Forwards strengthen Pens' new season prospects
by Andrew McDermott
October 14, 2011
"It's a hockey night in Pittsburgh!" This familiar Mike Lange phrase captures the essence of Pittsburgh's hockey community. A diehard fan base and Pittsburghers’ expectations of a winning season have already put the pressure on the Pens to come home with nothing less than a Stanley Cup.
The Pens went undefeated this preseason, but can they translate that success into a winning season where it counts? Can they do it without the presence of superstar Sidney Crosby, who is out with a concussion? How can they make it to the playoffs without their star player? All these questions are looking to be answered, and so far the Pens have stood up to the challenge. How are they succeeding?
The Pens have one of the deepest groups of forwards in the NHL. Even without star player Sidney Crosby, the first line features Evgeni Malkin, who is coming off surgery for a torn ACL. Before he was hurt, he was one of the top five players in the league, and he has picked up this preseason where he left off. Also featured on this line are wingers Steve Sullivan and James Neal. Neal disappointed last season with only one goal in 21 games, but worked out over the summer and earned his spot on the first line. Winger Steve Sullivan signed onto the team this offseason from the Nashville Predators and is going to be counted on to provide veteran leadership.
The second line features center Jordan Staal, who is one of the best penalty killers in the league. Anchoring the wings are veterans Chris Kunitz and Tyler Kennedy. This line's goal is to dump the puck and throw their weight around, and Kennedy and Kunitz have no problem doing that or dropping the gloves. Kennedy may be the smallest player on the team, but he is also the fastest and toughest on the team. Look for him to have a breakout season this year.
The third line is anchored by center Mark Letestu, who hasn't been playing up to expectations this year. He moves slowly and some of the time doesn't even look as if he wants to be on the ice. The other players, Pascal Dupuis and Matt Cooke are making up for his deficiency, though. Dupuis is right up there with Kennedy in terms of fastest players on the team, and Staal and Dupuis are one of the best penalty killing-combos in the league. Cooke, on the other hand, has a nasty reputation on his back. He has been suspended more times than Joan Rivers has undergone plastic surgery. However, he has started to shed this reputation by proving that this year he can score goals with two in the net on opening night. On most other teams in the NHL, this combo would be a second line.
The fourth and final line belongs to the Penguin rookies and goons. Rookie Joe Vitale proved himself in the preseason and earned himself a role on the fourth line. He and veteran Richard "Speedy" Park will platoon playing center. The left wing slot is played by my favorite type of player on the team: the enforcer. The Pens added a new enforcer this season, Steve Macintyre. He drops the opposing players like a bad habit and has spilled more blood than a nurse at a blood drive. The last slot is filled by Craig Adams, a grinder who never stops playing and is one of the most underrated players on the team.
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