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Do the Penguins actually need Sidney Crosby?

January 9, 2020, 11:08 AM ET [179 Comments]
Ryan Wilson
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Sidney Crosby is very likely making a return to the lineup on Friday night against the Colorado Avalanche. The Penguins Captain has been missing in action since November 9th after getting surgery for a sports hernia. This surgery had the potential to derail the season for Pittsburgh. To the delight of Penguins fans it has not. In fact, the team did great in his absence.

So I ask, do the Penguins really need Sidney Crosby back? He’s just going to steal Kris Letang away from Malkin who has been really good in Crosby’s absence. Who knows, he might steal Bryan Rust now that Guentzel isn’t there to snatch away.

Since Crosby has been out the Penguins have gone 16-6-4 and are tied with the Islanders for second place in the division. A far cry from where they could have been. The team has excelled without Crosby. Just look at the record.

The Penguins have also been fourth best in the league in xGF% at 53.61 during his absence. Pretty good without their supposed “best player”.

Evgeni Malkin looked like a Hart Trophy candidate for the majority of Crosby’s absence.

Does it make sense to put Crosby in the lineup immediately and potentially ruin the chemistry of a team who has gone 16-6-4 without him? I don’t think it does make sens….

Yeah, I hope everything I just wrote sounds crazy because it is. It is just as crazy when morons use this justification and “logic” to bash Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang when they come back from extended absences. Those people aren’t smart. Don’t be those people.

Thanks for reading!
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