Pen’s Picks December 2022

As I look at the standings today, I notice the Penguins have crept into the second spot in the Wild Card race.  Yahooo.

I also noticed there are only 25 days until Christmas and a New Year is upon us.  Yikes, time is sure  flying by.  Are we having fun yet?  The Pens are hoping to have some, get it together and go on another role.

That said, let’s have a look at how I think the Month of December will play out for the Penguins.

It’s what I call; Pen’s Picks (It’s just for Fun and Not for Betting)…enjoy.

Here is the Penguins upcoming schedule for the Month of December.

1.     Dec 01 vs Vegas

2.     Dec 03 vs St.L

3.     Dec 06 vs Columbus

4.     Dec 09 @ Buffalo

5.     Dec 10 vs Buffalo

6.     Dec 12 vs Dallas

7.     Dec 15 @ Florida

8.     Dec 18 @ Carolina

9.     Dec 20 vs NYR

10.  Dec 22 vs Carolina

11.  Dec 27 @ NYI

12.  Dec 28 vs Detroit

13.  Dec 30 vs New Jersey

Here is how I see the Penguins upcoming schedule for the Month of December playing out.

Dec 01 vs Vegas

Vegas re-tooled and are getting healthy.  They look deep and ready to make a run.  They are #1 in the Pacific Division, #1 in the Eastern Conference and #3 overall in the NHL.  They are for real folks.

Pen’s Pick: Vegas

Dec 03 vs St.L

Here is another deep team, with a ton of playoff experience.  They play a physical, heavy game.  They got off to a slow start, but they are charging forward now.

Pen’s Pick: St.L

Dec 06 vs Columbus

They are in re-build mode.  They have some pieces; they have some holes yet to fill and they have a number of injuries.

Pen’s Pick: Pittsburgh

Dec 09 @ Buffalo

They got off to a red-hot start to the season and took many teams by surprise.  There are no more surprises here.  They are who we thought they were and are falling in the standings.  They are into a re-build with more pieces still to add.

Pen’s Pick: Pittsburgh

Dec 10 vs Buffalo

See above notes

Pen’s Pick: Pittsburgh

Dec 12 vs Dallas

They look like a team on a mission.  Benn and Seguin are either both finally healthy or they actually care to win this year.  Either way motivation is a funny thing.  They are #1 in the Central Division, #2 in the Western Conference, and 6th overall in the NHL.

Pen’s Pick: Dallas

Dec 15 @ Florida

I’m not sure who they are just yet.  Last year they were playing like a Final Four Team who just didn’t make it.  So, they re-tooled and this year they are trying to find themselves.  That said, they don’t appear as deep as last year, and are losing to teams that a Final Four type team would beat.

Pen’s Pick: Pittsburgh

Dec 18 @ Carolina

These guys are for real. Young and motivated with NHL Vets who can still play.

Pen’s Pick: Carolina

Dec 20 vs NYR

Well, the Rangers have struggled to find their mojo from last year.  Can we say that maybe the Rangers overachieved last year.  Shesterkin looks human, Kreider looks like his old self, and they lost a lot of Veteran depth from last years Final Four team.  This year we know the Annual Rangers Slide will happen.

Pen’s Pick: Pittsburgh

Dec 22 vs Carolina

See above notes

Pen’s Pick: Carolina

Dec 27 @ NYI

The Islanders are in payback mode.  They only reason they missed the playoffs last year was covid related.  It’s not blocking them this year.  They are built for the playoffs.

Pen’s Pick: NYI

Dec 28 vs Detroit

They have statred out nice and surprised some teams.  I do not see that continuing.  They are still a few pieces away.

Pen’s Pick: Pittsburgh

Dec 30 vs New Jersey

Well, the young kids are lighting the league up.  Are they for real?  They are beating teams who have been considered better than them to date.  I think they drop down to earth in December.

If not, the Penguins better look themselves in the mirror.

Pen’s Pick: Pittsburgh

My View from the Cheap Seats

Section: TV     Row: PVR     Seat: The Couch

Here is how I see December playing out for the Penguins.  It looks like a win one, lose one kinda month.  I took off my rose-colored glasses…lol…Enjoy.

Pens Picks: December 2022

7 Wins

6 Losses

Pens Picks: November 2022

9 Wins

3 Losses

Actual (7-6) with Carolina left to play Nov 29th… Pen’s Pick: Carolina

…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:

“Winning means you’re willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else.“

Vince Lombardi – Green Bay Packers Head Coach