Quoting: mhockey91
I mean we were either 1st / 2nd in the metro this past season after 56 games and then we hit that huge cold streak before the COVID pause, despite all the injuries. Pens in the past have started slow, (ie 2015/16) but I don’t think it’s fair to say pens are “slow starters”. Just depends on the year I guess, as with any team.
If any team is gonna have a slow start it’s Boston without Pasta and Marchand
i mean it's kind of the same thing with last season, when they came back. You knew it was going to be bad. I had even made comments on it. They suck at the beginning of the year. They play catch up. But with only 56 games it's gonna be much harder to do that, especially in a division that smells blood.
I'm not sure what the deal with Pasta and Marchand is. I've heard they would be available. I'm not claiming to know either way. Obviously if they aren't that puts them in a bad spot.
I think this team is use to not playing hard at the beginning and trying to "time" their peak. They go soft early because it's a "long season" and try to make sure they are hitting strong at the end.
But that just isn't gonna cut it this year. Much like last season. They came back, they were kind of like zombies out there. There was not much life. I think a lot of people commented on that about their playoff performance. Counting on this team, which is basically the same players, coming out strong early and maintaining it, is wishful thinking.
I just don't see them starting strong, first week or two, ok maybe but then watch out. They could be dug into a hole they can't get out of because we know when WSH and BOS start collecting points they aren't letting up. If a team like Philly plays well early it could be really bad news.
Last year is kind of a good example. November was brutal. If we have a month of hockey like that, we are looking at WC at best. Too hard of a division and a lot of questions on depth etc. It's not like we can expect much fixing this. By the time you realize this ain't it you are gonna be screwed. I think that's why GMJR is like, don't expect many trades, we go in with what we have. I mean could you imagine we get a start like last season, the trade deadline is like right there and they've been racking up loses for a month. There is no way in hell he pulls the trigger on a major trade. He'd get run out of town if it was a tire fire.