Sidney Crosby scored 44 goals this season, the most for him since 2009-10 and enough to secure his second Rocket Richard Trophy.
As the Penguins were hit hard by the injury bug at different points during the regular season, Crosby was consistently a driving force, only three times going back-to-back games without producing a point.
With the Penguins' first-round series against the Columbus less than 48 hours away, a few of the Blue Jackets veteran leaders are saying all the right things about Crosby.
"He's a special player," defenseman Jack Johnson said. "He's going to be a pain in the (butt) for us in the series, but that's what makes it fun."
There will obviously be a lot of eyes on Columbus center Brandon Dubinsky, who has played Crosby as tough as anyone through Crosby's career.
Has done a mighty fine job, too, even if sometimes he toes the line of legality.
Speaking to Columbus reporters after Sunday's regular season finale, Dubinsky was similarly complimentary of Crosby, but he also said he's more worried about his own team's game.
"He's obviously dangerous," Dubinsky said. "He's one of the best in the world. I have always said that. But outside of that, I haven't taken notice of his game and frankly I don't really care about his game too much. I'm just focused on my own game and focused on our team's game. We're going to have to be aware of him, without a doubt. He's a dangerous player, I'll say it again, one of the best in the world, but we have to focus on ourselves."
This series has been expected for a while now. Columbus coach John Tortorella admitted that, in his last team three meetings, the focus became on the Penguins, even though there was the balance of the regular season to play.
Looks like it has translated to his players.
"I can't help but to think about (Pittsburgh)," Dubinsky said. "I have been thinking about it for a little while now. ... Playoff hockey is so much fun. It's what you play for."
The series back in 2014 was a lot of fun. And weird. All but one of the games ended with a 4-3 score.
The Blue Jackets feel they're a much better team now than they were then. You don't need me to tell you that the Penguins feel they're better now than they were then; a Stanley Cup should take care of that.
"We're real excited," Dubinsky said. "I think just the look of our team is better than it was then. It's going to be a helluva series. It's going to be a lot of fun to play. We're definitely excited and we're looking to get them back for the loss we suffered a few years ago.
"We're not looking backward (to 2014), we're looking forward. I have been through the playoffs with Torts a number of years. I know he will prepare us the right way and this group will be ready. We're excited about the challenge ahead of us. ... It's going to be a tough series. These guys are the defending champs for a reason."
