Blueline Beat: 11/29/11-12/7/11 and November Stats

The Pens defense has gone through some rough times as of late. Lovejoy has been out since the beginning of November. Letang and Michalek have both suffered recent concussions. Engelland left the game against the Hurricanes with a lower body injury. The Pens had to call up Robert Bortuzzo, Alex Picard, and Simon Despres from the Baby Pens, who have held their own coming into a difficult situation. Here's my recap from the past few games, followed by statistics from November.

Pens vs. Rangers: 11/29 (L 4-3)

-Martin earned his eighth assist on Neal's goal.

-Engelland earned his seventh assist on the goal scored by Dupuis.

-With Michalek and Letang out for this game, Picard and Bortuzzo got the callup.

-Both Niskanen and Engelland had a strong game despite the loss.

-Fleury stopped 26 out of 30 shots.

-Martin and Picard led the team with three blocked shots apiece.

-Engelland and Martin led the defense with two shots on goal apiece.

-Martin led in ice time with 23:31.

Pens vs. Capitals: 12/1 (W 2-1)

-Picard was sent back down to Wilkes-Barre and Simon Despres got the callup for his NHL debut. For his first game he gave a good effort and did not make mistakes.

-In his first NHL game, Despres got an assist on the goal from Kunitz.

-In the midst of the injuries Martin has started to step up his game and played well in this one. Engelland also played another strong game.

-The team overall held the Capitals to only 17 shots on goal, which is the lowest number of shots on goal the Capitals have had on the Penguins in their history.

-Martin earned the first star in this game.

-Fleury stopped 16 of 17 shots.

-Engelland led the team with four blocked shots.

-Niskanen led the defense with two shots on goal.

-Martin led in ice time with 28:11

Pens vs. Hurricanes 12/3 (W 3-2)

-Martin earned his ninth assist on Asham's goal.

-Niskanen earned his fifth assist on the goal from Dupuis.

-Engelland left the game after the second period with what was described as a "lower body injury."

-Martin again was strong in this game, and Orpik played a very physical game.

-Johnson stopped 30 of 32 saves. Most notably he made a huge save at the end of the game when the Pens were killing the Hurricanes' 5 on 3 to stop the Hurricanes from tying the game.

-Orpik led the team with three blocked shots.

-Niskanen led the defense with three shots on goal.

-Martin led in ice time with 27:50.

Pens vs. Bruins: 12/5 (L 3-1)

-There were no points from defensemen in this game.

-Fleury stopped 24 out of 27 shots.

-Niskanen and Picard led the defense with one blocked shot apiece.

-Niskanen led the defense with two shots on goal.

-Martin led in ice time with 29:43.

November Stats

Leader of each category will be bolded.

Letang

11 GP

Points: 2G 6A (total of 19 for season)

SOG: 31

BS: 14

Hits: 24

Average Ice Time: 26:22

(+/-) even (+5 for season)

Orpik

12 GP

Points: 2G 1A (4 points on season)

SOG: 7

BS: 19

Hits: 42

Average Ice Time: 22:25

(+/-) +1 (+4 on season)

Martin

12 GP

Points: 0G 5A (9 points on season)

SOG: 11

BS: 24

Hits: 4

Average Ice Time: 22:31

(+/-) -5 (-7 on season)

Michalek

4 GP

Points: 0G 1A (4 points on season)

SOG: 5

BS: 16

Hits: 3

Average Ice Time: 20:21

(+/-) -3 (-8 on season)

Engelland

12 GP

Points: 1G 5A (8 points on season)

SOG: 16

BS: 13

Hits: 25

Average Ice Time: 16:02

(+/-) +3 (+4 on season)

Niskanen

11 GP

Points: 0G 1A (6 points on season)

SOG: 14

BS: 5

Hits: 13

Average Ice Time: 17:27

(+/-) +4 (+9 on season)

Lovejoy

1 GP

Points: 0G 0A (1 point on season)

SOG: 1

BS: 1

Hits: 3

+1 on season

Bortuzzo

2GP

Points: 0G 0A

SOG: 1

BS: 0

Hits: 1

(+/-) +1 (+2 on season)

Picard

7 GP

Points: 0G 0A

SOG: 4

BS: 6

Hits: 2

Average Ice Time: 12:44

(+/-) +5 (+4 on season)

Let's hope the injury bug leaves the defense soon so we get our starters back. Thanks for reading and GO PENS!