Talking Pens

The Pittsburgh Penguins have won 10 games in a row and they will put that streak on the line tonight when they face the New York Islanders in Long Island. If the flightless birds win tonight they'll match the Chicago Blackhawks for the longest winning streak in the NHL this season.

Two seasons ago the Islanders stopped Sidney Crosby's amazing 25-game point streak. The Pens also play the Philadelphia Flyers this Sunday night and the Flyers ended the Pen's 11-game win streak just last season.


How great has Marc-Andre Fleury been lately? He leads the NHL in wins with 16, and he's 4-0 in his last four games, with a save percentage of .957. Backup Tomas Vokoun has been much better lately, picking up wins in his last four games played, allowing just two goals in the last eight periods of play.

The Pens lead the league in goals scored right now as a team.
They also have the leader in :
Total points (Sidney Crosby)
Assists: (Crosby)
Points by a defenseman: (Kris Letang)
+/- : (Chris Kunitz)
Wins: (Marc-Andre Fleury)




Of course, considering the history of general manager Ray Shero with the Pens, they will most likely make a move or two by the trade deadline. They lead the league in scoring, so I don't think they need a top six forward, although Chris Stewart from St. Louis, but I still don't think the Pens should give up Joe Morrow or Simon Despres for a rental player.

I think the Pens need more grit on their 4th line. In other words, they need someone better than Tanner Glass. The guy I like to replace him is Boyd Gordon from Phoenix. The Coyotes might not make the playoffs and Gordon's contract is up. Gordon isn't a sniper by any means, but he does have more points than Joe Vitale and Glass combined this year. He's also one Hell of a penalty-killer.



I also like the idea of getting Ladislav Smid from the Edmonton Oilers. Going into the playoffs, my top six defensemen would be: Letang, Brooks Orpik, Despres, Paul Martin, Matt Niskanan, and Smid. Smid and Gordon are the ways to go. No need for Ignila, give up that dream.

Lastly, I wanted to talk about James Neal, who hasn't scored a goal in his last four game. Miss Evgeni Malkin much? Neal hasn't found chemistry with Dustin Jeffery at all. Get well soon Geno.

Lets go Pens!