Don't Fret, Pittsburgh Fans: Penguins Will Be OK; Repeat After Me: They'll Be OK

Just when you thought the Penguins had exorcised their demons. Just when a strong performance from Marc-Andre Fleury and two goals from the power play buried the Atlanta Thrashers at Mellon Arena. Just when this talent laden squad had turned the corner, they go out and blow a three goal lead against the struggling Nashville Predators.

Ladies and Gentlemen, here are your 2008-09 Pittsburgh Penguins. With the memory of last spring’s magnificent playoff run still fresh in our minds, we knew there would be changes.

And there were. It all started well enough as the team got off to the best start in franchise history.

Then the wheels fell off.

Now, this is not a time to panic. I guarantee that when the Eastern Conference playoff field is announced, the Pittsburgh Penguins will be a part of it. The question is where do all these lost points factor in to their seeding? Home ice advantage is a factor, and if the Penguins have any hope of going back to the Stanley Cup Finals, a few things need to be addressed. Here is a three-point plan.

I know this has been beaten to death, but fix the power play. Ryan Whitney’s return to the lineup will eventually be monumental to this team, but he’s still playing himself back into form. Sergei Gonchar is still about a month away with a shoulder injury, and, for most of the season, it seems as if this power play unit has been sitting around waiting for their quarterback.

None of this matters if they don’t get a presence in front of the net. This is where Ryan Malone is sorely missed, if nowhere else. As Dave Molinari of the Post-Gazette put it, “If Sidney Crosby is the heart of the Penguins, Ryan Malone was the soul...”

There is not one person on this team that is capable—or willing, apparently—to stand in front of the net and sacrifice their body. Crosby was there against Atlanta, taking and dishing out abuse, but I don’t believe that Mr. Lemieux and Mr. Shero want the face of their franchise taking that pounding, even if he is the only one willing to do it.

A five percent increase on their power play rate would probably have them 3-4 more wins, and a middle of the pack seeding in the playoff picture.

This team needs to win more battles for loose pucks. Their team speed and tenacity is what propelled them to the Eastern Conference (I wish it was still Prince of Wales) championship last season. This season, it’s what’s costing them goals and games

But don’t fret, this is fixable. It doesn’t require a blockbuster trade. It might require a benching of the irritatingly soft Miroslav Satan, but we all knew what we were getting with him.

But seriously, it’s time to play with a little bit of desperation boys. It’s not to say they aren’t working hard, but there are lapses. Just shore that up, and mark my words, you will see an improvement.

Another point that has been beaten to death is bringing in a winger for Sid. Malkin has Sykora, Sid has...Tyler Kennedy and Pascal Dupuis? Look, I love both players to death, but they just don’t think the game on Sidney’s level.

If at all possible, bring someone in. We saw how Hossa clicked after a while here.

I feel it’s like surrounding Ben Roethlisberger with the current line he has. He’s a franchise quarterback, and obviously they are winning, but what could it be like if he wasn’t getting tattooed to the Heinz Field turf? Sure, Sid is in the top three in scoring, but what could it be like if he didn’t have some ham and eggers on his line every night. 

Other than that, you have to stay the course. This is still a large part of the team that took Detroit to six games last spring before bowing out. This is a team whose stars are barely old enough to drink, but locked up long term.

Coach Michel Therrien doesn’t need to go; Crosby’s leadership will shine through and they will be fine the rest of the season. But if they don’t start picking it up consistently, it might be an early exit from the playoffs.

These problems are nice to have. You know, worrying about playoff seeds instead of whether Rico Fata will change his number. Let’s not forget the Penguins of the early 2000s, my fellow fans. Your current edition of this team will be just fine.