from Kevin Allen of USA TODAY,
But this season’s Pittsburgh Penguins have a better shot of repeating than any team in the salary cap era, including the Kings or Blackhawks.
It’s not that they are a mightier team than the Kings or Blackhawks were during their championship run. It’s that these Penguins have a history of stepping up when faced with formidable challenges....
The perception of the Penguins is that they are a warp-speed skating offensive team, but their speed aids their defensive play more than it probably helps their offensive game. Defenseman Kris Letang is an example of that.
“His offense speaks for itself. … I don’t think (Letang) gets the credit he deserves for his defensive play,” Sullivan said. “He’s got a quick stick. He’s ultra-competitive. He can be physical when he needs to be. He defends hard. To me, that’s why he is one of the top defensemen in the league.”
Nothing seems to bother the Penguins. They lose Crosby, the world’s best player, to a concussion, and they came roaring out of the gate last week playing like they did in June when they won the Stanley Cup.
The Penguins lose players, they change lines and keep hurtling toward their destination. To the Penguins, it is one small step each day with the hope it becomes the giant leap toward becoming the first NHL team in two decades to be a repeat champion.
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