Threepeat.
Get used to hearing that word over and over this season, or pretty much every time there is discussion about the Pittsburgh Penguins. The NHL's brightest spotlight will be on the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions as they aim to become the first team since the dynastic Islanders of 1980-1983 to win at least three consecutive titles.
While the Penguins remain the best team in the league -- led down the middle by superstar centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin -- it is a tall task trying to win yet another Stanley Cup, especially after losing a string of key contributors -- Marc-Andre Fleury, Nick Bonino, Chris Kunitz, Trevor Daley and Ron Hainsey -- during the offseason. Yet, the Penguins have shown to be nothing if not extremely resilient in winning the last two Cups, and general manager Jim Rutherford has shown the ability to deliver key acquisitions when needed down the stretch. And there always seems to be a Matt Murray or a Jake Guentzel in the pipeline ready to shine on the big stage.
In other words, don't bet against a threepeat in Pittsburgh this season.
Pittsburgh Penguins 2017-18 schedule
The Penguins raise another banner at PPG Paints Arena on opening night before starting a new season with a tilt against the Blues on Oct. 4. However, beginning the next night in Chicago with a contest against the Blackhawks, the Penguins get a difficult early-season dose of road games, playing six of their next eight games in opposing cities. Between Oct. 5 and Nov. 11, the Penguins will play 13 of 18 games on the road, including a five-game trip to Minnesota, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.
Of course, things have to even out with the schedule, and a five-game homestand, featuring divisional games with the Rangers and Islanders, takes place Dec. 2-11. Several three-game homestands dot the schedule the rest of the way for the Penguins.
The defending champs will receive plenty of love on national television in the United States, starting with their 1:00 PM appearance on NBC in the Thanksgiving Showdown Nov. 24 against the Bruins. A Jan. 14 12:30 game against the Rangers is also a an appealing NBC treat.
Pittsburgh Penguins key offseason additions
Matt Hunwick (free agent), Ryan Reaves (trade), Antti Niemi (free agent)
Pittsburgh Penguins key offseason departures
Marc-Andre Fleury (expansion draft), Nick Bonino (free agent), Chris Kunitz (free agent), Trevor Daley (free agent), Matt Cullen (free agent), Ron Hainsey (free agent), Oskar Sundqvist (trade)
Pittsburgh Penguins projected lineup
Forwards
Jake Guentzel-Sidney Crosby-Conor Sheary
Patric Hornqvist-Evgeni Malkin-Phil Kessel
Carl Hagelin-Greg McKegg-Bryan Rust
Scott Wilson/Josh Archibald-Carter Rowney-Ryan Reaves/Tom Kuhnhackl
Defense
Olli Maatta-Kris Letang
Ian Cole-Justin Schultz
Brian Dumoulin-Matt Hunwick
Goalies
Matt Murray
Antti Niemi
Pittsburgh Penguins best-case scenario
Other than 30 teams again zeroing in on the bullseye target on their backs, what else can keep the Penguins from winning a third straight Stanley Cup?
Well, start in goal. Matt Murray has won two rings already, but he no longer has the insurance policy of Marc-Andre Fleury behind him. Fleury stepped in when Murray was hurt prior to the opening round of the playoffs last spring and did an outstanding job winning games until Murray was again healthy, and also filled in during the regular season. Murray appeared in 49 regular season games last year. This season, expect him to get the call 65 or more times. Can he handle that kind of load and then run the table again in the postseason? And can Antti Niemi, who has struggled mightily the past couple years, step in and be a quality back up this year?
Next, how will the Penguins hold up physically after playing an NHL-record 49 playoff games the last two years? Malkin appeared in only 62 games last season, Patric Hornqvist -- who may miss the season opener while still recovering from a hand injury -- played in 70, and Sidney Crosby missed seven games in 2017-18. If more man-games are missed by key contributors -- or if play is diminished by worn-out players -- can the Penguins overcome that?
Of course, there are so many things on the positive side of the ledger that make the Penguins a serious threat to threepeat. That starts with Crosby and Malkin, both of whom are still highly motivated and hungry to play at an elite level and win again. It also includes a healthy Kris Letang back in the lineup and ready to start the season. And how about a full season from playoff hero Jake Guentzel -- who, by the way, will be riding shotgun with Crosby as his center?
It says here, Mike Sullivan's crew will, at least, reach the Eastern Conference Final after another 110-point regular season. And that threepeat? A distinct possibility.