Joined: Jun. 2021
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 442
I don't really know what I'd want to change with the Pens, to be honest. Crosby, Malkin, and Letang haven't seemed to slow down yet (I think Letang is actually on his best point pace right now), Jake has been exceptional again, our defense has looked much better than I would have expected, and I honestly think Jarry could be a Vezina contender if he keeps his play up.
Not everything is perfect. Rust, Zucker, and Kapanen have had streaks this season where they haven't really impressed, and while they've been better recently, I still wouldn't mind seeing more from them. Other than that, our power play hasn't been what it usually is, and I'm hoping that it gets better because it is usually one of the best. Then as mentioned earlier, we can't predict that we'll play well in the playoffs, especially Jarry. DeSmith hasn't performed particularly well this season, meaning Jarry is getting a lot of minutes. I don't want to see him overworked, I think that will cost the team in the long run. Maybe DeSmith can return to form as a solid backup, but if not Domingue looked good in the preseason and then carried us against San Jose this weekend.
But don't entirely think giving the most important guys on the ice all the credit is necessarily accurate. The Blueger line has still been really good defensively. I thought losing Tanev would hurt them more than it did (but I still miss him). Heinen hasn't exploded like ERod but he's still doing much better here than he did in Anaheim last year. I don't think anyone expected to see O'Connor in the NHL at all. But I think the most impact comes from Boyle. He's taken on a veteran presence and leadership role this season, and I think that's made much more of a difference than he's given credit for.