The Pittsburgh Penguins just lost back to back games to the New Jersey Devils. They lost both games by a score of 3-1, getting outscored in the two games 6-2. Tomas Vokoun and Marc-Andre Fleury both lost in their starts and both gave up three goals, can't blame them.
You can blame a team that played extremely lethargic in two straight games, getting outplayed and out-coached by the Devils in every way.
Right now I want to focus on the Pens lack of secondary scoring, more importantly their lack of offensive depth, specifically at the winger position.
James Neal leads the team in goals and is a rock star. There's no doubt about that. The only concern I have about Neal is his lack of 5-on-5 production. Neal has eight goals, only three of those goals came via even strength play.
Chris Kunitz has started to pick his play up and he is a top six forward. Right now Kunitz is third on the team in points.
Pascal Dupuis isn't a top six forward to me. He's a good player and very versatile but I think Sidney Crosby deserves a little better. Dupuis has won the NHL career jackpot by getting to play on Crosby's wing for over FIVE SEASONS. Luckily for Dupuis, Crosby likes him, and his speed makes him the best fit for Crosby's line on this roster. I would have Dupuis on the third line preferably.
The Pens claimed Zach Boychuck off of waivers from the Carolina Hurricanes a few weeks ago. Boychuck is undersized but has great speed. Boychuck also hit the jackpot by being placed on the Evgeni Malkin-James Neal line. Boychuck is a -2 and has 0 points in six games. I think that experiment needs to come to an end soon. Boychuck's speed should allow him to be in the everyday lineup, but he doesn't have the skill set to play on the top two lines.
Matt Cooke has two goals and is the mainstay of the third line. Sometimes I miss the old Cooke.
Eric Tangradi is worthless and a big bust. I don't know if he's ever going to be anything but a career 4th liner in the NHL.
Finally, Tyler Kennedy. Good ole TK. If Tyler Kennedy had an autobiography written about him I have the perfect title: "I Gave the NHL My Best Shot, And That Shot Went Wide: The story of Tyler Kennedy". TK is awful, really awful. I can't believe he's getting paid $2 million a year. He brings nothing to the table as a player besides a wrist shot that usually goes 10 feet past the net. Kennedy is fourth on the team in shots, but has just One goal on the season. He doesn't hit, doesn't stand out in any other aspect of the game. He looks like the Grinch's bastard child. Signing TK was one of the worst moves Ray Shero has made as GM of the Pens.
I don't know why Beau Bennett doesn't get a shot with the Pens. He's tearing it up in the AHL, he's a first round pick with actual top 6 talent. Put him on a line with Crosby. How can Boychuck and Kennedy be considered better options? I know the Pens want to keep Bennett down as much as possible for contract reasons, but the object is to win.
The Pens have enough depth on defense and at the goalie position. They have the two best forwards in the league. Now they need some more winger depth to help secure a shot at a Stanley Cup.
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