The Penguins are a flawed hockey team. I thought they'd beat the Islanders. I thought they could be the Capitals. I really thought this team could be a cup contender. I was wrong.
I was blinded by a 10-3-3 March.
The Penguins played well in the seasons penultimate month. They played simple. But they had to. Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin missed time. The Penguins had to play a simple game, because that's the only way they could play. I also think a lot of the mistakes were being covered up by sublime goaltending on the part of Matt Murray.
Dominik Simon, Zach Aston-Reese, and Olli Maatta are average hockey players. Garrett Wilson is what he is: a grinder who can't finish. Jack Johnson played better his last 30 or so games, but he's still Jack Johnson. Matt Cullen is over-the-hill.
There are too many average to below average players on this roster. The Pens are not deep enough.
I couldn't see the forest through the trees in a 10-3-3 March.