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The Big Question: Are the Pens Cup favorites with Crosby?

Sidney Crosby

Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby, left, is surrounded by media at his locker after a morning skate in preparation for his return to NHL hockey action against the New York Islanders in Pittsburgh, Monday, Nov. 21, 2011. Crosby will play in his first game in nearly a year since being sidelined with concussion-like symptoms. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

AP

The Big Question will be a weekly feature on PHT where we ask a question, provide some background and ask you, the reader, to weigh in with your opinions.

Today’s question: Are the Penguins the Stanley Cup favorites?

Not sure if you heard, but Sidney Crosby is playing a hockey game tonight. The best player in the world will be a nice addition for the Pittsburgh Penguins, as best players in the world typically are for teams.

The Pens haven’t suffered too badly without Crosby. They’re 11-6-3, tied for third in the league. James Neal , Jordan Staal, Kris Letang and Marc-Andre Fleury have been outstanding. Evgeni Malkin is a point-a-game player.

Top to bottom, it’s hard to find a real weakness.

Impossible, even.

Of course, Pittsburgh isn’t the only good team in the NHL. You could make a case for each of Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago as the current Cup favorite.

Personally I think it’s the Pens. The play of Neal and Letang are huge factors for me, just so far as things that differentiate this season’s Pittsburgh team from past seasons – Neal to take the scoring load off Crosby and Malkin, Letang because almost every single Cup winner has an elite defenseman.

Agree? Disagree? The comments section awaits.

Update: Pierre McGuire and Jeremy Roenick apparently agree.