Might Penguins get late scheduling edge in Eastern Division race?
Here’s one thing the Penguins may have going for themselves as the 2021 NHL season rolls along.
They have yet to play what appear to be the two weakest teams in the tightly compacted Eastern Division.
And they won’t do so until March 11.
That’ll be the Penguins’ first game against the Buffalo Sabres, who have just four wins in 11 games so far. They are tied with the New Jersey Devils for last in the division with 10 points.
The Devils haven’t played since Jan. 31 because of covid concerns. They’ve completed only nine games so far this year.
Granted, the entire division has a chance to get fat off those two teams as the season progresses. But none more so than the Pens, who will get the Sabres and Devils eight times apiece between March 11 and May 8 — currently the last date of the season.
In other words, 16 of the Pens’ final 32 games (as the schedule is currently constructed) will feature the two last-place teams in the division.
So, if the Penguins have some ground to make up, the schedule may allow them to do it.
To date, the New York Islanders have played the Devils twice and Sabres once (a 3-1 win over Buffalo Monday). The Washington Capitals have played Buffalo four times (winning three and losing the other in a shootout), but they have not yet faced New Jersey. And Philadelphia has played the Devils and the Sabres twice each, going 3-1.
Those four teams are likely vying for the final three playoff spots in that division, along with the Boston Bruins who have already won 10 of their first 14 games.
Therefore, every divisional point is precious for the Penguins. Hence, it’s nice to know they may have a bunch on the table to cash in as the calendar moves to spring.
However, why not make life easier on themselves and just play good hockey now against the teams they are currently battling for one of the last spots in the East? The Penguins’ next nine games are all against the Islanders, Capitals and Flyers. That starts with Tuesday night’s game at PPG Paints Arena against Washington.
Brian Metzer of the Penguins Radio Network joins me to surf through the maze of a schedule. We also talk about the state of their goaltending, the health of the blue line and a hex or two the team was able to shed on Sunday against the Caps.
Plus, we celebrate our pending trip to “The Silence of the Lambs” house for our special Fayette County podcast. And we lobby for Iron Maiden’s induction into the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame.
Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.
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