Marc-Andre Fleury has been a highly regarded NHL goaltender for the past seven seasons. He’s had outstanding regular seasons, a great 2009 Stanley Cup Final run, and some spectacular  moments along the way.

However, in the playoffs the last two seasons, he has been awful for the Penguins. He gave up 30 goals against the Flyers in a 4-2 losing series in the playoffs two years ago and 14 goals in four games against the Islanders these past playoffs before getting replaced by Tomas Vokoun. Can Fleury return to his old self? I think he can but let’s examine why he can.

This offseason the Penguins brought in defensive minded coach Jacques Martin, the former coach of the Montreal Canadiens. As the bench boss for the Habs he beat the Penguins a few years ago in seven games in the 2nd round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They brought him in because of the problems the Penguins were having on defense and not protecting Fleury very well. Jacques Martin can do everything as a defensive coach, even if that means screaming in French to Kris Letang to get back on defense.

So far through five games this season Fleury is 4-0 and received the NHL’s 3rd star of the week for his outstanding play in net for the first week of the season. If Jacques Martin can make this defense solid and protect Fleury, the Penguins should be considered a Stanley Cup contender because of their offensive firepower.

Pittsburgh also brought back “the Piece”, Rob Scuderi from the Los Angeles Kings. He had spent the past few seasons in L.A. where he won a Stanley Cup in 2012 after winning a title with the Penguins in 2009. He’s known to a lot of people as Fleury’s “puppy-guard or “protector.” He made a decisive save with his leg against the Detroit Red Wings in the final seconds of Game 6 in the 2009 Stanley Cup Final while Fleury was out of his net. He’s going to contribute to this team a lot over the course of the season and when Letang comes back, I expect them to be a paired together to protect the Penguin goal.

Another big factor could be the addition of a new goaltending coach the Penguins signed this year in Mike Bales. He’s been trying some new techniques with Fleury this year and so far it has paid off very nicely. He’s could be the difference maker in the playoffs when it comes to making Fleury a better goaltender. His experience can help Fleury in the postseason and in the regular season.

These two variables must happen if the Penguins have any chance of getting back to the Stanley Cup Final and possibly winning it all. I’m ready for this ride through the season and into the playoffs. Are you?