The Penguins once again have established themselves as a favorite to win the Stanley Cup this season. If they are truly going to go all the way this season, there are certain things they need to accomplish. Here are four reasons the Pittsburgh Penguins can win the Stanley Cup.
Home Ice Advantage
The Pittsburgh Penguins have been unbelievable at home this season going 20-4, which is one of the best home records in the entire NHL. They had a franchise record of 13 straight home wins this season before the Florida Panthers snapped it Monday night. Pittsburgh looks to be in the driver’s seat to get the number one seed in the East but it’s still not over yet. If the Pens can get home ice advantage throughout the whole Eastern Conference Playoffs, they will be the favorites to play for the Cup. The Penguins can win on the road too, but if they hold serve at home, they’ll win the Eastern Conference.
Fleury’s Goaltending
You had to know this would come up, right? Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has been just awful in the playoffs recently. As a Stanley Cup winning goaltender in 2009, “Flower” has wilted under the weight of postseason pressure since. He let in over 30 goals in six games against the Philadelphia Flyers and then allowed 14 goals in four games against the Islanders last season before being pulled in favor of Tomas Vokoun. I think this is the year he bounces back and plays the way he played during the 2009 playoffs. He’s going to not allow as many goals and make so many outstanding saves because of an improved defensive corps.
Crosby and Malkin
These two players make up the best tandem in the NHL. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are two of the best players in the world and they are going to have to play like it if they are to indeed win another Stanley Cup together. They were invisible in the ECF last year when they couldn’t manage to rack a single point against the Bruins who swept them out of the playoffs. This year it’s going to be much different as these two super star players are going to lead the Penguins in points during the playoffs.
Power Play
The Penguins have the best power play in the NHL and for good reason. When you put players like James Neal, Chris Kunitz, Crosby, Malkin and Kris Letang out there, you’re going to get goals and scoring chances. The way that they move the puck around on the power play is hypnotic and efficient. The Penguins are going to be very dangerous in the playoffs when they play with the man advantage.
If we have learned anything about the postseason, it is a marathon and not a sprint. We’re still a long way from the Stanley Cup playoffs but if the Penguins maintain their current form, they can win their second cup in the past five years.