Pens will be challenged in East by threats from Caps, Bolts, Panthers
The Pittsburgh Penguins looked nothing like a threat to win the Eastern Conference, let alone a Stanley Cup, when Mike Johnston was fired in mid-December.
That changed when Mike Sullivan spurred a turnaround in Pittsburgh, and with Sidney Crosby firmly back atop the sport there’s every reason to think the Penguins will contend for a second straight NHL title.
Here’s a look at the Eastern Conference, from the contenders right on down to the hopefuls.
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