DENVER -- Had anyone asked two years ago on this date if the Penguins could win the Stanley Cup, the answer would be a definite no.
On Dec. 19, 2015, they were 15-14-3 and Mike Sullivan had just taken over the coaching reins from Mike Johnston days earlier. Sullivan lost his first four games, but that season turned out pretty well, right?
If anyone asked this time last year if the Penguins would repeat as champions, the answer still would have been no. Though they sat at 21-7-5 on Dec. 19, 2016, history dictated they couldn’t win again. Remember, no team had successfully defended the Cup in 19 years and not in the salary cap era. Guess what? That turned out pretty well, too.
So if anyone asked today if the Penguins will win the Cup a third straight year, it would be the same no. And after Monday night’s dismal 4-2 loss to the Avalanche, their fifth loss in seven games, they're a precarious 17-15-3.
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