Pittsburgh Penguins saw their dreams about third consecutive Stanley Cup being ended on Monday by the Washington Capitals, who comfortably ended the round 2 series in six games. Following the defeat, Penguins’ front office started thinking about possible changes.
Team’s general manager Jim Rutherford recently spoke with the reporters and acknowledged that the team will make some roster changes. The nucleus of the team that won Stanley Cups in the previous two seasons will likely to remain intact.
“I think it’s obvious that I’m going to keep an open mind to making some changes, and I will make some changes,” – said Rutherford on Thursday. “I can’t give you a definite answer on who that’s going to be right now and exactly which positions, but we’re a good team. We will be a good team going forward.“
“I think it is fair to say this will be a different-looking team by the time we open next season. It doesn’t mean there’s going to be drastic changes and a lot of changes, but there will be changes in the areas that will become necessary.” – he explained.
Pittsburgh Penguins finished the 2017-18 regular season with 47-29-6 record, trailing two games in the win column behind the Capitals in Metropolitan Division. They faced the Philadelphia Flyers in round 1 and ended up winning in six games. Still, the Capitals proved to be a tough challenge and Penguins just couldn’t find their composure, blowing a third-period lead in regulation in two games.
In 2017, Pittsburgh Penguins became the first team in almost 20 years to win two consecutive Stanley Cups. They were aiming to become the first team to do a three-peat since New York Islanders in 1982.
