3 Penguins Games You Want to See in 2022-23

As you know, it is always a tough road, just getting out of the Metropolitan Division, let alone winning the Eastern Conference.  Remember all the battles in the old Patrick Division or in the Prince of Wales Conference?   Well, this season will be no different.

All the teams in the Metro have loaded up for another great season of Division Battles.  Teams in the Atlantic Division have improved, on paper…lol.  No seriously folks, the Conference just got tougher.  And remember Colorado just Won the Cup and are the odds on favorite to repeat.

These are 3 Penguins games, I think, you won’t want to miss, this upcoming NHL Season.

Metropolitan Division New York Rangers vs Pittsburgh Penguins – Dec20.2022

Recent History: 2020-21 Covid-19 Season (Penguins 6 Wins – 2 Losses)

Current: 2021-22 (Penguins 1 Win – 3 Losses)

Feb 26.22 Pens Won 1-0 in Pitts

March 25.22 Pens Lost 5-1 in NY

March 29.22 Pens Lost 3-2 in Pitts

April 03.22 Pens Lost 3-0 in NY

The Penguins Lost to the New York Rangers in Round 1 of the Playoffs.  A series that went into Overtime in Game 7.  The New York Rangers won 4-3, Panarin getting the OT winner.  Remember Pitt was up 3 games to 1, heading into Game 5?  Remember, NYR then went on to win the next 3 Games in a row…ouch.  Oh, the pain to relive this nightmare.

Well, the New York Rangers spent the offseason re-tooling their roster, a roster that took the Back-to-Back Champion, Tampa Bay Lightning, 6 games to eliminate from the NHL Playoffs in the Conference Final.  Yikes.

NYR added Free Agent and Hometown Pittsburgh guy, Vincent Trocheck (former Canes).  NYR re-signed as well as added several depth players.

Losing to a Big Brother is always tough and this year will be another challenge.

Eastern Conference Tampa Bay Lightning vs Pittsburgh Penguins – Oct 15.2022

Recent History: 2020-21 Covid-19 Season (Penguins did not play TB)

Current: 2021-22 (Penguins 2 Wins – 1 Losses)

Oct 12.22 Pens Won 6-2 in TB

Oct 26.22 Pens Lost 5-1 in Pitts

March 03.22 Pens Won 5-1 in TB

The Back-to-Back Champion TB Lightning (2019-20 and 2020-21) lost to Colorado in 6 Games.  Two of those were Overtime Losses folks.  Oh Oh.

The NHL is set up to turn over rosters on a regular basis.  The fact that TB has remained an Upper Echelon Team for so long is a credit to former GM, Steve Yzerman as well as current GM, Julien Brisebois.  This Franchise has drafted well (Stamkos, Kucherov, Point, Hedman, Vasilevsky) signed the right Free Agents, RE-signed the right players, Traded for the perfect pieces and played the “Cap Game” to perfection.

Playing the Game within the Game is the Game.

2021-22 Defending Champion Colorado Avalanche vs Pittsburgh Penguins – Feb 07.2023

Recent History: 2020-21 Covid-19 Season (Penguins did not play Colorado)

Current: 2021-22 (Penguins 0 Wins – 2 Losses)

April 02.20 Pens Lost 3-2 in Colorado

April 05.22 Pens Lost 6-4 in Pitts

It was a long time coming, however the Colorado Avalanche rebuilt themselves into a Championship Hockey Club.  It took the Avs 20 years to get back to Mt. Everest.  Along this journey, there were many disappointing seasons, missed NHL Playoffs, as well as early Round Playoff exits to add to the frustration.  However, once again, Smart Draft Choices (MacKinnon, Rantanen, Landeskog, Makar), Signing and RE-signing the Right Players, as well as pulling off shrewd Trades, creates a team ready to repeat as NHL champions in 2022-23.

To Become the Champion, you must Defeat the Champion.

My View from the Cheap Seats

Section: TV    

Row: PVR    

Seat: The Couch

Fear Not Penguin Fans, the Penguins too have re-tooled this year’s roster.  GM Ron Hextall has brought back the band and is ready for a long NHL Playoff Run in 2022-23.  The Penguins too have the Right Draft Picks ( Crosby, Malkin, Guentzel, Letang, Jarry), Signed and RE-signed the Right Players as well as Traded for Team Depth.  These 3 Games will show us just how far off we really are.

Quote of the Day:

“Game On”-

Kids Playing Hockey Everywhere