(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)

PITTSBURGH (AP) Sidney Crosby can admit it now: The Pittsburgh Penguins were tired last season, a natural byproduct of becoming the first franchise in two decades to win consecutive Stanley Cups.

And though the Penguins came as close as any team in the last 35 years to capture three straight titles - they recovered from a blah start to reach the Eastern Conference semifinals before falling to Washington - that special gear they relied on so heavily during their run of dominance never materialized.

"Just for whatever reason, shorter summer, mentally not having that desperation level, as a group we were lacking that," Crosby said.

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