After the spring flameout against the Canadiens in the second round in 2010, when the 2010-11 season came around the following year, it kinda felt like, “Okay, no more messing around, let’s get back to doing what we did in 2008 and 2009.” The hockey gods had other ideas, however. Before we get to the 2011 postseason, we need to discuss to regular season a bit.
The Penguins saw key Stanley Cup pieces such as Sergei Gonchar and Mark Eaton depart via free agency, to be replaced by Paul Martin and Zbynek Michalek.