Are the Penguins Playoff-Ready?

Not long ago the Penguins were the hottest team in the National Hockey League. Toast of the ‘Burgh. Winners of eight in a row and 14 out of 15. Before a season-ending loss to the Flyers in a meaningless game (for the Pens) splashed a little cold water on the flames.

That was then. This is now.

It’s a brand-new season. The Stanley Cup playoffs. The Big Dance.

How will our Penguins fare in the cauldron of postseason competition?

According to a recent article by Bill West in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, advanced stats and analytics suggest the Penguins compare favorably to recent Cup champions Chicago, Los Angeles and Boston. Especially in shot-attempt differential while skating five on five.

Still, games are contested on ice, not paper. Where sweat and sinew meet tendon and bone. Intangibles such as heart, will, energy and drive factor into the equation, too.

So does officiating. As a general rule, NHL referees don’t like to decide games with a call. There’s a tendency to keep the whistles to a minimum. One that favors bigger teams with a bent toward obstruction.

Like the Rangers.

Nonetheless, the Pens’ relentless attack and suffocating forecheck should pose considerable problems for New York. Featuring burners like Phil Kessel and ex-Ranger Carl Hagelin, the black and gold can roll four lines at the enemy in a tidal blur of demon speed when healthy.

There’s the rub. The Pens aren’t 100 percent. Not even close. Bryan Rust—a key possession driver—remains sidelined. So does Evgeni Malkin. The Pens will need ‘em both before all is said and done if they’re to fulfill their (and our) Stanley Cup dreams.

The most pressing concern of all? The health of goalies Marc-Andre Fleury and Matt Murray. Although Fleury returned to practice this week, he may still be feeling the effects of his second concussion of the season. Flower’s a question mark for tonight’s series opener at Consol Energy Center.

The Pens have been tight-lipped on Murray’s status. Since having his bell rung against Philly last weekend the rangy rookie’s skated with the team but hasn’t practiced. Not good.

Should the Pens’ 1 and 1A goalies be unable to go, the netminding load will fall squarely upon the slender shoulders of Jeff Zatkoff. A serviceable backup, the popular Detroit native might rise to the occasion for a game or two. But over the course of a grinding seven-game series? Against a battle-tested foe like New York?

A huge worry.

The good news? The Blueshirts are banged up, too. Defensive stalwarts Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh may miss Game 1. Goalie Henrik Lundqvist is shaking off an illness. Eric Staal, Viktor Stalberg and Mats Zuccarello are dealing with injuries as well.

Are the Penguins ready for the playoffs? If Fleury and/or Murray return in reasonably short order…and near top form…I think so. To the tune of a six-game series victory over the Rangers.

If not?

It might be another long summer for Penguins Nation.