All season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have had harm points. They’ve performed simply two durations with a totally wholesome roster. Week after week, completely different guys are wanted to fill the void for an injured participant. This week was no exception. Accidents to Sidney Crosby and Nick Bjugstad have seen some acquainted names rise to the event.
Going 1-1-1 this week, together with a loss to the last-place New Jersey Devils, the Penguins will want gamers to proceed elevating their sport to remain within the playoff race. A 6-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs put a constructive word on an in any other case powerful week for the Penguins. Sure gamers all through this week stood out among the many relaxation. Each Sunday, we are going to check out the Penguins’ three stars and spotlight the membership’s finest performing gamers of the week.
Third Star: Dominik Kahun
On Nov. 2, Dominik Kahun was a wholesome scratch towards the Edmonton Oilers. The next day, Patric Hornqvist was positioned on injured reserve and Kahun took his place within the lineup. Since then, he has been taking part in his finest hockey in a Penguins uniform. He has been full of life and is hovering round 14 minutes of ice time per evening. He has carved out a pleasant function for himself on the second line alongside Jared McCann.
Within the last sport of the week towards the Maple Leafs, Kahun had two targets and an help, all within the second interval. His first purpose was scored simply 52 seconds into the second interval and set the tone for one more sturdy interval. The second purpose was very opportunistic as he capitalized on Brandon Tanev getting tripped into the goaltender and put the puck within the principally empty internet. He capped off a three-point evening with a nifty move to McCann that gave the Penguins a five-goal lead. Kahun has been taking part in his finest hockey of late and the Penguins want him to proceed contributing and taking part in nicely.
Nov. 10-16 Stat Line: 2 targets, 1 help, plus-2
Second Star: Jared McCann
You may’t cease him, you may solely hope to include him. McCann has continued to carry out at a really excessive stage. He definitely has contributed greater than Bjugstad since arriving in Pittsburgh through commerce final season. He ended the streak of 28 unsuccessful energy performs for the Penguins with the game-tying purpose towards the New York Rangers. He was in the appropriate place on the proper time because the puck fell properly to him and he blasted it previous the Rangers netminder to finish the worst run of power-play kind for the reason that 80s for the Penguins.
With Crosby and Bjugstad happening towards the Rangers, he as soon as once more was thrust again into the middle place and he has but once more stuffed in nicely. Successful 61.5% of his faceoffs towards the Devils, he had his finest evening within the faceoff circle of the season. He capped off a powerful week with a purpose towards the Maple Leafs to make it 5-Zero on his solely shot of the evening. With Crosby out till no less than Christmas, McCann goes to wish to keep up this excessive stage of play to maintain the Penguins in rivalry.
Nov. 10-16 Stat Line: 2 targets, plus-Four
First Star: Evgeni Malkin
After lacking the primary 12 video games of the season, Malkin has been on a tear. With Crosby out, he assumed first-line heart duties and in two video games, he has stuffed the void in addition to anybody may have anticipated. Earlier than the sport towards the Devils, he addressed the necessity for him to step up and be the chief:
“Everyone seems to be trying to me proper now,” he mentioned. “I’ll attempt to present management, I’ll attempt to play sensible. It’s not the primary time I’ve been right here with out Sid. I do know it’s not simple, however I’m prepared. I’ve performed for this group for a very long time. It’s nothing new for me… I have to be hearth,” he mentioned with a smile. “I can be hearth.”– Evgeni Malkin
Regardless that they didn’t produce a purpose towards the Devils, Malkin’s line was dominant. He had seven photographs and logged simply over 21 minutes of ice time in a 2-1 loss. He picked up the secondary help on Jake Guentzel’s power-play purpose to open the scoring within the first interval, which was the primary time the Penguins have scored first in seven video games. Later within the first, he made it 2-Zero by taking pictures the puck beneath the goaltenders’ glove.
Having to fill the void Crosby left, anticipate Malkin to often heart one other line in shut video games to present him extra minutes. With 9 factors in 9 video games, he has began the season sturdy and is vital to the groups’ success. Search for the Penguins to lean on the Russian heart for the foreseeable future.
Nov. 10-16 Stat Line: 1 purpose, 2 assists, plus-2
Star Factors
Every week, a degree system can be in place that can be up to date. The third star receives one level, the second star receives two, and the primary star will get three. Agree or disagree with the celebs of the week? Let me know within the feedback under or on Twitter at @joshkaradeema.
Sidney Crosby- 7 pointsEvgeni Malkin- 5 pointsJared McCann- 5 pointsMatt Murray- three pointsBryan Rust- three pointsDominik Simon- three pointsBrandon Tanev- three pointsPatric Hornqvist-2 pointsKris Letang- 2 pointsDominik Kahun- 1 pointSam Lafferty- 1 pointJohn Marino- 1 level
