Attack of the Golden Penguins: Pittsburgh for the Cup?

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By Alex Watson

The Pittsburgh Penguins are a team with a remarkable history, with three Stanley cup wins, near bankruptcy in 1998 to finally the acquisition of the brightest modern Hockey star in Sidney Crosby! But ever since their last cup glory is 2009, their recent follow ups haven’t quite lived up to expectations at the Consol Energy Centre and last season they were eliminated in the Eastern Conference quarter finals by the Flyers in six games.

Arguably it could be said that their season had been interrupted by Captain Crosby’s persistent absence from the ice owning to the effect of post concussion syndrome. But it did leave the door open to Evgeni Malkin’s Hart Trophy winning performances where he led the team in scoring and was joined by breakout star James Neal and Jordan Staal. But even with all promise in Sid the Kid’s absence, their weak play-off performance left a sour taste in the mouth.

However this season, Coach Dan Byisma has learned from last season’s mistakes and a far stronger Pens team has emerged and in doing so they have returned to their high scoring ways and now Pittsburgh sit firmly on top of both the Atlantic Division & Eastern Conference tables! They have been boosted by the return of Crosby, who currently leads the league in points scoring with 53 points! Also they have been fine individual performances from top goal scorer Chris Kunitz and last year’s rookie sensation James Neal continues his impressive form.

These impressive displays have now led the Penguins to a 12 game unbeaten streak (during which Crosby has scored an impressive 22 points alone) and their defence is also staking a claim to being the leagues strongest because in the last eight games opponents have been held to scoring two goals or fewer against them. These stats are made all the most impressive as they have been without the services of Malkin who has been sidelined since March 14th and with yesterday’s signing of Dallas Stars winger Brendan Morrow- this season grows ever brighter!

Pittsburgh has to be the main favourites of the play-off race now and with The Blackhawks dominating in the Western Conference, it would appear we have potentially one of the most exciting Cup final match ups for some years, but both teams finding the net so easily- it’s anyone’s guess which way this one could go?

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