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In the month of January the Penguins went 5-4-3, a very lackadaisical start to the second half of the season. What could be come of the causes for the struggles? It could be injuries of key players, or poor defense as of late, or they have just hit a slump. Something every team does is slump, some teams struggle longer than others, some teams do not have as many as others. It is just Pittsburgh’s turn for one.
Each player has had their chance to contribute so far this season, some have done much better than others. Here is a quick breakdown of the Pens current roster:
Forwards
Craig Adams: Has always been, and still is one of the best penalty killers on the team.
Mark Arcobello: Needs to get a little more experience with the team, can be a good addition.
Beau Bennett: Good to see him healthy and will contribute with more playing time
Blake Comeau: A great addition to the team, can hopefully continue after return from injury
Sidney Crosby: Greatest player in the world; may be having struggles but is playing his heart out every game.
Steve Downie: He is doing his job weather people like it or not, hes being the agitator.
Patric Hornqvist: Another great addition to the team, continues to produce and play hard.
Chris Kunitz: A quiet 31 points this season so far, always plays well with Crosby.
Maxim Lapierre: Is yet to be an impact with the Pens, just have to wait and see.
Evgeni Malkin: If he can enhance his game to the next level, and maybe grab a top three spot for points in the league, and MVP consideration would not be out of the question.
David Perron: Tremendous addition to the team with immediate signs of production.
Zach Sill: Has done next to nothing for close to 40 games.
Nick Spaling: Kind of forgotten about yet has played all 51 games and has a good 20 points.
Brandon Sutter: On his way to having his best season in a Penguins uniform, always a great penalty killer.
Defensemen:
Robert Bortuzzo: The rough house D-Man having a good season with good signs for future.
Simon Despres: Having a much improved season and getting a lot of playing time.
Christian Ehrhoff: Top line defenseman who can also put points on the board, great addition.
Kris Letang: Fighting through injuries is having a great season and should be in consideration for a Norris Trophy.
Paul Martin: Always good to have a veteran defenseman holding a top four spot, knows what he is doing and is in good shape.
Derrick Pouliot: Young gun who has a bright future ahead, great replacement for Maatta who is out for the season.
Rob Scuderi: Has talent and is a good player, just having a hard time showing it lately.
Goalies:
Marc-Andre Fleury: If he can get out of this minor skid, a Vezina consideration is well overdue.
Thomas Greiss: A good choice to have backing up Fleury, may not get a lot of games but should do just fine in the playing time he is given
Olli Maatta and Pascal Dupuis are out for the season and hope to see them back and at the top of their game next season.
After a 2-0 shutout victory against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday, the Penguins are hungry to get and hold onto a top spot in the Metropolitan Division. Crosby is playing at the top of his game every game, just not getting the points to show for it. The shutout against Edmonton should be a huge confidence builder not just for the team but also Fleury who adds another tally to his league lead in shutouts, now at seven. Good things should come for the rest of the season with players coming off of injury and a lot to prove in the playoffs.
