1. Things are better in Pittsburgh than in Montreal
As far as hockey is concerned, we agree. In life in general, one cannot say enough, but on the ice, the Penguins are doing a lot better than the Canadian (which is not that difficult, but good). For example, the former Greg Millen club have won their last four games, and are 7-2-1 in their last 10.
The big surprise on the side of the Penguins is called Evan Rodrigues. The 28-year-old forward is the team’s second scorer this season, with 19 points in 27 games. This is a player who was never drafted, and who began his career in silence with the Buffalo Sabers in 2015-16. At this rate, he will easily have the best season of his career, he who had achieved a personal high of 29 points in 74 games with the Sabers during the 2018-2019 season. Rodrigues is also part of the first unit in the power play of the Penguins.
2. Wounded also among the Penguins
Of course, the Canadian’s injured list is very long, admittedly longer than that of the Penguins. But the Penguins still have some serious injuries in their infirmary.
There is a certain Evgeni Malkin who remains out of the game, and has not been in a single game this season due to knee surgery. Malkin is training with the club and cannot take a body check just yet, but his return looks set to be around soon, at the very least. Bryan Rust is also out of the game, as is fellow striker Jake Guentzel, who hasn’t played since December 6. Guentzel remains the team’s leading scorer since the start of the season, with 27 points in 24 games.
PHOTO DAN HAMILTON, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVES
Jake guentzel
3. Finally a victory for DeSmith!
Poor Casey DeSmith. Not only does he hardly ever play, but often when it’s him in goal the Penguins lose. Finally, the 30-year-old goalkeeper ended his famine when he won a first game this season and then a second, after suffering loss in his first four starts of 2021-22. DeSmith was able to beat the Seattle Kraken and Anaheim Ducks most recently to improve to 2-3-1 this season. We understand that there is no goalie controversy in Pittsburgh, and that it is he who is very clearly the reservist; Tristan Jarry, number one goaltender for the Penguins, has taken part in 21 games already this season.
4. An advantage at a disadvantage
The Penguins have long had a reputation as an explosive attacking club, but it is clear that they are also doing very well playing with one player less. So the Penguins have the best shorthanded NHL success rate, averaging 92.4%. That’s great, but what’s even more impressive is that they haven’t allowed a single player-short goal in their last 13 games. This is the longest streak in this area in the history of the club.
5. Defensive power
We insist: the Penguins have for a very long time had the reputation of an explosive club in attack… but it is clear that they are not so bad in defense as well. In fact, the Pittsburgh club are fourth in the NHL in goals conceded this season, with 66. By comparison, the Canadian has allowed 102 goals, which is the highest level of mediocrity in the league. “I think it’s a team effort,” said goaltender Tristan Jarry on Monday in Pittsburgh. The guys do a great job blocking shots, and that’s one aspect of the game that we were looking to improve this season. ”