Penguins remain playoff-worthy despite Crosby’s injury and Malkin’s late-season resurgence boosts short-term value on Pittsburgh moneylines and Malkin point-props. Punters should consider backing the Pens in upcoming games and monitor Malkin re-signing news — a confirmed return would increase his fantasy and prop appeal, while Crosby’s Olympic participation looks unlikely for long-term Olympic props.
All-Time Penguins Game 7 Lineup: A Cup-Winning Fantasy
Stevens-Lemieux-Tocchet is proposed as the franchise’s single most dominant line in the NHL. For a hypothetical Game 7 built exclusively from Penguins Cup winners:
Forward Lines
Power play 1: Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Sidney Crosby, Scott Stevens, Paul Coffey
Power play 2: Evgeni Malkin, Rick Tocchet, Mark Recchi, Phil Kessel, Sergei Gonchar
Shutdown rotation: Chris Kunitz, Jordan Staal, Matt Mullen; secondary possession trio: Francis, Recchi, Kessel
Defense Pairings and Goalies
Top pairings feature Coffey and Kris Letang as puck-moving anchors; role defenders slot behind them. Two goalies drawn from the Cup-winning crop would protect the net, supported by a defensive group designed to keep possession and limit transitions.
Why This Team Would Be Elite
Combining prime-era stars like Lemieux, Jagr, Crosby and Malkin creates overwhelming puck possession and offensive depth. The blend of elite playmakers, two-way forwards and puck-moving defensemen would suffocate opponents, making this hypothetical lineup one of hockey’s toughest matchups against any historic franchise team.
Crosby and the Olympic Question
Sidney Crosby hinted that the recent Games might have been his last, calling the possibility of retirement “real” while also leaving the door ajar. A likely two-year contract extension would keep him under club control through summer 2029, meaning Olympic participation in 2030 is uncertain and largely depends on health and performance over the next few seasons.
Malkin’s Contract Outlook
Evgeni Malkin’s season-long resurgence has changed the narrative from “no chance” to a real possibility of a short-term return. Expect the club to weigh a one-year offer if management adjusts off-season plans. For bettors and fantasy managers, a re-signing would boost Malkin’s near-term value and increase his appeal in player-prop markets.
Olympic Observations and Personal Notes
Who to Root For
Rooting decisions often come down to personal connections rather than strict national loyalty. Popular players and coaches on various national teams made it easy to cheer broadly during the Games, while national pride still plays a major role.
Favorite Winter Events
Ski jumping and speed skating drew particular attention for their spectacle and technical brilliance. Downhill skiing and other alpine events remain compelling; some traditional Olympic sports like track and swimming are less engaging for certain fans.
Netherlands: Speed Skating Strength, Hockey Limits
The Dutch dominance in speed skating stems from deep cultural and developmental roots in the sport, which don’t directly translate to Olympic-level hockey depth or infrastructure. That specialization explains why a nation can excel in one winter discipline but struggle to qualify in another.
Covering the Olympics: What Changes for a Beat Writer
During the Olympic break, coverage rhythms shift. Time off is used for catching up on personal tasks, rest and watching international hockey. Travel schedules for a season remain largely the same, though the calendar tightens, and beat coverage compresses into busier road trips once the regular league schedule resumes.
Season Outlook
Despite Crosby’s injury, the Penguins remain in contention for a postseason berth.
The locker room projects a likable, unpredictable group that makes for compelling storylines down the stretch.
NHL Power Rankings: Hot topics for all 32 teams after Olympic break
With strong play from veterans and emerging depth, the team’s finish to the 2025–26 campaign will be worth close attention.
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