Fifteen: Pittsburgh (6th Metropolitan)

Pittsburgh has the top-tier players. They are thin on defense, I suppose, and that does cause problems. So far new coach Mike Sullivan hasn't provided an answer. Sidney Crosby C should rebound and have a sensational second half of the season - hope says this anyway. Ultimately, the forwards have to focus on their own end. There is time for this team to get it together and still make the playoffs.

Record: 15 - 14 - 3 33pts ( projected: 17 - 16 - 5 39pts)

Significant Injuries:
Kris Letang DSidney Crosby C (he returned Friday)

These are core players for the Pens. Any time missed is likely to cost them points in the standings. However, recent slumping is much bigger than these injuries.

Next Fifteen Days 12/21/2015 - 1/4/2015:
Monday Columbus visits
Saturday at Minnesota
Sunday at Winnipeg
Wednesday Toronto visits
Thursday at Detroit
Saturday New York Islanders visit

Pittsburgh needs this fifteen to be great and it very well could be. The only games they should lose here would be against Detroit and the Isles - and then, really, they need points in those two. All six teams believe they can frustrate the Pens and "steal" points from them.

6 out of 12pts

2 - 2 - 2

Last Fifteen Days 12/6/2015 - 12/20/2015:
LOSS 1 - 2 at Anaheim
WIN 4 - 2 at Colorado
LOSS 2 - 3 (OT) Los Angeles
LOSS 1 - 4 Washington
LOSS 0 - 3 at Boston
LOSS 2 - 6 Boston
LOSS 1 - 2 Carolina

1 - 5 - 1

3 out of 14pts

 

A terrible fifteen days for Pittsburgh and their fans. This is a solid group of teams but the way the Pens have lost is what makes this fifteen extra terrible. Well, and losing to Carolina and Anaheim should not happen.