By Travis Bromer
Since Sidney Crosby left the lineup on January 5th the Pittsburgh Penguins record is 23-18. That is just straight up wins and losses. I counted overtime losses as a loss because that is what an overtime loss is in the playoffs. The Penguins have also added three new players to their lineup via trade. Three guys Crosby has never played with. The Penguins are red hot going into the playoffs, 8-2 in their last ten games. Also since Crosby has been sidelined the Penguins have changed their style of play. They play a much more strict defensive style. The type of system that hinders creative offensive play, but allows you to win games with less talent.
The question is, if Crosby were to return to the lineup how would all of this effect him? Better yet how would he effect the new look Penguins? The team has developed some surprising chemistry without Crosby in the lineup. Every player has found their role and played it flawlessly. Everyone saw Crosby out as an opportunity to step up and prove they're a great player. The best example is Tyler Kennedy. Coming into the season who would have thought Mr. Kennedy would be a twenty goal scorer? Not me. If Crosby returns to the lineup will players like Kennedy, Dupuis, and Staal shrink their production. More importantly can the Penguins really afford to go through a chemistry building phase during the playoffs. It takes time for players to learn to play together, especially superstars. Neal, Crosby, and Kovalev have never played on a line together, not even really practiced together. You cannot expect to throw them on the ice and have magic happen. With Crosby in the lineup the whole system changes. I am not sure the Penguins are ready for a system overhaul in mid-April.
Those are the reasons not to come back. There are very good reasons to get back in the lineup as soon as possible. First off he is the best player in the world. If you have a great player on your roster you want him in the lineup. Especially when he is a proven winner. Crosby has helped carry this team to 2 Stanley Cup Final appearances already, they could not have gotten there without him. That is the second and most important reason for him to be back in this lineup. Yes this is a very strong team without him. They are playing great hockey without Sid. However, they cannot get back to the Stanley Cup without Crosby. With Sid in the lineup who knows how far they can go.
There is a chance the team plays poorly if Crosby returns. Then again there is a chance they achieve greatness with him. Without Crosby there is no way this team can go deep in the playoffs. That is why I hope for Crosby's return in the playoffs.
Since Sidney Crosby left the lineup on January 5th the Pittsburgh Penguins record is 23-18. That is just straight up wins and losses. I counted overtime losses as a loss because that is what an overtime loss is in the playoffs. The Penguins have also added three new players to their lineup via trade. Three guys Crosby has never played with. The Penguins are red hot going into the playoffs, 8-2 in their last ten games. Also since Crosby has been sidelined the Penguins have changed their style of play. They play a much more strict defensive style. The type of system that hinders creative offensive play, but allows you to win games with less talent.
The question is, if Crosby were to return to the lineup how would all of this effect him? Better yet how would he effect the new look Penguins? The team has developed some surprising chemistry without Crosby in the lineup. Every player has found their role and played it flawlessly. Everyone saw Crosby out as an opportunity to step up and prove they're a great player. The best example is Tyler Kennedy. Coming into the season who would have thought Mr. Kennedy would be a twenty goal scorer? Not me. If Crosby returns to the lineup will players like Kennedy, Dupuis, and Staal shrink their production. More importantly can the Penguins really afford to go through a chemistry building phase during the playoffs. It takes time for players to learn to play together, especially superstars. Neal, Crosby, and Kovalev have never played on a line together, not even really practiced together. You cannot expect to throw them on the ice and have magic happen. With Crosby in the lineup the whole system changes. I am not sure the Penguins are ready for a system overhaul in mid-April.
Those are the reasons not to come back. There are very good reasons to get back in the lineup as soon as possible. First off he is the best player in the world. If you have a great player on your roster you want him in the lineup. Especially when he is a proven winner. Crosby has helped carry this team to 2 Stanley Cup Final appearances already, they could not have gotten there without him. That is the second and most important reason for him to be back in this lineup. Yes this is a very strong team without him. They are playing great hockey without Sid. However, they cannot get back to the Stanley Cup without Crosby. With Sid in the lineup who knows how far they can go.
There is a chance the team plays poorly if Crosby returns. Then again there is a chance they achieve greatness with him. Without Crosby there is no way this team can go deep in the playoffs. That is why I hope for Crosby's return in the playoffs.
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