Gee whiz, it sure has been a while, hasn’t it, gang? The Penguins have played so many games! I haven’t even seen you since the beginning of the season! We have so much to cover, let’s get down to business.
We’re currently eight games into the season, and by golly, do I wish I had picked a different team right now! The Pens aren’t doing like… terrible. But they’re really not doing great either. I have been reluctant to tune into games because they’ve just been stressing me out. Currently, Pittsburgh is sitting at a cute little 3-5-0 record, the actual worst in the Metropolitan division. We’re seventh from the bottom of the entire league right now. I know it’s early. I don’t care. I’m malding. But hey, my pookie bear Jarry has two shutouts in eight games! Don’t worry about the fact that those are his only two wins; it’s not his fault. I don’t want to fully recap eight games, so how about a score speed round?
On Oct. 10, in the season opener against the Chicago Blackhawks (and the NHL’s shiny new toy, Connor Bedard), Brian Rust opened scoring for the Pens in the first, and was followed by a goal from Cap’n Crosby in the second. However, our luck would not continue, as the Blackhawks proceeded to score four unanswered goals in the remaining 30 minutes. In their home opener, the Penguins fell to the Blackhawks, 4-2.
After their embarrassing defeat, the Pens went to Washington to face off against the Capitals on Oct. 13. The first period ended scoreless, but by God did we go crazy in the second! We got a Geno goal, and two goals from Crosby, plus a bonus fourth goal from Reilly Smith in the third. The Capitals seem to have been plagued by bad luck on this Friday the 13th, and would be shut out by the Penguins, 4-0.
On Oct. 14, the Penguins returned to their home ice to go up against the Flames. After another scoreless first, the Flames would open scoring in the second. However, their lead would be short-lived. In the third, Pittsburgh came out strong with goals from Rust and Smith, Jake Guentzel’s first goal of the season, and one more from Malkin. Calgary tried to come back with a goal in the third, but the Pens were not having it, and Rust closed the door on them with another goal right at the end of the game. A beautiful Peng-win, 5-2.
On the 18th, the Penguins traveled to dreaded Detroit. Geno opened scoring the first, but was promptly answered by a Wings goal. Detroit would dominate the second with three more goals, and despite two more points from Erik Karlsson and Rust in the third, the Red Wings kept their healthy lead alive with two more of their own. The Pens would once again fall to the Red Wings, 6-3.
On the 21st, the Penguins waddled over to St. Louis. After the Blues opened scoring in the first, Malkin put the Pens on the board before the period was out. Unfortunately, the Blues would record two unanswered goals in the second. In the third, another St. Louis goal widened their lead, and Pittsburgh was unable to recover despite one more point from Radim Zohorna. The Penguins would leave singing the blues, having lost 4-2.
Back in Pittsburgh, the Penguins hosted the Stars on the 24th. Things looked hopeful when Rust opened scoring for the Pens in the first, but it would all be downhill from there. Dallas scored two unanswered goals in the second, plus two more in the third, and Pittsburgh would once again suffer defeat 4-1, extending their losing streak to three games.
On the 26th, Colorado came to Pittsburgh. After two Penguin goals from Smith in the first, and one from Lars Eller in the second, the Pens went into the third period up 3-0 on the Avs. Despite a strong showing from Colorado, their fate was sealed when Crosby scored point number four for the Pens in the third. In what is arguably their best game this season, the Penguins shut out the Avalanche, 4-0.
Once again on home ice, the Penguins faced off against the Senators on the 28th. Ottawa would open scoring with two goals in the first, and another in the second. Crosby finally put Pittsburgh on the board before the second was out, but two more Senators goals in the third did not leave Penguins fans hopeful. Despite a last minute goal from Guenztel, the Penguins would fall once more, 5-2. At least we got to mourn over half-priced Jake Shakes.
Overall, I think this season is just lacking consistency so far. I almost wish they didn’t have those few excellent games, because it makes the games where they’re mid suck so much more, knowing what they’re capable of. However, there is still a whole lot of season left. I’ll argue that they’re still settling in — we’ve got a lot of new guys this season! I’m holding out hope that our beloved flightless birds will take off soon. You can do this, Penguins! Don’t let me down!
This week, the Penguins will face the Ducks at home on Tuesday, and then the Sharks in San Jose on Saturday. Let’s go Pens!
Leave a Reply