Some Thoughts on the Pens

It's gameday for the Pittsburgh Penguins so I figured I would comment on a few things about the team.

Pens play the New York Islanders tonight. Last week they lost 4-1 to the Islanders at home in a brutal effort by the flightless birds. The Islanders have won three straight games against the Pens by a total score of 14-7. Yikes. It's time for the Pens to come out and and outplay inferior opponents, instead of playing down to their opponents, like the Steelers. Ouch.


Last week I was dogging Chris Kunitz, who I thought played horribly in the first 7 games of the season. Well, he answered his critics by being the NHL's second star of the week, scoring 5 goals in the last two games. Kunitz scored 4 goals Sunday against the Washington Capitals, becoming the first Pens player with a 4-goal game since Jaromir Jagr.

Tom Vokoun and Marc-Andre Fleury continue to match whatever the other one does. Both played very well in each of their last outings. Fleury got his first home win of the season on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils and only allowed 1 goal in doing so. Vokoun is 3-1 on the year with a save % of .927% and a G.A.A. of 2.08.

Some people say it's a competition, some say it's a goalie controversy. Right now it's just really good for the team. The problem is this is a shortened season and eventually someone is going to have to be the number one. Do the Pens really just shove Fleury, their franchise goalie to the side for a hot backup? I have no doubt that Vokoun is capable of winning a lot of games for the Pens, but Fleury has done nothing but lots of games for this franchise, including a Stanley Cup. It will be the biggest storyline going forward.

Also, the Pens have a dilemma with their group of defensemen. They are considering sending 2009 1st round pick Simon Despres back to Wilkes-Barre. Despres would not have to go through waivers. Despres has been filling in for an injured Matt Niskanen, and despite limited ice-time, Despres has played well and produced. He's the Pen's best prospect since being drafted. Robert Bortuzzo, another rookie, is another fantastic prospect who has also looked really good.

But who makes the final six? Of course Paul Martin, Kris Letang, Brooks Orpik will be there. Do the Pens keep Despres up to see if he truly is ready to be the d-man they think they have? Do they ever use Mark Eaton? Is Ben Lovejoy done for good?

My guess is they ride the veterans, at least one last time. With Despres and Bortuzzo not having to clear waivers, I expect them both to be sent down.

Dear Ray Shero, please get Tyler Kennedy off the damn team.