Totally Serious Pittsburgh Penguins Regular Season Awards

In 29 games with Columbus, he had just three goals and six points while finding himself riding the pine more often than not. In Pittsburgh, he got five more minutes per game, and it paid off. Chinakhov scored 18 goals and added 18 helpers for 36 points in just 43 games. He’s going to be a foundational piece going forward, and only adds to the whole “Kyle Dubas is a genius” narrative that was used to sell what was thought to be a rebuild.

Biggest Disappointment – Ville Koivunen

A lot of people had high hopes for Koivunen coming into the year. Mark Madden even said that he thought Koivunen would be riding shotgun on Sidney Crosby’s line for the foreseeable future. Boy, did that turn out to be wrong.

He has bounced between Pittsburgh and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, scoring just two goals in 39 games. He’s still young enough to potentially carve out a place on the Penguins as soon as next season, but he’s easily the most disappointing player in a season filled with pleasant surprises.

“Got That Dog in Them” Award – Evgeni Malkin

No, this isn’t because he decided to slash Rasmus Dahlin in the face and earn himself a five-game ban. He scored just 16 goals last season, and it felt like maybe the beloved Geno had finally run out of fumes and was on the last legs of his illustrious career.

Instead, he had a bounce-back season with 19 goals and 61 points despite being limited to 56 games by injuries and suspension. He finished just five points back of second on the team and looks a little like the Malkin of old. Russian Machine Never Break, after all.

“I’m So Sorry for Being So Wrong” Award – Anthony Mantha

Let’s all be honest with each other here: not one person predicted Mantha having this kind of season. Not even Mantha himself could have predicted this kind of breakout season, at 31 years old, no less. Yet here we are.

Mantha had forever been the “maybe he can do it this year” guy and finally delivered. He set career highs in goals (33), assists (31), and points (64), turning into a major piece of one of the better offenses in the NHL. Dubas worked a lot of magic this season, but getting 64 points out of Mantha might be his most impressive work yet.

Mr. Electric Award – Yegor Chinakhov

Since being acquired, there was one constant to Chinakhov’s game – streaking toward the net to unleash what may be the best shot on the team. Time and again, Chinakhov found open space entering the zone before wiring an absolute laser into the back of the net.

It is obvious what the Blue Jackets saw in him, a dynamically skilled player who can produce when given the opportunity. A fixture on the top two lines, he has become an excellent sniper that leaves you on the edge of your seat when he gets the puck in the opposing zone.

Pittsburgh Penguins MVP – Sidney Crosby

Who else could it possibly be? Crosby once again led the team in scoring with 74 points, his 21^st season averaging at least a point per game. That is the kind of stat you get when you talk to a 16-year-old about his EA NHL franchise, not something someone does in the greatest hockey league in the world.

Crosby’s importance was never more apparent than when he missed time. The Penguins went 5-4-2 in that stretch, a critical time in which every point mattered for getting into the playoffs. If the Penguins will have any chance in this series, it will because we get a vintage “Sid the Kid” performance.

Playing on House Money

This team has its flaws but is clearly playing with house money in a season that was supposed to see them compete for the top pick, not a playoff spot. If they can eliminate the Philadelphia Flyers, their hated rival, in the first round it gets even better.

A run to the Cup in the twilight of Crosby and Malkin’s careers would be a story of Hollywood make. That said, getting just a little farther would no doubt leave everyone happy and excited for the future.