Well, this isn’t good folks. The Penguins are
in a total free-fall right now and are losers in 8 out of their last 9 games.
Even after getting called out in the media and making a trade to prove his
point, the team lost all three games this week and GM Jim Rutherford’s blood is
boiling at an even higher temperature. To make matters worse, captain Sidney Crosby is
currently on the shelf with an upper-body injury. The Penguins are closer to a
lottery draft pick than the NHL playoffs at
this point. They currently sit last in the Metropolitan Division and are at the
bottom of the standings in the Eastern Conference. Are even bigger moves on the
horizon? If Jim Rutherford was upset last week, he’s got to be irate by now.
That spells trouble for everyone on this roster not named Evgeni, Sidney, Phil
or Kris.
It seems like neither Matt Murray or Casey DeSmith have
the ability to make a big save to bail out the team and all around poor play in
front of them is dooming this team. There are few, if any, bright spots on the
team this year. The core four (87, 71, 81, 58) have impressive box cars and are
leading the team, but those numbers fall off a cliff after those four. It’s
been mentioned many times on PensBurgh already and worth mentioning again -
this team needs more secondary scoring. Relying on the same 4 players to win
you games isn’t a good enough strategy. Those four players aren’t in their 20s
anymore and can no longer carry the full load night in and night out. The
defense was supposed to be the best it’s been in some time, but instead has
been the biggest problem. I wouldn’t be surprised if GMJR were to make a move
to improve the blue line in the very near future.
With four games on tap this week and Thanksgiving on
Thursday, the month of November could very well be the reason the Penguins
possibly miss the playoffs this year. There is still time to bounce back from
this dreadful month, and there are still 6 more games on the schedule. It’s far
from over, but things are not looking very promising at the moment. As they
say, it’s not how you start, its how you finish. The Penguins have been known
to be a much better team in the spring than they are in the fall during
The Crosby Era.
I have faith that this is going to be the story again this year. The Penguins
play four games this week - at home against Buffalo and Dallas on Monday and
Wednesday before Thanksgiving. The Pens will then travel to Boston on Friday
before returning home to play Columbus on Saturday night. It’s not going to get
any easier for Pittsburgh.
As for the rest of the Metro, the Jackets have been playing
their best hockey this month. They are 8-3-2 since the return of Seth Jones and
have created some separation atop the division standings. The Jackets haven’t
been defeated in regulation since November 3rd in Los Angeles. Sergei Bobrovsky
has found his groove and hasn’t allowed more than one goal per game since that
loss to LA, winning each game in the process. The Jackets could be the team to
beat in the Metro this season. This will be a busy week for the majority of NHL
teams, but Columbus got a break and will only play one game in Toronto on
Monday before having a three day break for Thanksgiving. The Jackets pick
things back up on Friday against Toronto at Nationwide Arena before traveling
to Pittsburgh for a Metropolitan clash on Saturday night. Coach John Tortorella
and the rest of the Jackets likely have that game circled on their calendar
this month.
The Islanders had
a light week this week against two weaker opponents on paper. There are no
pushovers in the NHL, but Vancouver and the Rangers would
be considered over-achieving at this point coming into this year. The Islanders
dispelled both teams and scored 12 goals in the process. A quarter of the way
into this season and the Islanders look like they could be for real with head
coach Barry Trotz calling the shots now. The Islanders have by far the fewest
goals allowed and have a goal differential two times the next closest opponent
in the Metro. The Islanders play the Stars at
Barclays Center this afternoon before playing three Metro opponents in four
days and five in a row when the Capitals visit
next Monday.
The Rangers have been defying all the “experts” who
predicted them to be one of the top contenders for this year’s #1 pick, Jack
Hughes. The Rangers are tied with the Islanders for the second most points in
the Metro with 22 points in 20 games played. The Rangers are 7-2-1 in their
last 10 and are 4-0 in the shootout this year. Nobody knows if they can keep this
up this success, but things are going much better for New York than most people
expected as Thanksgiving approaches. The other New York team will also play
Dallas at home this week before playing three Metro opponents in four days. The
Rangers and Flyers will
battle on the first NBC televised game this year on Black Friday in the “2018
NHL Thanksgiving Showdown” in Philadelphia at 1 p.m. on Friday. That should be
quite an entertaining game, be sure to watch that while your body recovers from
the copious amounts of turkey and stuffing from the day before.
The Capitals had another roller coaster week. It started
with an ugly loss in DC to the Coyotes last
Sunday before the Capitals hit the road to the north. The Capitals rebounded
against Minnesota and handed their former bench boss Bruce Boudreau a 5-2 smack
down. The following night they crossed the Canadian border to play the Winnipeg Jets that
turned into a very ugly 3-1 loss for the Capitals. The Capitals lost Evgeny
Kuznetsov and TJ Oshie in that contest to questionable hits, and were also
without starting goalie Braden Holtby due
to injury. All three of those players were unable to play back in the United
States again when the Caps and Avs met in Denver two nights later. Colorado scored
one late in the third period to tie it before Nicklas
Backstrom won it 20 seconds into overtime. The Capitals
aren’t where they want to be in the standings, but have been playing better
hockey lately. They fly back into Canada to play the Canadiens on
Monday before returning home to play Chicago and Detroit in DC on Wednesday and
Thursday before flying out to the Big Apple to play the Rangers in a Saturday
matinee at MSG.
The Flyers up-and-down season continues as they followed up
a 3-0 week two weeks ago with three straight home losses this week. Stop me if
you’ve heard this before, but goaltending in Philly has been less than ideal.
Their two top goalies are injured currently, and waiver wire pickup Calvin
Pickard is now the #1 goalie for the Flyers. The Flyers
scored one total goal in two losses against Florida and New Jersey before
playing a spirited afternoon game against Tampa Bay. The Flyers heavily
outplayed the Lightning through
the first 40 minutes but had nothing to show for it but a 3-1 deficit despite
out-shooting the Bolts 34-15 through 2 periods. The Lightning appeared to have
things wrapped up with two quick goals to make it 5-1 midway through the 3rd
period before the Flyers scored four straight goals in just under 6 minutes to
tie the game at 5. The game would go into overtime before the Lightning scored
in OT to win it 6-5. A valiant effort by the Flyers, but they came up just
short to lose their third in a row. The Flyers have a three day break then play
in Buffalo on Wednesday before playing the Rangers in the “Thanksgiving
Showdown” on NBC mentioned above. The Flyers wrap things up this week in
Toronto on Saturday night.
The Hurricanes had
two home games this week, and it’s been very quiet out of Raleigh since their
hot start. The Canes dropped the Blackhawks in
OT on Monday and lost to the Jackets on Saturday. Carolina has the second
lowest goals allowed in the Metro, but also have the fewest goals scored as
well. Sebastian Aho has
been lights out and fellow countryman and line mate Teuvo
Teravainen have played well, but the offense in Carolina
needs more if they want to work their way up the standings. Michael Ferland is
still having a career year, but has slowed down as well since playing at a
point-per-game pace to start the season. Goaltending will be the main issue
with Carolina, as their trio of goalies have all been unimpressive so far. The
Canes will wrap up a 6 game homestand this week with home games against New Jersey,
Toronto, and Florida before flying out to Brooklyn to battle Metro opponent
Islanders on Saturday.
The New Jersey
Devils have had a very similar story as the Hurricanes this
season. Both have decent goals against relative to the rest of the Metro, but
are also struggling to score goals. Both started out greatly, before crashing
back down to earth. The Devils are riding the coattails of Taylor Hall and Kyle Palmieri -
as they go, the Devils go. Keith Kinkaid is
still the man between the pipes for New Jersey, even after the return of Cory
Schneider. Schneider has started three games and lost each of them while
posting a save percentage of .841 and goals against of 4.81. It’s been a rough
recovery for Schneider with his injuries the last few years, and it’s clearly
taken a toll on his play. If he can recover, however, the Devils may be able to
turn their season around. The Devils are playing the aforementioned Hurricanes
in Raleigh tonight before sandwiching the Canadiens and Islanders at home
around Thanksgiving this week before hitting the road again to close out
November where the Devils are currently 2-7 on the road.
(1) COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
RECORD: 12-6-2, 26 pts;
69 GF (4th; T-7th);
63 GA (T-22nd; 26th)
RECORD
LAST WEEK: 3-0
11/12/18
CBJ: 2
DAL: 1
Big Dust Up
in Big D
11/15/18
FLA: 3
CBJ: 7
Minus Key
Regulars, Jackets Overcome Early Deficit, Rout Panthers
11/17/18
CBJ: 4
CAR: 1
Atkinson’s
Hat Trick Lifts Blue Jackets Over Hurricanes, 4-1
WEEK AHEAD:
Monday, November 19 - @ TOR, 7 p.m.
Friday, November 23 - vs TOR, 7 p.m.
Saturday, November 24 - @ PIT, 7 p.m.
INJURIES:
- None
(2) NEW YORK ISLANDERS
RECORD: 10-6-2, 22 pts;
61 GF (T-14th; T-19th);
49 GA (T-4th; T-5th)
RECORD
LAST WEEK: 2-0
11/13/18
VAN: 2
NYI: 5
Kuhnhackl
magic; Ladd hurt
11/15/18
NYR: 5
NYI: 7
Beau’s first
hat trick spurs big rivalry win
WEEK AHEAD:
Sunday, November 18 - vs DAL, 1 p.m.
Wednesday, November 21 -@ NYR, 7 p.m.
Friday, November 23 - @ NJD, 4 p.m.
Saturday, November 24 - vs CAR, 7 p.m.
INJURIES:
- 10/2/18,
C John
Stevens - IR; Undisclosed
- 10/2/18,
LW Matt
Lorito - IR; Undisclosed
- 11/2/18,
LW Matt
Martin - Day-to-day; Upper-body injury
- 11/13/18,
C Casey
Cizikas - IR; Lower-body injury
- 11/13/18,
LW Andrew
Ladd - IR; Right leg
(3) NEW YORK
RANGERS
RECORD: 10-8-2, 22 pts;
61 GF (T-14th; T-25th);
64 GA (T-24th; T-23rd)
RECORD
LAST WEEK: 2-1
11/12/18
VAN: 1
NYR: 2
Rangers
Defeat Canucks with Late Goal by Brett Howden
11/15/18
NYR: 5
NYI: 7
11/17/18
FLA: 2
NYR: 4
Rangers
Rebound with 4-2 Win Over Florida Panthers
WEEK AHEAD:
Monday, November 19 - vs DAL, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, November 21 - vs NYI, 7 p.m.
Friday, November 23 - @ PHI, 1 p.m.
Saturday, November 24 - vs WSH, 2 p.m.
INJURIES:
- 10/24/18,
D Adam
McQuaid - IR; Lower-body injury
- 11/11/18,
RW Pavel
Buchnevich - IR; Broken Thumb
- 11/16/18,
RW Mats
Zuccarello - Day-to-day; Groin
(4) WASHINGTON
CAPITALS
RECORD: 9-7-3, 21 pts;
63 GF (T-11th);
63 GA (T-22nd; T-18th)
RECORD
LAST WEEK: 2-2
11/11/18
ARI: 4
WSH: 1
Arizona
Averts Caps’ Comeback Attempt
11/13/18
WSH: 5
MIN: 2
Wilson
Returns and Washington Wins
11/14/18
WSH: 1
WPG: 3
Winnipeg
Wrestles a Win Against Washington
11/16/18
WSH: 3 OT
COL: 2
Washington
Strikes in Overtime to Bury Avalanche
WEEK AHEAD:
Monday, November 19 - @ MTL, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 21 - vs CHI, 7 p.m.
Friday, November 23 - vs DET, 4 p.m.
Saturday, November 24 - @ NYR, 2 p.m.
INJURIES:
- 10/30/18,
D Brooks
Orpik - IR; Lower-body injury
- 11/13/18,
G Braden
Holtby - Day-to-day; Upper-body injury
- 11/13/18,
C Evgeny Kuznetsov - Day-to-day; Upper-body injury
- 11/13/18,
RW TJ Oshie - Day-to-day; Upper-body injury
(5) PHILADELPHIA
FLYERS
RECORD: 9-9-2, 20 pts;
63 GF (T-12th; 6th);
71 GA (29th; T-27th)
RECORD LAST
WEEK: 0-2-1
11/13/18
FLA: 2
PHI: 1
No thank you,
Mr. Roberto
11/15/18
NJD: 3
PHI: 0
Flyers
shutout by New Jersey for second straight loss
11/17/18
TBL: 6 OT
PHI: 5
What a ride!
WEEK AHEAD:
Wednesday, November 21 - @ BUF, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, November 23 - vs NYR, 1 p.m.
Saturday, November 24 - @ TOR, 7 p.m.
INJURIES:
- 9/27/18,
C Pascal
Laberge - IR; Hip
- 10/1/18,
D Samuel
Morin - IR; Knee
- 10/21/18,
LW Michael
Raffl - IR; Lower-body injury
- 10/26/18,
C Corban
Knight - IR; Dislocated collarbone
- 11/2/18,
G Michal
Neuvirth - IR; Undisclosed injury
- 11/15/18,
G Brian
Elliott - Day-to-day; Lower-body injury
(6) CAROLINA
HURRICANES
RECORD: 8-8-3, 19 pts;
51 GF (27th; T-13th);
58 GA (T-13th; T-18th)
RECORD
LAST WEEK: 1-1
11/12/18
CHI: 2
CAR: 3 OT
Canes come
back, top Ward, Blackhawks
11/17/18
CBJ: 4
CAR: 1
Blue Jackets
Dominate, Pick up 4-1 Win Over Hurricanes
WEEK AHEAD:
Sunday, November 18 - vs NJD, 5 p.m.
Wednesday, November 21 - vs TOR, 7 p.m.
Friday, November 23 - vs FLA, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 24 - @ NYI, 7 p.m.
INJURIES:
- 9/12/18,
C Victor
Rask - IR; Hand
- 11/2/18,
G Petr
Mrazek - Day-to-day; Lower-body injury
- 11/11/18,
D Brett
Pesce - Day-to-day; Lower-body injury
(7) NEW JERSEY
DEVILS
RECORD: 8-8-2, 15 pts;
54 GF (T-23rd; T-26th);
59 GA (16th; T-13th)
RECORD
LAST WEEK: 2-1-1
11/11/18
NJD: 2
WPG: 5
Something’s
Gotta Give: Devils Defeated Easily by Jets 2-5.
11/13/18
PIT: 2
NJD: 4
Justice &
Resilience Prevailed in New Jersey Devils 4-2 Win Over Pittsburgh Penguins
11/15/18
NJD: 3
PHI: 0
Kinkaid
Reigned in Gutsy New Jersey Devils Shutout Win Over Philadelphia Flyers
11/17/18
DET: 3 OT
NJD: 2
What a
Stinker: New Jersey Devils Fail in Overtime to Detroit Red Wings
WEEK AHEAD:
Sunday, November 18 - @ CAR, 5 p.m.
Wednesday, November 21 - vs MTL, 7 p.m.
Friday, November 23 - vs NYI, 4 p.m.
INJURIES:
- 10/19/18,
D Steven
Santini - IR; Broken jaw
- 11/10/18,
C Nico
Hischier - Day-to-day; Upper-body injury
- 11/10/18,
C Brian Boye - IR; Upper-body injury
- 11/14/18,
D Sami
Vatanen - IR; Lower-body injury
(8) Pittsburgh Penguins
RECORD: 7-8-3; 17 pts;
60 GOALS FOR (T-16th in the NHL; T-14th last week);
61 GOALS AGAINST (T-18th in the NHL; 9th last week)
RECORD
LAST WEEK 0-3
11/13/18
PIT: 2
NJD: 4
Hall’s four
point night sinks Pittsburgh
11/15/18
TBL:
4
PIT: 3
Penalties
cost Penguins big time in 4-3 loss to Lightning.
11/17/18
PIT: 4
OTT: 6
Quit digging
when you hit rock bottom
WEEK AHEAD:
Monday, November 19 - vs BUF, 7 p.m. ET
Wednesday, November 21 - vs DAL, 7 p.m.
Friday, November 23 - @ BOS, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 24 - vs CBJ, 7 p.m.
INJURIES:
- 10/13/18,
D Justin
Schultz - IR; fractured leg
- 11/13/18,
C Sidney
Crosby - Day-to-day; Upper-body injury
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