SLAP SHOTS

Your Pittsburgh Penguins have given fans plenty to cheer in the early going this season. However, most true yinzers always cheer with bated breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Mrs. Black-N-Gold and her fellow puckheads have traveled this road with the Boys of Winter many times. While she loves what the Pens are doing she can't help but wonder, will the Pens ride this wave of success all the way to Lord Stanley's Cup or will the Pens be their own worst enemy? Considering the injuries this team has had to overcome they seem to be a team of destiny. Look out how one player after another goes down. And the Pens just keep bringing them up from Wilkes-Barre to plug the holes. But the Baby Pens are not just filling roster spots, they're gaining valuable NHL-playing time and contributing to the winning in the process. Of course, the big team's players have a say so in the matter, as well. C Sidney Crosby is playing out of his mind, leading the league with 65 points, 2nd in the NHL with 41 assists and 3rd overall with 24 goals. Then there is the Captain's linemate, W Chris Kunitz. Kuni is 5th in the league with 48 points and leads the NHL with a +23 differential. You also have C Evegeni Malkin, fresh off of IR, still 6th in the league with 33 assists. And don't forget G Marc-Andre Fleury and his league-leading 25 wins. All this has come as Coach Dan Bylsma recently became the winningest coach in franchise history. Needless to say, the Pens are amongst the best in the NHL in team statistics, too. They lead the Eastern Conference with 65 points. The dreaded Boston Rruins are #2 in the conference with 58 points. Meanwhile, the Pens are running away with the Metropolitan Division, leading the Philadelphia Cryers who are in 2nd place with 48 points. The stats keep piling up. the Pens are first overall on the power play at 25.7%, second on the penalty kill with an 88.8% clip, they are 4th in goals per game with 3.2 and 6th in goals against at 2.4. Their home record is a dominating 19-3-0. On the road, they're merely mortal at 13-9-1. These numbers are not out of the ordinary for the Pens this time of year. It's typically when the playoffs roll around that everything goes topsy turvy for the Pens. The question on every Pittsburgh puckhead's mind is, "Can the Pens keep up this pace?" You also have to consider the upcoming Olympics. Flower didn't make team Canada so he will get a nice, 2 week break. But will the layoff help or hinder his play? Sid and Kuni are expected to take Team Canada far. C Jussi Jokinen and D Olli Maata will represent Finland. Geno will get to play for his homeland, Russia. And D Brooks Orpik and Paul Martin are joining Coach Disco on Team USA. Heaven forbid anyone should be injured. And what of the players that will be sitting out the Olympics? Will they get rusty? Also, will the Pens still have their mojo working when they return from the break? So many questions to be answered. We just have to hold our breath and hope that the Pens, finally, have things figured out this year, that they know how to ride this train all the way to June. And I'm sure GM Ray Shero will look at possible trading partners at the deadline. Only this year, he won't tamper with team chemistry to force anything. Buckle your seat belts, Pens fans. It will be a wild ride. Let's Go Pens!!!