It has been a rather wild ride for the Pittsburgh Penguins already this season, considering how they have had to navigate through a variety of uncertainties. Whether it be Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin both missing time due to injuries or a plethora of positive COVID cases, the Penguins have managed to deal with any adversity they have faced this year.
“We’re not looking for excuses,” said Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan, via Sportsnet.ca. “We’re trying to achieve excellence every day. Our expectation is high in that room. And we all have a responsibility to live up to that standard of what it means to be a Pittsburgh Penguin.”
With Crosby turning 35 years old this year and Malkin turning 36, the Penguins know the time to win is now. The two have led the Penguins to three Stanley Cup triumphs during their time in Pittsburgh, but haven’t lifted the league’s most prestigious prize since 2017 and are desperate to do so once again. As a result, the team must remain focused on winning at all costs.
“No one is going to rationalize sloppy play for any particular reason, fatigue or otherwise,” Sullivan continued. “It’s our challenge to find ways to manage our game through it.”
Pittsburgh have been red hot as of late and find themselves climbing up the standings in the competitive Metropolitan Division. However, they cannot afford to rest on their laurels now, with so much hockey still left to be played. Consistency will be crucial as the season continues to progress.
“I know our team is very capable, and when we’re at our best we do a real good job with the risk-reward factor,” Sullivan said. “I think most recently it’s been a little more volatile than we’d like.”
While the Penguins have been one of the most inspiring teams to watch during the current campaign considering how exciting they are, they need to remember that it is often defense that wins championships. A fact that has not been lost on the team’s head coach, who was in charge of the Penguins during their back-to-back Stanley Cup triumphs in 2016 and 2017.
“It’s hard to score your way to championships,” Sullivan reasons. “The chance-for-chance game is not a formula for consistent success and I think our players know that.”
The Penguins know that even if they do fall behind, they always have a chance to win because of their stellar offense, but it is something Sullivan would prefer not to have to rely on. However, their offensive firepower definitely helps provide confidence to the rest of the squad.
“For this team, to come back in a game doesn’t take much,” Penguins defenseman Kris Letang said. “We have the talent and skill.”
It remains to be seen just how far the Penguins will go this season when it really matters, but having a healthy Malkin back in the squad certainly makes a difference. Despite their age, Crosby and Malkin remain elite players in the league and will provide quite the daunting challenge to any side they eventually meet in the postseason.
