Faceoff Factor

Penguins Have 3 In "The Top 30 In 30"

Matt Bodenschatz | Inside The Numbers

Jan 16, 08:29 AM | Hype this story!

James Mirtle put together a look at the NHL’s top 30 players — 10 forwards, 10 defensemen, and 10 goalies — over the last 30 days. Not surprisingly, the Pittsburgh Penguins are represented in all three categories.

At forward, Sidney Crosby has had the second most points in the past 30 days, scoring five goals and 15 assists (20 points). He is just one point behind Marian Gaborik of the Minnesota Wild.

Evgeni Malkin finished the 30-day span with 15 points, just one point behind Ottawa Senators forward Daniel Alfredsson, who finished 10th in the 30-day span.

On the defensive side of things, points aren’t the only determining factor, as Mirtle adds in plus/minus. Even so, Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar sits in sixth, totaling two goals, eight assists (10 points) and a plus-four rating.

And, between the pipes, the obvious goalie atop the list is Penguins third-stringer Ty Conklin, who has taken the NHL by storm. With 10 wins, he has two more than J.S. Giguere of the Anaheim Ducks. His 1.51 goals-against average is matched only by Dominic Hasek of the Detroit Red Wings, and his .955 save percentage is the clear-cut leader. Giguere came in second with a .940 Sv%.

Clearly, the Penguins have key performers getting it done in all three zones, which is why they are having such success. If the team can continue to get production from unexpected sources — both offensively and defensively — to supplement what the superstars are doing, this team could finish in the top-three in the Eastern Conference.