The Pittsburgh Penguins top players have not regressed as much as people believe.

For the second consecutive season, the Pittsburgh Penguins are on the outside looking into the playoffs with under a month remaining. Barring a miraculous comeback, that's where they'll finish once again.

With those results comes scrutiny for the Penguins top players. Sidney Crosby has evaded such talk due to his refusal to age. His counterparts in the Penguins core have not been as fortunate.

Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin have struggled at points this season. Letang more recently, while Malkin's struggles have been more sporadic throughout the year. But both remain viable options for their respective positions despite the drop in performance.

Among the Penguins top players, Malkin has seemingly received the most distaste this season. It has been evident that his game has taken a step back this season. However, his 53 points still rank 12th among NHL second-line centers, and his 19 goals rank 13th.

That is without a competent power play (31st in the NHL), where Malkin has his second-fewest amount of points (13) of his career. While he may not be able to carry a line like he once did, Malkin remains among the top offensive creators in his position.

Neither player has received consistent help from their plethora of linemates. A new voice leading the power play and a more consistent supporting cast will cure many of the issues from these two next season.

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