This is second part of blog on prediction for 2012 STANLEY
2nd pick why Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Penguins, the team I'm picking to win the Stanley Cup; this team produced at a 94-point clip without Crosby or the injured Evgeni Malkin last season. In the playoffs, they stretched the Tampa Bay Lightning to seven games and lost a coin flip. I think - or I'd like to think - that this year Malkin roars again, Crosby comes back as more than a shadow of him, and one of the great comeback seasons in hockey is written. After a seven-month layoff, the 25-year-old center looks ready to return to the level at which he was playing in 2008-09, when he won the Art Ross Trophy with a 113-point season. In preseason action, Malkin appeared fit and sharp, skating strongly and leading several goal-scoring breakaways."
Crosby, the Penguins' captain, will begin the season on injured reserve. There is no target date for his return from a concussion suffered in January.
More than Average Goaltending
In goal, Marc-Andre Fleury bring championship experience. Fleury backstopped the Pens to the 2009 titl
Solid Defense
The Penguins have good balance with clever young puck-mover Kris Letang and quietly effective Paul Martin leading the rush from the back end, while rugged Brooks Orpik and shot-blocking specialist Zbynek Michalek provide a physical presence.
Strong Forwards lines
These teams also have world-class forwards. Up the middle, the Penguins can roll out Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal.The penguins have scorers like James Neal, Steve Sullivan, Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis. In the end, because I value centers more than wingers in terms of helping teams win, I'd give the Penguins forwards a little bit of an advantage.
Coaching
Penguins is very well coached by Dan Bylsma . Bylsma earned his ring in his current role as Penguins coach.
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