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          Craig Custance Blog

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          Chasing the Penguins: How do Central teams stack up?

          The Blackhawks will always have an edge on most NHL teams as long as Jonathan Toews is in the lineup. But how well do they match up in five key areas to the defending champion Penguins? Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire
          • Craig Custance, ESPN Senior WriterSep 8, 2016, 10:19 AM ET
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            • Senior NHL writer for ESPN The Magazine
            • Wrote for Atlanta Journal-Constitution
            • Wrote for The Sporting News
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          There’s not a more fascinating division than the Central. There’s the old guard still built to win in Chicago, surrounded by teams loaded with talent.

          But how many of these teams are truly capable of winning a Stanley Cup this season? Examining what made the Penguins successful last season helps provide the blueprint, with these five characteristics standing out:

          • 1. Franchise center(s)

          • 2. Big-minute franchise defenseman

          • 3. Contributors on entry-level contracts

          • 4. Three skilled scoring lines

          • 5. Mobile puck-moving defense

          Here’s how the Central stacks up (in order of last season's finish: