Goffie
11-25-2011, 03:40 PM
The pressure was mounting in Pittsburgh once again as another season neared, however since GM Young took over the franchise has never faced so many question marks. The Pens missed the post season for the first time since Young had control for a full year. The aspect that brought the most questions was that the Pens had a stacked roster. Starting the season with Crosby and Ovechkin on the same line; how could the Pens get better on paper then this? That was the question that took hardly any time to figure out. The answer was simple. They couldn’t. So this year’s goal was simple build a team that Young liked and that could find chemistry in the sim. That was this season’s goal.
However things started off quite rocky. The Pens were blasted 5-1 in the opening game against the rebuilding Leafs. The next two games weren’t much better; Losing 2-1 in overtime to the caps and then 7-6 in a shootout to the Rangers. It wasn’t looking good.
Things slowly started to come around with the Pens splitting there next 4 games. Sitting 2-3-2, something still wasn’t right. Then something happened. The Pens won a game, and not only 1. They won 9 straight on route to an 11-3-2 start. The slow opening 7 games turned quickly into a sizzling start through 16 games. The pace hasn’t slacked off much as after 24 games the Pens sit in 5th spot in the conference at 15-6-3. This is a great record but still well off the league leading Islanders pace atop the division.
The great in start didn’t go unnoticed, however it was still noted that things could be improved. Following a loss to the wings the Pens made 2 deals to try and improve the team. It was being noticed that the d core was getting fatigued. So it was made a priority to bring in defense that could play big minutes. Keith Yandle was brought in for Ryan Strome, a 1st and Mark Stuart. The next deal bolstered the durability of the defense again adding Chris Phillips. This deal also went towards trying to improve the top 6 forwards bringing Mike Cammalleri over while Chris Pronger and Mattias Tedenby leave town with a 2nd round pick.
Heading into game 25 the Pens lineup looks as follows:
Kane-Kopitar-Cammalleri
Benn-Plekanec-Eriksson
Moen-Berglund-Cole
Simmonds-Helm-Eberle
Moreau
Lidstrom-Edler
Phillips-Yandle
Gorges-Subban
Price
Budaj
Time will tell if the Pens can keep up the strong play or if the chemistry is flushed away with the recent signings.
However things started off quite rocky. The Pens were blasted 5-1 in the opening game against the rebuilding Leafs. The next two games weren’t much better; Losing 2-1 in overtime to the caps and then 7-6 in a shootout to the Rangers. It wasn’t looking good.
Things slowly started to come around with the Pens splitting there next 4 games. Sitting 2-3-2, something still wasn’t right. Then something happened. The Pens won a game, and not only 1. They won 9 straight on route to an 11-3-2 start. The slow opening 7 games turned quickly into a sizzling start through 16 games. The pace hasn’t slacked off much as after 24 games the Pens sit in 5th spot in the conference at 15-6-3. This is a great record but still well off the league leading Islanders pace atop the division.
The great in start didn’t go unnoticed, however it was still noted that things could be improved. Following a loss to the wings the Pens made 2 deals to try and improve the team. It was being noticed that the d core was getting fatigued. So it was made a priority to bring in defense that could play big minutes. Keith Yandle was brought in for Ryan Strome, a 1st and Mark Stuart. The next deal bolstered the durability of the defense again adding Chris Phillips. This deal also went towards trying to improve the top 6 forwards bringing Mike Cammalleri over while Chris Pronger and Mattias Tedenby leave town with a 2nd round pick.
Heading into game 25 the Pens lineup looks as follows:
Kane-Kopitar-Cammalleri
Benn-Plekanec-Eriksson
Moen-Berglund-Cole
Simmonds-Helm-Eberle
Moreau
Lidstrom-Edler
Phillips-Yandle
Gorges-Subban
Price
Budaj
Time will tell if the Pens can keep up the strong play or if the chemistry is flushed away with the recent signings.