The tail-end of the 2014-15 season might have been one of the low points of the Sidney Crosby era. The team clinched the final wild card spot on the season’s last day, barely squeaking into the playoffs and mired deep in the Mike Johnston era (error?). Down the stretch of the regular season, the Penguins had to play two games with 12 forwards and five defensemen for only 17 skaters, one defender shy of the typical lineup due to injuries and the salary cap.
All that to set the stage to fast forward to today, where the more things change.