Thoughts so far this season...

After watching the Penguins run there winning streak to four games with a pounding of the Flyers. I few things popped into my head.

• On the day the Pens lost the Draft Lottery for Ovechkin I was pretty bummed. After watching the Pens be the worst team for the previous 2 years in hopes of drafting him, they lost again. Now looking at it, they actually won by losing. The Pens because of that then had a better chance the next year of winning the Crosby lottery, which they did, and probably wouldn't have had they won the Ovechkin Lottery. Also by losing they were awarded the consolation prize of a kid named Evgeni Malkin. So which is better Ovechkin or Malkin/Crosby? Pretty easy answer so far.


• How many people would be happy with someone on the 1st line who has yet to score a goal? Well I have yet to hear anyone complain about the job Armstrong is doing along side of Crosby and Malkin and I for one am going to say at this rate I don't care if he scores all season. Armstong does all the stuff that Malkin and Crosby shouldn't be doing and allows them to make the plays they need to. Armstrong will stick up for his line mates by dealing with anybody who wants to take a cheap shot at Crosby or Malkin. Opponents also have to watch for him anytime he is on the ice because if they don't, he will make them pay with the big hit. Armstrong will score on that line but in no way should his job be in jeopardy.


• If the Pens return from the first West Coast trip in a few years with 3 points out of a possible 6, I would consider that a win for them. They should beat the Kings but the Sharks and Ducks are a different animal. Good showings against the latter two would do wonders for the confidence of the young Penguins and help them tremendously the rest of the season. It will also validate the their record so far this season.


• How is this for a Penguins turnaround this year? The Pens have already won 5 of 6 games against the Atlantic Division after on winning 12 of 32 last year. The Pens have score 27 goals of far this year against them. Their only lose this year coming against the Devils. The have also outscored the Flyers 12 - 2 in their first two games.