With the 2011-12 season rapidly approaching, the gang at PHT decided to take a look at all 30 NHL teams’ schedules. Each team’s highs and lows will be studied in detail to give you an idea of what the future might hold for each squad.
Note: Mileage figures via On the Forecheck’s “Super Schedule.”
Pittsburgh Penguins schedule analysis
Total mileage: 33,439 (fourth lowest in the NHL, third highest in the Atlantic Division)
Back-to-back games: 15
Toughest stretches
The Penguins schedule starts off in remarkably balanced way. They play three games on the road, then three at home, followed by two away games and two games in Pittsburgh and then they alternate solo games. That seems fitting, since there aren’t a lot of marathon runs at home or away.
Generally speaking, though, the Penguins’ tougher part of the schedule comes in the first half.
Starting with a home-and-home with the Islanders in late October (Oct. 25 at the Islanders, Oct. 27 at home) the Penguins play seven of 10 games on the road. Late November is tough as well, as they play six of seven (including four in a row) away from Pittsburgh, with their sole home game coming against the defending champion Bruins on Dec. 5.
Again, the second half of the year should be more promising for Pittsburgh, but a late January/early February stretch could present one more hurdle. They’ll play five of six on the road, including four consecutive away games to begin February.
Easiest periods
The first strong run of games begins with a Dec. 13 home game against the Red Wings. The Penguins will play eight of 11 games at the Consol Energy Center during a run that bridges into 2012.
Pittsburgh could really being a lovely run in February, though. Beginning with a Feb. 21 game in which they host the Rangers, the Penguins will play three games at home, two on the road and then four more at home.
Don’t be surprised if they make a mad rush in the end of the season, either. The Penguins’ final 11 games look like this:
March 20: home vs. Winnipeg
March 22: home vs. Nashville
March 24: away vs. Ottawa
March 25: home vs. New Jersey
March 27: home vs. NY Islanders
March 29: away vs. NY Islanders
March 30: away vs. Buffalo
April 1: home vs. Philadelphia
April 3: away vs. Boston
April 5: home vs. NY Rangers
April 7: home vs. Philadelphia
Playing eight of their last 11 games at home is nice, but the context makes that closing set even better. They’ll play against division opponents six times, with just one of those contests being a road game. All but one of the 11 contests are against Eastern Conference teams, too, so they can gain ground with that end schedule.
Overall outlook
The Penguins’ schedule seems pretty balanced and manageable. Again, it seems like they’ll probably make their biggest gains in the last couple months of the season, especially in their final 11 games.
Like their Atlantic Division rivals, their travel schedule is relatively light and their back-to-back games total is reasonable. Ultimately, the Penguins have a lot of things up in the air, but their schedule shouldn’t be a reason to bet against them.