Penguins Beware the Ides of March

The Pittsburgh Penguins are fighting for their Playoff lives as we speak.  A Bubble Wild Card Team at best, and they have dragged their feet, regarding making any substantial moves ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline of March 03.2023.

Metro Division

Carolina > Yup added Team Depth.

New Jersey > Yup added Goal Scoring and Overall Team Depth.

New York Rangers > Yup added Goal Scoring and Grit.

New York Islanders > yup added a Goal Scoring and changed their culture.

League Leaders

Boston > yup added Team Depth and Grit.

Toronto > yup added Team Depth and Grit.

Tampa Bay > yup added Team Depth.

Minnesota > yup added Team Depth

Colorado > yup added Team Depth and Grit.

Edmonton > yup added Team Depth (the team that just kicked ya 7-2 on Feb23.23)

Hey Pens Management, are ya seeing a trend from those who are above ya, in the standings…?

Given what we have seen from the Penguins and how they play hockey this season, I am completely shocked that Penguin Management have sat on their hands and stayed on the sidelines thus far, from making any real moves to date.

Ok, so on March 01.2023, the Penguins got Grandlund and Diliberatore.  No disrespect to these players or the ones who were traded, but that ain’t gonna cut it, you and I both know it.

What we do know is that the Real Hockey Begins Now.

So Whaddya Waitin’ Fir D’ar Boys?  Load Up…

Pittsburgh Penguins as of March 01.2023

30-21-9 = 69 pts

5th  in the Metropolitan Division

8th in the Eastern conference

13th Tied in the NHL (overall)

Pittsburgh Penguins are holding the #2 Wild Card Playoff Spot, Eastern Conference.

For those of you who know history, the Ides of March, comes from the Roman Calendar and refers to March 15th.  It was marked by several religious observances and was a notable date/deadline for Romans to settle their debts.  It also became a notorious date known for the assassination of Julius Caesar, which made the Ides of March a turning point in Roman history.

Well, guess who the Penguins play in, and around MARCH 15.2023?  The New York Rangers. The Penguins will play NYR three times in seven days, in what can only be called an Epic Mini-Series. This may very well be, the pivotal turning point in the Penguins season.

Here are my Pen’s Picks for this 3-game match.  Remember at the time of writing this, the Penguins have done nothing of significance to change their roster, to date, compared to the Rangers.

March 12. Vs NYR

So, the Rangers loaded up with talent before the Trade Deadline.  They are making another serious run for the cup.  The Penguins have made no major impact moves to date and the last complete game they played, was a sweet 3-2 win against NYR on Dec 20.2022.  Wow, it’s sure been a tough and inconsistent stretch for the Penguins.  These Next 3 Games against the Rangers will determine how the rest of this season plays out.  I think a Penguins win, is a stretch in this one.

Pen’s Pick: NYR

March 16. @ NYR

I really do think that NYR is the better team, at this point in time.  They are younger, faster and have better goaltending.  At the very least you gotta give them credit, for trying to make their team better, in order to have a legit shot at the cup this year.

Pen’s Pick: NYR

March 18. @ NYR

It’s always tough to beat a team 3 times in the same year, let alone over 7 days.  Ya gotta think, Penguin Pride will show up somewhere here in New York, right?  I’ll give an easy lob to Pittsburgh on this one.

Pen’s Pick: Pittsburgh

My View from the Cheap Seats

Section: TV     Row: PVR     Seat: The Couch

To Be Clear, I am more so referencing the Ides of March Deadline Date of March 15th, whereby the Penguins will have to settle their debt with the New York Rangers, for knocking them out of the playoffs last year, in game 7.

The Penguins will have three chances to repay NYR for that painful exit.

To Be Cristal Clear, I am not referencing nor suggesting any assassination, what-so-ever.  Hockey is Game, to be enjoyed by fans.  Period.  It is entertainment.  Period.

That said, I am also referencing, how these three games will be The Turning Point, for the Penguins this season.

FYI>Pen’s Picks Total : I predicted they should be…39-21 = 78 Pts (can you say, “Win those OT games and I’m right there”, …oh yes you can…lol)

Quote of the Day:

“Beware the Ides of March “

William Shakespeare – Playwright