5 burning questions for the Pittsburgh Penguins

With their potential dynasty derailed, the Penguins now have to regroup and figure out how to reach the promised land for the third time in four years.

How the times have changed for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

This time last year, the Penguins were savoring their second Stanley Cup championship in as many years, the Washington Capitals had failed to beat them in the playoffs yet again and no one was questioning the team’s decision-making prowess.

Fast forward to July 2018, and those rose-colored glasses Penguins fans have been wearing since June ’16 have been replaced with microscopes all zoomed in on a team that many believe underachieved last season.

Most fan bases would be pleased with a season that ended in a second-round playoff exit, but not Pittsburgh sports fans. This is a city that has seen its teams win two Super Bowls and three Stanley Cups in the 21st century. Anything less than a championship is considered a failure.

Not only are the Penguins now forced to regroup and figure out how to reach the summit again, but now they have to deal with a rejuvenated Washington Capitals no longer afraid of them after breaking their playoff curse during their own Stanley Cup run.

This is more or less the same scenario the Golden State Warriors faced after the Cleveland Cavaliers famously came back from a 3-1 deficit to win the 2016 NBA Finals. They were also proven champions who were tasked with finding a way past a suddenly confident rival.

Of course, the Warriors’ solution was to sign the best scorer in the league. The Penguins don’t seem to be on that trajectory right now, and in fact seem a little aimless with their offseason efforts.

Here are the five questions looming over the Penguins as they prepare for the 2018-19 season.