Power To The Penguins

Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins

Nov 20, 01:08 PM | Hype this story!

The Pittsburgh Penguins have emerged as one of the top teams not only in the Eastern Conference, but in the NHL as a whole.

With a six game win-streak that extended to a seven-game point streak with Tuesday’s shootout loss to the Minnesota Wild, it appears we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg.

And let’s not forget that Sidney Crosby – tied for sixth in the scoring race and on pace for 100 points – still hasn’t hit his stride.

It’s only a matter of time until this team really takes off.

Here is a look at the Penguins’ power ranking status from several of the big media sources.

TSN: 3 link
“Starting to go in the right direction, with six straight wins in November, the Penguins are getting production from complementary forwards Jordan Staal (7-1-8), Matt Cooke (1-5-6), Tyler Kennedy (3-3-6) and Ruslan Fedotenko (2-3-5 in 5 games).”

ESPN: 2 link
“Incredible comeback victory over the Stanley Cup champions, and the Penguins managed to dump blue-line dead weight Darryl Sydor in exchange for an upgrade to Philippe Boucher.”

Fox Sports: 3 link
“Jordan Staal helped the Penguins sweep through the opposition in Week 6. The 20-year-old forward registered six points off five goals — one game-winner — and one assist in Pittsburgh’s three straight wins.”

USAToday: 5 link
No analysis

Their average ranking is 3.25. Not bad for a team many are saying just doesn’t seem to have it.

Comments

  1. Chad

    Nov 20, 03:28 PM

    The Penguins are on pace for 113 points and people still are complaining. Wait until Gonchar and Whitney return and Crosby gets moving. Scary.

  2. Alex Kirshner

    Nov 20, 04:34 PM

    Fire MT!

    On pace for 113 points and waiting for the return of a top 10 defenseman in the NHL and a top 20 offensive defenseman in Whitney…. it’s just pathetic.

    This team is just horrible.

    /end sarcasm.

  3. THEONEANDONLYSURGE

    Nov 20, 05:41 PM

    Don’t let the numbers mask how the team is playing. Yes they are off to a great start but there are several inconsitencies (sp) in their game. It’s not a major concern now but they still need addressed. My favorite thing about Sid so far in his career, is that even when his team is doing great he finds little things they need to improve on. Thats what makes a good team a great team.

  4. Matt Bodenschatz

    Nov 20, 05:57 PM

    Surge, no doubt there are issues, but when a team succeeds despite its woes, the future bodes well. Imagine how good this team will become when everything begins to click.

    Last year at this time, the Penguins weren’t in very good shape. Their goaltending was in shambles (there was talk of trading Fleury and claiming Bryzgalov on waivers); their defense was pretty bad (Orpik wasn’t yet killing penalties, Gonchar was only playing well at one end of the ice, and Whitney was pretty bad); and their offense was good, but not putting up the numbers it has this season. Then, when the games became important, the team hunkered down and focused on the playoffs.

    When the focus comes and when the chemistry builds, this team will be as dominant as any in the NHL.

  5. THEONEANDONLYSURGE

    Nov 20, 06:19 PM

    Very true. As long as they focus on those issues this team will thrive.

  6. DaBich

    Nov 20, 08:01 PM

    Alex, you kill me lol.

    This team has what it takes, it just has to get it all together.

    It will come…patience!

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