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NHL analyst writes off Pittsburgh Penguins as playoff contenders
NHL analyst Martin Biron made headlines when he dismissed the Pittsburgh Penguins as playoff contenders this season.
Despite the Penguins' thrilling 6-5 overtime win against the Buffalo Sabres, Biron remained adamant that Pittsburgh does not have what it takes to reach the postseason.
Speaking with Jay Onrait on "SportsCenter", Biron said:
"I don't feel like the Pittsburgh Penguins are going to be a competitive team. I don't think they're a playoff team.
"Maybe they are a .500 hockey team and you've got some good moments this year with Pittsburgh. You got some not so good moments, but I'll tell you the way that Crosby and Malkin played against the Sabres on Wednesday night. That's what you want to see, the desperation, the attack mentality, the skill set, divine, the back passes. It was a sight, right?," he added.
Biron acknowledged that stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin took over the game against Buffalo, leading the Penguins' comeback after falling behind 3-1. However, he doesn't believe the duo can deliver that level of performance consistently over an 82-game season.
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin lift Pittsburgh Penguins to win over the Sabres
The Penguins defeated the Sabres 6-5 in overtime in a game that saw two Penguins reach milestones. Crosby and Malkin powered the Penguins offense, with Crosby recording one goal and two assists while Malkin tallied one goal and three assists.
Crosby's overtime goal lifted Pittsburgh to the win. His three points also pushed him past 1,600 career NHL points.
After the game, Crosby spoke about what it has meant to play alongside Malkin for so many years in Pittsburgh (via NHL.com):
"I remember watching Geno [Evgeni Malkin] play and, obviously, he came over in my second year [2006-07], but just waiting patiently for him to come over and hoping that it was sooner than later," Crosby said post-game.
"Just having the opportunity to watch him prior to that, knowing how good he was, obviously you don’t ever know but he just seemed special right from the start. That’s what I was hoping it would work out as. And it has. I’m super grateful for it," he added.
Malkin's goal was extra special as well, as it was the 500th of his career.
"It’s not easy. It’s a long way to, like, score 500. I’m glad to do it tonight. And, like, finally. Now, I’m more relaxed. First time I want to say, probably, about myself, I’m proud of myself,” Malkin said.
The two superstar centers have led the Penguins to tremendous success over the years, including three Stanley Cup championships together.
The Penguins face the Carolina Hurricanes next at home on Friday.
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