Three factors that have lifted the Penguins back into playoff race

On March 27, the Pittsburgh Penguins were nine points out of a playoff spot with 11 games left in the season. Their odds of making it were 2.5 per cent.

Fast forward to Thursday, and those odds have jumped to 41 per cent. The Penguins, who have earned points in nine consecutive contests (6-0-3), could accomplish something that has never been done in NHL history — overcome a nine-point deficit in their last 11 games to qualify for the playoffs. (The expansion era record is seven points, held by the 1977-78 Colorado Rockies.)

Of course, it helps that the other teams in the Eastern Conference wild-card race have stumbled (or, in the case of the Philadelphia Flyers, run right off a cliff). But here is what else has been going right for the Penguins:

SIDNEY CROSBY

As has been the case for two decades, Sidney Crosby is the catalyst for the Penguins’ success. He recently clinched the 19^th point-per-game season of his career, tying Wayne Gretzky for the most in league history.

Crosby has seven goals and 17 points over his past nine games. If the Penguins reach the postseason in miraculous fashion, the 36-year-old will likely end up on a lot of Hart Trophy ballots. As The Athletic’s Josh Yohe pointed out Wednesday, Pittsburgh is 6-12-3 this season when Crosby does not register a point.

STABILITY IN NET

Backup goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic has seized the crease from Tristan Jarry, starting each of the Penguins’ past nine games.

Nedeljkovic’s numbers do not pop off the screen; he has saved 0.31 goals above expected per 60 minutes since March 24 — ninth most out of 23 goaltenders who have started at least five games over that span. But Nedeljkovic has been steady enough, recording four quality starts during his run in net. (A goaltender is credited with a quality start when he saves more goals than expected.)

“If they keep calling my name, I’ll just keep doing the best I can,” Nedeljkovic told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “And if it’s back to (Jarry), it’s back to (Jarry) and I’ll be cheering him on and doing what I can to help him out as well.”

A REVITALIZED SECOND LINE

Jake Guentzel is thriving with the Carolina Hurricanes, recording 22 points in 15 games since the Penguins traded him there last month. But he is not the only player involved in that deal who is doing well.

Michael Bunting has carved out an important role for himself on Evgeni Malkin’s wing. Since Bunting joined Malkin and Rickard Rakell on March 16, Pittsburgh has generated 71.9 per cent of expected goals at even strength with that line on the ice. The Penguins have outscored opponents 11-5 and out-chanced them 69-33 (29-11 off the cycle and 10-2 off the forecheck) as well.

Bunting and Malkin each have four goals and 10 points at even strength in 13 games as linemates. Their partnership has paid dividends.

The Penguins’ remaining schedule is challenging with games against the Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, Nashville Predators and New York Islanders. But Pittsburgh has an opportunity to do something unprecedented.

All stats via Sportlogiq