020-21 Covid-19 Season -The Pens Lost the season series 3-5

Current: 2021-22

The Pens have not played them as yet.

Boston is having a similar season to the Penguins.  Hovering above .500, and by no means running away with the division, like they used to.  The B’s are in a cycle of win one – lose one, and cannot seem to get on a roll.  They can be had at this time for sure.  The Penguins will be at home from Dec 21st, over Christmas resting with family and friends, leading up to this game.

I feel this is a must win game for the Penguins.  Penguins to Win.

@ Toronto Dec29th (17-7-2 = 36pts  2nd in the Atlantic)

Recent History: 2020-21 Covid-19 Season – Did not play vs each other due to Covid

Current: 2021-22

The Pens Won 7-1 – Oct 23 – in Pit

The Pens Won 2-0 – Nov 20 – in TO

The Penguins beat up on the Maple Leafs in October, with a depleted roster.  Then the Pens went into Toronto and played a beautiful road game, winning 2-0.  I would think this is the must win game for Toronto.  The Maple Leafs have won 15 of its last 19 games and are always a tough out.  The Pens have proven me wrong twice already.  I’m hopping they prove me wrong a third time.

I see this as a let down game for the Penguins.  Pens to lose this one

@ Ottawa Dec 31st (6-15-1 = 13pts  8th in the Atlantic)

Recent History: 2020-21 Covid-19 Season – Did not play vs each other due to Covid

Current: 2021-22

The Pens Lost 6-3 – Nov13 in Ott

Ottawa is where we thought they would be.  They are who we knew they were.  And yet they laid a huge smack down on the Penguins in the November game.  Even considering the Penguins played with eight of their regular players on the IR, in that game, they still got it handed to them.  Ottawa can be sneaky good some games, just not in this one.

I feel this is a must win game for the Penguins.  Penguins to Win.

Pens Picks:

For this pivotal block of games, I’m thinking the Penguins go: 7 Wins, 3 Losses.  Time will tell.

My View from the Cheap Seats

I see this upcoming block of 10 games like an approaching iceberg.  Can the Penguins Win, in essence, dodging the oncoming iceberg and remain in the Playoff hunt or will they lose and like the Titanic, crash into the iceberg, sinking them in the standings.

Quote of the Day:

“Champions keep playing until they get it right.  Then they play more.”

Billie Jean King – Tennis Star