What a difference 19 days makes

Back on March 11th I wrote a post called Ramblings where I talked about the Penguins' needs related to defense and penalty kill v the much requested "winger for Sid."  Well on the 30th of March, despite adding two hard core, if a little long in the tooth, wingers to the team and a defenseman who adds some great PK skills and a much needed net front nastiness, the numbers have changed dramatically.  Mind you, I don't think it is so much the trades, though both Morrow and Iginla will add to the defensive abilities in the forward group, much of the improvement occurred pre-trades.  I assume that if the team stays healthy, the defensive numbers are likely to only improve.  The Penguins riding 3 straight shutouts and a 11 game run where they are giving up less than one goal per game have dramatically improved their statistics in key team areas.  On March 11th, the Penguins were 21st in the league in goals against at 2.92 goals per game against, and as of tonight they are now 4th in the league in that category at 2.33 goals per game allowed.  By the way they are still first in the league in goals for at 3.36 goals for per game, down a bit from the 3.65 goals per game as noted on March 11th.  The Penguins now own a whole month of March without a loss, an NHL record, and their 15 game unbeaten streak they are currently on is secondly only to the 17 game streak the 1992-93 Penguins were on.  Of the past 11 games there have only been two where Pittsburgh has given up more than one goal, and those were both 2 goal games.  Utterly stunning transformation in defensive responsibility.  The penalty kill has improved from 22nd to 16th going from 78.8% to 81%, but looking much more like a key to victory v a reason for losing.  The two extended 5 on 3's recently killed may have been two of the most impressive periods of Penguins hockey I have seen in quite some time.  Though the power play has cooled from 27 plus percent to just over 23%, it is still third in the NHL, and can be quite lethal.  The recent additions should only improve the team and its options in that area also.  Fleury was 24th in GAA at 2.71 GPG and 29th in save percentage at .902.  He is now 12th in GAA at 2.24 GPG and he is now tied for 14th with a .918 save percentage.  Add to that Tomas Vokoun is now 7th in the NHL with a save percentage at .922 and 16th with a 2.33 GAA after pitching 7 straight periods of shutout hockey.  In short, there is a lot of hockey left to be played and the Penguins are getting hit hard by the injury bug as I feared with Paul Martin out 6 weeks or so with a hand injury, Letang out 10 days with a foot injury, and the status of Sidney Crosby's jaw and head uncertain after taking a puck to the face from Brooks Orpik today.  But you also see a tremendous amount of resolve and battle level at all times from this deeply balanced team, and if they can stay off of the injury list, they sure do have the swagger of a championship caliber team.  I am going to try to just enjoy the ride and hope that the additions of two NHL captains who fill offensive, defensive and grit issues in the top 9, and a big physical defenseman will put this highly skilled, but recently underperforming post season team over the top.  LETS GO PENS!!