In the system - Weekend round-up

The Penguins system consists of three teams, the Pittsburgh Penguins playing in the National Hockey League, the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins in the American Hockey League and the Wheeling Nailers in the East Coast Hockey League. This is a new feature that I'm looking to do at the end of each weekend as a round-up of the results and any news that has arisen. I like to discuss prospects and this is one of the ways of raising points.

This was a pretty good weekend with Pittsburgh beating the Islanders 5-2 at home. The Pens top offensive players in Letang, Malkin and Crosby are performing at a higher level than they were under Johnston and it is reflected in the goals being scored. Pittsburgh only scored five goals once under Johnston, the 5-1 win in San Jose on December 1st. They've trebled that under Sullivan.

Sidney Crosby has seen the biggest improvement in his play compared to his early season start and he is starting to perform more at a level that we are accustomed of seeing from him. The  Penguins have two tough games coming up though in a back-to-back with the Chicago Blackhawks, one of the top teams in the league. If the Penguins can continue their good performances against them then it bodes well for their future.

In the American Hockey League, the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins won both games at the weekend. Shortly after being sent back down Matt Murray starred in a 4-1 win over the Springfield Falcons. Murray's record against Springfield is staggering so to see them beaten again isn't surprising.

Wilkes-Barre won their second game of the weekend against the Hartford Wolfpack with debutant Casey Desmith getting his first AHL win in a 3-2 win. Desmith stopped 22 of 24 shots whilst Bryan Rust scored his 3rd of the season but Dominik Simon, a 2015 draftee has been making waves with 29 points in his first 32 games. Simon was drafted in the 5th round, 137 overall. He has played in pro leagues for the three previous seasons, so maybe it isn't that much of a surprise, even at his young age.

Lastly, the Wheeling Nailers with goaltender Franky Palazzese playing his 6th and 7th games in a row. Wheeling opened the weekend with a 5-1 win over Brampton, Jarrett Burton scoring twice on former Thrashers prospect, Eddie Pasquale. The win ended a run of 4 losses but the following night they returned to the losing column with a 5-3 loss against the Norfolk Admirals. Wheeling had a 2-1 lead late in the first through two Anton Zlobin goals but let in four straight.

Overall, a good weekend for the system with 4 wins from 5 games. I'll be interested to hear people's thoughts on this and what can be done to improve it. Constructive criticism is always welcome.