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Jake Guentzel Paying Off Big for Lightning in Playoffs After Penguins Exit
Did the Penguins make a mistake? Jake Guentzel is paying off big time for the Tampa Bay Lightning, leaving Penguins fans to wonder what could have been if he stayed.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are once again back in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and they picked up a massive 5-1 win over the divisional foe Florida Panthers in Game 3 of their Round 1 series on Saturday.
Playing a huge role in the victory was former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel, who picked up his 2nd goal of the playoffs.
Playoff hockey is the best time of the year, as he would explain afterward.
It's the best time to play. There's nothing better than the Stanley Cup playoffs. You can't take it for granted. If you can't get up for these games, there's something wrong with you.
Naturally, that is leaving Penguins fans everywhere wondering, 'What if?'
The Penguins traded Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes at the Trade Deadline last year, as they were unable to come to terms on a new deal that would have kept him in Pittsburgh long-term.
He cashed in over the summer, inking a 7 year, $63 million deal with an AAV (average annual value) of $9 million. And he couldn't have asked for a better opening year with the Lightning, scoring 80 points (41G, 39A), his best output since hitting 84 points in 2021-22.
Coach Jon Cooper, who had spent his career coaching against Guentzel before he signed in Tampa, wasted no time in calling him a star.
You don't have to be 6-4, 220 pounds to be a star player in this league. He proves it. It's the way you think the game and the size of your heart.
He's proven it his whole career. We didn't think he'd stop (when we signed him).
He's proven it his whole career. We didn't think he'd stop (when we signed him).
Guentzel and the Lightning are attempting to tie the series in tomorrow's Game 4.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 27 | 321 ANSWERS Jake Guentzel Paying Off Big for Lightning in Playoffs After Penguins Exit Did the Penguins make a mistake by trading Jake Guentzel last year? | ||
| Yes | 257 | 80.1 % |
| No | 64 | 19.9 % |
| List of polls | ||