The Pittsburgh Penguins are shattering expectations even as a few of the projected rookies are not. The Penguins have 29 wins and 70 points in their first 56 games, which is the eighth-best record in the NHL, fifth-best in the Eastern Conference, and second-best in the Metro Division.

If not for a mental block in December, which invited a handful of calamitous blown leads, the Penguins would be close to first place in the division and second in the conference.

But sometimes adversity is the best teacher, and Penguins players on several occasions have told PHN that the experience of December helped change them for the better.

And there are no shootouts in the playoffs.

In October, Pittsburgh Hockey Now wrote the following:

A second line should have 60-point players. A third line should have a 20-goal scorer and 40-point players who kill penalties and shut down the opposition.

No, the Penguins are much closer to the bottom, even as rays of sunshine for the future slam through the cloudy present. We can also bet that Dubas will deal one or two veteran players this season, further clearing space for future players but weakening the present.

By April, our belief is the Penguins will be a bottom-10 team, probably close to 10th as they were last season. And the fates will fall as the ping pong balls see fit.

Welp, we’ll get in line to take the loss with a lot of others who thought the Penguins were ripe for the wrecking ball rather than a sterling example of the miracles of a coaching and atmospheric change, even with players no one else wanted.

Remember back in October when it was a question if Ben Kindel would be returned to junior hockey after nine games, and the sky was the limit for Harrison Brunicke? (In fairness, even the Penguins management was of that thinking).

Kindel, 18, has been improving all season, but his offense has begun to catch up, too. In 56 games, Kindel has 27 points, including 13 goals. He also scored six goals in his last seven games.

Brunicke, Rutger McGroarty, and Ville Koivunen have failed to hold NHL roster spots, but others have taken those opportunities.

Despite plenty of left turns and unexpected detours, the Penguins are significantly better than anyone expected–perhaps even themselves–and now we must ask the question: How do we judge the rest of the Penguins’ season?

They’ve already blown past expectations, so is anything beyond this point merely icing on a delicious cake? If they simply make the playoffs, is that the end of the story with an ice cream party and an A+ grade?

What comes next will not be easy. The Penguins have 17 games in 31 days in March. It will be a crucible that will test older legs and travel secretaries.

But really, they’ve come this far. A Stanley Cup Playoffs berth is no longer merely a possibility but an expectation. Should Penguins president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas treat them as a contender and look to add at the NHL trade deadline?

Or should he merely accept the profits of his offseason hot streak, coupled with the shrewd evaluation and trade theft of Egor Chinakhov, and let it ride?

To answer the question, we’ll steal a phrase from Team USA coach (OK, OK, and former Penguins coach), Mike Sullivan. Pressure is a privilege.

There will be injuries during March. It’s unavoidable with so many games in so few days. The Penguins are already nursing a tender Evgeni Malkin, who recently crumpled to the bench in pain after a celebratory shoulder bop from a teammate. Kris Letang is out with a broken foot, though he could return shortly after the Olympic break.

And a few other ailments will crop up.

If Dubas were to step back now and not reinforce the team, it would still be a good season, but they need a playoff win to make it successful. Quite simply, the situation has changed. Merely making the playoffs would have been a resounding success in October, but they have earned the right to be held to a higher standard.

Anthony Mantha, Parker Wotherspoon, Justin Brazeau, Ryan Shea, Connor Dewar, and Tommy Novak have all notched or are on pace to notch career years. Add goalie Arturs Silovs to that mix, too.

How should the Penguins’ season be judged? By what they do in the postseason. It’s time to raise the bar. Now, a playoff series victory means a successful season … even if they have to play the New York Islanders.

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