With 5 games to go in the season. The Pittsburgh Penguins have clinched a playoff spot and potentially their division title as well. They're 4 points up on the Devils after a 2-0 win Tuesday night.
No need to rush Sid the Kid back into the lineup after he's been nursing the ankle injury. (Which really sucks for my hockey pool. I lucked out with the number 1 pick but Sidney sidelined seems to have dropped me out of top 3 contention.)
The Pens will be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs this year. With all the firepower they have adding Marian Hossa to the lineup, the team can ice a deadly combination of scorers and game breakers. The only knock on them would be consistent goaltending, but Conklin and Fleury have both played fairly well down the stretch. They'll win if their philosophy is score more one more goal then the other team. They gave up a lot of good young players for Hossa and Dupuis, but it could be all worth it if they go all the way this year. They're going to have quite the conundrum trying to sign Malkin this summer to an extension and keeping their other key players together, most notably Ryan Malone, Brooks Orpik and also getting Jordan Staal under contract as well. They have a total of 15 UFA's next year. Could they run into Tampa Bay Lightning syndrome? It'll be tough but I'm sure it's a problem every GM in the NHL would love to have.
All I know is that I'll have a lot of fun watching this team in the playoffs this spring.
No need to rush Sid the Kid back into the lineup after he's been nursing the ankle injury. (Which really sucks for my hockey pool. I lucked out with the number 1 pick but Sidney sidelined seems to have dropped me out of top 3 contention.)
The Pens will be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs this year. With all the firepower they have adding Marian Hossa to the lineup, the team can ice a deadly combination of scorers and game breakers. The only knock on them would be consistent goaltending, but Conklin and Fleury have both played fairly well down the stretch. They'll win if their philosophy is score more one more goal then the other team. They gave up a lot of good young players for Hossa and Dupuis, but it could be all worth it if they go all the way this year. They're going to have quite the conundrum trying to sign Malkin this summer to an extension and keeping their other key players together, most notably Ryan Malone, Brooks Orpik and also getting Jordan Staal under contract as well. They have a total of 15 UFA's next year. Could they run into Tampa Bay Lightning syndrome? It'll be tough but I'm sure it's a problem every GM in the NHL would love to have.
All I know is that I'll have a lot of fun watching this team in the playoffs this spring.
