Lose before you can win?? | Mar Sees's Blog

Before game 2 (which is almost more like a game 7) of the Stanley Cup final, I thought I'd provide a few thoughts...

Despite the fact that it seems Detroit is already running this series, I have to object to the reason being the so-called "lose before you can win" notion. As hard as it is to admit, Pittsburgh was badly out-played in game one, and yes of course experience is important, however there are plenty of players who didn't need much of it to win the prize. Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Patrick Roy, Cam Ward, Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis. Who are these players you may ask? Some the NHL elite who won the cup on their very first trip to the Final. The most tiring comparison I've heard this playoffs is the one of this years Penguins to the '83 Oilers, who had to suffer a sweep at the hands of the veteran Islanders. That's nice for Wayne and his boys, but it isn't the case with the '08 Penguins. Granted there are only 3 Stanley Cup winners on the roster (Petr Sykora, Darryl Sydor and Gary Roberts), but there are plenty of players who have already lost in the Stanley Cup final.

Sergei Gonchar, Georges Laraque, Ty Conklin, Petr Sykora (twice), and not to mention guys like Hall Gill and Jarkko Rutuu who lost in the semi-finals. To suggest that the Penguins need to learn a lesson about losing is way too old school. This is not the era of the '83 Oilers where teams can stay together for years and years and hope to win next time. I hope to not have to hear this comparison anymore, as it is a sad excuse for the possibility of the Pens not winning it all. We are in the "win when you have the chance" era, and I sincerely hope Pittsburgh realises they need to take advantage of it.

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May 27, 2008 08:50 AM ET

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I think there is some truth to the you need to lose before you win or at least you need to beat thru some tough situations and teams.

More important keep in mind the Wings did what they were supposed to do and win at home. Game 3 means more.