Pens beat Wild 4-1

Keep reminding yourself that this is only preseason......because it is......but allow yourself to get a little bit excited about the way Geno is playing, and what that could mean for this Penguins team. Malkin had a goal and 2 assists today, and was all over the ice, AGAIN. It is pure joy to see this Geno again! Another player who was just outstanding today was Kris Letang, he was confident in taking his shots, his shots were on net, and he had 2 assists tonight while playing a strong game on both ends of the ice. At what point do the Penguins have to consider the 10 game allowance that they have to evaluate junior eligible players with Joe Morrow. Morrow again looked like he could belong in this league sooner than later with a power play goal and an assist tonight. Morrow has 3 points in two games, and just looks goddamn COMFORTABLE out there logging big minutes and playing both the power play and penalty kill. This pick was criticized in some circles here this summer due to the Penguins' defenesive depth. Sorry folks, this pick is a winner, and that depth will lead to a deal to bring in that winger everyone is looking for. This kid just carries himself like a professional, and his confidence is quite impressive. On the note of the Penguins young defensive depth, Brian Strait also looked comfortable out there today, and added a goal for himself as well. Matt Niskanen has looked solid, and played very well today. Another guy that keeps making an impression is Joe Vitale. I think the Penguins need to keep Vitale on the big club as the fourth line center over Richard Park. Park is a 37 y/o solid PK player, but Vitale has played as well, and I like the youth and longer window Vitale brings to the Penguins. The play of Brad Thiessen in net has also been very impressive. He would not scare me if he had to come up for some games due to an injury to either Fleury or Johnson during the year. Some other statistics from today had the Pens' power play going for 4 for 6, while the PK unit killed 9 power plays from the Wild. It is SO early, but this Penguins team is just deep, talented, well organized, and well coached. There are a lot of talented teams in the Eastern Conference, so it it will not be a cakewalk, but I like what this team has shown us this year.