Avalanche Roll (and Rule), Bury Penguins 6-4

Recently, a writer from another blog whose work I respect a great deal opined that our Penguins are a very good team. Perhaps even a great one.

While I may agree with the first part of his assertion, I beg to differ with the second. In the wake of the Pens’ disappointing 6-4 home-ice loss to the Avalanche last night, we’re proving ourselves to be a notch below the NHL elite.

Make that a considerable notch below.

This isn’t a knock but rather a statement of fact. Going back to the preseason, most pundits including myself felt the Pens would be hard-pressed to make the playoffs. Barring a total and unforeseen collapse, we most assuredly are a playoff team. You might even say we’ve overachieved.…