Bryan Rust claims the Pittsburgh Penguins would have beat the New York Rangers

Very few were surprised when the New York Rangers earned themselves a real running to this year's Stanley Cup. After dominating the NHL points-wise during the regular season, the team earned the President's Trophy long before the rest of the playoff spots were filled.

Now, the team is tied wth four games down in the third round against a worthy opponent: the Florida Panthers. By making it this far, they became the first President's Trophy winners to make it to the Conference Finals since they last did so in 2015.

Despite the team's clear power this season, one player made an unusual claim. Bryan Rust, a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins, claimed today in an interview with gaming streamer Ninja that his team would have taken the Rangers down in this year's playoffs.

Pittsburgh was very close to making the playoffs this year. After a rough patch, the team went on a hot streak, taking down nearly everything in its path. Unfortunately for Rust and his fellow Penguins, their efforts were not enough to earn more points than the Washington Capitals, who claimed the last Wild Card spot.

Despite the easy series sweep for the New York Rangers, many hold Rust's comments true. Given the matchup between the two throughout the regular season and the bend that Sidney Crosby embarked on before being eliminated from the playoff race, the team would likely have had a better chance than the Capitals produced.

Unfortunately for Rust and the Penguins, they will never have a chance to know if they would have contended with the New York Rangers this season. With their chances at the Cup this year long gone, they will have to spend their time focusing on the next one.