PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – According to CBS Sports, the Pens are not a playoff team.
In their latest NHL power rankings, writer Austin Nivison dropped the 11-10-3 Pens NINE spots from the previous week to 22nd overall. He criticizes the team’s lack of scoring from forwards other than Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jake Guentzel.
Only two Metropolitan Division teams are ranked below the Pens, the 10-win New York Islanders (who are ahead of the Pens by two points in the Metro standings) and the 8-14-5 Columbus Blue Jackets. The Kings, Rangers, Bruins, Stars and Winnipeg are the top five. Other Eastern conference teams ahead of the Pens-Carolina-7, Florida-8, Toronto-12, Tampa Bay-13, Flyers-14, Washington-16, New Jersey-17.
The Pens are at Tampa Bay for the second time in a week Wednesday night at 7p. The Pens beat the Lightning on November 30, 4-2, the only win since November 25. Tristan Jarry scored a goal in that game and will start in net again Wednesday.