Penguins Need To Prove They Can Sustain This Pace

Pens Need To Prove the 4-1 Loss to Islanders
Was a Fluke

The Pittsburgh Penguins are playing some pretty solid hockey (notice I didn't go as far to say 'GOOD').  They have done everything that I suggested in a previous article where I said if they simplified their game it would only lead to more wins.  I was fortunate enough to actually see them live in Washington DC vs the Capitals on Sunday and I can tell you that this team is a team on the "up".  Sure, they could drop a game and end their current 3 game winning streak, but that doesn't mean that this team isn't starting to click.  Passes are more crisp (actually going 'tape to tape' sometimes), the Power Play isn't trying to deliver the cute, highlight reel pass, and the team defense is a tremendous improvement from earlier in this shortened season.  More important than the lack of turnovers is the fact that they are doing 2 simple things that are leading to wins....they are playing fast, and they are playing physical.  Both of facets of their game are forcing the opposition to have to work hard to create scoring chances.  The last two games the Penguins' goalies have been able to get away without having to face a barrage of shots, and the opposition has almost been voided of quality scoring chances.  The next stretch of games will test the Penguins further in this lockout shortened season.  Lets take a look shall we...

Tonight the Penguins travel to face the Islanders.  New York wiped the ice with the Penguins 4-1 in their last meeting, and if it weren't for a Pascal Dupuis goal with a minute left in the game they would have shut out the Pens on their home ice.  The Islanders have been playing very inconsistent hockey, but the Penguins need to prove that they are a dominant team and not let the Islanders dictate the speed and flow of the game, like they did in that 4-1 victory.  No rest for the weary this season as after the Islanders game the Pens fly home to face off against the Capitals on Thursday.  After the Ovechkin vs Crosby rematch, they stare at a Saturday / Sunday "home and home" with the New Jersey Devils.  These next 4 games could prove as a stepping stone for the remainder of the season, or a stumbling block.

The Penguins have the confidence that they desired after losing to Winnipeg, Toronto, and the Islanders.  Confidence is a great thing to have, but the Penguins need to prove they can sustain this level of play for a longer period than just 3 games.  The Penguins have only one loss on the road this young season (@ Winnipeg where they blew a 2-0 lead) and that trend needs to continue.  The Pens are developing into a tough group of guys that are able to get a lead (the Penguins have scored the 1st goal in 8 of the 9 games they've played this season) and keep it; however, they are also a team that still has work to do.  Giving up short handed goals and turning pucks over is something that hasn't evaporated from this Pittsburgh Penguins team, and something that needs to be addressed to help get this team where it desires to go...not just to the playoffs, not just to the Cup Finals, but bringing the Stanley Cup home to Pittsburgh...where it belongs!