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Pittsburgh Penguins dominate goal differential race without Sidney Crosby, lack national respect
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Pittsburgh Penguins are 31-15-13 and still somehow "under the radar," even with a +30 goal differential and a top-tier man advantage.
Adam Gretz laid it out on Tuesday, the numbers scream contender, but the storyline stays stuck in seller mode.
Since January 1, Pittsburgh has run up the best goal differential in the NHL at +34.
That is not a cute heater, that is a month-plus of tilting the rink.
Gretz also pointed to the broader profile, sixth-best points percentage, fifth-best goal differential, third-best power play, second-best penalty kill.
The wild part is how often the talk jumps straight to deadline hypotheticals instead of what's actually happening on the ice.
And yes, Sidney Crosby being out at least four weeks matters, because his 27-32-59 line in 56 games drives so much of the attack.
Still, this team has banked points without needing perfect conditions.
They've got layers now, pressure from the forecheck, and special teams that can steal games when five on five gets messy.
Sidney Crosby absence tests the Pittsburgh Penguins edge
Penguins fans are enjoying the ride, but nobody is totally relaxed, because we've seen "nice story" seasons fade fast when the schedule tightens.
Tuesday in Boston is a good measuring stick, and the Bruins are rolling at home.
If Pittsburgh plays north, keeps its gaps tight, and lives on the right side of the puck, the respect will follow.
If it cheats for offense, the spotlight will stay elsewhere, and the noise will get louder.
Either way, the Penguins are forcing the league to do the one thing it hates, update its priors.
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Penguins emerge as playoff fit for Brock Boeser with $7.25M cap hit, trade buzz grows
Penguins emerge as playoff fit for Brock Boeser with $7.25M cap hit, trade buzz grows
| POLL | ||
MARS 3|160 ANSWERS Pittsburgh Penguins dominate goal differential race without Sidney Crosby, lack national respect Should the national media treat the Pittsburgh Penguins like true contenders right now? | ||
| Yes | 131 | 81.9 % |
| No | 29 | 18.1 % |
| List of polls | ||