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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PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 4: Columbus Blue Jackets Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) tends net during the second period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 4, 2017, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. The Penguins defeated the Blue Jackets 4-1. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 4: Columbus Blue Jackets Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) tends net during the second period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 4, 2017, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. The Penguins defeated the Blue Jackets 4-1. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Running into a hot goalie

It seems like almost every season a goalie gets hot and carries his team further into the playoffs than anyone expected. The Conn Smythe Trophy awarded to playoff MVP has been awarded to goalies 16 times, tied with centers for the most. It only takes a goalie having to get hot for four games to eliminate the Penguins from the playoffs and kill their dreams of a second consecutive Stanley Cup.

In the first round, the Penguins will face Sergei Bobrovsky. The former Vezina Trophy winner for league’s best goalie could win another this season. Bobrovsky has been fantastic this season for Columbus. The Russian has a 93.3 save percentage. It’s possible that Bobrovsky gets hot and eliminates the Penguins in the first round. Pittsburgh may not face a better goalie in the playoffs.

In the second round, the Penguins could face Braden Holtby. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner has a 92.5 save percentage this season. Although the Capitals history is colored with playoff losses to the Penguins. However, Holtby can change that history by getting hot at the right time.

It is possible the Penguins run into Carey Price and the Montreal Canadiens in the conference finals. At that point, the Penguins will have to go through the three best goalies in the Eastern Conference and maybe the entire league. Price had a down year but still ranked third in the league in save percentage among goalies who played at least 50 games.

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When Price is on his game he can be the best goalie in the league. If the Canadiens advance to the conference finals, that would be potentially three former Vezina Trophy winners that the Penguins would have to beat just to make it to the Stanley Cup Final.

If the Penguins do not win a second straight championship, it will be because they run into a team with a hotter goalie.