As a 35+ years Penguin fan, there is only one thing I truly need to witness — that is the Penguins skating around the Mellon Arena ice with the Stanley Cup. In 1991 and 1992 we had to drive to the airport to be a part of the celebration. In the Gypsy Pool, I picked the Penguins to win in six, knowing that meant a Cup win at home. We knew from the start that there had to be at least one win in Detroit. Tonight can be that night. This will be the Red Wings sixth game in ten days. I’m not sure how much of a factor that will be. With so much at stake, I don’t think that a highly-trained pro athlete will really feel tired, but the Penguins will not win this game because the Red Wings are spent. The Penguins will win this game because they are going to outplay them. Both teams have carried the play for stretches in all four games. Both teams have shown the ability to come from behind, and to play with the lead. As great as Period 2 was on Thursday night, my favorite period was the third. Leading 4-2, the Penguins played a very responsible game to hold onto that lead. The game of keep-away for the last 30 seconds or so was awesome. The above picture that is hanging on the Consol Energy Arena is the now and the future of this franchise. Yes, there are other contributors and important factors, but these three guys are truly the key ingredients. When Crosby, Malkin, and Fleury are on their A-game, no one is going to beat this team. Here is saying that they will bring their A-game to Detroit tonight to enable our Penguins to have the chance to parade the Stanley Cup around the Mellon Arena on Tuesday night. That’s the view from E-11.
So much for your “A” game. Go Wings!
The Penz better bring it on Tuesday or they will have to watch a Cup celebration on their home ice…..again.