So much for the dangers of youth and inexperience.
Since the all-star break, the Pittsburgh Penguins have been unstoppable, and although they field the youngest lineup in the league, the Pens are playing like seasoned vets, going 9-0-1 in their last ten matches.
Everyone knew that Sidney Crosby had the potential to lead the team to a playoff spot, but no one expected this level of success. Along with rookies Jordan Staal and Evgeni Malkin, Crosby is ushering in a new era of superstars which, combined with the veteran leadership of Marc Recchi and Sergei Gonchar, has the Penguins in the top four of the Eastern Conference for the first time in years.
Staal's recent emergence is perhaps most surprising. His rise was in full display two nights ago when he completed his first ever NHL hat trick with an overtime winner against Toronto. Staal, who is the younger brother of cup winner and Carolina Hurricane-leader Eric Staal, now has 23 goals on the season.
If the Pens continue their hot play and make noise in the playoffs, there is little doubt that the biggest story will be that of Sidney Crosby. In just his second year in the league, Crosby leads the NHL in points with 87, above and beyond second-ranked Vincent Lecavalier of Tampa Bay at 73 points. But Crosby's point totals don't tell the whole story. The youngster has also shown great leadership skill. Even though he is targeted by every team, he has protected himself without turning to dirty play or breaking character. There is no doubt that with continued success in Pittsburgh, Crosby will be a heavy favorite for the NHL's Most Valuable Player award.
Pittsburgh is not the only team on the rise. Once an afterthought, Tampa Bay has streaked its way to sixth in the East, just three points behind the next two teams. Led by Lecavalier, the Lightning have won seven of 10, including a 4-1 drubbing of the second place New Jersey Devils on Sunday.
In the West, the Dallas Stars have made a push of their own. With a record of 7-2-1 in their last ten, they sit just four points behind division-leading Anaheim. The Stars recently acquired forward Ladislav Nagy from Phoenix in a push for a run at the cup. Nagy is a skilled player who will add speed and depth to Dallas' front line.
In another significant move, the Boston Bruins traded defenseman Brad Stuart and center Wayne Primeau to Calgary, receiving defenseman Andrew Ference and forward Chuck Kobasew, who Boston fans may remember as a key player on Boston College's 2001 National Championship team. The trade will bring more youth and speed to the Bruins, while solidifying Calgary's defensive corps and checking line.
The new personnel on the ice demonstrate both teams' desire to improve. For Boston, both Ference and Kobasew can help the team right away, indicating that while the Bruins are looking to the future, they are not willing to sacrifice this season's performance.
Boston currently sits in 12th in the East, nine points away from the final playoff spot; however, the Bruins have won two of their last three and have two more games to play than the teams above them. With the improved performance of rookie Phil Kessel and assistant captain Patrice Bergeron, a run for the playoffs is not out of the question.
As the Feb. 27 trade deadline draws nearer, more significant exchanges can be expected, the biggest question continuing to be the status of Philadelphia center Peter Forsberg.
