Penguins Playoff Preview: Beware the Bolts

They’re 8-2 in the playoffs. Three-and-oh against our Penguins during the regular season, including a 5-4 overtime victory on January 15. Fifteen goals for in those three wins.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are for real. And they figure to present a most formidable obstacle in the upcoming Eastern Conference Finals.

To back up a step, the Penguins endured a “test” series on the way to each of their three Stanley Cups. They faced elimination against New Jersey in 1991. Washington in ‘92. And the Caps again in ‘09, before prevailing against Detroit in another nerve-jangling seven-game set.

Tampa Bay might be that foe.

It should be a heckuva series. In some ways, mirror images going at it. Speed against speed. Skill against skill. No goon-squad tactics (or Tom Wilson) to contend with.

Mind you, the Lightning possess some size. Actually, lots of it. Armed with stud defenseman Victor Hedman (6’6” 223) and cohorts Braydon Coburn (6’5” 226), Jason Garrison (6’2” 223) and Andrei Sustr (6’7” 220), the Bolts’ backline bulk could present problems for the Pens. To say nothing of monster forward Brian Boyle (6’7” 243).

Goalie Ben Bishop’s (6’7” 216) no small fry, either. He takes up most of the net simply by standing still.

Tampa Bay has loads of skill, too. Even without two-time Richard Trophy winner Steven Stamkos, who’s recovering from a blood clot. Tyler Johnson (13 points), Nikita Kucherov (nine goals) and Alex Killorn are deadly as snake venom. Jonathan Drouin has blossomed since returning from a team-imposed suspension. Ex-Ranger Ryan Callahan provides tenacity, grit and leadership.

Nor do the Lightning lack for motivation. Jon Cooper’s crew made it to the Cup Finals last season and lost. They’re hungry to return. Just like our Pens were in ’09.

This isn’t to suggest that we throw in the towel and run up a white flag of surrender over Consol Energy Center.

There certainly are reasons to like our chances. All that wonderful speed, for one. And depth. Eleven Pens have tallied two or more goals this postseason, compared to six players for Tampa Bay.

Here’s why the Pens could prevail:

The Bonino Bunch

A match made in hockey heaven. Since being united by coach Mike Sullivan back in March, Nick Bonino, Carl Hagelin and Phil Kessel have arguably been the NHL’s top line.

Bonino’s emerged as an all-purpose force with a marvelous knack for finding the open man—and open spot. Kessel’s flourished. His shot (a team-high five goals), playmaking and big-game presence were huge factors in vanquishing the Capitals. For pure speed and hustle, few can match Hagelin. He’s got vastly underrated skills, too.

Tanger

It’s hard to imagine anyone playing better defense right now than Kris Letang. Logging an astounding 29:27 minutes per game, “Tanger’s” been fast, physical, and nearly impossible to defend. In particular, his backhand passes from deep in his zone have led to several goals by the locals.

Passed over for Norris Trophy consideration, the three-time All-Star leads the black and gold in postseason takeaways (69), plus/minus (+ 7) and hits by a defenseman (27).

The Gang’s All Here

I touched on it earlier. But the Penguins’ depth makes them a difficult foe. Imagine for two seconds the matchup headaches created by spreading Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kessel over three lines.

When healthy, the black and gold can roll four productive lines. And Sullivan can patch holes with Marc-Andre Fleury, Justin Schultz, and Oskar Sundqvist should the need arise.

Intangibles

There are a whole lot of Penguins itching for a shot at redemption. Maligned for past playoff failures, the superstar core would love to say “I told you so.” So would Sullivan and Jim Rutherford, the venerable GM who’s restored considerable luster to his flagging reputation and proved a lot of people wrong.

Stir in a cluster of motivated veterans like Matt Cullen, Eric Fehr, and Chris Kunitz thirsting to sip from the Cup, and you have a delicious intangibles stew.

My prediction? My head says Tampa Bay. My heart say Penguins.

I’ll go with my heart. Penguins in seven.