Pens make more roster moves   

By The Hack
In an attempt to create more offense from the third line the Penguins released Rico Fata and Konstantine Koltzov this week. In their place, Matt Hussey and Michel Ouellet were recalled from Wilkes Barre Scranton.

     The question is why is this team struggling to score goals? They have dropped drastically in power play goals since the beginning of November. What was once a top three man advantage unit has now fallen to a mediocre middle of pack. Edzo even went as far as moving Lemieux to the right wing for the PP against Washington.

     If not for the brilliance of Sidney Crosby this team would lack even more scoring punch. His backhand is already the rave. There isn't a player in the league that can pass and shoot as effectively as #87.

     In beating the Capitals this week the Pens scored early and often to win 5-4 but the victory was deceiving. Leading the game 4 -0 after one, Sebastien Caron gave up two soft goals and all the momentum switched to Washington. The Caps have the worst goals against average in hockey so the Pens output wasn't surprising. Sadly enough, neither was the Caps comeback.

     This team still can't put all the parts together. Caron is not a starting goaltender. Thibault is not confident at this part of the season either. Marc-Andre Fleury does not appear to be the answer  by the way the Pens are using him. He played well in a game against the highly ranked Flyers and was sent down the next night. This was supposed to be Thibault's year to guide him. We are 20 games in, if you don't see Fleury up and backing up Thibault by the 40th game it was a waste to bring the former Blackhawk here.

     The Pens visit Florida for a two game road trip before coming home on Tuesday against the Sabres. If the trend continues , they should handle the Panthers, who are on a losing streak and lose to the superior Tampa Bay Lightning.

      The next ten games will be interesting to watch because of  the impending trades that must come after all of the minor league call ups have run dry. This team needs to be at or close to .500 by the half way point or more changes will happen.