Équipe: 2022-23 Penguins de Pittsburgh

Date de création initiale: 8 déc. 2022

Publié: 8 déc. 2022

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

The Pens seem to have finally gotten their **** together. The Islanders recent losses and losing Adam Pelech to injury (apparently it's day to day only) could as well as the Canes being iffy recently could help the Pens move up to 2nd in the Metro. They are the oldest team in the league which will heavily test their stamina. That being said I still think they'll be good enough to keep that playoff streak alive.
Sidney Crosby is leading the league in even strength points at the age of 35. You've got to remember he wasn't that good during that 7 game skid. If the Pens actually could score on the PP, Crosby could have as many points as Jason Robertson who has only 6 more points. Kris Letang hasn't been good this season, but losing him for a long period of time is going to be tough. Fortunately he's already skating, and I could see him coming back on the Winter Classic.
There are still plenty issues with this team that need to be addressed if they want to be a true contender:
Bryan Rust was struggling mightily until that game against St. Louis. It's only been 2 games and it's too early to tell with he's back. Kasperi Kapanen was a non factor until that game against St. Louis. Depth scoring can be great for two games and completely invisible the following two games. Jeff Petry will do Jeff Petry things. Brian Dumoulin has been bad and got removed from the top pair. Idk how a PP with Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Bryan Rust could suck so bad. The PK sucked until Blueger returned.
I'm not sure they'll make it out of the First Round once again. If they play Carolina, that'll be tough especially when Carolina is fully healthy. The last 2 times they've played the Islanders in the playoffs they were embarrassed. The Devils and Bruins still look unstoppable.