"I want whatever he's smoking" "Not totally wrong" - NHL fans left divided over Bryan Rust's Pittsburgh Penguins hot take 

Bryan Rust dropped a hot take on his Pittsburgh Penguins. In a recent interview, the star player said he is confident that his squad would have defeated the New York Rangers in the opening round of the playoffs had they made it instead of the Washington Capitals.

The Rangers won seven playoff games in a row before the Carolina Hurricanes won a game in the second round against them. They have been truly dominant, though they currently find themselves in a tie in the East Finals.

The Capitals were slightly better on the year, posting a 40-31-11 record for 91 points. The Penguins posted a record of 38-32-12 with 88 points. They did have a better goal differential by 41 than Washington, though. Fans had their say on Rust's take, and they were divided.

"Drugs really do kill brain cells, kids," one said.

"But you didn’t make the playoffs so we’ll never know," another pointed out.

Others agreed with Rust's sentiment.

"Absolutely true, woulda went 7 games. Rust with the winner in OT," another fan added.

"Caps had no business being there in any case with their cellar dweller -37 goal differential. Consequently, that's why the league was ok with them getting swept in 4," one said.

While the Penguins were hotter toward the end of the regular season and did have a better goal differential, it's difficult to say what would have happened. The Rangers were a bit of a buzzsaw for both teams they defeated in the postseason.

---

Pittsburgh Penguins left wondering what if

Bryan Rust is supremely confident in his team's ability. He firmly believes they could have won the opening round of the playoffs against the mighty New York Rangers. This is despite the fact that the team that did face New York was swept with ease.

The Pittsburgh Penguins narrowly missed out

The Penguins had made a mad dash for the playoffs, scrambling to try and make up ground over the last portion of the season. It ultimately did not work out, as their best efforts left them on the outside looking in.

One of the most storied franchises in hockey was left to wonder what if they'd just been able to sneak in the postseason. Anything can happen then, but it didn't for the Pittsburgh Penguins.