It has been four seasons since the Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup, and each of the past two have ended in shocking fashion. They've fallen behind 3-0 in series they were expected to win after being anointed one of the favorites to win the Cup in each of those regular seasons.

In 2012 it was a wild, defense-optional series against the rival Philadelphia Flyers. In 2013 the offense disappeared against the Boston Bruins.

In 2013-14 the Penguins will again be considered one of the top teams in the NHL. The goals will flow, but a major question in net remains after back-to-back poor postseasons for Marc-Andre Fleury.

The biggest moves of Pittsburgh's offseason were signing Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang each to an eight-year contract extension, and securing Sidney Crosby's linemates Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis. There was a bit of a surprise once free agency began: The Penguins were able to retrieve Rob Scuderi after he left for the Los Angeles Kings shortly after Pittsburgh won the Cup in 2009.

All of the big trade acquisitions -- Jarome Iginla, Brenden Morrow and Douglas Murray -- were not retained. Two staples on the third line, Matt Cooke and Tyler Kennedy, are gone. The additions -- Matt D'Agostini, Andrew Ebbettand Chris Conner -- were low-cost moves because the team is tight against the NHL salary cap.

The expectations remain the same in Pittsburgh: Either NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman hands the Stanley Cup to Crosby in June or the season will be viewed as a disappointment.

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