Can the Pittsburgh Penguins Win Back-to-Back Stanley Cups?

The Pittsburgh Penguins are only 12 wins away from another possible Stanley Cup championship.

Right now, they await their second round opponent after eliminating the Ottawa Senators in six games.

They look as committed to winning as ever, but at the same time, they are the team everybody wants to beat.

Can the Penguins once again hoist Lord Stanley? Just like every other scenario in the Stanley Cup playoffs, there are reasons why they will and will not be victorious this June.

Why the Penguins Will Repeat

Been There, Done That

Eighteen players on the Penguins’ current roster were members of the 2008-2009 championship squad. This group surely hasn’t forgotten the amazing end to the '08-09 regular season that helped them get to the playoffs to begin with. They went through tough games in the playoffs together and found ways to bounce back and eventually win the Cup.

Furthermore, three of the team’s key players (Sidney Crosby, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Brooks Orpik) were Olympic medalists this year, so they gained even more experience playing on one of the biggest stages in hockey.

Superstar Treatment

It is undeniable that the Pens boast some of the best players in the game. Sidney Crosby has already won some of the league’s highest honors, including the Art Ross and Hart trophies, and also clinched this year’s "Rocket" Richard trophy. Evgeni Malkin was last year’s playoff MVP, and Jordan Staal is a Selke nominee for his performance this season.

Not only do the Penguins have the superstars, they also have players who may not get as much attention but still step it up when it counts. Craig Adams only put up 10 points in the regular season but has two points in six playoff games. Max Talbot was the hero of the 2009 Cup Final with two goals in Game Seven, and the Penguins are 10-0 when he scores in postseason games.

Home Ice Advantage

While the Penguins are not guaranteed home ice advantage throughout their playoff run, the Mellon Arena is still a special place to play. The Penguins rarely lose in the playoffs at home and feed off the energy of their sellout crowds—a streak that stands at over 150 games.

Furthermore, this is the last season “the Igloo” will be in use, so Penguins fans and players would have no problem winning a repeat championship to close it out.

Why the Penguins Can’t Repeat

Fatigue and Burnout

Getting to the Final for the third year in a row is a tall order for any team and has rarely happened in NHL history.

Between the 2008 and 2009 playoff runs, the Penguins played a combined 208 games. Five players also played more hockey this year than the rest of their teammates with a two-week tournament at the Olympics. It is possible the Penguins will not be able to keep up the pace to get to the Final again, especially if they continue to play as physically as they did in the Senators series.

Special Teams

The Penguins have been known for a struggling power play, which is surprising given the amount of talent on the team. It was last in the league in January but improved to 19th by the end of the season and is fifth-ranked among playoff teams. The penalty kill, which was strong in the regular season and ranked ninth, is second to last among playoff teams.

The Pens will have to find more consistency in these areas to win in the playoffs, especially if they face a team with a stronger power play that uses it to win games.

Questionable Goaltending

The Penguins have reasons to be confident in their goaltending. Marc-Andre Fleury is officially a big-game goalie, having made a game-changing save against Alexander Ovechkin in Game Seven against the Capitals last year and also keeping the Detroit Red Wings from tying the game in the final seconds of Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals.

However, Fleury was pulled numerous times this season and got off to a shaky start in this year’s playoffs. He has also been injured at least once in the last three seasons and cannot afford to be lost during the playoffs.

Should Fleury go down, there is always Brent Johnson. The organization was confident enough in him to sign him to a two-year deal. Even though Johnson played solidly during the regular season, he has limited playoff experience.

There is no doubt both are strong goaltenders, but can they overcome their limitations to win another championship?

With the right combination of staying refreshed, strong goaltending, and lights out play from their roster, the Penguins will be on their way to their fourth Cup. At the same time, they have a target on their backs and may be ready for a longer rest, so the journey will not be easy.