Quality of Pens' Playoff Opponents

Another short entry!

I decided to rank the Pens' 7 playoff opponents under Crosby as captain. This is only based on the level of playoff prowess the opponent showed, not on any regular season statistics or whatever.

1. 2008 Detroit Red Wings (L in 6, opp. won Stanley Cup)

2. 2007 Ottawa Senators (L in 5, opp. was runner up in SCF)

3. 2009 Washington Capitals (W in 7, opp. went 7-7)

4. 2009 Philadelphia Flyers (W in 6, opp. lost in first round)

5. 2008 Philadelphia Flyers (W in 5, opp. upset two division winners)

6. 2008 New York Rangers (W in 5, opp. took Pens to OT in game 5)

7. 2008 Ottawa Senators (W in 4, opp. was completely outclassed)

It's hard to contest that the Wings were the best team of the 7. Numbers 4 and 5 are debatable, but I think the edge went to this year's Flyers, as the last year version kind of died after game 2.

The aggregate record for the "new" Pens:

2007: 1-4
2008: 14-6
2009: 8-5

Total: 23-15

In particular, Crosby's statistics over that span:

2007: 5 gms, 5 pts
2008: 20 gms, 27 pts (T-1st)
2009: 13 gms, 21 pts (T-1st)

Total: 38 gms, 53 pts. Holy crap.

- Matt