Mario Lemieux stared down Penguins players after Game 4 loss

Much is expected of the Pittsburgh Penguins, a club that employs two of the most talented players in hockey and a bevy of stars beyond them. Though the club's enviable talent has powered them to top of the table finishes every regular season, and a Stanley Cup in 2009, they've dealt with disappointing postseason results in the years since.

In 2009-10 the Penguins lost to the Canadiens in seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals, dropping decisions in both Games 6 and 7. In 2010-11 the Penguins choked up a 3-1 series lead in the quarterfinals, ultimately losing in seven to the Lightning. In 2011-12 the Penguins lost their first three playoff games on their way to a first-round elimination at the hands of the Flyers. Last year the Penguins returned to the conference finals, but were swept by the Bruins.

Considering recent history, one might forgive Penguins fans and ownership if they were struggling with an uncomfortable dose of deja vu this week. As is custom, the Penguins won the Metropolitan Division by a wide margin and were heavily favored going into their opening-round series against the Columbus Blue Jackets. And like a rite of spring, the Blue Jackets are proving a less tractable opponent than many were expecting.

It's not just that the Blue Jackets are hanging around in a hard-fought playoff series, having split the first four games with the Penguins - that seems eerily familiar; it's the way the Penguins are performing. The defense has been too permissive, the forward depth is too lacking, and Marc-Andre Fleury's goaltending has let the team down.

It's enough to make Penguins principal owner, hockey Hall of Famer, and all-time great Mario Lemieux act a bit unusually. Here's Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter Rob Rossi describing Lemieux's behavior in the Penguins locker room after Pittsburgh's Game 4 loss:

Majority co-owner Mario Lemieux took the uncharacteristic step of speaking with Fleury inside the locker room after Game 4. Lemieux spent several minutes surveying the room without speaking as players headed for the changing area.

So Lemieux - who, remember, stands 6-foot-4, looks like he's still in playing shape, and is always immaculately dressed - stared down his players after Game 4. What a terrifying thought. 

Beyond the intimidation factor, there's usually an implication of restlessness, a hint of potential "change" whenever ownership takes a keen interest in a struggling team in this manner. It would certainly seem that the pressure is on this particular core group of Penguins players and coaches.