Around the NHL in 30 Days – Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pens now take the spotlight in FanSided’s Around the NHL in 3o Days. The great writers at Pens Labyrinth blog are pumped for this season to begin. As I have mentioned before, one of the most compelling stories this year in the NHL will be Crosby’s comeback from back-to-back concussions that knocked him out early last season. Crosby will get to step back into a lineup that is almost identical to last year’s Pens team. The one notable player missing is Max Talbot, who was a force on the penalty kill for many years in Pittsburgh.

With a healthy Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Jordan Staal, the Pens look poised to do some damage in the playoffs once again this year. Here is a preview of what lead writer Bill Mayer has to say about his Pens:

"Sure, the Pens won it all three seasons ago, but this core won’t be around forever. And with this core, and a championship, expectations are always sky high. It’s time for this team to make another run at the Cup. With health, it can be done."

Last year in one meeting between the Sharks and Pens, it was the Sharks prevailing by 3-2 score settled in a shootout. I think that a Stanley Cup Final featuring the Sharks and

Pens would be fun to watch… and you know that just might happen this year! If Crosby is healthy and is still a dominant player then I can see Pittsburgh making a run all the way to the finals. The playoffs are not even a doubt for this Pens team because of their great core group of players.

Here’s hoping that Crosby makes a full recovery and comes back to dominate the NHL like he has in the past. That would be a great feel-good story for the NHL this year… especially since it’s the preseason and we are already have witnessed dirty hits and suspensions.

Next up in FanSided’s Around the NHL in 30 Days are the Phoenix Coyotes.

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