2016 they were not in a playoff spot if not for Fleury.
These revisionist takes are why things are so skewed. They were lucky they had a team well built and of one thought come time when Murray stepped in late in the year. They tighten up even moreso and were a shot blocking machine come time Murray put on the jersey with 13 games left in the season.
Just so people understand, Fleury was 2.29 and .921 that season. If not for him there is no playoffs. He suffered a concussion and it's the only reason Murray even got a shot. This team was very fortunate how all of this played out, it was a rude awakening when Murray had to deal with what Fleury did season in and season out once that team was dismantled.
There's a common theme when the team does well enough to challenge for the playoffs. Team depth, and in those two seasons at each and every position.
It started down the middle with Crosby, Malkin, Bonino, Fehr and Cullen.
Wingers were Kunitz, Hornqvist, Kessel, Sheary, Rust, Hagelin with Bennett, Wilson and Kuhnhackl in the ranks.
Defens was Letang, Dumoulin, Maatta, Daley, Cole, Lovejoy and Schultz
The team changed once Sully arrived, after about 4/5 losses to start. The team went through a shakeup and gained continuity the rest of the way after being on the back of Fleury.