Watching the Penguins score on just about every chance they had against the Habs on Wednesday night made me think of one thing over and over: If you think the Habs are just one or two players away from winning the Cup, those players better be Crosby and Malkin.

It is painful to note for Habs fans that you just can't win a Cup without the best players in this league in your line-up.

It really doesn't matter how good your support players are. The truth is when the playoffs start you better have a Crosby or a younger Lidstrom in your line-up or forget it.

It won't be discouraging on most nights for Habs fans, because the club will put some wins together this season, and on many nights the Cammalleris and Giontas of this league will score some goals, lead some teams, and win some games.

But when push comes to shove in the playoffs it's all about the best players rising to the moment.

Penguins' progression

Look at the Penguins playoff teams over the last three years.

In year one, Malkin wasn't ready for the moment, couldn't control the game, and Pittsburgh was eliminated early. The following year Malkin plays well, but when the Penguins face the Red Wings there are more talented players and he is neutralized.

Last year, Malkin is the best player in the world at the forward position and the Penguins get it done.

Malkin's arc in the playoffs moved from 4 to 22 to 36 points in three years.

Follow the same improvement arc of Malkin and apply it to Crosby too, and then apply that to the Stanley Cup.

Star power

Watching the Penguins play the Habs, there is no reason to believe the playoffs will be any different this spring. I will take the teams with the best talent to go to the finals in the East. That sounds like a simple statement, but watch many people get confused by the hard working, injury free team that wins top seed on less talent and predicts them to win the Cup.

Pittsburgh, Washington and Philadelphia are the top three teams based on talent.

The rest of the teams are a clear step down. Forget all that "systems" and "chemistry" and "fourth-line support" stuff.

Just tell me who each team's best five are, and I'll tell you how far they have a chance to go in the playoffs.

Here's an example: Boston was the top team in the regular season last season, but were their best five the best? Did they measure up to the Pens? And there's your answer as to why Boston was eliminated early by Carolina.

Talent deficit

The Habs just didn't have the talent to exchange chances and convert them at the same rate as the Pens. It was partly their inability to convert, partly a hot Marc-Andre Fleury and, in large part, Malkin/Crosby.

Keep hope alive

All in all though, don't get too discouraged if you are a Habs fan. What the Habs didn't do right on Wednesday night, they can correct. I would imagine the Habs will beat the Penguins this year at some point. They find a night when Malkin or Crosby aren't motivated, or Martin finds a way to neutralize the dynamic duo and the Habs will beat Pittsburgh this season.

You'll see.

This one wasn't as lopsided as the score. It was just the Penguins' best players deciding to take over when they put their minds to it.

Just like they will do this spring.