Penguins Update: Will Depth Scoring Be an Issue?
I had planned to write an article about our bottom six when I noticed Dave Molinari of Pittsburgh Hockey Now beat me to the punch (Here’s the Early Bottom Line on the Penguins’ Bottom-Six). But I figure, what the heck, the more the merrier. Here’s my take.
Through their first three games of the new NHL season, our Penguins have compiled some intriguing offensive stats. We’ve tallied 11 goals for a healthy average of 3.67 per game. Maintain that pace for a full season? We’d finish with exactly 300 goals, a mark exceeded by only the high-powered Oilers and Bruins last season.
However, it’s who’s doing the scoring that really grabbed my attention. All of our goals have come from our first and second lines.
As for our bottom-six forwards and defense? They’ve combined for zero, zip, nada goals.
In terms of points, 23 of our team total of 30 have been amassed by our top-six. Our defense has registered six points, all assists, three by Kris Letang. Our bottom-six forwards, a lone assist by Lars Eller.
Wowser.