Penguins will win Stanley Cup led by core of Crosby, Malkin, Letang

The Pittsburgh Penguins are largely a team of proven veterans looking to prove that they have plenty left to win the Stanley Cup.

The Penguins endured injuries to key players -- including forwards Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, and goalie Tristan Jarry -- dealt with NHL COVID-19 protocol and overcame inconsistencies to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 16th straight season.

Pittsburgh finished third in the Atlantic Division fueled by some of their veterans having their best seasons in years and won 10 straight games from Dec. 4 to Jan. 6 to prove it still has what it takes.
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Crosby, who missed the first seven games of the season recovering from wrist surgery and another five while in protocol, scored 31 goals, his most since 2018-19 when he had 35 in 79 games. His 84 points (31 goals, 53 assists) in 69 games is his best since he had 100 points (35 goals, 65 assists) in 2018-19.

Malkin, who made his season debut Jan. 11 after offseason knee surgery, had 42 points (20 goals, 22 assists) in 42 games.

Defenseman Kris Letang had a career season in the NHL with 68 points (10 goals, 58 assists) in 78 games. Forward Jake Guentzel also had the best season of his six-season NHL career with 84 points (40 goals, 44 assists) in 76 games.

Pittsburgh added more firepower for a playoff run when they acquired Rickard Rakell from the Anaheim Ducks prior to the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline on March 21. The speedy playmaking forward had 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 19 regular-season games for the Penguins.

But Pittsburgh can do more than just score. Coach Mike Sullivan has instilled a strong work ethic, reflected by a commitment to team defense. The Penguins finished fifth in the NHL in goals against per game (2.71).

With Jarry week to week with a lower-body injury, Casey DeSmith used his final starts of the regular season, punctuated by a 52-save performance in a 4-0 win against the Boston Bruins on April 21, to prove that he's ready to backstop a Stanley Cup run, and give the Penguins their fourth title in 14 years.