The biggest problems facing the Penguins ... besides the power play. Oh, and the power play.

At 5-4-1, things could be worse for the Pittsburgh Penguins. But they aren’t great.

During Wednesday’s“Breakfast With Benz” podcast, Penguins Radio Network host Brian Metzer and I spent a lot of time drilling down on the problems facing the power play.

But that’s not where the analysis needs to stop. The Pens are on a break that started after Monday night’s loss to the New York Rangers. And they won’t resume play until Saturday’s game against the New York Islanders. That’s thanks to covid-19 issues surrounding the New Jersey Devils which forced the postponement of two games this week.

So hopefully the team has used this break to work on a few issues that have been hanging over the franchise during this inconsistent start to 2021.

TribLive Penguins beat writer Seth Rorabaugh joined me for Thursday’s podcast to take a look at a few.

1. Goaltending: At .896 Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith have combined for the second-worst 5-on-5 save percentage in the NHL. Only Ottawa’s — with former Penguins goaltender Matt Murray — is worse. Jarry’s -6.75 goals saved above average is 57th in the league, only better than Murray’s (-10.21) and that of fellow Ottawa netminder Marcus Hogberg (-7.33).

DeSmith isn’t much better in that department at minus -2.62, 48th in the league.

When the team returns against the Islanders, I’d start Jarry and hope he is getting back into the rhythm he had at the start of last season. A run that earned him an All-Star bid. But DeSmith should be used quickly if Jarry struggles.

Just understand that if the Penguins end up turning to DeSmith as a full-time starter, that’s probably a sign that a veteran goalie should be acquired if this team has plans of doing anything in the playoffs. Or even making them.

“When I look at Casey DeSmith, he puts together two or three good games. And then maybe that adrenaline wears off for him if he is in there for any prolonged time,” Rorabaugh said. “Not that Tristan Jarry has given them much faith to this point. But DeSmith, based on what I’ve seen in his career, the ceiling for him is to be a backup. He’s a very fine backup. I just don’t ever see him contending to be a ‘1-A’ like we’ve seen with Matt Murray and Marc-Andre Fleury. Or Murray with Jarry.”

2. Getting the defensemen healthy: Marcus Pettersson, Kris Letang, Brian Dumoulin and Mike Matheson are all injured, and John Marino has been added to NHL’s covid-19 protocol list. So when are they coming back?

“Matheson is rounding into shape and getting close,” Rorabaugh said. “He’d be a welcomed sight because he is a left-handed defenseman. He’s kind of close to getting back to some game action.

“Letang’s status is day to day. So that’s good as opposed to some of the longer-term injuries they are dealing with. I would venture to guess one or two of their defensemen are on the verge of coming back on Saturday when they play the Islanders. But with this team, who knows.”

Check out this stat from Seth. The Pens have already used 11 defensemen in 10 games. The franchise record for a season is 15 back in 2000-01.

3. Hire a general manager: I don’t see an incredible rush to get things done fast here. The trade deadline isn’t until April 12. So long as the permanent general manager is in place about a month before that, temporary general manager Patrik Allvin can hold down the fort.

But Rorabaugh sees things getting done much faster than that.

“I would venture to say maybe within a week or two they’ll have a decision. They’re having some interviews. They’ve already done leg work in terms of getting permission for who to speak with.”

Hearing the #NYR and #NHLBruins have both granted permission for the #LetsGoPens to interview Chris Drury (NYR) and John Ferguson Jr. (BOS) for their vacant GM position. More coming tonight on Insider Trading on @SportsCentre.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) February 2, 2021

Rorabaugh confirmed those names as front office men who are on the Penguins’ radar, as well as Colorado assistant general managers such as Chris MacFarland. But Chris Drury has since pulled his name from consideration.

One scenario Rorabaugh doesn’t see playing out is Allvin holding the interim tag the rest of the year, then trying to hire former Penguins assistant general manager Tom Fitzgerald away from New Jersey.

“They want to have something done within the next few weeks. The ship has sailed on Tom Fitzgerald in that realm,” Rorabaugh added.

4. The power play: I said what I needed to say on this front Wednesday. But Seth is the poor guy who has to watch it every night and in practice. So, Seth, the floor is yours.

“They went away from that approach of just trying to get a shot and looking for a rebound or a tip. They went back to their instinctive play of looking for backdoor passes and seam passes. Looking for a fancier goal than what has been asked of them. I don’t know how (they) break out of it,” Rorabaugh said.

Yeah. Me neither.

You can hear our entire podcast here as we delve into other topics such as Pierre-Olivier Joseph’s quick ascent, more on the cobbled-together blueline and Patric Hornqvist’s fast start in Florida.