The Pittsburgh Penguins ended October in a surprising place: atop the NHL standings.
The Penguins won again on Thursday, closing out the month with a 4-1 road win over the Minnesota Wild. They finish October atop the Metropolitan Division with an 8-2-2 record and the most points in the NHL (18).
Pittsburgh was not expected to be so good this season after going 34-36-12 and finishing seventh in its division last year. However, the Penguins have started the season on fire, leading the NHL in goals scored (44) while allowing the seventh fewest (29).
By comparison, Pittsburgh ranked 18th in scoring and 29th in goals allowed last year, improving massively in both areas. New head coach Dan Muse seems to have lit a fire under the team as well.
The Penguins are clicking on offense. Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby are playing some of their best hockey in years, with Malkin leading the league in assists (14) and Crosby pacing the team in goals (eight). Newcomer Justin Brazeau has also provided a huge spark with 12 points in 12 games.
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Defensively, Pittsburgh’s goaltending has been outstanding, as Arturs Silovs and Tristan Jarry have both been terrific. They’ve saved 92.1 percent of shots on goal, are allowing just 2.39 goals per game and have recorded two shutouts.
Combined with their potent offense, that’s been a recipe for success for the Penguins, who will look to build off their strong start in November. They have a tough schedule to start the month with five games against the Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals, New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings (four of which are on the road), so that will be a tough test for them.
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If they keep playing well, that will reinforce their status as legit contenders this year.
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Featured image via Sam Navarro/Imagn Images