Pens win again......top of the Division and Conference in sight

One thing you (and I) have to remember during a long hockey season is not to get too low when they are playing poorly, and not to get too high when they are on a streak. I can tell you though that this trying not to get too high thing is a lot more fun than trying not to get too low! The Penguins continued their hot play today, as they defeated the Flames at home by a score of 4-1 in front of Brent Johnson, who notched his 7th win of the season a day after Fleury notched his 8th. On that note in 7 of the past 9 games the Pens have held their opponents to two goals or less, a good sign for a defensive unit that is really beginning to jell. Some other notes:

Chris Kunitz is playing his best hockey since becoming a Penguin, as he and Crosby seem to be in a zone together. Kunitz led the team today with 7 shots, and his play on Crosby's 2nd goal was just plain spectacular;

Deryk Engelland brings far more to the team as the 6th defenseman than Ben Lovejoy. His physical play, and toughness are far more valuable than another less talented puck moving defenseman. Engelland led the team in blocked shots today with 6;

The penalty kill went 4 for 4 today, leads the NHL at 90.2%, has 29 straight kills and is 47 for 49 in the month of December. It is tough to be much better than that;

The power play is still a weakness but it is improving with 6 power play goals in the past 5 games;

The third line of Connor, Letetstu and Kennedy has been fun to watch and very effective playing Bylsma's puck possession game and wearing the other team down;

I loved seeing Asham get back on the board today and still think that until Staal comes back the second line should be Asham, Cooke and Malkin, with Talbot back on the 4th line;

Michalek and Martin get more and more comfortable and effective with each game;

Kris Letang had 3 assists to take his season total to 22 points, which ties him for the NHL lead in scoring for defensemen. In addition his 22 points ties him with Evgeni Malkin for 2nd place on the team, and he is a plus 11. Finally, he is on a pace to eclipse the offensive production of Gonchar's best years as a Penguin, and he is far better defensively;

And what more can you say about Sidney Crosby right now. Jarome Iginla stated that he felt that Crosby is just the best player in the game right now given his scoring, faceoffs, and backchecking. Crosby's hat trick gave him his 199th, 200th, and 201st career goals and put in first place in the NHL in scoring with 40 points. He is also second in the league in goals with 18, just two behind league leader Steven Stamkos. Crosby now has 18 goals and 22 assists in 25 games, and he was absolutely dominant today;

The Penguins have been playing a lot like the team I thought they were lately, and it sure is fun to watch. After a rough start, the Penguins with 32 points are third in the entire league behind Philadelphia and Washington each with 34! I have to believe that Mike Comrie is pretty much finished as a Penguin, and that is as it should be. I hope we can pound the Rags in New York on Monday night, and I expect to see Engelland and the Boogeyman have a go so tune in!