Do the Penguins Play Up (or Down) to the Competition?

I was working the front desk yesterday afternoon at Wright’s Gym when one of our members, Jim Hartley, commented on the Penguins’ dramatic 4-3 overtime win over New Jersey on Thursday night.

After giving the black-and-gold mostly high marks for their collective effort, he added, “At least they showed up.”

Smoke began pouring from the mostly empty space between my ears and a light bulb turned on…always a dangerous thing. I wondered…do the Pens play up (or down) to the competition?

Based on a recent history that includes thoroughly uninspired losses to non-playoff teams like Detroit and the Islanders, not to mention a near-catastrophic slip-up against tonight’s foe, the equally hapless Habs, I…