NHL analyst reveals if the Pittsburgh Penguins are truly built for a playoff push
Photo credit: Edit from The Hockey News
NHL analyst Josh Cybulski has answered the question many fans have been wondering lately: Are the Penguins truly built to contend for a playoff spot?
With modest expectations entering the season, the Penguins sit sixth in the Eastern Conference through 17 games with a 9-5-3 record.
Even cooling off slightly, they've remained competitive despite losing Rickard Rakell, Justin Brazeau, Filip Hallander, Tristan Jarry, Joel Blomqvist, Caleb Jones, and Noel Acciari with injuries.
That list includes four regular forwards, a top-six defenseman, and half their goaltending tandem, a big test for a team without deep depth.
What one analyst believes will happen regarding the Penguins and playoffs
According to NHL analyst Josh Cybulski, Pittsburgh can still contend. Sure, the core is older, but Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin started at an elite pace this year, while Erik Karlsson keeps driving play from the blue line.
"Can Pittsburgh weather this storm and realistically compete for a playoff spot this year?
The simple answer is yes. The talent level is aging, but it remains."
- Josh Cybulski
The simple answer is yes. The talent level is aging, but it remains."
- Josh Cybulski
The question is whether an older roster can sustain this level over 82 games while managing ongoing injuries.
Goaltending remains the biggest variable. Tristan Jarry has been an All-Star but has struggled to be consistent, and that could swing their playoff hopes.
For the most part, though, unsung heroes like Jack St. Ivany, Ryan Shea, and Ty Smith have given the Penguins more stability than anyone predicted, with Shea and Wotherspoon in particular performing like legitimate top-four options.
Many folks thought the Penguins were still years away from contending, and their offseason moves were merely stopgaps.
Why the Penguins are doing better than many expected
But Kyle Dubas' approach of short-term, low-risk bets on overlooked or injury-plagued players, such as Anthony Mantha, Brazeau, and Wotherspoon, has quietly reshaped both the NHL roster and the organizational depth.
If the Penguins avoid a major setback, they look far more likely to remain in the playoff mix than anyone anticipated back in October.
Pittsburgh still has its flaws, but its mix of star power, surprise contributors, and smarter roster building has kept it firmly in the fight.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 14 | 65 ANSWERS NHL analyst reveals if the Pittsburgh Penguins are truly built for a playoff push Are the Pittsburgh Penguins truly built for a playoff push? | ||
| Yes | 39 | 60 % |
| No | 26 | 40 % |
| List of polls | ||
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