While the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrated their first period victory down in the South Side, their stunt doubles let Game 1 slip away in the remaining two periods and change. That may actually be better than getting a win they didn’t deserve. For that last 42:23 the Pens were embarrassingly out shot, out hit, out hustled, and out hearted by a team that they had just proven they could dominate. We all know there is an arsenal of awesome Mortal Kombat-esque fatality hits and goals on the bench just waiting to be unleashed. FINISH HIM! Letting this game slip away should be a stark reminder that a playoff series against a reviled rival is the best time to break some backs, or else history–ancient and recent–is bound to repeat itself. Have you learned your lesson yet, boys?
Personally, I’m confident in the team and excited to watch the Pens respond on Friday. I’m sure the superstars hear the bell, but I have a feeling Brooks Orpik, Pascal Dupuis, Tyler Kennedy and our depth guys will be the first to answer it. It’s still a seven-game series, and we’re only down one. Or 2/3, depending on how you want to look at this game in the long run.
Being picked to win the Stanley Cup means nothing. Working your tails off to win it means a lot. I BELIEVE! LETS GO PENS!
Well put, Tanger. As we all know, it’s what happens on ice, not paper that matters. Last night’s game is a gut check. One that I’m glad happened early, because it is a long, LONG road to the finals.