Where has Pittsburgh's Enforcer been this season? During a losing streak, teams usually find different ways to stirrup their opponents and turn the momentum in their favor. One way of doing so, is by getting your enforcers to get underneath the other players' skin. Some players are signed because of their toughness and ability to fight. One of these players, is Pittsburgh Penguins' Enforcer Eric Godard. Coming into Saturday, Eric Godard has not had a fighting major since October 10th whenever the gritty Toronto Maple Leafs were trying to make an impression on their fans that they will not be run over. However that wasn't the case and they weren't winning many games without the presence of Phil Kessel, whom they acquired from Boston in the offseason. Michael Rupp has 3 fighting majors this season. This explains his 29 Penalty Minutes. Eric Godard, has 17 Penalty Minutes, and 7 of them from the San Jose 5-0 loss. Eric Godard is getting paid to do nothing basically. He was brought in for a reason and that is to make sure that teams don't mess with Sidney Crosby or any of the rest of the Penguins. Michael Rupp is not an agile fighter. He has soft hands, something you can expect from a former 1st round pick. Michael Rupp, because of Jacque Lemair's system whenever he debuted in New Jersey was never able to develop into the potential star he was. But seeing him in Pittsburgh, it opens my eyes to many things about the underrated Michael Rupp. Yes, Rupp is a very gritty character, but the skill he has shown in scoring goals against teams this year is a reason we cannot afford to have him taking Fighting Majors and sitting in the Penalty Box for 5 minutes. During this injury plague that is going around, we need all the help we can get. Michael Rupp is on pace to easily score more than double his season high in goals (6). If I was a head coach in the league, and had a team that was plagued with injuries like the Penguins are, I would make sure the roleplayers are doing their job. Eric Godard is designated as the Pittsburgh Penguins enforcer. As a big fan of Eric Godard, I find it hard to question his recent games. But if you are playing only like 3 minutes a game, you need to make them count. You need to do what we rely on you for. If not, it would not be hard to throw in a player with more scoring potential to make up for the lack of goals the Penguins have been scoring. Not a day goes by that I don't think of ways for the Penguins to get back on the right track. But at least they are not the Carolina Hurricanes.
Big Step Backwards: Carolina Hurricanes
What a surprise Carolina has been this year. Last year, the Carolina Hurricanes were expected to be one of the teams that threatened other Eastern Conference teams to go back to the Stanley Cup. Fortunately as we all know, The Pittsburgh Penguins took the series from the Hurricanes and went on to win the Stanley Cup. So heading into this year, with goalie Cam Ward expected to be a top Vezina Trophy Contender (Top Goaltender) the Carolina Hurricanes had high expectations. But so far, these expectations have not been fulfilled. The Carolina Hurricanes are in the middle of a 14-game, yes 14 game losing streak. They just lost Superstar Cam Ward for a month due to leg lacerations. Manny Legace was signed by the team, and he fit in well with the 'Canes. He allowed 4 goals (excluding the Empty Netter) in his first game. However, you cannot blame the Hurricanes early season struggles on injuries. Cam Ward is the only hard hit they have taken so far this year. So what can you blame on the Hurricanes early season disappointments. Can you blame it on Eric Staal for being overrated? Possisbly. Grinder Jussi Jokinen actually leads the Hurricanes with 10 points in 17 games. Jussi Jokinen is not exactly someone who you would want leading your team in points because it pretty much means, your team is stuck. Ray Whitney is 37 years old and just played in his 1000th game. Maybe its time to give up and let the youth take over. This year, maybe a rebuilding year for Carolina if they continue to struggle. If by the trade deadline they are not in the hunt, look for them to be trading away players in return for younger players. All I can say is, I'm Glad i live in Pittsburgh.
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