The Penguins have had a rocky season that began with a slow start. They have gained success by switching up their coaching midseason. This has made a major impact. With their success in the playoffs in the previous season, the players are eager to demonstrate their new experience and hopefully be able to capitalize on it and bring a Stanley cup back to the ’burgh. The Penguins are currently in the middle of a very strong playoff run. Their center Evgeni Malkin currently leads the NHL in Points and Assists. The captain of the team, and all around star of the NHL, Sidney Crosby is right up there with Malkin ranked second in assists and third in points. The Pens have made it through the first round of the playoffs with relative ease. They defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 in the series, sending them home as the Pens moved on to face their next adversary the Washington Capitals. Thus far, they have proven to be a more difficult opponent. The first game of the series was a hard fought, fast paced game in which the Capitals came out on top because of a highlight-reel-worthy save made by their goalie Simeon Varlamov. He managed to extend his body and pull the puck away from the line with his stick at the very last second stopping the Pens from tying it up in the third period. The second game of the series also sent the Pens back to the lockers with something to think about. They lost a close and hard-fought game 4-3 in Washington. Even with the loss, Crosby and Ovechkin managed to have a good game, both getting hat-tricks. The next game is on Wednesday in Pittsburgh. The Pens need to tighten up a few lose end to assure that these close games end in their favor. The playoffs are on the line. With the Capitals leading the series 2-0, the Pens need to take it to the next level or go home and wait until net year. We shouldn’t be having many problems in the playoffs will two of the three top scorers in the league in our corner. I believe The Penguins need to work on their passing and handling of the puck. They are turning it over too often, and usually in their own territory. If we can adjust , the run for the Stanley Cup should be a fierce competition, with the Pens as one of the top contenders.