The Pittsburgh Penguins have won just three of seven games this season. Tonight, they face former Pittsburgh Penguin James Neal and the 6-1 Nashville Predators. The Penguins are off to one of the worst starts since 2005 and Captain Sidney Crosby has 3 points in those seven games. He has gone pointless in six games. His one goal and 2 assists came against the Florida Panthers in an overtime victory 3-2. Evgeni Malkin leads the team with 3 goals and newcomer Phil Kessel has two goals and one assist.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have failed to score more than three goals in regulation this season. At the end of last season the Penguins were in a similar hole and we're unable to produce goals. That carried over to the playoffs and averaged about one goal per game against the Rangers, excluding a 2-1 victory. They lost that series in five games.
This past offseason GM Jim Rutherford added what appeared to be enough depth in order to score big goals. Phil Kessel, Eric Fehr, Nick Bonino and Matt Cullen, including rookies Sergei Plotnikov and Daniel Sprong have been looked upon to score goals. Sprong, Bonino and Kessel have scored followed by Cullen providing assists. (Fehr is injured ). Plotnikov looks out of place coming from Russia and had to find his footing sooner or later.
Most disappointing is the lack of production from Kunitz and Perron. Both ended their seasons terribly last year and it appeared it has carried over. Scuderi has been terrible on Defense but has two assists. He looks slow and can't play with a lot of the younger and better players.
In order for the Penguins to succeed they need a change of scenery. Kessel has moved to Malkin's line and Hornqvist moved to Crosby's line. Kessel's playing style compliments Malkins and they both mesh well together. Hornqvist played well along side Crosby last season and Dupuis, coming back from injury will play the other wing on Crosby's line.
Kunitz, Perron and Scuderi need to be on the trading block and it has to be done quickly. The Penguins need to win more games. They need go on a winning streak and the now three headed monster (Kessel, Crosby and Malkin) need to score more. Defense needs to be better in front of Fleury who has played very well. Everything is going down hill and Coach Mike Johnston is in the hot seat. The Penguins need to get on the right track soon.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have failed to score more than three goals in regulation this season. At the end of last season the Penguins were in a similar hole and we're unable to produce goals. That carried over to the playoffs and averaged about one goal per game against the Rangers, excluding a 2-1 victory. They lost that series in five games.
This past offseason GM Jim Rutherford added what appeared to be enough depth in order to score big goals. Phil Kessel, Eric Fehr, Nick Bonino and Matt Cullen, including rookies Sergei Plotnikov and Daniel Sprong have been looked upon to score goals. Sprong, Bonino and Kessel have scored followed by Cullen providing assists. (Fehr is injured ). Plotnikov looks out of place coming from Russia and had to find his footing sooner or later.
Most disappointing is the lack of production from Kunitz and Perron. Both ended their seasons terribly last year and it appeared it has carried over. Scuderi has been terrible on Defense but has two assists. He looks slow and can't play with a lot of the younger and better players.
In order for the Penguins to succeed they need a change of scenery. Kessel has moved to Malkin's line and Hornqvist moved to Crosby's line. Kessel's playing style compliments Malkins and they both mesh well together. Hornqvist played well along side Crosby last season and Dupuis, coming back from injury will play the other wing on Crosby's line.
Kunitz, Perron and Scuderi need to be on the trading block and it has to be done quickly. The Penguins need to win more games. They need go on a winning streak and the now three headed monster (Kessel, Crosby and Malkin) need to score more. Defense needs to be better in front of Fleury who has played very well. Everything is going down hill and Coach Mike Johnston is in the hot seat. The Penguins need to get on the right track soon.