Quickly after, heart Lars Eller was shipped to the Washington Capitals for a 3rd and fifth-round decide within the 2027 NHL Draft.
What precisely is plaguing the Penguins this season? For starters, it does not assist that they’re the fourth oldest team within the league with a mean age of 28.6, and the crew’s core options three 35-plus gamers in Crosby (37), Evgeni Malkin (38) and Kris Letang (37). Previous the crew age, nonetheless, they’re struggling in a handful of key areas.
Defensive struggles
Pittsburgh is at present permitting the second-most goals against per game, with a whopping 3.83 common, and the third-most shots against with 32.7. Additionally they have the second-worst goal differential with a -22 mark.
Analytically, in accordance with MoneyPuck, they’re additionally the second worst in 5v5 anticipated targets towards and 5v5 targets towards above anticipated. All this factors to clear defensive points that aren’t helped out by poor goaltending.
Failed by goaltending
After a poor begin to the season, presumed starter Tristan Jarry was loaned to Pittsburgh’s AHL crew to seek out his recreation. In three begins, Jarry posted a .836 save share and 5.47 targets towards common. Backup Joel Blomqvist fared higher, with a .904 save share, however was lately pulled within the Dallas recreation after permitting three targets on eight pictures. With Jarry again from his AHL stint, Blomqvist was sent to the AHL.
Lastly, Alex Nedeljkovic, who has performed in essentially the most video games for the Penguins this season, has additionally had a poor displaying. In eight complete video games, he has only a .884 save share.
Based on MoneyPuck, the Penguins goaltending has been on the backside of the league, ranked thirtieth in 5v5 anticipated save share on unblocked pictures and 5v5 save share above anticipated.
Offense is the silver lining?
Apparently sufficient, Pittsburgh’s offense might be what’s conserving them from being the worst crew within the league. Though their targets for per recreation is barely twenty first within the league, they’re averaging the fifth-most shots in the league with 31.5 per recreation. Their high line of Crosby, Malkin and Rickard Rakell can be producing; Crosby has 17 factors in 18 video games, Malkin 18 in 18 and Rakell 11 in 18.
The Penguins’ 5v5 anticipated targets for can be on the top of the league, suggesting that whereas their energy play stays center of the pack at simply over 18 p.c, their 5v5 offense is to not be of concern. With their 5v5 high-danger probabilities per 60 at third in the league, the primary query offensively for Pittsburgh is whether or not or not they will flip these offensive probabilities into extra targets.
Total, the consensus appears to be that the Penguins are seemingly not playoff contenders for the 2024-25 season. Whereas it is powerful to arrange a rebuild when you’ve gotten all-time greats like Crosby and Malkin, they might be higher off promoting excessive on a few of their property and making an attempt a fast retool to get their stars yet one more shot at a Stanley Cup.
