For as well as the Penguins' 2021-22 regular-season went, it's hard not to feel as if it could've gone even better had a number of their skaters lived up to their prior standards or potential.
Luck and simple variance can play massive roles in outcomes in small samples, but these effects are often seen on a season-long scale and, in some instances, even longer.
There are two Penguins skaters in particular who might see a bounce back in performance next season. Their less than stellar performances this past season can't be solely chalked up to luck and variance, but factoring in those items along with a deeper look under the hood suggests these players might not be quite as disappointing in the future.