James Neal, Jordan Staal Impressing
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) — The Pittsburgh Penguins lead the NHL in points despite playing without captain Sidney Crosby.
They've also been without forwards Evgeni Malkin and Tyler Kennedy and defenseman Brooks Orpik for considerable time. Add to that a two-game suspension for defenseman Kris Letang, and it becomes even more impressive to see the Pens atop the NHL with a 6-2-2 record.
Much of that can be credited to forwards James Neal and Jordan Staal, who are pretty high up in some key statistical categories.
Going into tonight's games, Neal is tied for the NHL lead with eight goals and is 10th overall in points with nine. He tallied his eighth of the year at the 9:14 mark of the third period Saturday night against the Devils.
"I'm getting good shots off," Neal said Saturday night. "We got hemmed in, our line, a little bit but still found a way to make plays in their end and get some good shots off."
Jordan Staal is off to a strong start as well. He's fourth in the NHL in faceoff wins with 86 and is tied for 10th in hits with 22.
Staal scored his fourth and fifth goals against New Jersey, which puts him second on the team in goals (5) and points (8). The two tallies also gave Staal 100 goals for his career.
"The biggest thing you're seeing from him is his skating ability has opened (things) up for him, Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma said. "His speed wide, his power wide is creating different things for him, not only driving the net but also in the play-making ability.
"Holding on to the puck down low, he's such a big guy and if he holds on to the puck he can hold on to it for 10 seconds, 12 seconds down there, giving him the ability to make a play. That's where I thought he was outstanding (Saturday) and has been (this season). When he does that — skate and hold on to the puck — he's a force."
Other important stats:
- Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is second among all NHL goalies with five wins.
- Chris Kunitz and Craig Adams are also tied for 10th in the league with 22 hits.
- The Penguins penalty kill is tops in the NHL at a 97-percent efficiency rate.
- The power play is much improved from last year, clicking 20.9 percent of the time — good enough for eighth in the NHL.
