PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) – Sports Illustrated NHL senior writer Michael Farber takes Vinnie & Cook for a skate around the NHL on Sportsradio 93-7 The Fan.

Farber, like most around the league, is scratching his head over the Pittsburgh Penguins’ two-game losing streak, and he offers up his critique.

“The Penguins in their own zone are just not very good,” he says. “You can work hard, but if you’re not working smart, and you don’t really play well on your own end, it’s something that has to be addressed by Dan Bylsma, [Penguins assistant coach] Todd Reirden, and the whole organization. There might be more serious problems than just not showing up for a night or two.”

Farber is based in Montreal, and he gives the inside scoop on how the Canadiens have turned things around from a dismal 2011-12 season.

“It’s a competitive team,” he said. “Last season was a debacle. Honest to God, this team was a couple of VW Beetles short of a clown college. It was humiliating, way past embarrassing.”

Farber also looks at Penguins General Manager Ray Shero’s drafts, the Penguins’ commitment to defense, and the Chicago Blackhawks’ amazing start.