The March of the Penguins Starts Friday
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Friday evening sees the Pittsburgh Penguins travel to play the Carolina Hurricanes in their 2007-08 NHL season curtain raiser. Last season the Flightless Ones improved their point total by a massive 47 points and qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2001. Although their quick exit from the playoffs at the hands of the Ottawa Senators was somewhat of a disappointment the team showed a great deal of character and hope for the future.
Time to look at what the Pens will bring to the NHL this season.
Offensively the Flightless Birdies should be once again one of the most prolific offenses in the league. The offense is led of course by Sidney Crosby who was the league's top scorer and MVP for 06-07. In order to help in the goal scoring department the club went out and signed free agent winger Petr Sykora who will be playing on the top line with Sir Sid. Playing on the other wing with Crosby apparently will be second year man Jordan Staal. Staal proved he belonged in the NHL last season and even led the Penguins in shorthanded goals last season. With his size and reach in front of goal I picture Staal opening up a lot of ice for Crosby to exploit with the help of Sykora. The Penguins offense doesn't stop with the first line though. Calder Trophy winner Evgeni Malkin leads the second line. Malkin seemed a bit lost in the playoffs against Ottawa last season but I expect he will return to his regular season form and even improve. The offense also has veteran leadership through Mark Recchi and Gary Roberts. Roberts quickly became a fan favorite with his physical style of play the only worrying thing is that how can the 41 year old keep that pace up for the entire season.
The defensive corps was a surprise last season as well. The Penguins have Sergei Gonchar, Ryan Whitney and newly added free agent Darryl Sydor to lead the way in the puck passing and breakout game. Whitney had a breakout season last year and showed that he may be the leader of this group for years to come. The defensive balance comes through Mark Eaton and Brooks Orpik. Eaton was very steady in his own end and Orpik always known for his physicality improved on his puck handling as well. Young rookie Kristopher Letang did not make the team and will start in Wilkes-Barre Scranton. He did have a rough preseason and perhaps a little seasoning in the AHL will see him make a quick return.
The goaltending in firmly in the hands of Marc-Andre Fleury. I expect him to play well over 60 games this season, barring injury. His play will be very important this season and every year he has improved with last season being proof. He did not over commit last season whilst in goal as he had in earlier seasons.
Some intangibles are that now with the naming of Sidney Crosby as the NHL's youngest captain this team is now his. His leadership will be vital on the ice to keep the squad moving together. The Penguins also gathered a great deal of points from shootouts last season, once again shootout specialist Eric Christensen will be called upon to make the most of his opportunities in this area.
The NHL and the Penguins are back and this young team could be one of the most entertaining in all of sport. Hopefully the team will advance further than they did last year but with the Rangers and Flyers improving it will be tough but I think the Flightless Ones will soar.
