Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Pregame thoughts: Penguins vs Islanders 10/27/16

October 27, 2016, 12:15 PM ET [133 Comments]
Ryan Wilson
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Pittsburgh Penguins are back in action with a divisional game this evening. They will be taking on the New York Islanders. The Islanders were absolutely run over by the Montreal Canadiens last night as far as game play was concerned (40% SAF). The 3-2 loss brings the Islanders to 3-4-0 on the season and they are currently in sixth place with six standings points. Pittsburgh heads into tonight in second place with a 4-2-1 record and nine standings points.

I used Micah Blake McCurdy's matchup toy to give a peak at what tonight's matchup looks like



I'll try and use this tool prior to every game this year. It is a nice quick visual to see where each team's players are good and/or bad.

Playing the Islanders means you'll be up against John Tavares. The Islanders captain is one of the league's best centers and he has had a decent start to the year. He has four goals in seven games with a point total of six.

The Islanders made one of the bigger offseason signings when they inked Andrew Ladd to a seven-year 38.5 million dollar deal. The early returns have been less than ideal. He started on the Tavares line but found himself demoted to the fourth line in a recent game. He has yet to register a 5v5 point on the year. He has one assist. His shot attempt percentage at even-strength is only 47.6%.

Kris Letang is on the ice for the morning skate. He seems to be ramping up his activities and is on the cusp of returning to game action. Will that be tonight? Nope, he stated he will not be in the game this evening after practice.




When he does return it will likely be the first time Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang have played together this season.

Mike Condon is not on the ice. His tenure with the Penguins could very well end without ever playing a game for the team.




For now it doesn't matter if the Penguins carry three goaltenders. They are cap compliant with no pressing needs.

Matt Murray is ready for game action and will be making his first start of the season in the near future. That start will not be tonight. Marc-Andre Fleury will make his tenth consecutive start.

Here are the lines from practice




Again, I'm good with Kessel getting time with Malkin. To be blunt the HBK line has been terrible this year so far. Using Corsica's data on line combinations I found that out of all trios to skate at least 30 minutes together this season the HBK line ranked dead last with a CF% of 36.19%. They were second to last in xGF% at 25.99%. It has been a train wreck in 2016-17 for a line that had huge success last season.

This will be Pittsburgh's last home game for a little while. They will have four consecutive games on the road starting with Saturday's contest against the rival Philadelphia Flyers. They will then run the California guantlet playing Anaheim, Los Angeles and San Jose.




Pittsburgh will have played those top three teams within a week and a half.

When Pittsburgh plays Anaheim they may luck out again. Hampus Lindholm signed an undervalued contract today which will only pay him 5.25 million per year for the next six years. In his second to last year he will only receive 3.75 million. That year coincides with when the current CBA can be opted out of. He is lockout proofing his money and don't be surprised to see similar things happen with future contracts that are signed into that time frame.

Lindholm may have signed but he may not be available to play against the Penguins next week.




The Ducks will likely have to trade Cam Fowler by then to become salary cap compliant. If the work visa takes too long the Penguins will get a Ducks team without Lindholm and perhaps Fowler. Nice break if it materializes.


Thanks for reading!
Join the Discussion: » 133 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Ryan Wilson
» Penguins earn victory on Jake night
» A salute to Jake Guentzel
» Sid puts on show as Avs dig out of hole
» A dud in Dallas
» My thoughts on Dubas' thoughts