Pen’s Picks November 2022

Welcome to November Folks.  The Penguins are in a 6-game slump.  They played great hockey right out of the gate, but have since slid down towards the basement, with some poor play of late.

I predicted the Penguins would go 7-2 for the Month of October.  I was oh so close until they decided to lose to Vancouver and Seattle…ouch, my pride is hurt…lol.

Here is the Penguins schedule for the Month of November.

1.     Nov 05 vs Seattle

2.     Nov 09 @ Washington

3.     Nov 11 @ Toronto

4.     Nov 12 @ Montreal

5.     Nov 15 vs Toronto

6.     Nov 17 @ Minnesota

7.     Nov 19 @ Winnipeg

8.     Nov 20 @ Chicago

9.     Nov 23 vs Calgary

10.  Nov 25 vs Philadelphia

11.  Nov 26 vs Toronto

12.  Nov 29 @ Carolina

So, let’s have a look at how I think the Month of November will play out for the Penguins   It’s what I call; Pen’s Picks (It’s just for Fun and Not for Betting)…enjoy.

Pen’s Picks…

1.     Nov 05 vs Seattle

Pens are in a Slump, Gotta change this vibe, Who Ya Gonna call, Seattle Kraken.

Second time is a charm.  The Penguins had a chance to end this misery on Oct 29th but could not or did not make it happen (my Oct 29th* prediction below).  They will this time.  Seattle is on a 3-game winning streak that started by beating the Penguins.  Can you say the Penguins will be Motivated for this game?  I knew you could.  The streak ends here.

Pen’s Pick: Pittsburgh

*(Oct 29 @ Seattle>Last place in the Pacific Division was predicted, especially in their inaugural season.  Goalie Grubauer underperformed last season, sure, but he was not and is not, the savior for this franchise.  Still too many holes to fill on this roster…Pen’s Pick: Pittsburgh)

2.     Nov 09 @ Washington

The Penguins should be very motivated to play in this game.  The Capitals are a long-time rival and are ahead of the Penguins in the Standings.  The Caps have been on a Win Some, Lose Some roller coaster in October.  Can you say 4-point game.  The Pens will show up for this one.

Pen’s Pick: Pittsburgh

3.     Nov 11 @ Toronto

The Leafs are in the same time warp as the Penguins .  They got off to an ok start, then went on a Western Road Trip and got kicked by lesser skilled teams…ouch.  The Penguins ate the Leafs lunch last year, beating them twice and losing once.  I see the Penguins enjoying another free meal.

Pen’s Pick: Pittsburgh

4.     Nov 12 @ Montreal

Well now…Look who’s a scrappy bunch this year.  The Habs won in overtime, the last time they met (my Oct17th* prediction is below).  As stated earlier, second time is a charm.  Cup Contending Teams, pounce on any team Lower than them in the Standings.  It’s a Penguin Pounce.

Pen’s Pick: Pittsburgh

*(Oct 17 @ Montreal>Montreal was terrible last season.  They have been trying to improve in the offseason, however it is really tough to replace an All-World D in Shea Webber, (Injured Long Term and Traded the Vegas) as well as All-World Goalie in Carey Price (Injured Long Term and might never play again).  Head Coach Martin St.Louis will help the overall re-build, just not in this game.  Pen’s Pick: Pittsburgh)

5.     Nov 15 vs Toronto

The Leafs are under huge pressure this year, like the Penguins, to get out of the First Round.  I see no reason to alter my earlier prediction in game 2.  Free Lunch…yum yum.

Pen’s Pick: Pittsburgh

6.     Nov 17 @ Minnesota

Minny re-tooled their roster in order to make a run for the cup this year.  They started off 0-3, then management said Win or changes are coming.  They are always a tough team to play against, especially in Minny.

Pen’s Pick: Minnesota

7.     Nov 19 @ Winnipeg

The Jets have had an Identity Crisis for a few years now.  In 2017-18, the Jets made it to the Final Four, losing to Vegas.  That year the Jets were one of the fastest teams, if not the fastest teams in the NHL.  It’s been a decline ever since.

Pen’s Pick: Pittsburgh

8.     Nov 20 @ Chicago

Chicago is playing for the lottery pick and Generational Talent Connor Bedard.  They want to win a few; however, they are more interested in dumping salary (2023 UFA’s Kane $10.5 Million and Toews $10.5 Million) and re-loading for the next 7 years.

Pen’s Pick: Pittsburgh

9.     Nov 23 vs Calgary

I was unsure how well the new players would adjust to Life in Calgary under Coach Sutter.  Apparently, I know nothing Jon Snow.  (see my Oct 25th* prediction below).  They began the season on a 3-game win streak.  They have also been on a 3-game losing streak.  Win Some, Lose Some, it’s a Penguin Payback.

Pen’s Pick: Pittsburgh

*(Oct 25 @ Calgary>Calgary lost to it’s big brother Edmonton, in last years Second Round of the Playoffs.  They then lost their sniper Gaudreau to Columbus in Free Agency.  They Traded away gritty forward Tkachuk to Florida for points producer, Huberdeau.  Then they picked up a Stanley Cup Champion, Kadri from the Aves.  I’m not convinced.  Pen’s Pick: Pittsburgh)

10.     Nov 25 vs Philadelphia

Phila re-jigged its lineup as well as it Head Coach.  Torts is back serving up his magical formula of having his Million Dollar Players blocking all shots until they have no more legs or body parts free from bruises.

Pen’s Pick: Pittsburgh

11.     Nov 26 vs Toronto

I would love to say third time is the sweep, but I can’t. In all good conscious, you gotta think the Leafs would have “righted the ship”, by this time eh?

Pen’s Pick: Toronto

12.     Nov 29 @ Carolina

The Canes are the odds-on favorite to win the Metropolitan Division this season.  They have a nice mixture of youth, speed, veterans and Goaltending to Win It All.

Pen’s Pick: Carolina

My View from the Cheap Seats

Section: TV     Row: PVR     Seat: The Couch

Here is how I see November playing out for the Penguins…it looks like a good recovery to me, enjoy.

Pens Picks: November 2022

9 Wins

3 Losses

…I was late predicting on Bos Nov 01 and Buff Nov 02

Pens Picks: October 2022

7 Wins

2 Losses

Actual (4-4-1)

My Overall Pens Picks Record in 2021-22 was:

22 Wins

10 Losses

Nov 15.21 Penguins Enter Canada with a Free Trade Agreement: 6 Wins 3 Losses

Dec 06.21 Pens vs Eastern Conference – Part 1: 7 Wins 3 Losses

Jan 27.21 Pens vs Eastern Conference – Part 2: 9 Wins 4 Losses

May 02.22 Penguins vs Rangers 2022 Playoff Preview: I called it going 7 games.

Quote of the Day:

“I Know Nothing Jon Snow“

Marc Penner – Author/Writer