The Pittsburgh Penguins are still confident in their abilities to reach the postseason.

PITTSBURGH – It was a disappointing weekend for the Pittsburgh Penguins, dropping games on back-to-back nights in Minnesota and Winnipeg. Other teams around them in the playoff race didn’t do them any favors, either, as the Penguins now sit well outside of where they want to be.

Heading into their contest against arguably one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, the Penguins are seven points back of the second wild card spot and 11 behind the Philadelphia Flyers for third in the Metropolitan Division. The Penguins still have multiple games in hand on everyone in the conference, but they need to turn their luck around.

The Penguins know their position; they know it’ll be a tough fight for the rest of the year. No matter where they sit, however, the Penguins and their stars are confident the playoffs are in their future.

“I believe this team,” Evgeni Malkin said. “I believe we can win over any team.”

Malkin hasn’t had a great stretch of games, but the Penguins will need him to find a rhythm if they want to play deep into the spring. Getting Malkin back on his game can do wonderful things for the Penguins, especially with the opportunities available with games in hand.

“We still have chances,” Malkin said. “Season not over yet. 30 games left, if we win those games, good chance to make playoffs.”

Head coach Mike Sullivan is not only appreciative of Malkin’s words of hope, but he shares that mindset.

“I love that fact that he believes in this group,” Sullivan said. “Because I believe in this group. Our coaching staff believes in this group. Our general manager believes in this group.”

The Penguins have 33 games remaining and likely will be in a fight for playoff positioning for the rest of the year. It won’t be an easy trek, but there is confidence everywhere in the organization.

“We understand that we are not where we need to be,” Sullivan said. “We have a lot of work in front of us. We’ve got to be up to the task.”

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