Key #1: Sid must be big time
It's common knowledge that Sidney Crosby is one of, if not the best hockey player in the world. However, the past few years, he has not been himself in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and that's one of the reasons that the Pens have been bounced by New York in each of the past two seasons. If Crosby can be at his very best, his fellow teamates will feed off of him and Pittsburgh will be a much better team as a result
Key #2: Depth, Depth and more Depth.
One of the biggest reasons for the Penguins playoff failures over the past few years is that the big guns have had too much pressure on them to perfeom. When your bottom 6 is not producing, the top 6 has more pressure on them, and when the top 6 has more pressure on them, more pressure often less to less production. If players like Connor Sheary, Tom Kuhnhackal and Bryan Rust are able to be key factors, it will make it easier for the likes of Crosby, Kunitz and Kessell to be themselves in the playoffs
Key #3
Speed must kill
The Penguins biggest strength is unquestionably their speed. The roster is filled with burners who play well into Mike Sullivan's style, and I will argue that the Penguins are the fastest team in the fastest game on ice. If Pittsburgh can use their speed the way they know how, they will make life miserable for the New York Rangers. Carl Hagelin, Connor Sheary and, of course, Sidney Crosby will all need to put on the jets, and I have a good feeling that they will do just that.
Final Series Prediction: Pens in 6
The Penguins are on fire, and have been for a large majority of Mike Sullivan's reign as head coach. The Rangers have knocked them out of the playoffs the past two seasons, and they are due to be conquered.
Thanks for reading, and Let's Go Pens!
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