The only Penguins game I was able to see in-person this season was last Saturday when they faced the Blue Jackets in Columbus. While expectations were low compared to past seasons, it appeared they would knock off the worst team in the Eastern Conference when up 3-1 in the 3rd period. Then the Jackets scored quickly to get within one, eventually forcing overtime, as the Penguins ultimately fell 4-3 in a shootout.
At this point (and perhaps there were chances before this), I was channeling “30 Rock” yelling “shut it down!”.
But since that latest collapse, the Penguins have rolled off wins against the Rangers, Devils and Capitals, along with teams in front of them stumbling down the stretch, providing a pulse for their playoff hopes.
Playoffs?! Really?! This team?!
Yeah, the Penguins are within reach of the 2nd wild card, and believe it or not, the 3rd playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division.
This will make the last two weeks of the regular season interesting, but would the Penguins being in the playoffs be a good thing?
During their previous four playoff trips before missing them last season, the Penguins have been bounced in the first round and it’s likely their fate should they sneak in this year.
Also, this team could afford a better draft pick as a quasi-rebuild seems to be in the works if the organization is willing to admit it. Maybe dealing Jake Guentzel at the deadline was a move toward acceptance of that reality?
But if they did get in and bow out in the 1st round again, does that create the illusion that things maybe weren’t as bad as they have been for nearly the entire season?
The black knight in “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” was still willing to fight King Arthur despite having his limbs cut off, leaving just his head and torso.
That’s the vibe I get from this Penguins team that the stage of the franchise is just a flesh wound.
Sean Gallagher 
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