Expectations for the Penguins have changed, according to NHL insider Josh Yohe

The Penguins have seen their way through a busy couple of months, and there certainly have been more bright spots than low spots.

Now, through 28 contests, Penguins insider Josh Yohe believes that the complexion of their season has changed.

This group has been performing much better than anyone would have thought. This is not a roster of a championship contender in their current form, but it seems to be a group that would not only make it into the playoffs but also reach over 100 points.

A huge factor in this is Tristan Jarry playing better between the pipes, which has anchored this whole lineup.

Erik Karlsson and Evgeni Malkin have both improved their play. Role players like Anthony Mantha, Justin Brazeau, and Parker Wotherspoon have started to develop as key contributors, while Ben Kindel, a rookie, has been a surprise find.

The development that has been seen among young players like Kindel, with prospects in Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen in line, has brought a new sense of hope for this franchise.

With all this in mind, making it to the postseason has become a legitimate goal. With Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin at the end of their primes, missing out would make this season a letdown.

The aim would be to get this group back into the playoffs while laying a foundation for this new generation. According to Yohe, anything but a playoff spot would be out of place in relation to how this season has been going.