Penguins Update: Let’s Get Physical

As I scanned the box score of last night’s Boston-Toronto playoff game I couldn’t help but notice a familiar trend. One I’ve written about on occasions too numerous to count during my time with PenguinPoop.

The list of goal scorers tells the story. Trent Frederic, Jake DeBrusk and Brad Marchand for the Bruins. Matthew Knies and Tyler Bertuzzi for the Leafs.

Not an Auston Matthews or David Pastrnák in the bunch.

Same with the Oilers-Kings contest. Barely a peep from supernovas Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Two of the four goals in a losing cause for the Oil came from the stick of 22-year-old fourth liner Dylan Holloway, who had six goals (and 91 hits) in 38 regular-season games.

When it comes to playoff hockey, more often than not it’s the players who get down and dirty who get ‘er done. Sure, you need your stars to shine. The Pens would never have won their Stanley Cups without Sidney Crosby, Phil Kessel and Evgeni Malkin, to say nothing of Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr and a host greats a generation before.

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