People have been commenting on how the Penguins schedule is going to get easier the second half of the year and they would be correct to say that. The Penguins have eight games remaining against the Buffalo Sabres including the game tonight. The Sabres have been a complete disaster. Ralph Krueger’s seat is made of lava and Jack Eichel is set to miss an extended period of time.
There’s something in the water in Buffalo and it isn’t good. The finishing ability of some of their best players has been atrocious. Players who have an amazing track record of scoring goals. Have a look at the dismal offensive performances of Jack Eichel, Taylor Hall, and Jeff Skinner
Jack Eichel leads the pack being in the 6th percentile in finshing this year. Hall and Skinner are at 0%. It is crazy. These players are talented. They shouldn’t be anywhere close to this. In the previous three seasons combined Eichel, Hall, and Skinner scored 233 goals which is an average of 77 person (25 each). This year the trio has five goals total, five. It is no wonder the team is terrible.
Even their former #1 overall draft pick defenseman is snake bit
Eric Staal was a really good center in Minnesota. Look what Buffalo did to him.
What did they do to Eric Staal? pic.twitter.com/oToo9rCunz
— Sabremetrix 📊 (@Sabremetrix) March 8, 2021
Also worth mentioning that Eric Staal is on the trade block. If the Penguins were to look at adding to the roster for a push this season I would have to think he would pique their interest. His horrible play in Buffalo might even drive his price down. I don’t believe he is washed I believe he has the Buffalo Flu.
All of this said the most Penguins thing would be surviving the early schedule and then dropping games to the lowly Sabres. Don’t deny it. It has crossed your mind.
Thanks for reading!