The Penguins made a lot of people lie

Having secured their first place in the Eastern Division, the Pittsburgh Penguins have raised their heads despite many pitfalls in recent months and are ready to make people forget the playoff failures of recent years.

Much to the astonishment of some observers who believed to see them out of the post-season portrait after a painful exit in the 2020 qualifying round and several changes, the “Pens” have stood out this season. With 37 wins and 77 points, they edged out strong rivals like the Washington Capitals, Boston Bruins and New York Islanders.

Still, Pittsburgh saw general manager Jim Rutherford quit his post, which Ron Hextall got shortly after. Then, the club lost no less than 273 men’s matches due to injuries. Among the hockey players who visited the infirmary were Evgeni Malkin, Jason Zucker, Brian Dumoulin and Brandon Tanev.

However, the other players took over with conviction.

“It is a relief. It was really a different year for a lot of guys obviously because of the change in leadership and COVID-19 affecting everyone, not just in the National League. I think the organization has controlled the situation well, ”forward Jared McCann told the team’s official website.

“The group is united. I think that’s the most important fact to remember, added forward Jake Guentzel. You get stuck in the hotels so you hang out with the guys and after the games you have a good time where you become more of a team. It appeared on the ice; we had fun collectively and it’s good to be able to fight with them every night. I think the camaraderie is very good and part of the explanation for this season. ”

Rediscover the good habits of spring

Now the Penguins can focus on the playoffs and want to redeem their poor performance from last year. Head coach Mike Sullivan’s men had fallen in four games against the Montreal Canadiens in the Toronto bubble.

This time, they will have the opportunity to start the playoffs with the advantage of the ice. This is good news for them as they have maintained an eloquent 22-4-2 record at home in the regular season.

“We placed ourselves in the best possible position for the playoffs by having this advantage. We can be proud of what we have accomplished, ”said Dumoulin.

“In the last few years, we were eliminated quickly, so that motivates us more. We want to win more than before, said Guentzel. For us, these are exciting times. We’re happy to be here and can’t wait to get started. ”

Precisely, for Sullivan, it is essential to keep his troops on the alert, regardless of the day the first round series begins or the opponent.

“We will be ready, we must remain committed to this process. This is where the fun begins. This is what I told the team. We did a big job in earning the privilege of fighting for the Stanley Cup. This is the most rewarding part of this journey. And I’m looking forward with this group of players. ”

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