Pieces to the puzzle.

When a team is losing and playing badly, it is so easy to look for a scapegoat or two and then reminisce on the days when we had a healthy lineup, all those few games. It is also quite easy to overlook some good performances because most people are just stuck thinking, "If (insert star injured player's name here) were in the lineup, he would have made that shot, made that empty net, blocked that pass, never would have turned the puck over, and so on and so on.

I've said it before and I will say it again, we are extremely lucky as Pens fans. Sure, we've had our share of ups and downs from bankruptcy, possible relocation, dismal seasons, but we have risen to such a great spot. We have some of the best hockey players in the world on our team and one of the best to ever play in the NHL as an owner.

While in our 6-game losing streak, it was tough to see the good at times. It's not easy to see the good when you are focusing on what needs to be fixed and just thinking, "Would this be happening if we had a healthy lineup?"

Now that the losing streak is over and the Pens have won 3 in a row now, it's time again for people to realize how well players are playing and how some are contributing in ways that may not be so blatantly obvious to the casual fan.

First, it is plain to see who is playing spectacularly for the Pens at the moment. None other than Evgeni Malkin. He is a force to be reckoned with on the ice and unstoppable at most times. The fact that we have our captain, our best player, out with concussion symptoms and we have another player who would be the main star on pretty much any other team still to rely on is one example of how we are so lucky.

Everyone has also noticed the play of James Neal as well. After a disappointing goal output with the Pens after the trade to end last season, Neal has met and exceeded the expectations the Pens had when they traded for him. Neal has been scoring big goals and leads the NHL with the most power play goals. It is obvious that Neal has been a major piece of the puzzle this season.

Goals and points are what most base a good player on. Yes, those players who score a ton of goals and rack up the points are important to a team and we sure know that, but we also are aware that it is other factors also that help a team become a success. Sometimes, it's those players who continuously give up their body to block shots, or the players who draw the penalties, or the players who deliver the hits that halt a play, or those players we rely on to win those crucial face-offs or good back-checking, whatever it is, it's more than just goals and assists that make a good team great.

We have a number of players who step up and play their best but their efforts may go unnoticed by some. One of those players is Brooks Orpik. Pittsburghpenguins.com writer Sam Kasan wrote a great piece on how Orpik is an unsung hero of the team. Link available by clicking on title of post.
For Orpik, it can be a strong defensive play or a hit that can change a game and he does these things often. The physical presence Orpik brings to the game is an asset to this team and can help change the outcome of games, without scoring a goal or getting an assist. As the team member who has been here the longest, Orpik is a leader on and off the ice. Piling up the hit totals and being strong defensively, you better believe Brooks Oprik is an important part of the team who helps the Pens win. Without him, the Pittsburgh Penguins puzzle would be incomplete.