Pens' injuries don't curb Cup expectations

By Chris Mueller 

Special to The Beaver County Times | Posted: Wednesday, April 10, 2013 12:16 am

http://www.timesonline.com

Jarome Iginla. Brenden Morrow. Douglas Murray. Jussi Jokinen.

Nice collection of names right there.

The Penguins essentially ruined the trade deadline for the rest of the NHL by making several moves to bolster an already strong roster, giving up no members of the current NHL team in doing so. Ray Shero’s work is clearly done for the rest of the season. It became clear that the expectation level of Cup or bust was an appropriate one.

At least, it was appropriate 10 days ago. Since then, Sidney Crosby has taken a puck to the face, Paul Martin’s hand has been broken, James Neal has been concussed by a spinning back elbow from Michael Del Zotto and the Pens have seen what looked like an incredibly deep roster of forwards become a MASH unit.

When I look at the Penguins, I see a team beset by uncertainty, and the frustrating reality of mystery recovery timetables. That’s really the worst part of this whole exercise. At least with Martin’s injury, there is a prognosis, a definite fix and a reliable return timetable. With Crosby and Neal, there is no such certainty. Neal is reported to be feeling better, but we all know that the Penguins and concussions can be an unpredictable mix. Crosby isn’t eating solid foods, and though he seems in good spirits, the team has not set a date or timetable for his return to working out, let alone playing hockey.

These injuries and their nebulous recovery periods come at the worst possible time. With only a few weeks to go until the playoffs, the Penguins figured to spend their time assimilating new pieces, developing much needed chemistry and figuring out ideal line combinations that would maximize everyone’s talents. Instead, they’re playing with a host of different pairings, developing exactly zero continuity relative to what they’ll be trying to do come playoff time and hoping all the while to hold off Montreal.

Doesn’t sound like the rosiest of pictures, and yet the expectations remain: Cup or bust.

Even in the NHL, where last year’s Stanley Cup finals matched a six and eight seed, it is widely acknowledged that the playoffs are often a hot goalie-based crapshoot, it’s still Cup or bust.

Admittedly, even as I write this, it’s tough to shake that notion from my mind. The assemblage of talent on this team — when healthy — is enough to make other players around the league blush. No one denies that when the Penguins are healthy and playing their style, they project as an incredibly tough out in a seven-game series.

Still, I can’t shake a feeling of uneasiness. They aren’t healthy. The league, while respecting the Pens’ talent, doesn’t fear them. Their 15-game winning streak was built largely on one-goal victories and featured several comeback wins. They are by no means invincible, even if it looks like they are on paper. Because of Martin’s injury, it’s doubtful the team will be at full strength until some time in the first round of the playoffs. You know, the same first round that has been their nemesis the last few seasons. Despite all their additions, they are still vulnerable to a goalie meltdown, a breakdown in their lately rigid adherence to Dan Bylsma’s preferred style of play and, of course, injuries.

However, the refrain is the same. Cup or bust.

Maybe it stems from the nice collection of names they acquired. Maybe it’s because they have the best player in the world, and he’ll almost certainly be back before the playoffs start, even if it’s only for the last game of the season. Maybe it’s because when “on,” they look unbeatable. Whatever the case, the expectation level is sky-high, despite all the tribulations that come with every deep playoff run.

The snap judgment after all the trade deadline dust settled was that only a championship would suffice. I’m not sure it was a fair thought then, even though I embraced it. In the last 10 days, things have gone as far off script as possible. The Pens have seen several chinks, even if temporary, appear in their armor. By no means are they invincible, unbeatable or even necessarily the odds-on favorite as things currently stand.

None of that matters, though. It is quite clear that three words will follow this wounded, vulnerable team, for better or worse.

Cup or bust.