NHL Power Rankings: Pittsburgh Falls From Number One, Anaheim Surprises.
By Trin Potratz
Previous Ranking: 1 (-16)
Team Record: (46-19-11)
Goals For:
259
Goals Against:
216
Special Teams
PP: (22.4 percent) (5th)
PK: (80.4 percent) (19th)
Injury List
Chad Ruhwedel – Upper-Body – Day-to-Day
Matt Cullen – Illness – Day-to-Day
Conor Sheary – Lower-Body – Day-to-Day
Jake Guentzel – Concussion – Day-to-Day
Tom Sestito – Upper-Body – Day-to-Day
Evgeni Malkin – Shoulder – Day-to-Day
Ron Hainsey – Upper-Body – Week-to-Week
Carl Hagelin – Lower-Body – Day-to-Day
Kris Letang – Upper-Body – Week-to-Week
Trevor Daley – Lower-Body – April
Olli Maatta – Hand – Day-to-Day
Statistical Leaders in 2016-17
Top Forward: Sidney Crosby (70gp 42g 40a 82pts)
Top Defenseman: Justin Schultz (73gp 12g 36a 48pts)
Top Rookie: Jake Guentzel (35gp 11g 14a 25pts)
Top Goaltender: Matthew Murray (28 wins 2.40GAA .923 save percentage)
Player of the Week: C Matt Cullen (4gp 2g 2a 4pts)
The Penguins have had better weeks, to say the least. Trying to keep pace with the Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets, the Pens fell under the pressure and were only able to nab two points in four games this past week. They began the week with back to back shootout losses to the Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders. They hit a new low with a 6-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers and then fell 5-1 to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Veteran Matt Cullen was the most productive forward up front scoring four points splitting goals and assists. The 40-year-old continues to surprise with his two-way game and his solid secondary scoring production. Better yet, Cullen does his best work in the playoffs. Sidney Crosby was quiet this past week as he loses his grip on the Art Ross trophy falling seven points behind the Oilers’ Connor McDavid. Crosby was only able to score one goal this past week and he’ll need to find another gear to finish out the season. AHL veteran Cameron Gaunce had a goal and an assist this past week and the 26-year-old has taken advantage of the injuries on the Penguins blueline.
The Penguins will have a chance to end their four-game skid with a matchup against division rival New York Rangers. The Pens will then take on the Carolina Hurricanes and finish the week off with a potential playoff preview against the Columbus Blue Jackets. It’s looking like the defending Cup champions will not get home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs as they have fallen a bit behind the Jackets and Capitals.
Weekly Prospect Profile: D Derrick Pouliot, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL)
2016-17 stats: 39gp 6g 14a 20pts
The Penguins acquired the right to select Derrick Pouliot in the 2012 Draft at 8th overall via the Jordan Staal trade with the Carolina Hurricanes. Pouliot had a tremendous WHL career, but he has not been able to solidify himself as an NHL player and has been past by the likes of Jacob Trouba (9th), Cody Ceci (15th) and Olli Maatta (22nd). Pouliot is a strong power play quarterback and I saw him play in the Super Series against Russia live, and he was the best player on the ice. Pouliot’s chances are winding down and may need a change of scenery.