from Joe Starkey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,

Are they a fast team? A physical team? An offensive juggernaut? They would appear to be all of those and none of those, depending on the day.

But here’s the reality: It’s impossible to establish a true personality when key players are missing all the time. Continuity and role definition create an identity. The Penguins have had neither, but then, they have been without a top-four defenseman (Schultz) nearly all season and keep losing the Malkins, Hornqvists and Murrays of the world.

That’s not an excuse. It’s a reality as the Penguins prepare to face three formidable opponents. The Panthers are 4-2 in their past six with victories over Toronto, Nashville, Vegas and San Jose. The Lightning is the best team in the league (and definitely not searching for an identity). The Flyers have won eight in a row.

On the other hand, opportunity knocks on a trip like this. Things could change at any moment. I still believe this team is eminently capable of a long playoff run. I’d love to see how it performs at full strength.

I just wonder if we’ll ever see it in that condition.

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