The Pittsburgh Penguins may have figured things out too late to make the postseason.

Since March 24th, no team has had a better record than the Pittsburgh Penguins. 8-1-3 in their last 12 games, the Penguins have resurrected what seemed to be a lost year to make some noise down the stretch of this season.

Sidney Crosby has been spectacular, scoring 23 points (9G-14A) in 12 games. Even without a playoff berth, he'll likely steal a few Hart Trophy votes from a packed group of contenders.

Players like Michael Bunting and Drew O'Connor have stepped up to become consistent contributors and ignite the Penguins top six in ways that wingers not named Bryan Rust or Jake Guentzel had failed to do all season.

Alex Nedeljkovic stabilized the netminding position behind several changes to the Penguins blue line. That includes the insertion of two rookie defensemen, Jack St. Ivany, and Ryan Shea, who have allowed just one goal at 5v5 while on the ice together in eight games this season.

There's been a lot to like about the Penguins' current run. Yet the fate of their season is not in their own hands. 8-1-3 is an impressive showing and should give hope to fans that one last return to prominence is possible for the current core.

However, for this season's Penguins, it appears they found their stride too late, and it may result in a second consecutive season without playoff hockey in Pittsburgh.

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