Clinching a playoff spot is only the start.  The Pens want to at least secure the Atlantic Division title, ensuring at least one or two series with the home ice advantage.  They are within striking distance of the top overall spot in the East trailing the Habs by only one point.  But are these Pens ready for the grinder that is the Stanley Cup Playoffs?

The one area of the Pens that no one doubts is their offensive.  They have prolific scorers on the top two lines, solid scoring threats on the third and a rough-and-tumble group on their fourth (thank the old Devils for always renaming the fourth line as the 'energy' line) line.  The Penguins haven't had an arsenal of offensive talent like this since their heydays of the early 90s, and although Crosby may not be Mario, certainly his cast of characters ranks favorably against those 90s-era teams.  Now the Sid is returning, most people including myself figure the first line will be Hossa, Crosby and Depuis.  The second line (which has off-the-charts chemistry) is just as lethal with Malkin, Talbot and Malone.  Time will only tell how good Malkin and Crosby can be - and finances will dictate how long they play together - but the 90s Pens had Mario and Jagr as the team's two superior stars.  So the Pens have the offense.

Last year, going into the Stanley Cup, nearly all pundits were critical of the Pens defense.  As it turned out, those pundits had good reason to hold those doubts.  The Pens do not feature a rugged defensive corps, nor do they have that one lethal point man.  What they do have, though, is a nice blend of talent, youth, experience and skills.  Their best defenseman is Gonchar, who is among NHL league leaders in defense scoring.  He quarterbacks the power play, and is a solid player on defense.  No one mistakes this unit as one that strikes fear into opponents, but they are smart, play solid positional hockey and are willing to work the battles in the corner for the puck.  They have a mix of skill and toughness, with rookie Kris Letang with perhaps the most skill, and recent import Hal Gill having the size and strength to tackle larger offensive players.  The Pens defense is upgraded over previous years.  Unlike last year, where there were enough offensive questions to put far more pressure on the defense, this year the defense is upgraded enough and the offense explosive enough that this team should perform well in the playoffs.  They won't get rubbed out in the first round like last year, no matter who they play.  They might not make the Cup Finals, but they'll go deeper than one round.

Unless their goaltending falls apart.  And unfortunately, if there's a huge question on this team its in goal.  Fleury has performed very well - both before and after his ankle injury - which ought to begin shutting some people up.  But they have a point - Fleury has a track record of failure in pressure games.  He was average to sub-par last year against the Sens.  He's lost in juniors, worlds and other high-profile tournaments.  So the doubters have reason to do so.  After a career stretch, career backup Ty Conklin unfortunately seems to be returning to earth.  In spot duty, he'll get the job done, but he's not the type of goalie that can lift a team on his shoulders and will a series victory.  If there's any solace, though, its that Fleury finally seems to be playing up to the level of an overall number one draft choice.  No one is going to mistake him for the likes of Roy, Hasek or even Brodeur, but you don't need a hall of fame goalie to win the Cup.  You just need a very, very good one.  Fleury is playing like a very, very good goalie. 

The most likely position for the Pens is the first or second seeding.  If they get the overall number one, there's a chance they'll play either the Bruins (assuming they can right their ship) or the charging Caps.  The NHL (and NBC especially) would be totally freaking nuts-thrilled if the Caps get into the playoffs, and NBC then gets to showcase up to 7 games of Sidney versus Alexander.  While the Caps are a scary team, the thing is that they've been playing on their ear for a month.  Can they repeat that?  Is Ovechkin enough?  Or if the Bruins get collected, then the Pens and Bruins would play a tough series.  I think in that case the Pens superior offense and at least draws in defense and goalie play would give them the edge.  If the Pens settle in the 2 spot, they'll likely face a familiar Atlantic Division foe.  THe Rangers have had their number this year, as have the Flyers.  But still, both the Rangers and Flyers - while very good - have flaws.  For the Rangers, though, their goalie can steal a series.  It would be a tough series.

Overall, I think that the Pens are going to make it to the East Finals.  I think that if they get the overall #1, they'll probably face the Bruins (who I think will be able to hold off the Caps) and if they dispatch them, they'll likely Ottawa.  I don't care if Ottawa if 4 or 5 - I think that they'll win their series if they play New Jersey.  The Senators are too damn good.  Headcases, maybe - but physically more talented than the Devils.  Either way, I think the Pens go 6 or 7, but are able to kick the Sens out of the playoffs.  I think the same is true of the Devils - the Pens are the only team in the NHL capable of getting to Brodeur, and NJ's defense isn't what it once was. 

Regardless, I can't see any other Eastern Final other than Montreal and Pittsburgh - and I don't really care who's one or two.  Canada will go nuts - especially Quebec - for their beloved Habs, and Canada seems not to hate Pittsburgh too much.  Maybe because they don't play quite as often - I don't know.  But this would be a celebrated final - perhaps one for the ages.  Can Pittsburgh represent the East in the Cup Finals?  Yes - but it will take some serious doing. 

First, Crosby and Hossa have to generate instant, immediate and solid chemistry on the ice.  With Crosby's set up abilities and Hossa's finishing abilities, this line would scare anyone - even the beasts in the West.  Then, you have to face a second line centered by Malkin, who is having a monster season in his own right.  No matter what, whoever plays the Pens is gonig to have matchup problems with these two ultra-prolific lines.  Second, the Pens are going to have to have Fleury prove himself.  LIft the team, steal a game - and he's in.  Third, the Pens are going to have to jell quickly as a playoff group.  Sure, most of them were in last year, but one series does not make a team playoff "experienced."