In the NHL, I know it’s rare for teams who finish the season with the best record and win the President’s Trophy go on and win the Stanley Cup. The Penguins don’t seem concerned with trying to win the league outright in the regular season, but focus on preparing themselves to be in the right shape and state of mind going into the second season — the Stanley Cup Playoffs that kick off in April.
I don’t think you can give the Penguins credit for turning things on in January and February, where in this instance, the team was the beneficiary of a rejuvenated team and an injection of youth from players like Conor Sheary following the firing of Mike Johnston and the promotion of Mike Sullivan.