Pittsburgh...We Have a Problem!

The woes have reached new heights for Sid the Kid and the Penguins

What in the world is going on in Pittsburgh? It wasn't bad enough that Sid the Kid and Malkin blew a 2-0 lead en route to a 6-2 Toronto Maple Leaf win but for Pittsburgh to fire their coach so far into the season? The result was the Penguins continuing on their spiraling course losing to the NHL-worst N.Y. Islanders in a shootout. Things are not sunny in Pittsburgh as the Penguins have gone 4-4-2 in their last 10 games and are 4 points out of the last spot in the playoffs. What happened to a team that just one year ago was flying high into the Stanley Cup Finals?

Well, losing players like Marian Hossa did not help matters. Crosby has become increasingly individualistic and complains about every call made on the Pens. Malkin is still a phenominal player but no where near where he was a year ago. Goaltending has been ok but too close to 3.00 goals per game. The question on everyones mind is will they correct their course under new coach Dan Bylsma and make the playoffs? Only time will tell.

The good news for Penguin fans is they have enough time to correct the ship. I honestly don't think it was Therrien's fault the Penguins were headed in the wrong direction. You can put most of the blame on the team itself. Crosby, Malkin and company tend to work as individuals and not as a team. An example of a great player working with his team and making it work is in Washington D.C. with Alex Ovechkin. He puts up great stats but his team also puts up the stats to back him up. It's not the Ovy-Backstrom show. It's the entire team working toward a common goal and that is what makes it work.

The Penguins have to go back to the drawing board. Teamwork and chemistry must prevail for them to get back into their playoff groove of last season. It can be done but egos need to be checked at the door for the good of the team. Otherwise, the only Penguins you'll see will be in 'Madagascar' not the NHL playoffs.