NHL Playoffs: 10 Reasons the Pittsburgh Penguins Can Win the Cup Without Crosby
A lot has been made of “When is Crosby coming back?” “Will he be back in time for the playoffs?” etc.
Today, it was announced that Crosby was cleared to practice with the team again and will join them for morning skates.
However, GM Ray Shero and Coach Dan Bylsma are quick to point out that Crosby is still a long way away from returning to game action, so don’t expect to necessarily see him again this season or postseason.
A lot of people are convinced that the Penguins are not serious competition and won’t get very far in the playoffs without Crosby or Evgeni Malkin.
Normally, that would seem like a valid point. While it is true that the Penguins suffered two huge blows in losing their top two offensive stars, it is not necessarily the end of the world.
I say that because the Penguins are still in a viable playoff position. They have managed to remain a dangerous team to face. They are four points behind Philadelphia for the lead atop the Eastern Conference, and they could overtake the Flyers for the lead of the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference.
That is because they are a solid, well-put together team that is more than just their two most recognized players.
Here are 10 reasons why the Penguins could win the Cup this year, even without Crosby or Malkin.
10. Alexei Kovalev
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The Penguins traded for Kovalev in the hopes of drumming up extra offense to replace their injured players.
In 15 games for the Pens, Kovalev has four points. It could be better, but soon, Kovalev will be able to prove himself in the playoffs.
Kovalev has played for the Penguins and in the playoffs before, accumulating 12, six and 10 points in 1999-2001 respectively. Hopefully for the Penguins, he can pick up where he left off.
9. Pascal Dupuis
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Pascal Dupuis’ points are actually down from last year as of right now, but he could equal the points by the end of this season, as he is only off by six points.
However, Dupuis’ plus/minus rating has improved. This year he is currently plus-13, up from plus-five a year ago.
Dupuis was excellent in the playoffs last season, accumulating eight points in 13 games with a plus-five rating. If he can repeat that kind of output this year in the playoffs, that will be a great boost for the Penguins.
8. James Neal
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James Neal has quickly proven himself to be one an offensive force on the Penguins.
Most of his points this season came before he was a Penguin. However, Neal has delivered in shootouts recently. Neal recorded the game-winners in two shootouts. He’s 3-for-4 as a Penguin.
With the Penguins, every little bit helps. It is the little contributions from everyone that will help them be successful in the playoffs.
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7. Jordan Staal
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Jordan Staal is often mentioned as one of the hidden stars of the Penguins, with just as much talent but left in the shadows of Crosby and Malkin.
In their absence, and finally healthy, he has gotten the opportunity to shine. If the Penguins can get Staal back to last year form, that would be a very good thing going into the playoffs.
6. Tyler Kennedy
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Tyler Kennedy is having a career year this year. He has a career-high 41 points, including career highs in goals (19) and assists (22).
It couldn’t come at a better time for the Penguins. They really needed a surge in offensive production at the beginning of the year after Jordan Staal was sidelined with an injury.
Then, when the 2011 portion of the season came, Kennedy stepped up in the absence of Crosby and Malkin.
Entering the playoffs, the Penguins should be able to count on Kennedy.
5. Penguins Defense
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Relatively unknown outside the Penguins faithful, Ben Lovejoy and Deryk Engelland have performed big roles for the team this year.
Lead defenseman Brooks Orpik went down with an injury, but the other defensemen have stepped up in his place.
Paul Martin and Zbynek Michalek, both brought in to bolster defense this year, have played well too.
4. Chris Kunitz
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Chris Kunitz has had to step up in the absence of his linemate, and he has. He ranks third on the team in points. He has 46 points so far this year, a career high as a Penguin.
Of those points, 22 are goals, his most since 2006 with the Ducks. He is second on the team in goals behind Crosby.
Crosby contributed his success early in the season to his linemates Dupuis and Kunitz. I’m not sure people really took him seriously; Kunitz and Dupuis carrying that line?
However, since Crosby has been taken out of the picture and Kunitz has still performed, it proves how valuable Kunitz is to the lineup.
3. Kris Letang
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Kris Letang is second on the team in points behind Crosby. Letang is always a force on the Penguins, whether he’s contributing on offense or defense.
He’s been doing both as of late, and that’s helping the Penguins in their success. He’s had to step up alongside Orpik to be the team leader on defense, and he has.
He’s a plus-14 this year, up from a plus-one last year and just breaking even or negative in the years before.
He’s also increased his offensive output, almost doubling last years points. Last year, Letang had 27 points. This year, he’s at 49 thus far with a few left to go.
2. Dan Bylsma
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Dan Bylsma just knows how to put together a winning product. He’s been rewarded for it this season, with his contract being renewed.
It’s hard to remember sometimes that Bylsma has not been the Pens coach for that long. He was brought up in the middle of the year in 2009 and helped coach them to their Cup win, without even being their coach for a full season.
This is only his second full season as head coach of the team. However, Bylsma has made an incredible impression.
He’s helped hold the team together without the team’s two top stars. That may his most impressive feat yet. Until, if, he can coach the team to a Cup win without those stars.
1. Marc-Andre Fleury
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Marc-Andre Fleury has already been named the Pittsburgh Penguins MVP of the year. He has been amazing, helping to keep his team within reach of the Cup, all while facing adversity.
Fleury is 34-19-5 with a .918 save percentage, his highest in the past few seasons. His goals against and goals against average are down this year from previous years as well.
Experts say that the key to winning the Cup is great goaltending. If that’s the case, Fleury really helps give the Penguins the chance to win another Cup this year.
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