Am way higher on the Penguins than I was at the start of the season. Additions/rapid development of plays like Dominik Kahun, Jared McCan, John Marino, and, yes, Brandon Tanev is big reason why. Jim Rutherford and his staff deserve ton of credit for that.

The criticism of Rutherford in recent years was legit, valid and fair. Team lost its way. He lost his way. Got too focused on wrong things. Once they kicked Tom Wilson out of their heads they started bringing back right kind of players.

For first time in two years they are starting to resemble the team that won in style and play on the ice. Way they keep picking up points with about 30 percent of their salary cap out of the lineup is impressive. There is nothing in the actual play to suggest it is fluke either.

Things are still going to be tough in the short-term as long as Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang are out, but if they keep playing the way they have recently they can do what they need to do. When those two get back, that is when things really get interesting.

Their underlying numbers (shot attempts, scoring chances, expected goals) are among the best in the NHL. They have the second best goal-differential in the Eastern Conference (behind only Boston). They have had half their lineup all season. You should be optimistic.