After dropping another shootout to the Columbus Blue Jackets the Pittsburgh Penguins hopped on the plane and headed to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Seattle Kraken. In the rare 5PM Monday start they kicked off their four-game road trip with a solid 6-3 victory.
With the victory, it gives the Penguins 57 standings points on the season and a share of second place in the division with the New York Islanders. Both teams have a .594 points percentage, but the Penguins have 19 regulation wins versus the Islanders 17. Therefore, Pittsburgh holds the tiebreaker, for now.
Shooting up the Metropolitan Division standings has been a great development for the Penguins. It is their most direct path back to the playoffs. Finishing in the top three of the division is an easier path than battling it out for a wild card spot, with a plethora of other teams. Currently, the Washington Capitals have played two more games than the Penguins and are now three points back in the standings.
Crosby hits 1,400 games
Sidney Crosby played his 1,400th career game on Monday afternoon in Seattle. Only 44 other players have played in more games than Sid with only six other players having more than his 1,742 points (Wayne Gretzky, Jaromir Jagr, Mark Messier, Gordie Howe, Ron Francis, and Steve Yzerman).
Crosby continues to catapult up the all-time lists at the age of 38. Despite, his age creeping towards 40 he is having one of his finer campaigns so far. He is currently on pace for 94 points and is on a 44 goal pace. His 44 goals would tie his second best total ever in a season with his career best at 51. The last time he scored 44 it won him the Rocket Richard Trophy. It is a different league now with Nathan MacKinnon already up to 36 goals with a little less than half the season remaining.
Crosby didn’t have a goal against Seattle, but he did have two helpers. His second assist helped restore a two goal lead in the third period. It came in impressive fashion from behind the net
Up next for Sid are three games in western Canada. He should be well received by the road crowds with the Winter Olympics looming.
Karlsson update
Erik Karlsson remains out for the Penguins with what is being described as a lower body injury. He last played eight days ago and the team said he would be re-evaluated after two weeks time. In somewhat of a surprise Karlsson has returned to practice and will be joining the team on the road trip
This is tremendous news for both Karlsson and the Penguins.
Group effort in replacing Karlsson’s offense
During Karlsson’s absence the Penguins defense group has picked up their their fallen teammate. It has been a group effort to try and replace Karlsson’s offensive impact on the games.
Kris Letang was the most obvious candidate to try and replicate what Karlsson brings and he has done an admirable job the past four games. He has three points in the last four games and looks the sharpest he has all year as he and Brett Kulak continue to build some chemistry.
Connor Clifton, not known for his offense, scored a goal last game against Columbus and added a helper tonight against Seattle.
Tonight, both Parker Wotherspoon and Brett Kulak found the back of the net.
Getting some goals from the back end really helps take the pressure off of the forward group and getting goals from the back end without Karlsson is a really nice development during his absence.
The Penguins will have a good opportunity to make it two in a row when they visit the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. It will also be an opportunity to avenge the 2-1 loss Calgary delivered the Penguins a little over a week ago.
Home › Forums › Penguins Defeat Kraken To Start Road Trip
Tagged: nhl, Pittsburgh Penguins