Top 5 reasons why the Pens are winning (outside of Sidney Crosby)

 The Pittsburgh Penguins currently have the 2nd best record in the NHL. Sidney Crosby's play has actually put hockey in the A block of Sportscenter, WAHOO! The Penguins have the highest goal differential in the entire league. Much of that credit goes to the points leader, Mr. Crosby, but this team's success is much deeper than that. Here are the top 5 reasons why the Penguins have earned a point in 17 of their last 19 contests.

AP

 1. Chris Kunitz

General Manager Ray Shero might be looked at as a Grinch of some sort in southern California after stealing Chris Kunitz and Eric Tangrady for fan-favorite and young defensive man Ryan Whitney.

(Quick Quiz: Tell me what team Whitney currently plays for and get an extra stocking stuffer this Christmas!)

He has yet to be the playmaking, All-Star caliber winger that the Penguins seemingly need year in and year out. With that being said, year has taken a turn for the better. Specifically with him setting up Sid and not the other way around, in all totaling 22 assists so far this campaign. His 1 goal in the last month is worrisome, but he is still generating plenty of scoring chances. There is finally real chemistry between him and #87 which makes every line behind them that much better.

2. The 3^rd Line

No Staal, No problem. The new generation has certainly played its part this season. Call it the buzz line, the energy line, the young and the festivus (Happy Festivus everyone!), or just call it a line that is producing. Mark Letestu, Chris Conner and Tyler Kennedy are clicking on all cylinders. They certainly do not bring the intimidation factor and elite forward play that Matt Cooke and Jordan Staal brought to the 3^rd line last year, but they have impressed.

Dec. 22, 2010. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Letestu has been consistent all season and Head Coach Dan Bylsma knows what he can get from Kennedy. Conner has been the biggest surprise and has earned his ice time. He logged over 15 minutes 2 of the last 3 games and that number should keep increasing. There must be something special about the Pens and the ability for their 3^rd line to work the cycle no matter who is on the line. Jordan Staal will eventually make his return to the lineup which will force some changes on this team and possibly the third line. The way they are playing right now, these three kids are here to stay.

3. Marc-Andre Fleury

When Crosby is asked about the recent tear the Penguins have been on, he is quick to bounce the attention off himself and stick it on his goaltender. After a miserable start to the season, Marc-Andre has strung together a Fleury of wins which has dipped his GAA to a respectable 2.30. Pittsburgh has the best penalty kill in the league and that falls directly on the French-Canadian’s shoulders. Monday, he was the catalyst that turned away 8, yes 8, Coyote power plays, enabling the Penguins to cruise to a 6-1 victory. The difference between his early season struggles and him winning 12 of his 13 is his confidence. When a goaltender is challenging shooters at the top of the crease, poke checking pucks when a forward has a free release or gloving down wicked snipes behind a wall of screens…then you know he is feeling it. That paints a daunting picture for the rest of the Eastern Conference.

4. The defense outside of Kris Letang

No disrespect to the future All-Star, but he clearly is getting the recognition that he deserves. (Hello leader in AS votes amongst defensemen as a write-in!) His improved discipline and ability to finish easily makes him the top Norris candidate at this point.

It’s the other defensemen that deserve a whole lot of credit. Along with Letang, Alex Goligoski, Paul Martin and Brooks Orpik all have plus/minus ratings at plus 10 or better. The versatility of this core is what makes them one of the league’s best. Zbynek Michalek physicality in front of the net is the perfect compliment to Paul Martin’s two-way skills. Goligoski has been overshadowed by Letang’s emergence, but he is finally coming into his own as well. He is on pace for 15 goals and lately it looks like he went to the Evgeni Malkin school of skating.

Depth and adaptability are the reasons why this unit has held 12 out of the last 14 opponents to 2 goals or less.

5. Drum roll please…

Sidney Crosby!

You were lied to and deceived. Probably a similar feeling to when you learned that Santa Claus was not real. Two things are for sure though, any team would love to have Sidney Crosby under their tree and the destruction he is on is something that this league has not seen in a long, long time. His scoring streak has now reached 22 games. He is on pace for 65 goals and nearly 140 points. Sidney is averaging 1.70 points per game in a league in which teams are averaging just 2.80 goals per game. He is clicking in all facets of the game. His Lemieux like faceoff win and assist Monday night was a thing of beauty. With Staal out of the lineup and Malkin battling injury and disappearing problems, the C stitched on his jersey has never meant for and he has not disappointed.

He leads the league in goals, second in assists, first in points, second in power play goals, first in forward’s plus/minus and right now by far the best player in the league. With a point tonight against the Capitals, he will have the longest point streak in 18 years, back when Mats Sundin was lighting the lamp for the Maple Leafs eh.

Should he be mentioned with #99 and #66? That question may never be answered. But one thing is for sure, his point streak will be mentioned more times than that yearly question of who is better, Crosby or AO. Because right now, that is no question at all.

Honorable Mention: Geno the Machino who is healthy again and playing like it.

(Bonus Answer: Ryan Whitney currently plays for the Edmonton Oilers and is playing well for the Western Conference’s worst team)

Brought to you by Matt Aaron