Evgeni Malkin is proving the doubters wrong this season, but Rob Rossi his decision to return boiled down to a loyalty to the Penguins and captain Sidney Crosby. For almost two decades, the Pittsburgh Penguins have been a consistent force in the NHL’s postseasons. The Penguins have won three Stanley Cups in that time and are always looked at as a true contender. The 2022-23 season has had a different vibe, however, as other teams around the Eastern Conference have shot to the top of the standings. A 17th consecutive postseason appearance is not as certain as most years for the Penguins; they hold the second wild card spot in the east with a 31-22-9 record and 71 points, but the numbers still look good. According to moneypuck.com, [https://www.moneypuck.com/predictions.htm] the Penguins have an 88.2% chance to reach the postseason. Among other bubble teams, that is still the highest percentage; the New York Islanders (41.1%), Ottawa Senators (27.5%), Buffalo Sabres (21.7%), Florida Panthers (17.8%), Washington Capitals (11.2%), and Detroit Red Wings (1%) all fall behind the Penguins in the race. The games the Penguins have in hand on a few of those teams pushes them well within the proper direction. While the chances of making the playoffs at all look great for the Penguins, they have some decent odds to win a round for the first time since 2018. Money Puck gives [https://twitter.com/MoneyPuckdotcom/status/1632392476701913089] the Penguins a 32% chance to make it to the second round; that’s slightly higher than the New York Rangers at 29.7%. The Rangers loaded up their roster with offense before this trade deadline by adding Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane, but did they overload? The Penguins sit eight points behind the Rangers with a game in hand; the two team play against each other three times next week, and that could make or break the Penguins season. There is a lot of hockey still to be played, but the Penguins, despite only marginal improvements at the deadline, are in a good place. Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins [http://insidethepenguins.com/]for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more! Sergei Bobrovsky Was the Center of Attention in Penguins Loss [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/sergei-bobrovsky-center-attention-pittsburgh-penguins-loss] Nick Bonino Looking Forward to Another Run with Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/nick-bonino-looking-forward-another-run-pittsburgh-penguins] Sloppy Outing Draws an End to Penguins Winning Streak [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/sloppy-outing-end-pittsburgh-penguins-winning-streak] Penguins Acquiring Mikael Granlund was Multiple Years in the Making [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-acquiring-mikael-granlund-years-making] Ron Hextall Believes Penguins are Stanley Cup Contenders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/ron-hextall-believes-pittsburgh-penguins-stanley-cup-contenders] * undefined * undefined
