The Penguins are so Mid
By Marc Penner
The Pittsburgh Penguins have just passed the half way point of their season. Game 41, was an ugly 4-1 loss to the high flying Winnipeg Jets. The Penguins have had their ups and downs this year. People have their theories, however I prefer FACTS.
So, with 22 Wins in the books, I thought it would be a good time to have a look at how and why those W’s happen. What trends appear, when the Penguins win.
Trending. Penguins are Half Way there Livin' on a Prayer. light
As of January 17.2023, The Half Way Point of the Penguins Season
22.15.6 = 50 Points
5th in the Metropolitan Division
7th-tied in the Eastern Conference
11th -tied in the NHL overall
Pittsburgh Penguins hold the #2 Wild Card Playoff Spot in the Eastern Conference
Last Year…
As of January 25.2022, The Half Way Point of the Penguins Season
26.10.5 = 57 Points
2nd in the Metropolitan Division (Up from 7th Place in Oct)
4th in the Eastern Conference (Up from 13th Place in Oct)
5th in the NHL overall (Up from 22nd overall in Oct)
Pittsburgh Penguins are holding the #2 Playoff Spot in the Metropolitan Division (Eastern Conference)
I agree with him and added, “Knowledge is Power but useless if not applied”.
If you can see the trends, have the knowledge, and intel, you hold great power. However, you have to act on and apply that knowledge, in order to get results.
So, let’s dive into those 22 Wins, and create the “Magic Formula” for a Penguin Win.
Trending. Penguins Name MP General Manager for the Day. light
Score Four, then show ‘em the door
The Penguins score 4.32 Goals, in the games they have won so far this year.
It stands to reason, when you score more, you typically win more. Thanks Captain Obvious.
Overall, the Pens rank 12th in the NHL with 138 Goals For.
The Stars need to be the Stars and the Supporting Cast needs to help out, anytime now boys.
Last Year
The Penguins scored First in 21 of the 26 games they won. Scoring first means the opposition is chasing the game right away. The Penguins average 4.23 goals per game when they win.
The Penguins rank 7th overall in the NHL in Goals Scored 137. (Up from 15th overall in Oct) (This is a good trend, and primarily due to getting players back from the IR)
Under Two, means Boo-Who for You
The Penguins allowed only 1.96 Goals, in the Games they have won so far.
The Penguins have had Average Goaltending at best this season, and their record reflects this.
Overall, the Pens rank 12th in the NHL in Goals Against with 130.
Overall, the Pens rank 5th in the NHL in GAA, averaging 3.02 Goals Against.
Jarry, who is his contract year, has played below expectations so far this year. I know he has had some injuries, but I am still shocked. Prior to his injuries, I thought he would play All-World, in order to earn a big pay day contract.
Team D is banged up as well, which has not helped in this stat category, for sure. However, Sport Is…Next Man Up. Deal with it.
Last Year
When the Penguins win, they average 1.69 goals against. Jarry, in his 22 wins, gives up 1.68 goals per game.
The Penguins rank 5th overall in the NHL in Goals Allowed 104. (Up from 18th overall in Oct)
(This is a good trend, and primarily due to the awesome Team Defense and the amazing play of Goaltender Tristan Jarry.)
The Penguins Team GAA is 2.54, 3rd overall in the NHL.
The Penguins Team Save % is .921%, 3rd overall in the NHL.
Jarry 22 Wins – 2nd overall in the NHL.
Jarry .928 Save % – 2nd overall in the NHL.
Jarry 2.09 GAA – 3rd overall in the NHL.
Jarry 3 Shut Outs – 3rd overall in the NHL.
Jarry is showing no weakness between the pipes and playing All-World right now.
Kids, we’re not in Kansas anymore…
light. Trending. Penguins Need More C.L.O.S.E.R.S
Out Shoot the Opposition
The Penguins averaged 34.5 Shots Per Game, in the games they have won so far this year.
More pucks to the net, means more potential for pucks to go in. It also speaks to the Penguins having possession of the puck. Thanks Captain Obvious.
Overall, the Pens rank 10th in the NHL with a 32.4 Shots Per Game.
Last Year
The Penguins averaged 34.19 Shots per game, when they win.
Win the Draw, own the puck
The Penguins Win the Faceoff 54.49%, in the games they have won so far this year.
Winning the Face-off means instant puck possession and forces the opposition to chase the game from the get-go. Thanks Captain Obvious.
Overall, the Pens rank10th in the NHL with a Face-off Win % of 51.8%
Just winning faceoffs itself does not mean you win the game. Proper execution with the puck determines victory.
Last Year
The Penguins averaged 51.54% in Faceoffs Won, on average per game, in the 26 games they have won. They rank 12th overall in the NHL at 50.7% in Faceoffs Won, on average per game. (Up from 18th overall in Oct) Win the draw, own the puck.
Trending. Pen's Picks January 2023. light
Take one for the team
The Penguins Block 14 shots, in the games they have won so far this year.
Blocking shots means there is less potential for the shot to become a goal. Ok thanks, Captain Obvious.
Blocking shots is good and all, however it does speak again, to puck possession or lack thereof. If your team is always blocking the opposition shots, it means you do not have the puck.
Last Year…
The Penguins averaged 13.76 Blocked Shots in the games they won.
The Penguins get their Shots Blocked
The Penguins have Their Shots Blocked 14.96 times, in the games they have won so far this year.
Having your shots blocked does speak to your team having the puck, which is a good trend. However not getting the puck on the net is a challenge for all teams in the NHL right now.
Understand, that passing the puck, tape to tape, is hugely important for the shot to actually hit the net, let alone snipe a goal. Always remember, three passes equal a scoring opportunity. The Penguins are a good and strong passing team and are always looking for creative ways to score goals.
Last Year…
The Penguins averaged 12.84 of their Shots Blocked, in the games they won.
The Penguins Penalty Kill
Overall, the Pens rank 3rd in the NHL with a 83.2% Penalty Kill.
The Pens average 8.9 Penalty Minutes per game, in the games they have won so far this year.
The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 30th overall in the NHL for Penalties taken with 323 penalty minutes.
Last Year…
The Penguins Penalty Kill is 89.1%, 1st overall in the NHL. The schemes they are using, are working wonders. Fun to watch. (Was 1st overall in Oct)
The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 31st overall in the NHL for Penalties taken with 280 penalty minutes. This translates to an average of 6.8 Penalty Minutes per game and ranks second last in the NHL.
The Penguins Limit Their Penalties and kill off the ones they have. Remember the Penguins killed off 40 consecutive penalties in a row over 15 games, until New Jersey scored on Dec19.2021
The Penguins Opposition are Icing the Puck
Overall, the Pens rank 3rd in the NHL with forcing their Opposition into Icing the puck.
I love this stat. It means your team has the possession of the puck and is creating so much sustained offensive zone pressure, the opposition must ice the puck to get relief. This will eventually lead to scoring opportunities.
Last Year
The Penguins rank 18th overall in the NHL, causing their opposition to ice the puck. (Down from 12th overall in Oct) Meaning the Penguins are not causing as much grief for the opposition, or the Penguins are simply scoring the goal.
Trending. My All-Time Penguins Starting Line-up. light
Penguin Red Flags – Keep an Eye on these trends
The Penguins D-Zone Giveaways
Overall, the Pens rank 11th in the NHL, with 217 D-Zone Giveaways.
They are trending in the wrong direction, allowing more turnovers in their own zone and its reflective in late game collapses, resulting in losses.
Last Year
The Penguins rank 25th overall in the NHL for Defensive Zone Giveaways. (Up from 29th overall in Oct).
The Penguins O-Zone Giveaways
Overall, the Pens rank 11th in the NHL, with 134 Offensive Zone Giveaways.
Another stat category trending in the wrong direction. Why are they losing the puck in the O-Zone so often? Let’s keep an eye on this one.
Last Year
The Penguins averaged 24th overall in the NHL for Offensive Zone Giveaways. (Down from 23rd overall in Oct)
The Penguins are causing Offside
Overall, the Pens rank 13th in the NHL with 84 Offsides caused by the Penguins.
Stand ‘em up at the blueline, I always say.
The Penguins causing the opposition to be offside, is an Offensive Disruptor. Offside completely breaks down the opposition’s offensive flow, stops play, and allows the Pens to re-set their defensive alignment or change players.
Last Year
The Penguins Rank 9th overall in the NHL for causing the opposition to become Offside. (Up from 28th overall in Oct)
Trending. I Suspect the Penguins D will be Suspect this year. light
The Penguins are LOSING the Battle of the Turnovers
The Penguins give away the puck 9.09 times, in the games they have won so far this year.
Their Opposition gave away the puck 6.96 times, in the games the Penguins have won so far this year.
This is a very odd stat, where you lose the Turnover Battle and still Win the game…hmmmm
I’m not sure I always believe the statisticians are watching the same game I am, or define a turnover, like I do….lol.
Last Year The Penguins Won the Battle of the Turnovers
In games the Penguins win, they turn the puck over 7.58 times per game.
The Penguins force their opposition to turn the puck over 7.88 times per game. 1
The Penguins are Icing the Puck More
Overall, the Pens rank 3rd in the NHL with Icing the puck when in trouble.
While I agree that if you are in trouble in your own end, you should ice the puck and re-set. However, if this is happening to often, it speaks about lack of puck possession and your team will be scored on eventually. It is simply the law of averages.
Is this because of injuries or reality?
Last Year
The Penguins rank 5th overall in icing the puck. (Up from 11th overall in Oct)
The Penguins are not staying Onside
Overall, the Pens rank 10th in the NHL with putting themselves Offside.
What that means is, the Penguins are getting caught being offside, when entering the Offensive Zone. This disrupts their offensive flow and potential creativity, when entering the offensive zone.
Let me understand this. You are telling me that you have played the game since you were 3 years old. It’s one of the first rules you learn of the game. So, how do you? How could you? I just don’t get it.
Last Year
The Penguins Rank 6th overall in the NHL in Offside. (Up from 19th overall in Oct)
Trending. These Teams Will make the Playoffs and so will the Pens. light
The Penguins Power Play
Overall, the Pens rank 19th in the NHL with a Power Play, clipping at 20.3%.
It just needs to be better, given the All-World talent on the PP, it’s time to step it up boys.
Last Year
The Penguins Power Play of converting at 17.7%, 26th overall in the NHL. (Was 26th overall in Oct)
Where The Penguins Can Win
The Penguins Win at Home: 12.5.4
The Penguins Win on the Road: 10.10.2
Last Year
No matter where the game is played, The Pittsburgh Penguins Win.
The Penguins Win at Home: 12.5.2
The Penguins Win on the Road: 14.5.3
My View from the Cheap Seats
We have just created, “The Penguins Magic Formula to Win”.
You can see some interesting trends developing, as well as the reasons why the Penguins are so Mid.
Two easy fixes that can flip the script here.
One, Win more on the Road.
Two, Win more in OT
Now, Let’s get Healthy, Let’s get Motivated and Let’s start Winning Games Again.
Quote of the Day:
“Knowledge is Power but useless if not applied”.
Marc Penner – Author/Writer