They're not gonna focus on a rebuild until Crosby is gone and/or they are just so far away from making the playoffs, though. So might as well make the best of it. I don't think they are some sleeping giant, but they've underperformed 5 years in a row now.
2023 - Team had flaws. It should still have been a playoff team.
2022 - 3-1 series lead with leads in Game 5, 6, and 7.
2021 - A lot can be blamed on Jarry, but who's the guy that continued to trot him out there?
2020 - What an embarrassment.
2019 - Swept by a team that got swept in the next round
If they get beat in the first round by a better team, so be it. Just don't make it absolutely painful and embarrassing to watch.