There’s a dwindling number of teams remaining in the NHL playoffs and a former Penguin will be celebrating a Stanley Cup championship this summer – we just don’t know exactly which one yet.
Carolina
The Hurricanes have roared out to an 8-0 postseason, getting halfway there without so much as losing a playoff game. Carolina is captained by Jordan Staal, former Penguin Stanley Cup champion who is looking to get back to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2009 when he won it with Pittsburgh. The Canes also have Mark Jankowski in their playing lineup.
Vegas
Reilly Smith wasn’t happy when the Golden Knights traded him to the Pens to relieve a cap crunch and was able to find his way back to Vegas. At 35 he’s no longer the 50-60 point player he once was (scoring 26 points in 69 games this season and having two points in six playoff games) but is back where he wants to be and chasing a second Stanley Cup. The Knights also have Brandon Saad on their team for another Pittsburgh connection, though he’s been a reserve piece that has only appeared in three playoff games.
Colorado
The most recent former Penguin, Brett Kulak, has made his mark to help the Avalanche through the first two rounds of the playoffs with five points in nine games – including the OT goal to defeat Minnesota. That’s all the direct Penguin connections, though surely Sidney Crosby will be watching and pulling for his good friend Nathan MacKinnon to nab a second Stanley Cup.
Buffalo/Montreal
This has been written before last night’s Game 6, so by this point either Montreal has moved on or the Sabres have forced a Game 7 in that series. Either way, a former Pen will be involved next round. The Canadiens have Mike Matheson on their team, Buffalo has Jason Zucker and Conor Timmins as regulars with Tanner Pearson (no playoff games) in reserve. Buffalo also has Mattias Samuelsson, the son of former Penguin Ulf to add an indirect connection.
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