The Penguins missing the playoffs in 2020? Pfft! That’s not going to happen. I mean, they haven’t missed out since 2006.
Then again, the Penguins made the playoffs by only four points in 2019.
And it took until Game 81 to clinch a berth.
And they couldn’t win a playoff game.
And they lost Phil Kessel, Olli Maatta and Matt Cullen.
And they have have salary-cap issues.
So maybe the idea of them missing the playoffs isn’t so crazy, after all.
That’s what Matt Larkin of The Hockey News is considering. Annually, he posts a “three in, three out” column. In other words, he lists three playoff teams from the previous season who will miss the playoffs in the upcoming year. And he lists three organizations who missed out last year that will scramble back into the bracket next spring.
Larkin has the Penguins as one of the franchises out before the postseason begins this season, along with the Jets and Blue Jackets.
Even worse, he has the Flyers as one of the teams getting in after missing out a year ago. A lot of Larkin’s rationale is connected to watching Chicago flame out after seeing a lot of postseason success in preceding years. He sees similarities in Pittsburgh.
Larkin also doesn’t seem sold that the Penguins’ additions will offset their losses from the roster. And he thinks the rest of the Metropolitan Division is getting better while the Penguins are regressing — or staying stagnant, at best.
Is he right? Take a listen. See if you buy what he is selling.
Not that you’d want to buy it. But just see if makes more sense once he explains.
