Are the Penguins a Better Team This Playoffs or Last?

[Flair Hay]

Last year by far but they were healthy

 

[SEALBound]

Last year, by a ways.

Had Letang and HBK. Daley was much better and they have a dependable dman in Lovejoy.

Now they don't have a HBK, Letang is out, Guentzel is in which I guess could be your Kessel equivalent, and Hainsey is not Lovejoy.

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

Last years team was healthy all throughout the playoffs. This years team started without Letang, and then kept getting injuries throughout the playoffs. Yet they kept hanging on.

Can't compare.

 

[Sentinel]

Malkin was injured last year. This year he is a Smythe front-runner.

 

[deathtouchtrample]

15/16 5v5 playoffs: 51 CF% 53 FF% 55 SF% 52 SCF% 56 HDSC% 56 xG%
16/17 5v5 playoffs: 46 CF% 46 FF% 47 SF% 46 SCF% 50 HDSC% (xG not available)

 

[The Shovel Penguin]

It's not even a debate, last year obviously.

Last year they were a juggernaut and that run was fun to watch.

This year's run for me has just been weird and stressful to watch, and I'm always waiting for the shoe to drop -- but they're resilient. In fairness to the team the year before, they didn't have to face that kind of adversity so it's impossible to say how they would have responded.

 

[Fugazy]

Definitely a better team in 2016. They were much healthier and firing on all cylinders.

 

[Empoleon8771]

The 2016 Penguins were miles better than this team. The 2016 Penguins only suffered 1 serious injury in the playoffs, it was a broken ankle to Daley. The Penguins this year haven't had Letang for a single playoff game along with a ton of other injuries. The fact that they're in the cup finals right now is a miracle.

 

[useless]

Are we taking health into account? I know that Sid, Jake, Sheary, Daly, Schultz, Horny and Rust are back now but they certainly aren't healthy. If you take the current state of this team the 2016 team at the time would beat them. Now if everyone was healthy this years team is much better.

Edit: Are Malkin and Kunitz the only notable players who haven't been injured this post season?

 

[BHD]

2016.

They were firing on all cylinders last year. This team, even when 'healthy' (a term I'll use loosely), hasn't played at that level this season.

 

[Dacks]

Well, last year obviously. Other than a close series against a great Washington team, they just seemed to be able to overwhelm their opponents on a consistent basis, with wave after wave of attack and pressure. Last year, I though the Pens were even better than their record indicated, which is saying something.

This year, maybe the opposite, especially against Washington. I have no problem saying that they were outplayed / outclassed in the majority of games. But I also feel like they just have a winner's confidence this year. Doesn't really matter if you're outplayed if you win. The Pens this year take the ugly losses, and then when things tighten up, they respond. Up 3-1 against Washington, they played pretty poorly, but then had a fantastic Game 7. Up 3-0 last night, they played poorly, but as soon as the Preds tied it up they just went back to business.

But yeah, last year's team looked much better.

 

[tony d]

2016 team because of Letang.

 

[ResignCraigAdams]

To be honest, I still don't understand how they got this far. They've been outplayed for long stretches during games but seem to cash in on their scoring chances at a high percentage.

Last year's team was so dominant and firing on all cylinders. Nothing more to be said.

 

[BreakfastatMarios]

One main area where I think the 2017 Penguins are better than the 2016 Penguins is mental toughness.

 

[Laveuglette]

2016. 2017 almost lost to Ottawa.

 

[gorangers0525]

Honestly, idk how this roster without letand even made it past the second round, besides a **** ton of luck. Last year's roster was dominant.

 

[Ogrezilla]

One main area where I think the 2017 Penguins are better than the 2016 Penguins is mental toughness.

are they mentally tougher, or was it just less important to be mentally tough last year?

 

[Pens1566]

On the ice, last year by far. Letang makes an enormous difference and HBK was a de facto 1st line going up against bottom 6 and 3rd pairings.

I think what's getting them through this year is experience, coaching, and maybe slightly more depth.

 

[Frankie Blueberries]

Letang vs No Letang

True, but the development of their younger players (Guentzel, Sheary) as well as improvements from players like Schultz, makes this team have different strengths than last season.

 

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaa]

I think they are every bit as resilient, but probably not as good overall. Letang is such a huge loss.