Former Coach Names Penguins Dangerous Playoff Team
If the Pittsburgh Penguins make the postseason, they might be a real threat.
PITTSBURGH – The race for the last two spots in the Eastern Conference playoff picture is close, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are shockingly in the hunt. With only four games remaining, it will likely come down to a photo finish and not by the teams involved winning as much as possible.
It’s been a snail’s race to those final spots, but the Penguins find themselves in a great position to return to the playoffs after missing last year. If the Penguins complete their record-breaking run, they’ll be underdogs but not a team you can count out.
Former NHL coach Bruce Boudreau says the Penguins might be the most dangerous team if given the opportunity to compete.
“Well, I think Pittsburgh,” Boudreau said on TSN’s That’s Hockey. “When you look at their roster, they have game-breakers. The game-breakers haven’t broken any games until the last two weeks.”
Boudreau notes that the Penguins and their stars are getting hot at the right time and could enter the playoffs with a ton of momentum and confidence. Those are dangerous attributes, especially for guys like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, who have turned their season around.
Beyond the core, however, Boudreau mentioned another face who may be on his last legs, but looking to go out on top.
“Guys like Jeff Carter going, ‘this is my last kick at the can,’” Boudreau said.
Carter said he will decide on his future after the season ends, but it seems likely he will call it a career With that thought creeping into his head, Carter could be a real threat in the postseason as he looks to empty his tank.
Boudreau mentioned Crosby, Kris Letang, and Erik Karlsson by name as other faces to keep an eye on as huge threats.
The former Washington Capitals head coach knows a thing or two about playing against Crosby and the Penguins and knows how crucial a hot streak to end a regular season is for postseason success.
“Right now, they’re at a 6-0-3 roll,” Boudreau said. “If they get in, they’ll probably have to be 10-1-3 in their last 14. That’s quite a good roll to go in. That’s the team for me.”
The Penguins still have to earn the right to compete in the postseason, but the odds continue to move in their favor. If they can complete the turnaround, even as the eight-seed, they will be a tough out.
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