Pens Win…when they do this

As the Penguins gear up for game 20, I thought we should have a look at what key indicators occur, when the Penguins Win, so far in 2022.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are 9-7-3 = 21 Pts (as of Nov23.22)

5th in Metropolitan Division (1 Point out of the Second Wild Card Spot)

7th in Eastern Conference (Note: there are many teams tied with points)

8th Overall in NHL

Let’s have a look at the Magic Formula for creating a Pittsburgh Penguin Win.

The Penguins Out-Shoot their opposition

The Penguins average 34.56 shots per game, when they win.

Only 3 times they did not outshoot their opponent, but still won the game.

Captain Obvious:

The more pucks to net, they better chance of scoring a goal.

Last Year- 2021-22

The Penguins averaged 31.3 Shots in the games they won.

Pens Pro Tip:

We all remember the October 23rd game against the Leafs last year.  You know, the one where Pittsburgh pounded the Toronto 7-1.  This was “The Game to Model”.  The take aways from that game were as follows:

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

The Pens look to have stepped it up as far as putting more pucks to the net and letting more rebounds and tipped shots occur.

The Penguins Out Hit their opposition

The Penguins average 28.56 hits, when they win.

They Penguins have only won 3 games in which they have outhit their opponent.  Wow.

Captain Obvious:

Using the body to get the puck from the opposition, is the main objective of hitting an opponent.  Slowing down the opposition would be another purpose.  Sending a message of toughness, and intimidation, “we won’t be pushed around”, would be another reason to crash into someone.

Finish your check and always put a body into someone.  It wears people down and over the course of a game, hits will eventually cause a mental breakdown, like a turnover or miscue, and this will lead to a scoring chance.

Last Year- 2021-22

The Penguins averaged 34.3 Hits in the games they won.

Pens Pro Tip:

It appears that the Penguins are hitting less overall as a team.  I would say some of this is due to the new players added this year.  Another reason may be a lack of motivation to place one’s body into harm’s way in October and November, when you know you still have 6 more months left to get to the Cup.

The Penguins Win More Faceoffs than their opposition

The penguins average 54.73% Faceoff Win %, when they win.

This means that the Penguins beat their opposition in the Faceoff circle, when the Penguins win.  Only once, did the Penguins have a lower Faceoff win % and win the game.

Captain Obvious:

Win the Faceoff, gain instant puck possession and you won’t be chasing the game from the drop of the puck.

Last Year- 2021-22

The Penguins averaged 57.7% Faceoff Win Percentage in the games they won.

Pens Pro Tip:

The Penguins appear to be slightly less dominant in the faceoff circle this season.  Keep in mind, the Wingers job is to get the puck when the Center ties up his man. This is a huge part of wanting the puck off the draw.  Help out Boys…

The Penguins Block the Opposition Shots

The Penguins average 15.22 Blocked Shots, when they win.

Captain Obvious:

The more We Block Shots, the Less Chance there is for the opposition to score.

Last Year- 2021-22

The Penguins averaged 14.4 Blocked Shots in the games they won.

Pens Pro Tip:

It appears the Penguins D as well as Team D, appear to be a little more interested in helping their goalies out this year.

The Penguins get their Shots Blocked

The Penguins averaged 14 Shots Blocked, when they win.

Captain Obvious:

Try and move the puck around for an open shot.

Last Year- 2021-22

The Penguins averaged 11 of their Shots Blocked, in the games they won.

Pens Pro Tip:

I agree you need to be smart when you shoot, however I also believe more shots actually have a chance to go through and hit the net, or at least cause pain for the shot blocker.  At some point the mind takes over from the body and wants to avoid pain.  Shots will get through, trust me.

The Penguins rarely Turnover the puck over

The Penguins turn the puck over 8.56 times per game, when they win.

Captain Obvious:

If the Penguins have the puck, then you can’t score.

Last Year- 2021-22

The Penguins averaged 3 Turnovers in the games they won.

Pens Pro Tip:

The Penguins are a puck possession style team.  They have All-World players who have skilled and gifted hands, who can handle the puck.  What that means is they can make consecutive passes at top speed, at will.  Many teams can’t.

The Penguins cause their Opposition to Turnover the puck

The Penguins cause the opposition to turn over the puck 8.33 times per game when they win.

Captain Obvious:

The team that wins the Turnover Battle, usually wins the game.

Last Year- 2021-22

In the games they won, the Penguins forced their opposition to Turnover the puck 6.3 times on average per game.

Pens Pro Tip:

If the Penguins put intense pressure on you, you will likely give up the puck.

The Penguins Score Goals

The Penguins average 5.11 goals, when they win.

Captain Obvious:

Just score more goals than your opponent and you win.

Last Year- 2021-22

The Penguins averaged 4.8 Goals, in the games they won.

Pens Pro Tip:

The Penguins have a high-powered offense.  However, we all know that Defense Wins Championships.  We also all know that Team D tightens up in the NHL Playoffs.  Learn to play tight D now, so when April rolls around, you already know how to win those tight one goal games.

The Penguins Don’t Allow Goals

The Penguins hold their opposition to 2 goals, when they win

Captain Obvious:

They can’t win if they don’t score on you.

Last Year- 2021-22

The Penguins averaged 1.8 Goals in the games they won.

Pens Pro Tip:

Defense Wins Championships.  Team D that is.  Meaning help take care of your own end and the Offense will take care of itself.

The Penguins Limit Their Penalties

The Penguins average 9.22 minutes in penalties, when they win.

Captain Obvious:

Stay out of the sin bin boys.  It is really tough to score when you are down a man.  Giving the opposition multiple extra man advantage chances is a recipe for disaster.

Last Year- 2021-22

The Penguins averaged 7 Penalty minutes, in the games they won.

Pens Pro Tip:

The Penguins are creeping up there in penalties per game.  This might be a blip, however, this must be under control come the playoffs.

The Penguins Score First

The Penguins Scored First in 6 of the 9 games they have won, so far this year.

Captain Obvious:

Score first and your opposition is chasing the game.

Last Year- 2021-22

The Penguins scored First in the games they won.

Pens Pro Tip:

Scoring first is not a fool proof solution for a win.  Sometimes, the motivation and will to win flips towards the opposition, who must now scrape and claw their way back into the game.  This shifts the momentum, and we have all seen how teams can ride that momentum wave to victory.

My View from the Cheap Seats

English philosopher, Sir Francis Bacon said, “Knowledge is Power”.

Now, based on my above scouting report, we all now know what the “Magic Formula” is for the Penguins to win.

Let’s see if they use the Power, of this Knowledge, to replicate some W’s.

Quote of the Day:

“Knowledge is Power but useless if not applied”.

Marc Penner – Author/Writer