1. Pittsburgh Penguins
No team in the NHL needed a break more than the Pittsburgh Penguins. First of all, they were struggling mightily, winning just three of their last 10 games. The Penguins were slumping and the pause in the season should help them get back on track.
Furthermore, the Penguins are beaten up. Sidney Crosby has been great since returning from injury, but he hasn’t been performing to his usual impossibly high standards. The break will let him get back to full health (because he’s not 100% healthy right now) and focus.
More importantly, they’d be able to get guys like Brian Dumoulin (who recently returned) back on the ice. The Penguins defense was abysmally bad without John Marino and Dumoulin. They’re probably not 100% healthy right now. Some time away from the ice could ensure they’re at full strength for a playoff run.
But the big thing for the Penguins is this could buy them enough time to be able to bring back Jake Guentzel. He’s emerged as arguably the most important wing for the Pittsburgh Penguins. They’ve been trending in the wrong direction ever since his injury. Getting Guentzel back would get the Penguins back on track to being legitimate Stanley Cup contenders.