Could the Penguins Win the Cup?

The thought’s crept from my subconscious and into my head like some sort of paranormal harbinger while watching our last two games. Could the Penguins win the Stanley Cup?

Yeah…I know. Crazy. If you’d told me I’d be thinking this way even a couple of weeks ago? I would’ve said you were nuts. After all, we didn’t win our second game in regulation until February 14…nearly a quarter of the way into the season.

But now?

This bunch appears to be channeling our 2015-16 Cup winners. Eerily so. Right down to a slumping superstar. Seems improbable now, but Sidney Crosby was doing his best pre-hot streak Evgeni Malkin imitation back then. He had a grand total of two goals and nine points after 18 games. Remember?

Heck, at that stage Bobby Farnham had more goals than Sid. That’s right…Bobby Farnham.

Lots of folks, including yours truly, were asking if No. 87 was washed up.

Our present vintage is even patterned after the ’15-16 squad, with a pronounced emphasis on speed. And both clubs experienced quite a bit of turnover during the offseason while adding a high-profile top-six winger (Phil Kessel and Kasperi Kapanen).

Following three straight losses to open the ’15-16 season, we heated up with nine wins in 10 games. Despite our success, we didn’t look good. It was no great surprise when the wheels came off and the axe fell on coach Mike Johnston.

Even after Mike Sullivan took over, things didn’t turn around right away. We lost our first four games under the newly minted coach and went 6-7-4 in his first 17 games.

Then we caught fire. The rest, they say, is history.

I thought we resembled those Johnston-era Pens during the first dozen games this season. Even when we won, we looked crappy. We couldn’t win in regulation to save our souls, ceding precious points to division foes. Then we went through a win one, lose one stretch. We couldn’t string two solid games together.

If not for the remarkable resilience we’ve displayed from day one? I shudder to think where we’d be.

Now…suddenly…things are starting to jell. We’re heating up and looking like a real hockey team. We’re getting contributions from up and down the lineup, not to mention solid netminding. Even the fourth line’s been passable. Perhaps just as important, a palpable bond seems to be forming among the players. 

No, we’re not perfect. Not by a long shot. But neither are our division rivals.

Boston has a murderous top line and Tuukka Rask but no scoring depth. Washington is tough and skilled but slow. Philly is having consistency and goaltending issues. The Islanders might be the most complete team in the division, especially playing Barry Trotz’s structured style. But we’ve had our way with them.

If our boys get healthy? We could be a formidable opponent. Even more so if GM Ron Hextall finds a way to add a power forward and a physical defenseman.

Back to my original thought. Each time we’ve won a Cup, I’ve just had a feeling. Similar to the vibes I’ve gotten lately.

In case you’re wondering, I do claim to have a little ESP. Enter the WABAC machine with me and set the dial to Saturday, December 23, 1972. Fifteen at the time, I stepped into the Radio Shack at South Hills Village to listen to the Steelers game (home games weren’t televised back then). We trailed the Raiders, 7-6. Fourth and ten, ball on our 40-yard line. Twenty-two seconds left to play.

And then it hit me…literally like a bolt from the blue. We’re going to win.

I told the woman standing next to me. Then came announcer Jack Fleming’s call.

…And Bradshaw, back and looking again Bradshaw….running out of the pocket, looking for somebody to throw to, fires it downfield, and there’s a collision! It’s caught out of the air! The ball is pulled in by Franco Harris! Harris is going for a touchdown for Pittsburgh!

Yes, the “Immaculate Reception.”

Mind you, I’m not promising a Cup just yet. But those feelings are beginning to stir…