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Penguins banking points they need to bank |
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The Penguins picked up their second victory of the season on the road in Montreal by a score of 6-3. The small sample of this season has the Penguins beating non-playoff teams comfortably while dropping results to teams who made the playoffs last year. Let’s start with the good.
Evgeni Malkin is tied for the league lead in points this morning with seven. He’s tied with Jack Eichel and Artemi Panarin. He picked up a goal and two assists in the victory. He has played really well to start the season and for me it is no coincidence that he has two functional wingers and the production has been there. One of the surest things in Penguins hockey is if Malkin has good help he is going to do his thing and he has so far. This is one of the few times where i think the sum of Malkin’s wingers is higher than that of Sidney Crosby’s. Ideally, you’d like to see both players getting proper help. For now, Malkin is getting it and producing. Here’s a great example
Michael Bunting served his role as a disturber while Malkin picked up the loose puck and made no mistake by zipping the puck immediately to Rickard Rakell who found a soft spot in the slot. This is a good recipe for success
Jesse Puljujarvi made his return to the lineup after getting a night off. He has more than earned a regular spot in the lineup based on his play in the regular season and his strong training camp. In his very limited 33 minute sample he has an xGF% of 72.60. He also has a pair of assists in three games. So far so good on his rehab from double hip surgery.
Lars Eller made his presence felt in his former stomping grounds. The Penguins third line center picked up two goals after going pointless the prior three games. After the Penguins had blown a 2-0 lead and found themselves trailing Eller picked up the puck in his own end and carried the mail all the way down and perfectly placed a shot over the shoulder
I think Kevin Hayes is going to play the successful depth role people were hoping to get with Jeff Carter. Hayes isn’t as reliant on speed to make things happen and that’s where things changed for Carter. Hayes is going to be strong on the puck and be good positionally. I think Hayes is a smart player and will give them solid 4th line minutes. The cap hit is what it is. The Penguins made a choice to take a second round pick to eat that salary. It isn’t the same as overpaying a player and getting nothing in return.
Tristan Jarry returned to the net and for the third time this season his save percentage began with an eight. My patience and tolerance for Jarry in net is admittedly low. Sometimes the goals he lets in are on good shots or good plays, but you are allowed to make hard saves. We see it all around the league on a regular basis and we’ve seen it from the non-Jarry goaltenders on the team. With Nedeljkovic near a return I would go back to Blomqvist on Wednesday against the Sabres before his likely return to WB/S.
Considering the Penguins scored six times in Montreal you’d have to think Sidney Crosby came away with at least one point. You’d be wrong. I don’t think it is anything Sid is doing wrong. I actually think he could have had point 1,600 in the first period multiple times when his teammates were unable to finish some solid passes. Drew O’Connor is off to a slow start with a team low 41.73 xGF%, Bryan Rust is coming off an injury and getting to game speed, while Anthony Beauvillier hasn’t quite clicked yet and I’m not in love with him getting regular top six work.
My hope for Wednesday’s game is for Sid to put a pass in Malkin’s wheelhouse for a power play one-timer goal giving Crosby his 1,600th point and Geno his 500th goal. It seems like an appropriate way to get them both their milestones. I know both players would love to get these out of the way sooner than later. The Sabres have historically been the kind of opponent where they find their points.
In the way too early to be looking at the standings update the Penguins are third in the division and in a playoff spot. They are navigating a tough opening stretch of ten games in 17 days. If they can get through this without dropping the majority of points it will be a decent start to the year. Following up a Montreal victory with one over Buffalo is how you make that happen.
THanks for reading!
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