Insider Rips into One of the Penguins' Biggest Flaws in Blunt Critique

In the playoffs, you'll likely have to go through one of those teams that just wear you down and won't give in. This kind of team is the Florida Panthers, and their attitude, who are physical, relentless, and pitiless.

In Game 2 of the 2025 Round 1 playoffs versus Tampa Bay, troublemakers like Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk were at it again, stirring the pot and doling out vicious body checks.

NHL insider Josh Yohe doubted publicly whether a finesse team like the Pittsburgh Penguins could take that kind of abuse.

The Penguins, less of a physical team as they're portrayed, are the opposite of Florida's bash-mouth image that's flourished with coach Paul Maurice.

The Panthers hit hard, but are not unsound, and now the team has added the ultimate troublemaker in Brad Marchand, who arrived in Florida as the result of the blockbuster trade in 2025.

Infamous for his stunts and long list of cheap shots in his history, Marchand is the perfect addition to Florida's hard-nose image.

Game 2 saw 72 combined hits between the two teams, with 34 from Florida and six from Marchand, Tkachuk, and Bennett. In Game 1, the Panthers accumulated 48 hits to the Bolts' 28, and seven of them came from Bennett.

Yes, the Penguins were the NHL leader in hits in 2022-23 at 2,309, but Florida has now surpassed them. The Panthers accumulated 2,339 in 2023-24 and 2,446 last season. It's not about being the most physical team, it's about winning.

However, Florida has become a dynasty: Presidents' Trophy champions in 2021-22, back-to-back Cup finalists, and 2024 Stanley Cup champions, and you can't help but attribute some of that success to their physical game.

The question now becomes, will the Penguins mimic Florida and attempt to get more physical this offseason? Only time will tell.