Metzer: There’s lots to like about these Penguins despite their visible flaws
The Penguins are more than one-eighth of the way through their 82 game schedule and they will play their 10th game on Wednesday in Anaheim. The first nine games had their share of ups and downs, but the Penguins posted the third-best record in the league, going 6-2-1 and collecting 13 points. The only teams that have been better are the Montreal Canadiens and the surprising Edmonton Oilers.
For as good as the record has been, the focus has largely been on all of the bad things the team have been doing. That list starts with a lack of discipline 鈥� a propensity to allow boat loads of scoring chances and at times a lack of focus and attention to detail.
One of the biggest problems has been injuries to key contributors. The Penguins played the first six games without captain Sidney Crosby and the last five without star defenseman Kris Letang. They have played without Matt Murray, Conor Sheary and Derrick Pouliot, but have largely gotten through unscathed.
With so many fans pointing to the flaws, today seemed like as good a time as any to look at some of the reasons why the Penguins have still found success in troubled times, and why they could be one of the league鈥檚 most dangerous teams once they work through their early season issues.
Star Power
The Penguins鈥� best players have been their best, which is as it should be. Evgeni Malkin is leading the team with five goals and 10 points in nine games. He picked up two goals in Philadelphia on Saturday night and now has 300 for his career. Yes, he鈥檚 been guilty of taking too many penalties, which is something that can be worked on, but he did a tremendous job of contributing while Crosby was out and has continued to do so since he returned.
Crosby has been equally good since returning to the lineup three games ago and has already chipped in four goals and one assist. He鈥檚 playing a physical brand of hockey that has him dominating play down low in the offensive zone and he鈥檚 shown no lingering effects of the concussion that knocked him out of the lineup. He is winning 47.5 percent of his faceoff attempts and should be a factor in the scoring race before the Penguins return from their four-game road trip.
Lastly, Phil Kessel is off to a much better start than last season. He had just six points in his first 11 games a year ago, but is averaging a point per game in the early stages of the 2016-17 campaign. He has been particularly good since being placed on a line with Malkin and Chris Kunitz and has scored one goal and five assists in his last three games.
The Flower is blooming
To get a sense of Marc-Andre Fleury鈥檚 impact this season you really had to watch the games. His statistics might not show it, but he is probably the biggest catalyst for the Penguins record. He鈥檚 started every game and has posted a 3.09 goals against average and a .909 saver percentage, but he has made a number of game-saving saves.
Fleury has faced more shots (298) than any other goaltender in the league this season. He has also made the most saves (271). Once the team gets back to playing the way they are capable of in the defensive zone, Fleury鈥檚 numbers should improve.
The 31-year-old is playing like a guy who is not planning to yield the net anytime soon, even though Matt Murray is healthy enough to play.
Generally speaking, goaltending should be a big strength for this team all season long. Murray has served as Fleury鈥檚 backup for the past three games and they have held on to Mike Condon, who won 21 games as a rookie last season. A move may be necessary as players start to come off the injured list, but for right now three is a charm for the Penguins.
The Power Play
The penalty kill hasn鈥檛 been good, but the power play has been a difference maker on a nightly basis. The Penguins have scored at least one power play goal in all but two of their games this season and are converting 26.5 percent of their opportunities.
Crosby has made a significant impact on the unit and it has been even more dominant over its past three games. They have moved the puck with quick, accurate passes and they have made a point to get pucks to the net. Crosby has been serving as the triggerman, lining up in the high slot and picking goaltenders apart with one-timed shots. They have converted 33.3 percent of their chances in those three games.
Justin Schultz also deserves a mention when talking about the power play鈥檚 success. He has played in place of Letang and the unit hasn鈥檛 missed a beat. He may only have two assists 鈥� one on the power play 鈥� but he has started many goal-scoring plays. He鈥檚 been great at keeping the puck in at the point and has shown a deft hand in terms of distributing passes.
This unit has been key to success today and will continue to be moving forward.