Pittsburgh Penguins Talk: Who Is Our Round 2 X-Factor?

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Many players have been stepping up for the Pittsburgh Penguins at key moments in these playoffs.

Of course the Pittsburgh Penguins have stars in Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel, but many other players on our roster can make just as much of an impact when needed.

The Washington Capitals are no walk in the park, so we will need all of our players to come up huge when called upon.

In this segment, a few of our writers offer their own opinions on the Penguins. This week for our Penguins Talk segment here at Pen’s Labyrinth, we thought we would take a look at who the Penguins X-Factor might be for round 2.

Apr 12, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Nick Bonino (13) moves the puck ahead of Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Scott Hartnell (43) during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Samual Campbell

These games against the Washington Capitals are going to push anxiety ridden fans over the edge. It seems almost every playoff game is going to OT these days, so we are in for some entertaining hockey.

When I think of an X-Factor, I imagine a player that is going to emerge and contribute that little extra to push the Pens to the Eastern Conference Finals. My nominee, perhaps you’ve heard of him, is Nick Bonino.

The center of all trades scored the game winner in Game 1. He looks to build off of last year’s playoff success, where he put up 5 points in the second round series against Washington. The Caps are definitely going to hope to contain Crosby and Malkin (although resistance may be futile), which could open the door for Bonino.

Hopefully we get to hear that beautiful Punjabi goal call a few more times this postseason.

Mar 5, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Patric Hornqvist (72) moves the puck ahead of Buffalo Sabres left wing Nicolas Deslauriers (44) during the third period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Shane Lunnen

Before Game 1 versus the Capitals, I was going to go with a different player as the Penguins X-Factor. However now I’m going with Patric Hornqvist. He assisted on both of Sidney Crosby’s goals and the second one in particular was very nice. He collected a blue line shot from Olli Maatta that bounced off Brandon Holtby and dished it over to Crosby for the wide open goal.

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Hornqvist could be a huge factor in this series. He is very good at creating chaos in front of the net and this could lead directly to goals, as we saw in Game 1. Plus he’s not a bad goal scorer himself, having two thus far in these playoffs to go along with his three assists.

Hornqvist mostly played on the third line during the series against Columbus. With the emergence of Jake Guentzel, the Penguins now have a lethal combination on their first line. The Penguins are going to rely on Hornqvist to create plays and disrupt the area around the Capitals net. He has the potential to really make his mark on this series.

Apr 20, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Matt Calvert (11) shoots the puck wide of Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) during the third period in game five of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena. The Pens won the game 5-2 and the series 4 games to 1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Matthew Rodrigopulle

For me, my choice for the Penguins X-factor hasn’t changed from the first round.

Marc-Andre Fleury was doubted all season. Matt Murray was given starts ahead of him, and his place in Pittsburgh was often questioned.

Well now, with Matt Murray suffering a sudden injury at the most unruly time before round one, Fleury had to step in and takeover the Penguins goaltending. And he has done exactly that, and he’s done it effectively as every.

Round one saw Fleury shutting down the Columbus Blue Jackets a ton of times. He may not have had the best numbers, but he definitely did his part in keeping the Penguins in games.

Next: These Washington Capitals Aren't That Scary

Heading into round two, Fleury will have to be as solid as he was in round one, and I fully expect him to be as good, if not better. Fleury is a proven playoff performer, and as of right now, he has been heavily underrated. Watch for him to take all that neglect he’s received during the year and turn it into great performances now that he has gotten an opportunity.

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