Poll: Will The Penguins Make The Playoffs?

Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins

Jan 27, 03:27 PM | Hype this story!

Thirty-two games remain for the 10th place Pittsburgh Penguins. That means the Penguins have 34 games to get back on track and find a way into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

But can they actually do it?

To make it in — assuming the cutoff is 91 points, as James Mirtle speculates it will be — the Penguins will need a 20-13-1 record for 41 points.

In this week’s interactive poll, we’ll skip the facts and skip the auxiliary questions and get right down to it.

Please feel free to add as much support for your vote as you like in our comments section below.

 
 

Previous Poll Results

What is the primary problem with the Penguins?

  • Execution: 35.29%
  • Coaching: 18.18%
  • Goaltending: 5.35%
  • Injuries: 2.67%
  • All of the above: 28.5%

Total votes: 187

Comments

  1. will

    Jan 27, 07:09 PM

    I think there are 34 games left in the season, not 32.

  2. Matt Bodenschatz

    Jan 27, 10:01 PM

    Will, you are correct. I must have been thinking of their point total (50) when I was calculating their remaining games. Thanks for the correction!

  3. TheOneAndOnlySurge

    Jan 27, 10:34 PM

    The problems the Pens have had through this part of the season, would suggest they will do much better in the second half. First are the injuries. Whitney is back and with a few games under his belt and a short break to reflect on those games. Sid should be close to being back to his regular self after a minor knee problem. Talbot and Dupuis will be returning to the lineup Tuesday. Fedotenko and Orpik should both be back with in the next couple of weeks. Gonchar is getting close to being albe to be part of full contact practices. Probably three to four weeks from return. That pretty much only leaves Zigomanis on the injured list.

    Second is goaltending. Fleury has been playing better as of late. Add that to a newly aquired Veteran in Garon as the backup and we are looking solid there.

    Third would have to be the reimplemintation of the trap. After a rough few months, we turned back to the trap and started to look alright. Now with a few days to work on it some more, we should be back into that mind set.

    Last would have to be the stretch run. The past few years Pittsburgh has had some great runs down the stretch. Whether that be an eye on the prize or just the guys coming together, the fact is we should be able to continue that streak.

    All in all, the pens are comming into their prime time of the year and getting healthy so they should make a push. I could easily see them with a point total in the high 90s. 22-9-3

  4. Andrew Rothey

    Jan 28, 12:07 AM

    From your lips to God’s ears Surge, but 22-9-3 is a very strong pace. Even 20-13-1 is still very good. I wish I were so optimistic.

  5. DaBich

    Jan 28, 06:38 AM

    I hope you are right Surge. I’m not as optimistic tho. The next couple weeks will tell if they even have a chance.

  6. TheOneAndOnlySurge

    Jan 28, 09:45 AM

    The other thing to consider is that currently Florida is sitting on the bubble with 52 points in 47 games. That means they have 35 games remaing. Based on the percentage of points in the first 47 games, one would have to conclude they will get around 32 points in the remaining 35 games. Basically they will finish the season with 84 in the finial playoff spot. So based on that logic, the pens need to beat 84 not the 91 point perdiction. Thats a big difference when looking at what they need to get in. 20-13-1 (91) vs 17-17-0 (84). Easily done if you look at the record as of now. But if a team hits a hot streak who knows. I just don’t see how all of the lower teams will get hot enough to force 91 as the basement. Someone else would have to likly fall from the top 7 spots and again lower the basement from 91.

  7. TheOneAndOnlySurge

    Jan 28, 11:35 AM

    Woops. Thought something didn’t seem right…LOL

    My calculations are off because instead of dividing games from points, I did points from games. 39 is the number of points one would have to expect and then I am in tune with the 91 basement. Scratch my last comment…LOL

    Thats what happens when you try to use your brain first thing in the morning.

  8. RyanS

    Jan 28, 12:15 PM

    February has been the Pens month in the past two seasons, the last two years they have produced two long point streaks during the month. Let’s hope they can do it again. The team and most importnatly Fluery have been playing solid for the final 4 or 5 games before the break. I can see that solid play, with the aid of some much needed rest, continuing once play resumes tonight at Mellon Arena.

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