I’ve seen that fish before. This time it actually helped the Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury had a rough night in what could be his last ever start in Pittsburgh. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner gave up four goals on ten shots which felt like a call back to the 2010-13 era. the first goal coming only 15 seconds into the game.
He followed things up with a vintage puck playing mistake later
Fleury was tremendous in 2020-21 and deserved his Vezina win, but the Blackhawks are not the Golden Knights and he is going to have an uphill battle this year.
Danton Heinen is on a roll. He has three goals in three games. He has 42 more games to match the four goals Mark Jankowski scored last year. Not all players who score in their debut are flameouts. Heinen is looking like the Bruin who had 47 points in 77 games. It would be a real big help to the scoring depth if he remains competent throughout the year.
Drew O’Connor is also off to a hot start. He had a goal and an assist last night and currently leads the team in CF% at 67.65. His xGF% so far is a team high 84.55(!) Even without the points he is playing in the right side of the ice more often than not. The samples aren’t predictive of future outcomes as much as they are descriptive this time of year, but you can’t do much better as a fringe player who was just trying to make the roster earlier this month.
Kris Letang followed up his woeful 8.42 xGF% against the Panthers with a 36.59 against the Blackhawks. Small sample for this year, but the larger sample from last year and the start to this year isn’t encouraging
If the points continue to come for Letang this will be overlooked, but I am starting to grow concerned about how he will age if things don’t turn a corner in the next two months or so.
Brock McGinn has the second worst xGF% on the team through three games at 39.88, but he found his way to the scoresheet with his first goal and first assist as a Penguin.
Mike Sullivan is the winningest coach in Penguins history now.
It is a much-deserved honor for the two-time Stanley Cup winning bench boss. Mike Sullivan is the head coach of Team USA and has his team sitting in first place at the Metropolitan Division.
Dan Byslma was also deserving of holding the mark when he did. Dan Bylsma’s exit wasn’t the best and the overall perception of him as a coach is partly influenced by performances like the one Fleury had last night.
The Penguins will next be in action at home against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday. Monday will provide a day for the team to practice fully. An important detail as Sidney Crosby’s debut date is rapidly approaching.
Thanks for reading!
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»