The time for a more traditional post had long since passed when I got to wondering. How many times have the Penguins rallied from a 3-games-to-2 deficit to win a playoff series?
I decided to do some digging. The Pens have overcome 3-2 series deficits (or worse) to emerge victorious six times in their storied postseason history. Coincidence or not, they accomplished the feat each time they won a Cup.
| Playoff Year | Opponent | Deficit | Round |
| 1991* | New Jersey | 3-2 | Division Semifinals |
| 1992* | Washington | 3-1 | Division Semifinals |
| 1995 | Washington | 3-1 | Conference Quarterfinals |
| 1999 | New Jersey | 3-2 | Conference Quarterfinals |
| 2001 | Buffalo | 3-2 | Conference Semifinals |
| 2009* | Detroit | 3-2 | Cup Finals |
| * Won Stanley Cup | |||
I confess. I wasn’t feeling real positive about our chances. Especially with Trevor Daley out. Then I look at what’s happened before. And I start to believe.
Here are some reasons why.
Backup goalie Frank Pietrangelo emerged from the shadows in ’91 to steal Games 6 and 7 from the Devils. Mario Lemieux and a host of Hall-of-Famers trapped the Caps into submission in ’92. Tough guy Frankie Leroux set up a Game 5 overtime winner in ’95 to ignite an amazing comeback.
A hobbled Jaromir Jagr scored two huge goals in Game 6 to turn the tide against Jersey in ’99. Light-scoring Daruis Kasparaitis slashed the Sabres with an improbable Game 7 overtime winner in ’01.
Rob Scuderi stopped three shots from point-blank range in the waning seconds of Game 6 to preserve a must-win over Detroit in the ’09 Finals. Max Talbot made like a “Superstar” to notch both black-and-gold goals in the Cup-clincher.
Tonight?
Perhaps kid goalie Matt Murray pitches a shutout. Maybe Evgeni Malkin busts loose for a hat trick. Or Sidney Crosby nets an OT-winner.
Or Phil Kessel. Or Carl Hagelin. Or Nick Bonino. Or Matt Cullen.
You never know who might rise to the occasion in heroic fashion.
It’s happened before. It can happen again.
GO PENS!
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