Penguins among big teams struggling
The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins rank 30th with a 3.85 goals-against average, and their -14 goal-differential is worst in the Metropolitan Division.
At 7-5-1, the Pens aren’t playing like a team that won 98 regular-season games over the last two seasons.
“Everyone has to get back to playing their A game,” Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford told USA TODAY Sports on Monday.
“We get into games where I think some of the team thinks the other half of the team will get it done that night and they will get it done the next night. When it doesn’t go that way, by the time we (figure it out), it’s too late.”
The Penguins, led by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, have been outscored 38-17 in five-on-five play. Kris Letang, one of the league’s top defend- ers, has a plus-minus of -14.
“Our work ethic is why we’ve won two championships,” Rutherford said. “Winning is hard work. Other teams are trying to prove they can beat the champions, and they are coming at us every night. And whatever reason, we haven’t been ready to go off the start.”
The Penguins have been outscored by a combined 14-2 in the second night of back-to-back games this season.
They recently waived goalie Antti Niemi, who was in net for one of those losses, and Rutherford said they are promoting prospect Tristan Jarry. Penguins’ No. 1 goalie Matt Murray is 23 and Jarry 22.
Concern warranted? Of course not. While the Penguins did lose some players from their championship team, this team has more than enough skill and experience to make a run at a third title.
The Penguins are pleased with their recent acquisition of center Riley Sheahan from the Detroit Red Wings and they feel as if their defensive play will round into form.
Other top teams off to a bumpy start:
New York Rangers
The angst about the Rangers is as much about their 3-7-2 start as it is the way they’ve been losing.
Their defensive coverage has been disorganized and sloppy. They have given up the first goal seven times, and the first goal came in the opening eight minutes of every game. Twice it came in the opening minute.
Despite the signing of free agent Kevin Shattenkirk, the team’s defensive play hasn’t improved. It doesn’t seem as if there has been a smooth adjustment to the departures of center Derek Stepan (to the Arizona Coyotes) or Dan Girardi (to the Tampa Bay Lightning).
Concern warranted? Absolutely. Rumors have swirled about coach Alain Vigneault’s job being in jeopardy. Tuesday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights seems like an important one.
Since the start of last season, Henrik Lundqvist’s save percentage and goalsagainst average rank 19th among goalies with 50 or more games. Something is amiss, and a coaching change feels like the simplest solution.
Washington Capitals
After winning the President’s Trophy in each of the last two seasons, the Capitals have started 5-6-1 and their scoring is down and their goals-against average is up.
Their scoring has gone from 3.18 goals per game last season to 2.92.
Their goals-against average has bloated from 2.16 to 3.42.
Last season, they were ranked in the top three in both categories, and this season they rank 19th in goal-scoring and 24th in goals-against.
Concern warranted? No need to panic.
The Capitals were expected to take a half-step back because they lost depth to salary cap issues.
But with the scoring power the Capitals still have, it’s difficult to believe they won’t climb back above three goals per game. They still have Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom among others. An eventual return of Matt Niskanen from injury will help the Capitals’ defensive coverage. Plus, Braden Holtby remains an elite goalie.