Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Co. have a chance to do something this season that hasn’t been seen in hockey for three decades. It’s an achievement that even the fabled Edmonton Oilers dynasties of the 1980s couldn’t accomplish.
That is, hoist three straight Stanley Cups.
The last team to accomplish the rare feat was the New York Islanders, who won four consecutive Cups from 1980 to 1983. [sidebar]
Armed with an impressive core, an offence that led the NHL in scoring and a young goaltender who profiles as one of the best in the game, Pittsburgh’s chance for a three-peat is very much a real thing.
UP-AND-COMING PLAYER TO WATCH
Expect winger Jake Guentzel to take a giant step forward this campaign. The rookie potted 16 goals and 33 points in 40 regular-season contests last season, mostly playing alongside Crosby. Then, the 22-year-old Guentzel raised his game in the playoffs, leading the league with 13 goals.
Now we get a chance to see what the third-round, 77th overall pick from the 2013 NHL Draft can produce over a full season in a top-six role for the Penguins. Even if he’s not Crosby’s linemate, Guentzel has the speed, hockey IQ and, most importantly, hard shot that can help him become an impact player.
WHAT A SUCCESSFUL 2017-18 WOULD LOOK LIKE
Pittsburgh lost significant depth pieces over the summer, most notably Marc-Andre Fleury, Nick Bonino and Chris Kunitz. A successful season would mean additions Antti Niemi, Matt Hunwick and Ryan Reaves have fused seamlessly with the existing core.
This team knows what a title defence looks like, so a Cup hangover seems unlikely. However, players who’ve been with the club over the past two seasons have played a wealth of minutes during that span, so head coach Mike Sullivan must ensure Crosby, Malkin and Phil Kessel, among others, don’t break down.
This table shows the most playoff games played in the NHL over the past two seasons:
BIGGEST REMAINING QUESTION
The health of Kris Letang is a major question. The high-scoring defenceman was limited to just 41 regular-season contests last season and missed all of the playoffs after neck surgery. The Penguins did manage to capture the championship in spite of that, but doing so again, especially with a defence corps that largely turned over in the off-season, might be a lot to ask without Letang. The good news is he was declared healthy and ready for camp and the Pens hope he can play the entire season.
Also worth monitoring: How goaltender Matt Murray holds up in his first full season. Sure, he dominated during the Penguins’ previous two Cup runs, but he’s only played a combined 62 regular-season NHL games over the past two campaigns. With Fleury gone, the 23-year-old Murray will likely be expected to match that number this season.
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