It may not seem like a stretch to speculate after the Penguins went up two games to none that the Pens will win the cup, but there are at last six key reasons they are highly likely 
to do so. In fact, seventy five percent of teams who have gone up two game to none have gone on to do so since the seven game format was adopted. So here are the top six reasons why Pittsburgh will have a party at the point in back-to-back years.
1. Matt Murray
The Penguins netminder has been very good in his short post season career and has shown to be as good away as he is at home. Naturally, this could change if the party in music city has some adverse effect on him, but he has shown to have a slow pulse and almost closer, to borrow a baseball reference, mentality. The kid just doesn’t get rattled. Make no mistake, there is a reason Coach Sullivan didn’t hesitate to go to him when he was healthy. Speaking of Sullivan.
2. Coach Sullivan
Coming off a Cup year (see confidence booster) he has had a knack for pushing all the right buttons when called upon. Last year was the WWE made famous HBK line and this year it was, as Doc Emrick put it, putting a bunny with a bear in the Ottawa series. He has his finger on the pulse of his team and has made all the right changes at all the right times. He is undefeated in post-game series as a head coach. One might say he is the Bill Bellichick of hockey coaches. Granted he needs a few more rings to reach that level, but that’s not for a lack of trying.
3. Jake Guentzel
Jake the Snake, as Pittsburgh sports media tends to refer to him (Pittsburgh loves wrestling) is on pace to set a number of rookie records for playoff points. He has gotten to there even though he disappeared for the Ottawa series. With Sidney Crosby wearing a (whoever the opposing top defensemen’s) blanket, Geuntzel has stepped up in a big way. He has unreal hands and is among the fastest skaters on the ice every shift. IF you’re wondering how he bounced back from the Ottawa series, refer to number 2.
4. Evgeni Malkin
Malkin has quietly played his best hockey since Crosby was out for most of the season with a concussion back in 2011. For most of the season and part of the playoffs, Malkin and Phil Kessel were a dynamic due. The two had great scoring chemistry and Malkin carried it into the playoffs. He currently leads everyone in the playoff points race and his only challengers all wear the same uniform. Malkin is a world class talent playing at a world class level and for good measure dropped the gloves against P.K. Subban in Game 2.
5. Sidney Crosby
It shouldn’t have to be pointed out that having the best player in the world on your team gives you an advantage when it comes to hoisting Lord Stanley’s chalice.
6. Pekka Rinne
Rinne has been the best goaltender in the playoffs thus far and its not close, on paper. Moving past the paper, he faced a reeling Chicago team with aging stars and inexperienced youth in a weak division. A team that, to be honest had no business in the playoff in St. Louis. Then knocked off a Ducks team that was the first real challenge, and a rookie magician pulled a hat-trick out of his hat to eliminate them. Did Rinne play well, yes. That was then, this is now. Rinne is very good, no one is arguing that. Just not against the Penguins. He is 1-7-2 lifetime. Small sample size you say? He was far and away the best goaltender heading into the series, then gave up four on ten shots in Game 1. Game 2 he was chased in the third. He’s better at home so maybe the Pens only win 3-1 they but they still win. Though he did lead his team to a 41-41 regular season record. There’s that. Rinne may bounce back in Music City but his regression to the mean will eventually end the party in Nashville.
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