Pittsburgh Penguins: Four Reasons They Will Survive Without Crosby, Malkin & Co.

Injuries breed adversity.  The Pittsburgh Penguins face the unfortunate issue of an injury-depleted lineup at the peak of the team's success.  Fortunately for the Penguins, they have faced adversity before and still have many of the same cogs turning the wheels of this Penguins squad. 

Injuries to role players such as Chris Kunitz, Dustin Jeffery, Eric Tangradi and Arron Asham afflect this Penguins team, as well as major injuries to the Penguins two superstars, Evgeni Malkin (Torn ACL) and Sidney Crosby (Concussion). 

Since the Penguins sustained injuries not only to the bread-and-butter of their offensive talent, but also to the core of the team's depth, it will be a tough stretch of hockey, with many ebbs and flows. 

Despite the injuries and the adversity that the Penguins face, they still have four reasons that their squad will remain a formidable foe in the Eastern Conference.

4. Ray Shero

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MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 26: Ray Shero of the Pittsburgh Penguins photographed during the first round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft at the Bell Centre on June 26, 2009 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Marian Hossa. Pascal Dupuis. Chris Kunitz. Eric Tangradi. Bill Guerin.

All are significant players who were brought in during significant situations.

Pittsburgh Penguins' fans have grown to trust and even expect a significant move from the GM, Ray Shero, before the trade deadline occurs at the end of February.

With the rash of injuries this Penguins team has been subjected to, fans can expect another table-turning move from the aggressive general manager.

Whether it will be a veteran like Jason Arnott, who knows how to win come playoff time or an aging goal-scorer, like Jarome Iginla, Penguins' fans should anticipate that Shero will take advantage of the cap space made available by placing Evgeni Malkin on injured reserve.

Will the move be enough to help the ailing Pittsburgh Penguin offense?

3. Marc-Andre Fleury

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 18: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Pittsburgh Penguins makes a save against the Detroit Red Wings at Consol Energy Center on January 18, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

At the beginning of the season when Marc-Andre Fleury struggled to adjust to the new Consol Energy Center, he struggled to play to the potential that Pittsburgh Penguin fans knew he was capable of.

The lackluster play, coupled with the red-hot play of veteran backup Brent Johnson, predictably kicked the rumor mill into gear and thrust Fleury directly into the center of it.

It is now February 15th. Fleury is still a Penguin and fans have the privilege of watching him do what he does best. Win hockey games. 

With statistics such as a record of 26-14-2, 2.30 goals allowed per game and a .920 save percentage, Fleury continues to hold his form as the Penguins limp their way through February.

While Fleury has the privilege of playing behind the best defensive unit he has seen since becoming a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins, he still exhibits leadership and his most important attribute at this point, experience.  

Fleury has won one Stanley Cup and is amassing more and more playoff experience as the years go by.  

Fleury could be the leader this team needs to steer them through the trials and tribulations of an injury plagued 2010-2011 campaign. 

2. The Defensive Unit

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NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 20: Zbynek Michalek #4 of the Pittsburgh Penguins drops to his knee to block a shot in an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on January 20, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Get

The Pittsburgh Penguins have allowed 141 goals on the season; good enough for sixth best in the league. 

If you stick with the credo that "defense wins championships," then the Penguins seem to have things figured out as they make their way through this NHL season. 

The emphasis on the Pittsburgh defense will weigh heavier on the six defensive players' shoulders as the Pens go through this period of unrest in the lineup.

A steady presence in front of the net will take some of the pressure off an offensive lineup that is being forced to shuffle players in and out, many of whom come from the Penguins AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre. 

Defenseman, such as Kris Letang and Alex Goligoski, can even further lighten the load on the offense's shoulders by continuing to contribute points from the blue line.

No matter which individual defenseman steps up in this time of need, one thing is for sure; the defense as a unit will have to step up if the Penguins want to hold their own over the second half of the season.

1. Jordan Staal

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UNIONDALE, NY - FEBRUARY 11: Jordan Staal #11 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the New York Islanders on February 11, 2011 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. The Isles defeated the Pens 9-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

In 19 games this season, Jordan Staal has accumulated five goals and six assists. However, numbers never have been and probably never will be the biggest attribute that Jordan Staal brings to the table.

Jordan Staal, a finalist for the Selke Trophy last season, has evolved into one of the best two-way forwards in the NHL.  He now will be looked to for leadership and an increase in the scoring department. While scoring may never be Staal's forte, he will need a definite increase in order to help the Penguins stay the course through the troubled waters of this injury-plagued season.

If Staal can become the focal point of this season on a temporary basis, until the Penguins can get healthy and begin to work as a unit again, the Penguins will be just fine as it rolls closer to playoff time.  However, if Staal cannot assume the leader role and bear the brunt of the scoring load, the Penguins will be left with no offensive identity while they wait for the straws that stir the drink on offense to return to the ice.