The Current State Of The Pittsburgh Penguins Summed Up By One Bizarre Hurricanes Goal
I’ve watched this goal no less than 20 times since it happened last night and still have no idea how that puck ended up in the back of the net. Magic, I guess. But this just perfectly sums up the type of season the Pittsburgh Penguins have been having and that’s a beautiful thing for fans of the 29 other franchises in the NHL. Luckily for them this year, there are only 2-3 teams at the top of the East that are locks to make the playoffs and only 2-3 teams in the East that are locks to miss the playoffs. Who the hell knows what will happen with the other 10 or so teams in the middle, which is right where the Penguins stand now in 10th place. But make no mistake about it, the Pittsburgh Penguins are DEAD.
Think about all the hype that was surrounding the Pens heading into the season after bringing in Phat Phil. People thought for sure that the Penguins would be able to just score at will and dominate teams despite not having anybody back on defense. Thought they’d just have to win every game 6-5 or something like that. But now that we’re half way though the season, the Penguins are in 26th place in goals for per game with 2.33. When your defense consists of Kris Letang and nobody else, 2.33 goals isn’t going to cut it. They fired their coach, Crosby has been underperforming (though he has been picking up the pace lately), they completely botched that entire Daniel Sprong situation. And the best part about it? They have no salary cap room and have absolutely zero top prospects. They are YEARS away from being able to rebuild that team unless, of course, they trade Crosby. So draw a line of chalk around the Pittsburgh Penguins because they’re dead this year, they’re dead the year after, and the year after that, and the year after that.
Elsewhere around the NHL last night…
The kids are alright down in the desert. Pretty sure that Max Domi and Anthony Duclair are the only rookies this season to have scored a hat trick at this point (but I could be wrong. Don’t think I am but i could be). In my very humble expert opinion, the Calder race this year is going to be more fun to watch than the race for the Hart trophy. The NHL is set for at least a decade with how much young talent entered the league this year. Dylan Larkin is for sure the winner if the season ended today but we still have a whole half a season left to play. Panarin has been electric though you have to keep in mind that he’s 24-years-old already. Most of the rookies in this class will have had half a career under their belts by the time they’re 24, and Panarin also gets to play alongside of Kane. Once McDavid gets healthy again the Calder race will only heat up even more. Should be good times all around for everybody involved. Except, of course, for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Ryan Reaves Went Full Bully Mode
Somehow Bobby Farnham has 7 goals already this season. Which is obviously an anomaly because Bobby Farnham STINKS. Anyway, Ryan Reaves comes in here to save Bobby Farnham from himself and let him know that he ain’t ’bout that life. He’s 5’10” and 180 pounds. He doesn’t want to fight Kyle Brodziak who is 6’2″ and 210. But then not only does Ryan Reaves come in to be the bouncer at the bar, but he completely emasculates him as he kicks him out of the club. Which rubbed Jordin Tootoo the wrong way so let’s look to see how that worked out for him later.
One-punch. Say goodnight. That little prick Jordin Tootoo just had to make a skate-of-shame off to the bench after that one. I feel like I don’t get a chance to see Ryan Reaves play enough since he’s in the Western conference but I’d love to have that guy in Philly. Put the two Devils‘ “tough” guys in a body bag last night and barely broke a sweat over it.