“Why not us?”
Seven months ago Mike Sullivan greeted returning players to training camp with those three words. Despite all the doubts that the Pittsburgh Penguins wouldn’t win back-to-back Stanley Cups, they pulled off the impossible and became the first team since 1997-98 to repeat. The 2018 Penguins find themselves in a familiar situation; returning to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Only naturally are they up against their cross-state rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers.
So why not the Penguins? Going into this season, the Penguins were still celebrating their second Stanley Cup in as many years and on the hunt for their third. With an extremely slow start to their year, they found themselves on the outside looking in towards the halfway point. December was looking disastrous for the team, with any hope of a three-peat out the door.
Something had to change.
This year it wasn’t the coach. Sullivan has had the same belief that this team can succeed since day one. He knew something would happen that could wake this team up.
I wrote an article at the end of December claiming that it’s not surprising this team has struggled. Losing significant players like Marc-Andre Fleury and Chris Kunitz paired with the large number of games the team has played in over two years was the “Stanley Cup hangover” finally taking over.
The Penguins definitely proved that their hangover wasn’t a serious one.
Just like any great team, their superstars came to life. Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby, and Phil Kessel all ranked within the top 10 of point-getters since Jan. 1. The team managed to go 28-11-3, were fourth in points and first in goals for since Jan. 1, an important factor heading into the playoffs where goalscoring can be scarce.
During the trade deadline, the Penguins added even more goalscoring strength and depth with Derick Brassard. He ranks third in playoff points in the Eastern Conference since the start of 2013 (only naturally behind Crosby, Malkin and ahead Kessel).
This playoff season may end up in disappointment compared to others from the last few years, but there are significant feats that could be accomplished. Matt Murray is going for his third Stanley Cup in his sophomore season, the two-headed monster goes for their fourth, and Kris Letang who missed all of last postseason after neck surgery is back to fight for his fourth.
As for the Penguins-Flyers matchup this year. It’s quite tame compared to the past, but the Penguins have come away this season winning all four matchups along the way. Such storylines intertwining like Murray vs. Elliot, Crosby vs. Giroux, Malkin vs. Voracek, speed vs. grit will be huge factors. The reality is the Pennsylvania rivalry is one of the intense in all of the NHL and the hatred that possesses these teams during the postseason will leave you on your feet.
