The Pittsburgh Penguins top forward line is championship ready.

A lot is being made this summer about the parts of the Pittsburgh Penguins roster that needs fixing, and rightfully so. The team missed the postseason in the most devastating way, falling to the Chicago Blackhawks, who were bad enough this season to receive the top pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Despite taking a step back last season, the Penguins plan to continue their push toward another championship instead of blowing up what they have. "I do think that it's a group capable of contending to win a championship," stated Kyle Dubas, the Penguins' new President of Hockey Operations, last week during his introductory press conference.

Dubas' belief largely stems from the impressive performance of the Penguins' aging core players at the top of the lineup. That belief and hope of returning to contention begin with the Penguins' top forward line of Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, and Rickard Rakell.

Crosby and Guentzel have played together since the latter entered the league in the 2016-17 season. Guentzel immediately connected with Crosby on a level that few others have during the future Hall of Famers 18-year career. Adding Rakell to the mix last season put more fuel on the fire, making the Penguins' top line one of the best in the entire league.

That trio played just over 550 minutes together at 5v5 last season and produced 56% of the shot attempts and 59% of the scoring chances when they were on the ice. 

They also accounted for 58% of the expected goals when playing together at even strength. Not only was that the best on the Penguins, but according to moneypuck.com, it was the fourth highest in the entire league.

The three lines ahead of them were from the Dallas Stars, Carolina Hurricanes, and Tampa Bay Lightning. With all three teams making the playoffs and two reaching the conference finals, the Penguins have a first line ready for championship contention.

Dubas has his work cut out for him this summer, but if he can build a halfway decent supporting cast around the team's top guys, the Penguins could be back in contention as early as next season.

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