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Penguins deliver gift of victory over Flyers |
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Hello, welcome back, and Merry Christmas. It has been an eventful 11 days for the Penguins and it has been mostly positive. After last night’s victory over the Philadelphia Flyers they have taken seven out of the last ten standings points and 19 out of their last 26. This leaves the Penguins one point out from the last wild card spot. Previously, one big disadvantage the Penguins had was having a lot of games in hand on the other teams in the mix. They have still played four more games than Tampa, but they are down to two or even one game in hand on some of the other teams in the mix which is way better than it was. It has been quite a turnaround from early season results.
How about that Sidney Crosby? He’s been good all season yet we haven’t really seen one of those runs we’ve grown so accustomed to seeing all these years. The run has come. He’s been feasting lately. Last night he had a goal and three assists which pares nicely with the one goal and three assist outing he had against the Predators two games ago. He has nine points in his last four games and 12 points in his last six games. He now has 39 points in 36 games. Last night’s third assist put him in some pretty awesome territory. We all know and love the person he is now tied with on the all-time list.
It’s been said a million times, but it has been really special having Sidney Crosby all these years doing the things that he does. He deserves all the achievements he’s racked up and this one is probably feeling pretty special considering who it is. Mario is the towering figure of Penguins hockey and anytime you can best one of his numbers is humbling and worthy of celebration.
The Penguins made a trade while things were quiet here. Pierre-Olivier Joseph was reacquired for future considerations. This is the kind of trade where the team is just looking for organizational depth with a commodity they are familiar with. With Marcus Petterson injured (and likely traded) they will have another body to stick into the lineup and it cost almost literally nothing to do. I don’t think Joseph is anything more than a bottom pairing player so he is of course not a true replacement for Pettersson. In his two games back with the Penguins he has a 33.50 xGF%. It was 43.30 in St. Louis. Don’t expect a lot, here.
As we saw last night the Penguins goaltending remains, not great. Tristan Jarry has received deserving criticism for his play throughout the year. Alex Nedeljkovic hasn’t been any better. The Penguins best goaltending option is currently in WB/S in Joel Blomqvist.
The Penguins will return to action on the 28th when they have a home and home against an Islanders team who just lost 7-1 to the Buffalo Sabres, who were previously on a 12 game losing streak. If Pittsburgh wants to be a serious team this year it has to be a four point task against the Islander.
Have a great holiday.
Thanks for reading!
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • 
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