It won’t be like last year.

At least that’s what most Pittsburgh fans thought as the Penguins entered the Stanley Cup playoffs — and for good reason.

General manager Ray Shero loaded the roster with talent and leadership by trading for Jarome Iginla, Brenden Morrow and Douglas Murray.

The pesky Philadelphia Flyers had tee-time reservations after missing the playoffs and were no longer a threat to frustrate the Pens into pitiful defensive play.

Pittsburgh cruised into the postseason as the No. 1 seed in the East and the young, inexperienced New York Islanders awaited in the first round to be dominated by the Penguins.

Game 1 followed the script to perfection, as the Pens overwhelmed the Isles, 5-0.

Holding a 3-1 cushion in Game 2, the series took a dramatic swing — and suddenly everything changed.

Now, after watching the Penguins surrender 14 goals and salvage one overtime win over the past three games, many Pittsburgh fans are coming to a worrisome realization.

This feels an awful lot like last year.

Fortunately for the Pens and their panicked supporters, the series is still tied 2-2 and a pivotal Game 5 will be played in the comfy confines of Consol Energy Center.

There’s still time to tighten up the defense and Tomas Vokoun is a more than capable backup plan in net if Marc-Andre Fleury continues to falter. The Penguins must focus on smothering the Islanders rather than simply trying to outscore them.

If not, there will be consequences.

Shero has built not only a contender, but a perennial favorite to bring the Stanley Cup back to Pittsburgh.

However, with untimely injuries partly to blame, the Penguins haven’t reached the Eastern Conference finals since their 2009 Cup run.

There are no excuses this season.

Franchise cornerstones Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang are healthy. The aforementioned trade acquisitions bolstered any question marks surrounding depth with three key veterans desperate for Stanley Cup glory.

If the Penguins prematurely stumble out of the playoffs yet again — still far from a foregone conclusion — the weight of the collapse will likely fall on coach Dan Bylsma.

Since leading the Pens to a championship after taking over for Michel Therrien in the midst of the 2008-09 campaign, Bylsma owns a 12-14 record in playoff games and has prevailed in only one of four postseason series.

Consecutive trips to the finals, a Stanley Cup title and a plethora of young superstars had many believing the Penguins were in line for a dynasty, but a proven team full of promise has given the city nothing but disappointment to endure and the window to win can only stay open for so long.

The Penguins are in danger of another disaster and it’s a safe bet Bylsma’s job is hinged to the outcome.

Jason Orfao is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.