Update: Hainsey’s status after breaking historic slump

Despite taking to the ice a little late in practice today, defenseman Ron Hainsey is ready for the second round of the Playoffs, and his teammates couldn't be happier.

Hainsey is a long-time NHL veteran with 907 regular season games under his belt, but this is his first taste of the playoffs. And that's a record. After fourteen seasons, five teams, and over 900 career NHL games, one of the newest members of the Penguins is having a spectacular Stanley Cup Playoffs debut.

He must be enjoying his first taste of the post-season, because he’s registered a goal and two assists in his first five playoff games.

The 36-year-old defenseman from Bolton, Connecticut has been a solid presence on the blueline, eating up almost twenty minutes a night on average. Those aren’t easy minutes, either.

A welcome surprise offensively, Hainsey is primarily regarded for his defensive prowess and locker room presence. He was acquired in February by Pittsburgh as part of a trade that saw the Penguins give up Danny Kristo and their 2^nd Round pick in this years’ NHL Entry Draft.

In terms of short-term results, Hainsey is making that trade look like a great move for the Pittsburgh so far.

The Penguins are rested and ready for a second-round Playoffs matchup against the Washington Capitals that seemed destined to happen. 

The Capitals won the Presidents' Trophy for the best NHL regular season record, the Penguins are the reigning Stanley Cup Champions. This best-of-seven series will be a clash of Eastern Conference titans and may very well decide who will be representing the conference in the Stanley Cup Finals.

The epic clash will kick off with Game 1 in Washington on Thursday, April 27^th.