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No team in 2011 faced as much injury decimation as the Pittsburgh Penguins. With a roster that looked more like an AHL team than a Stanley Cup contender, the Pens rallied behind goalie Marc Andre-Fleury, Jordan Staal, and Chris Kunitz to finish fourth in the Eastern Conference and have home ice advantage in first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. If Fleury stays stout and the Penguins keep growing together fans of the Steel City could be buying Pittsburgh Penguins tickets to the first ever Stanley Cup to be played at the Console Energy Center.

Two Questions for the Pittsburgh Penguins Entering the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Will Sydney Crosby return for the playoffs?

Crosby is far and away the face of the franchise and perhaps even the whole NHL. He played in a career low 41 games this season after suffering the lingering effects of a concussion that he sustained in early January. Even with missing have the season, he still lead the Penguins in goals and points. The Penguins have kept as mum as possible on Crosby's status to keep the focus on the guys who are there instead of the guys who aren't. If Crosby returns for the playoffs, he might be the additional jolt the Penguins will need if they are to advance to their third Stanley Cup Final in the past four seasons.

Who is the "Go To Guy" for the Penguins?

With Crosby and fellow superstar Evegeni Malkin sidelined by injury the Penguins lack the devastating scoring punch that they've had in seasons past. Staal and Kunitz and 20-goal scorer Tyler Kennedy will be looked at to provide the offensive fire power at least early on in the playoffs. Staal is the most likely to be looked at in key situations due to his overall experience and his ability to succeed in the most pressure packed situations. This question could be answered very easily. Have Sid the Kid be concussion free and return and be the superstar that he has been throughout his career. While Crosby may return, asking him to hit the ground running may be too much for the captain to handle right away.

Final Thought

Since the rash of injuries hit the Pens, Fleury has been the backbone of the team. They've bent but haven't broken. A point here or there and they'd have been the number one seed in the Eastern Conference but of course hindsight is always 20-20. Fleury isn't the biggest question mark heading in to the postseason though. This time experience may be a key factor because if the Pens are to make it back to the cup they will almost certainly have to go through the Washington Capitals and the Philadelphia Flyers without home ice advantage. However the fans could be there in the end for another shocker if they buy their Pittsburgh Penguins tickets and make the trip to Console Energy Center.