The Penguins aren't going away anytime soon

[Bounces R Way]

Pettersson is up and coming. Probably their 3rd best defenseman. But yeah it will depend on their goaltending and defense.

Their offense will be near the top in the league just like it has been. It all depends on what the backend does.

I don't think their defense is bad anymore, the additions of Pettersson and Marino have dramatically improved their outlook on defense. They still have JJ playing regular minutes (who has actually played like an effective bottom pair DFD this year), but Dumoulin, Letang, Schultz, Pettersson and Marino are all good players. It's not a terrific defense by any stretch of the imagination, but I don't think it's bad.

Maybe it is better than I think then. I've only caught a couple Pens games so far. Sullivan seems to be always be able to get some decent defensive performances out of his forwards as well so maybe if Murray can be solid that'll be enough.

Would still rate it as low end for the assumed playoff teams around the league though.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

People always like to predict perennial contenders to fall off quicker than they merit because it’s exciting, because it’s change... same thing goes in the opposite direction for young teams with 1 year of playoff success.

In general, multiple years of success or failure should take multiple years of change for that change to be considered more permanent.

Crosby, Malkin, Guentzel, Letang, Dumolin, Schultz, Murray, Sullivan are proven winners. Do a decent job at filling in around them and you still have a contender.

 

[Hockey4Lyfe]

Maybe it is better than I think then. I've only caught a couple Pens games so far. Sullivan seems to be always be able to get some decent defensive performances out of his forwards as well so maybe if Murray can be solid that'll be enough.

Would still rate it as low end for the assumed playoff teams around the league though.

It would def be on the low end of compared to the other teams that are “presumed” playoff teams.

But one thing that helps them is that they may be below average at “defense” they are up there in terms of providing offense. Which is what the team is built around and it’s run and gun system.

The Penguins aren’t built to win 2-1 games. If it’s that low scoring, they are usually on the losing end of that scenario.

 

[valet]

Idk, the Penguins have 5 cups in the last 30 years compared to 6 super bowls for the Patriots.

what about in the last 10 years?

 

[Empoleon8771]

what about in the last 10 years?

3 cups and super bowls each?

Penguins won in 2009, 2016 and 2017. Patriots won in 2014, 2016 and 2018.

 

[Mikeshane]

Whoopity doo if they make the playoffs, they made the playoffs last year and were completely irrelevant. Can they do anything in the playoffs.

 

[Hockey4Lyfe]

Whoopity doo if they make the playoffs, they made the playoffs last year and were completely irrelevant. Can they do anything in the playoffs.

With that amazing rationale, that means only 1 team does anything the entire season of hockey.

 

[valet]

3 cups and super bowls each?

Penguins won in 2009, 2016 and 2017. Patriots won in 2014, 2016 and 2018.

Hahaha it is actually more close than I thought. Where the pats really distinguish themselves is the conference championship appearances and total domination of their division. Pittsburgh can't match them there

I'm a bills fan btw

 

[BB88]

Outside of 2 teams Metro is garbage.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Hahaha it is actually more close than I thought. Where the pats really distinguish themselves is the conference championship appearances and total domination of their division

That's not saying much when their division is the Bills, Jets and Dolphins

But I think that's fair. I don't think the Penguins are quite on par with the Patriots, but they're the closest NHL team to them. I don't think any teams in any league have the history of success that the Patriots have had in the last 20 years. I don't know how much credit they deserve for making it to the super bowl but losing, but they've been to 5 superbowls in the last 8 years.

 

[valet]

That's not saying much when their division is the Bills, Jets and Dolphins

But I think that's fair. I don't think the Penguins are quite on par with the Patriots, but they're the closest NHL team to them. I don't think any teams in any league have the history of success that the Patriots have had in the last 20 years.

yeah, they are the closest thing the NHL has. I took exception cause seeing how good the Patriots have been basically since I was in highschool, it didn't seem like there were any real analogs.... anyways, I think we've come to an understanding

And the bills are good this year! I'm sensing a return of the circle the wagons Superbowl bills if everything progresses like it has been

 

[TheAngryHank]

yeah, they are the closest thing the NHL has. I took exception cause seeing how good the Patriots have been basically since I was in highschool, it didn't seem like there were any real analogs.... anyways, I think we've come to an understanding

And the bills are good this year! I'm sensing a return of the circle the wagons Superbowl bills if everything progresses like it has been

Bills v 9ers superbowl, book it!

 

[Mikeshane]

With that amazing rationale, that means only 1 team does anything the entire season of hockey.

Not every team is the same and not every team gets destroyed in a sweep.

 

[Hockey4Lyfe]

Not every team is the same and not every team gets destroyed in a sweep.

Every team except one, either loses in the playoffs or doesn’t make it all together.

 

[innitfam]

Right before the season started, too many hockey nerds were picking the Penguins to end their playoff streak this season. Too many had the Penguins below the top 16 in their power rankings, believing that their heyday was coming to an end just like it did for the Blackhawks and Kings, and even UrinatingTree picked them to miss the playoffs, although one could suspect this as an attempt at reverse-jinxing.

I get that many of us, besides Pens fans, are sick of the Penguins, as they've won the cup two out of the last five years, and are the closest thing as the moment to the NHL's equivalent of the Patriots. Last season gave many of us a sign that the Pens dynasty would be fading away, as they struggled to clinch a top 3 spot in the Metro, and got swept by an Islanders team that lacked the large quantities of playoff experience the Pens had. So surely, this has to be the year the fall out, right? Sidney Crosby's getting old, they've gotten a lot slower albeit grittier, and younger up and coming teams like the Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers, and New Jersey Devils looked prime to push the Pens out of a playoff spot, right? Right?

Yes, it's still really early in the season, but the way the Penguins have been playing, they would have to pull off a disgraceful choke job from here on out if they're going to miss the playoffs. In other words, it ain't gonna happen. The Pens are making the playoffs this year, the streak will continue, whether you like it or not. Not only that, but I also feel their playoff streak will not end in the near future. While it feels like Sidney Crosby's been in the game forever, he's still not that old at all, he's still under 35, is still producing in bunches, and should continue playing for the Pens until at least 2025, which is still six years down the road. That's just Sidney Crosby, never mind the fact that Jake Guentzel is a young goalscorer whom has also been excellent to start the season and is locked up until 2024. Plus there's also Kris Latang, who is locked up until 2022. Matt Murray has also been stellar in net, and should be re-signed sometime this season. Expect the Capitals to end their playoff streak before the Penguins do...

Maybe we all reverse-jinxed them by picking them to miss the playoff this year, maybe a thread like this could jinx them for the rest of the season... Nah...

Caps playoff streak I think is only 5 years

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Whoopity doo if they make the playoffs, they made the playoffs last year and were completely irrelevant. Can they do anything in the playoffs.

Yes let's question the pens playoff pedigree based on one series. Not like they've won 2 of the last 4 cups.

 

[BigEezyE22]

Hahaha it is actually more close than I thought. Where the pats really distinguish themselves is the conference championship appearances and total domination of their division. Pittsburgh can't match them there

I'm a bills fan btw

Have you seen their division?

 

[KeepitinPitt]

When did “nerds” become a thing onHF? Is this a millennial thing?

Why would calling people "nerds" be a millennial thing?

 

[Svencouver]

comparing them to the Patriots is absurd.the only team in any other sport that deserves that kind of recognition is the golden state warriors. I rest my case

Spurs from ~98-2014?

16 years of relative dominance and 5 championships.

 

[8LX7psQ]

Why would calling people "nerds" be a millennial thing?

I see “nerd” popping up in posts on message boards that are predominantly populated by millennials. I’m not stating a fact, I’m asking a question.

 

[DearDiary]

I'm not surprised they got off to a hot start. It's an old team and they certainly didn't show up in the playoffs last year, so they had a long offseason to rest and refresh. It'll be interesting to see where they are 50-60 games in when the grind of a season start to take its toll.

Pens have had significant injuries, including Malkin being out long term. Everyone said they were going to miss the playoffs with all these AHL callups. How can you not be surprised by this start?

 

[illpucks]

Pens have had significant injuries, including Malkin being out long term. Everyone said they were going to miss the playoffs with all these AHL callups. How can you not be surprised by this start?

Because Sidney Crosby does not tolerate losing.

 

[Tender Rip]

Not every team is the same and not every team gets destroyed in a sweep.

... and few if any teams should have its future defined by one series where they played like shit and were in great need of rediscovering its identity.

 

[Sega Dreamcast]

Yes, they unfortunately won't go away.

No, the Penguins are not like the Patriots. A team lead by two players drafted first and second overall can't be compared to the Patriots. And please, which Penguins coach or GM is comparable to Bill Belichick?

Good job making Patriots fans look humble by comparison, though.

 

[Sega Dreamcast]

Idk, the Penguins have 5 cups in the last 30 years compared to 6 super bowls for the Patriots.

The Patriots dynasty has those 6 titles in less than 20 years.

30 years is a nonsense timeframe, just so you can count the cups from 91 and 92.