NHL Playoff Predictions 2012: The Pittsburgh Penguins Will Win the Stanley Cup

The Pittsburgh Penguins finished with the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference. That’s exactly where they want to be headed into the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Seed is not indicative of future results in the NHL postseason. Throw all conventional wisdom out the window and find the teams that are peaking at the right time.

With Sidney Crosby back in the fold, does anyone want to bet against the Pittsburgh Penguins?

They boast the best trio of centers in recent memory in Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal. When healthy, these three compose a defense’s biggest nightmare. There will be no plays off when the Penguins switch to their third line, that’s for sure.

In the stat sheet, the Penguins look to be one of the most formidable foes in the playoff pool. They lead the league with 3.3 goals per game and rank in the top five in power plays and penalty kills. Keep in mind, this was without their star player for more than half the season.

So what gives? NHL prognosticators cite the Penguins' injury report as one of the team’s main reasons for an early exit.

There's some cause for concern there. Crosby’s concussion issues have been well-documented and you can bet that he’ll be targeted considerably throughout the playoffs. This has been one of Malkin’s healthier years, but before Crosby’s concussion, he was known for being one of the most injury-prone Penguins.

The injury bug has also infected the Pittsburgh defense this season. Kris Letang has been troubled by leg injuries and could be a couple hits away from being scratched. He won’t be able to shy away from the physical part of the game in an NHL playoff series.

Some would say the injuries the Penguins have endured have allowed them to become a better team altogether. Crosby’s absence has allowed their younger frontline players to log extensive minutes.

Chris Kunitz and Steve Sullivan in particular now have the professional chops to hang in there and provide some scoring punch off the bench. That experience could be a blessing if they get called on this postseason.

All the while, goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has been this Pittsburgh team’s rock during this tumultuous year. One adage holds true in the Stanley Cup Postseason: strong goaltending is a must. Fleury has been here before; he will not shy away from the big moment when his team needs him to protect the pipes.

Top to bottom, the Penguins enter the Stanley Cup playoffs as one of the most complete teams in the bracket. Their 4-5 matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers may be the toughest Eastern opponent they’ll have to face. The Flyers are no stranger to the Penguins this season, winning four out of their last six. They Flyers know how to play them physical and make them earn every goal. I expect that series to be a seven-game dogfight.

In the end, though, Pittsburgh is too skilled from top to bottom, too healthy, not to seize the opportunity ahead of them. Philadelphia should be the first of many victims en route to a Stanley Cup Finals.