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NHL Power Rankings 2011, Week 2: Penguins Solidly In Top Ten

The Pittsburgh Penguins have not been the strongest team so far this Season, but that hasn't caused those around the Internet to lose faith yet.

I would never say that the Pittsburgh Penguins have flown out of the gate this year (you can make a flightless birds comment if you like) but they have been playing pretty solidly. And did I mention that Sidney Crosby got cleared for contact yesterday? That must be why they appear so high in NHL Power Rankings from around the Internet.

ESPN: No. 5

Earning five out of six points in Western Canada is a terrific start to the season, but Evgeni Malkin's sudden scratch Sunday night is an obvious concern.

Fox Sports: No. 4

Sidney who? The Pens scored 9 goals this weekend, even with Evgeni Malkin sidelined for a game. Eight different players found the back of the net for Pittsburgh in its western Canada excursion.

Sporting News: No. 10

The Sidney Crosby concussion saga drags on longer than anyone expected, but Evgeni Malkin’s return from a devastating knee injury provides hope in the Steel City.

CBS Sports: No. 3

 

Losing to Edmonton in a shootout probably wasn't the game you would have expected the Penguins to drop on their season-opening three-game road trip through Western Canada, but picking up five of a possible six points through Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton isn't a bad way to start the season. Especially with Evgeni Malkin missing the final game of the trip.

For more on the Penguins, be sure to check out PensBurgh.

Photographs by dizfunk used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.