PITTSBURGH - How do you suddenly free fall from being one of the NHL’s perennial top dogs to one of the post-season’s decided underdogs.
That’s the sobering reality the Pittsburgh Penguins find themselves in prior to Game 1 of their first-round matchup against the New York Rangers, a series the overwhelming majority of prognosticators suggest the Blueshirts should have little trouble winning.
Some critics already are poised to read to Penguins their last rites before the first puck has even been dropped. The naysayers are quick to tell you why these Penguins soon will be dead ducks as far as their playoff lives are concerned.