Fansided

NHL playoffs: 5 reasons the Penguins won’t repeat

By Adam Stocker

Mar 19, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) moves the puck against the Florida Panthers during the third period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) moves the puck against the Florida Panthers during the third period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Here are five reasons why the Pittsburgh Penguins will not repeat as Stanley Cup champions.

Last season the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the San Jose Sharks to win their second Stanley Cup since 2009. This season the Penguins will look to repeat as championships and bring back to back Stanley Cups to Pittsburgh for the first time since 1991-92.

No NHL team has won back to back Stanley Cups since Scotty Bowman’s 1997-98 Detroit Red Wings teams swept the Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals. No team has played in back to back Stanley Cup finals since the Red Wings and Penguins went to the final in 2009-10. In 2009, the Red Wings captured their 11th Stanley Cup. The following year, Sidney Crosby captured his first for the Penguins and the franchise’s third.

Here are five reasons why the Pittsburgh Penguins will not repeat as Stanley Cup champions.

5. NHL playoff format

The NHL has deservedly come under criticism for the format of their playoffs. The NHL playoff format was designed to increase games between division rivals, but this season is exactly why the format is flawed. Washington won the Atlantic division championship, followed by Pittsburgh and Columbus. However, the three teams have three of four best records in the NHL this season. Assuming that Washington and Pittsburgh

Washington won the Atlantic division championship, followed by Pittsburgh and Columbus. However, the three teams have three of four best records in the NHL this season. Assuming that Washington and Pittsburgh advance to the second round, they will face each other despite having the two best rounds in the Eastern Conference.

The format looks even worse when you consider that one of Ottawa, Toronto or Boston will advance to the second round despite having more than 10 points less than Pittsburgh. Assuming Montreal advances to the second round they will face the winner of the other Atlantic division series, despite having the two worst records in the East.

If the NHL used a format, where division winners got the top two seeds, Pittsburgh would finish third and face Ottawa in the first round. A series against Ottawa would be much easier for the Penguins than facing Columbus in the first round.