With the Penguins win over the Carolina Hurricanes, it secured them a spot in the playoffs, and as one of the top three seeds in the Eastern Conference. With eight games left, the Penguins are in first place in the conference and have a five-point lead over the Montreal Canadiens who have 55 points and a game in hand on the Pens. If thing play out as expected then the Pens should keep that No. 1 seed and there are quite a few options of who they could play in the first round. The playoffs start in a few weeks which is also when the team is hopefully expecting big returns from injured players.
Paul Martin was hurt on the 28th of March in a game versus the Winnipeg Jets. In that game, he broke a bone in his hand, and that injury has caused him to get surgery to repair. Originally it was supposed to be a six-week injury, but after surgery it was determined to be in the 4-6 week range. So it taking four weeks to heal would mean he could be back in time for the playoffs. Another player the team is hoping to get back in the early stages of the playoffs if not sooner is captain, Sidney Crosby.
Crosby was hit in the face with a Brooks Orpik shot that was deflected off of a New York Islanders stick or shin pad. The shot bounced up and just crushed him right in the face, and ended up breaking Crosby’s jaw, and causing him to get some dental work done on his teeth. When asked about it Crosby said he has no clue how many teeth he lost. Now they are just waiting for the screws to set on his broken jaw, and then a timetable can be established for his possible return. First reports are that he could possibly be back before the playoffs, but with the screws taking longer to set, that is still up in the air. Another Penguin who has missed some time lately is Kris Letang, but he is expected back any game now, and hopefully he can stay healthy for a long playoff run.
If the Penguins can maintain their pace and keep hold of that top seed then they could wind up playing a few different teams. Right now there is a battle for playoff position and at this point in the season the Rangers hold that spot. The Islanders are only two points ahead of them, but the Rangers have played one less game. And on the outside looking in are the Winnipeg Jets who have 42 points which is the same as the Rangers, but the Rangers hold the tie-breaker.
Were the playoffs to start today the Penguins would face off against each other. So far this season the Penguins are 4-1 against the Rangers, and most recently beat them in a shootout. The Rangers are a team the Penguins have had success with over the past couple of years. But the Rangers have arguably the best goalie in hockey in Henrik Lungqvist, so you never know what’s going to happen come playoff time.
If the Rangers were to get hot now, there is a good chance they could overtake the New York Islanders for the 7th seed in the east. The Islanders are another team that the Pens have gone 4-1 against this season. Usually the Islanders are at the bottom of the conference, so for them to be in a playoff race is great for them, but I don’t see them posing a real threat to the Penguins with or without Crosby.
And if either of the Rangers or Islanders slip up, I’m sure the Jets will have no problem stepping into that 8th seed. The Jets aren’t in the same division as the Penguins but in the three times that they faced them the Pens have won two. Winnipeg is a good team with plenty of good players, but I don’t think they have the skill to compete with a team like Pittsburgh.
Playoff hockey is right around the corner, and a healthy Pittsburgh Penguin team will be tough to beat. They have to be considered the favorites in the east, and getting back those key players will increase their odds. Any of these first round match ups should be fun to watch, and l have a tough time seeing the Pens losing to any of them.
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