from Craig Custance of ESPN,

For as much as we like to analyze the Penguins, breaking down their need for another forward or two (or perhaps an entirely new third line), the ideal role for Kris Letang and whether or not GM Ray Shero should bring in goalie insurance, let's take a moment to realize something crazy.

The Pens now have 17-point lead on the next-best Metropolitan division team (New York). That's 17 points. In steamrolling the Sabres on Wednesday night, Pittsburgh sent the reminder that you can have flaws, but when you have two of the best players in the world in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin healthy and playing well, those flaws can be minimized during the regular season.

Nobody is throwing a parade for a win over the Sabres in February, but the Penguins consistency in stockpiling points and doing it in a convincing fashion --plus-49 goal differential -- is impressive.

more topics including Burnside on Olympic hockey, LeBrun on Chicago's PK and Strang on the Ducks....