Why it might happen

It’s easy to point to several practical reasons why the Penguins can and should make another run.

This summer, Rutherford addressed his roster depth by signing Jack Johnson and Matt Cullen, who’ve looked excellent thus far. Derick Brassard is healthy, Kris Letang is no longer worried about his neck, and Daniel Sprong appears ready.

Looking bigger-picture than individual performances, there’s a completely different sense around this team right now.

A full summer has done wonders. It has allowed players to laser in on specific muscles or skills, and it has provided time to heal.

Meanwhile, the Penguins are keenly aware they remain one of the NHL’s elite teams, a bounce here or there from playing until June. That’s as motivating as anything.

“As a player, you always know what you have and where you stack up in the league,” Armstrong said. “I think last year they knew they were probably a little tired. But after this summer and dialing it in, I also think they know they can make a push for that again because of the pieces.”

The pieces Armstrong mentioned would include Patric Hornqvist, in his prime years, and Phil Kessel, coming off one of his best offensive seasons in a career full of them. Brian Dumoulin became a bonafide top-pairing defender last season, and it’s easy to forget the Penguins employ a netminder in Matt Murray who, two years ago, was the envy of the entire league, a no-doubter to protect in the expansion draft in favor of Marc-Andre Fleury.

But like Crosby’s four-is-betterthan-three assessment, let’s not overthink this.

The Penguins have two of the NHL’s best three centers, including the league’s best generational talent since the franchise’s owner hung up his skates. Add to that a Norris Trophy-caliber defenseman when he’s healthy and his game is on, and it’s not hard to see why it’s June or bust for this group.

One that — whether they’ll admit it or not — knows what’s on the table and what a fourth championship would do.

“Players as they get later in the careers, they want to go out on their own terms,” McGuire said. “They want to finish things off properly. When you’re talking about Sidney, Geno and Kris, you’re talking about three players who understand what they’ve been part of in Pittsburgh. They want the legacy to finish properly. They’re addicted to winning, and they’re special, special guys. There’s no doubt about it.”