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Sidney Crosby, left, and Evgeni Malkin, right, give the Penguins the NHL's best 1-2 punch down the middle, says NBCSports.com contributor Mark Spector.

On defense, the Penguins picked up veteran Darryl Sydor for their Cup run. The problem is, their young blueline corps has matured so quickly, Sydor watches from the press box, awaiting an injury that will make room in the lineup for him to play. Puck-moving defenseman Sergei Gonchar? A poor man’s Sergei Zubov.

Then there is the goaltender. As the Montreal Canadiens learned in Round 2, this is the most important spot on the team. There, Marc-Andre Fleury has been unfailing in this playoff run, posting an 8-1 record, a goals against average of 1.76, and a dazzling 93.8 saves percentage.

“[New York] was a tough team to play against,” observed Pens coach Michel Therrien. “They’re committed defensively, they’re well coached, they have experience and they have a quality group of players. Our young group found a way to win.”

They found that way without a goal from Crosby in Round 2, although he did count six assists — including two in the deciding game. In this series the Penguins got in line behind Malkin, who was a tour de force.

In support of him, there is a rotating cast of heroes. Staal one night. Perhaps Sykora the next. On Sunday, Hossa scored twice. He is far more dangerous when he’s not being counted on as a leader, but instead as a valuable aid in the cause.

“I think Hossa was a part of a more balanced attack” then he was as an Atlanta Thrasher, said Rangers coach Tom Renney. “He was able to be a part of plays from a number of people, as opposed to a couple. I think they’ll discover they can even use Hossa more in different situations to help their cause more.

“With this group, in terms of how they play their team game, he very much augments that.”

What really hits home is the fact that New York held Crosby without a goal, and still were steam-rolled in five games.

“I’m not so sure we controlled Crosby,” said the Rangers' Chris Drury. “They won 4-1, and he’s the captain of the team that’s going to the Eastern Conference finals. He did a lot out there. And Hossa too. Staal. Malone. Fleury. They’ve got a lot of good players.”

When another Pittsburgh team, baseball’s Pirates, recently released pitcher Matt Morris, he noted, “I always knew the other team’s hitters would let me know when I was done.”

It’s working the other way for the Penguins these days. Just ask Ottawa and New York.

These Penguins are ready.

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