Sizing Up Possible Penguins Postseason Opponents
The Pittsburgh Penguins have three possible teams they could take on if they reach the playoffs.
While the odds aren’t outstanding that the Pittsburgh Penguins make the 2023 NHL Playoffs, but the possibility is still there.
At this moment, according to moneypuck.com, the Penguins have a 42.2% chance of reaching the playoffs.
The odds aren’t great, but what happens if they do make it? Who will they play?
If the Penguins reach the postseason, they will take on one of three teams; the Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, or the New Jersey Devils.
How do the Penguins match up with each of those teams? Well, it’s not great.
New Jersey Devils
It’s the longest shot to happen, but there’s still a chance that the Devils leapfrog the Hurricanes and take the Metropolitan Division title.
If the Penguins land in the first wild card spot, and the Devils overtake the Hurricanes, it’s a Devils vs. Penguins opening round series.
In four matchups against the Devils in 2022-23, the Penguins have gone 0-3-1 and given up 16 goals against.
The Penguins have struggled against the Devils, and for the first time in a long time, the Devils look like the far superior team.
Both at 5-on-5 and special teams, the Penguins were lagging in each game against the surging Devils.
The Penguins only picked up one power play goal on 20 chances, all while giving up a power play goal in every contest.
These two teams haven’t met in the postseason since 2001 but have long been a thorn in each other’s sides in those 20+ regular seasons.
Carolina Hurricanes
Much like the Devils, the Penguins failed to record a victory against the Hurricanes.
In four games, the Penguins picked up a 0-2-2 record with every game separated by a single goal.
It’s not like the Penguins played bad against the Hurricanes, but they were never able to make it over the hump and pull away with a win.
The Hurricanes may be fighting for a Metro Division title, but they power play has coasted just below league average, and the Penguins exploited that.
During their contests, the Hurricanes failed to record a power play goal, but did give up a short handed goal.
It wouldn’t be an easy series for the Penguins, but it might sound like a more even battle than what the Devils could offer.
The Penguins and Hurricanes have only met in the postseason one time, but Carolina has turned into a perennial Stanley Cup favorite since 2009.
Boston Bruins
The Bruins are running away with one of the greatest seasons the NHL has ever seen and are by far an odds on favorite to win the Cup.
And just like the two teams already discussed, the Penguins have not recorded a win in 2022-23 against the Bruins.
In three games, the Penguins went 0-2-1 and again every game was separated by just a single goal.
The Penguins managed to avoid playing in TD Garden this season thanks to the Winter Classic at Fenway Park, but if they get paired with the Bruins they will have to enter their house of horrors.
Whoever the Bruins take on, they will be the distant favorite and if it’s the Penguins they’ll be an extreme under dog.
If the Penguins make it to the postseason, do they have a chance? It doesn’t seem like it.
They haven’t played well against any of the possible competitors with a combined 0-7-4 record.
As they say, however, anything can happen in the NHL playoffs, but the Penguins have to get there first.
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