Michael Sciulli, Sports Editor
Hockey fans are currently in the heart of the 2016-17 season. The defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins did not miss a beat in the offseason, and up to this point they have lived up to their high expectations.
As of print the Penguins have a 20-7-5 overall record. With plenty of returning players, the Pens have firepower on offense and a solid defense. These factors, plus that fact that most of the younger Penguins such as Conor Sheary and Bryan rust gained plenty of experience during last season’s postseason run help make the Pens one of the favorites to be crowned again.
The offense has been one of the top scoring threats in the league, averaging 3.34 goals per game. To nobody’s surprise the Penguins attack has been lead by the two-headed monster of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Crosby currently has 21 goals and Malkin is second on the Pens roster with 13 goals of his own.
However, the defense has been quite porous through their first 32 games. So far the Pens have allowed 89 goals which averages out to 2.78 goals allowed per game.
This is certainly not aided by one of the worst penalty killing units in the entire league. The Penguins kill off just 78.57 percent of their penalties which is three percent below the league average.
One reason for the instability on the defensive end could be the revolving door of goaltenders. The Pens are currently undergoing a changing of the guard in net as Matt Murray is moving into the starting role ahead of long-time starter Marc-Andre Fleury.
Some students at Penn-Trafford have differing opinions on how to fix the Pens problems. P-T senior Jared Haldeman said he thinks he has the answer for the Penguins goaltending and defensive issues: trading away Malkin and Fleury to add some defensive depth as well as a few draft picks to counteract an aging Crosby.
Senior Matt Simkovic said the Pens’ problems can be solved simply by not taking “stupid” penalties. He highlighted Malkin as the main culprit, and Simkovic may not be wrong as Malkin currently leads the team in penalty minutes with 44. Simkovic went on to call this type of play “selfish” and said, “They put themselves above the team.”
Another senior, T.J. Byrne, said that improvement can be made by coming out of the gates fast.
“They often start games too slow, and it takes them a period or two to reach their full potential,” said Byrne.
Although the seniors disagree on what the Pens will need to do for improvement, all three agree that speed is certainly the team’s strength.
“They play with speed, and maintain the puck. They also have a tremendous core of vets helping to mentor and develop young players.” said Byrne.
Simkovic added, “I think their speed is a real game changer. Coming off a Stanley Cup win every one is motivated.” He continued to say that a motivated Penguins team can do anything.
Haldeman mentioned that along with speed, strong goaltending and many playmakers are the strengths of this team. He also added that if the Pens stay healthy, then a runat another Stanley Cup is well within reach.
Fans definitely have reason for optimism this season, but as Byrne mentioned, “In the playoffs anything can happen.”
*All stats are as of Sunday 12/18