By Kostya Kennedy, SI.com
PITTSBURGH -- Seventy degrees under a cloudless, cartoon-blue sky and the afternoon sun is glinting off the dome of the Igloo. The Crosby jerseys are out in force, and the Malkin jerseys, too. You see a few springtime Fleurys even. Autograph-seekers bustle about, pen and puck in hand. Schoolkids are playing hooky and the Penguins are front-page news.
Today in Pittsburgh: optimism's last stand.
The prospects aren't good, of course. Thirty-seven finals have started two-games-to-nil. A full 78% have been over in four games or five. "Let's just say it's an important game," says Penguins coach Michel Therrien of Game 3. If the Penguins lose it, in other words, they aren't coming back.
Therrien and the Penguins like to remind folks that they haven't lost at home in two months, and that in going 8-0 at home this postseason they have often dominated opponents while building a reservoir of confidence that they've now come to draw on. The Penguins are putting their faith in Mellon Arena because after the first two games of the finals, that's really all they have to put their faith in.
Maybe the Pittsburgh crowd really does inspire them. Maybe the Penguins get the on-ice matchups they want. Maybe they score the first goal of the game, and have a chance to protect a lead the way they so efficiently do. Maybe Evgeni Malkin re-asserts himself. Maybe Sidney Crosby fills up the scoresheet. He's due. Maybe, in short, the power of positive thinking can help win a hockey game against a team that thus far looks as if it has no intention of losing one.
"There is no relaxing," Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall told me after this morning's game-day skate. "We are not about to let them have anything if we can help it."
The Penguins have come so far already -- just to be in this Stanley Cup final; heck, just to be solvent -- and they have taken the town. The Post-Gazette had a story, page A1, about a grade school that is using a foil replica of the Stanley Cup to motivate kids to work together as a team. The Penguins, it seems, are already inspiring.
Yet, of course, they want more. When you've come this close to the Cup, you can'lt afford to turn back. No matter how much this seems like a dynasty-in-the making, you never know when you'll get there again. The puck just bounces too funny for certainties.
So maybe local boy Ryan Malone makes good in Game 3. Maybe the Penguins get a few more power plays their way. Maybe they can keep the puck away from the Red Wings for a while. And maybe Marc-André Fleury makes it 19 straight wins on home ice.
There is still time for optimism in Pittsburgh, one more day of it, at least.
Damaris Lewis
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Comments (13) Add A Comment
living here in n. pitt after living in flint for 37 yrs i cant tell you how wonderful this is GO WINGS!
diks23
Harmony , PA
Total Comments (12)
This writer is a real piece of work. In case anyone missed his last offering:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/kostya_kennedy/05/21/crosby. finals/index.html?eref=si_topstories
Hey, Kostya, what happened to your "Sidney Crosby Show"? Looks like your sure-fire major network hit was cancelled after the pilot on Versus---won't even make it to NBC after all.
mnwild18
Saint Paul , MN
Total Comments (18)
"...cartoon blue sky..."?
T Rocks
Mysterious, PA
Total Comments (2574)
The Penguins are a Dynasty in the making. I must admit I was taken off guard that then have come this far so soon. I thought maybe in a few years that they would have a chance to win it all. Even after they traded for Hossa I thought that maybe that the Pens were auditioning him as a possible long term line mate for Sid, to see it they can develop chemistry, before offering a contract (a sizable contract). I thought that the addition of Hossa maybe they will make it out of the 2nd round, maybe. To see these "kids" competing in the Stanley Cup Finals is would have been enough for me a few months ago. But to see them dominate the way that they did in the playoffs I have to admit it will be hard seeing them lose, esp the way that they are losing. If they were fighting and clawing and keeping it close I would be beating my chest in salute of their accomplishments. But some of the players seem to be spectators of the game. While other players are trying, but they are frustrated because they can not do it on their own. Either way if they do not win it this year there will be many other years where they will be right there. I just hope that they see through their young eyes that their talent will help them get to Lord Stanley???s cup for years to come but winning it requires that they step up the intensity about 10 notches. The Red Wings know that because they have been there, done that. Hopefully the Pens will learn from their mistakes this year and bring Lord Stanley to the Burgh, sooner then later???.LETS GO PENS!!!.
Tom Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh , PA
Total Comments (1)
Don't give up the ship yet, Tom......
T Rocks
Mysterious, PA
Total Comments (2574)
Tom - you're ignoring Kennedy's one well-put thought:
Yet, of course, they want more. When you've come this close to the Cup, you can'lt afford to turn back. No matter how much this seems like a dynasty-in-the making, you never know when you'll get there again. The puck just bounces too funny for certainties.
mnwild18
Saint Paul , MN
Total Comments (18)
Don't you think its foolish for the coach to mouth off about the winning streak at home? I'm sure the Pens need MORE pressure.
giwan
Snow Land, MI
Total Comments (39)
Was it "mouthing off' or stating a fact?
T Rocks
Mysterious, PA
Total Comments (2574)
big game tonight. wings look tough, solid, and have shown why they have been the best team in the NHL wire to wire. but you know what, that's why its a 7-game series. things can happen. Its amazing the bandwagoning that going on with the reporters. Its all Doom and Gloom. Tonight only has two series options - 2-1 or 3-0. And one of them actually puts the Pens "back in it". I just want therien to quit juggling the lines. Get back to what works. RPM and Dupuis/Crosby/Hossa. Nows not the time to experiement. You had 82 games to do that.
kronwall is the reason we need a kasparitis in the mix. He makes you pay attention. that's what kasparitis used to do.
No matter what, The kids are going to be alright, but I'd much rather see them win.
geoffism
New York , NY
Total Comments (3)
Well he was stating a fact but did he have too?
The media always has to hype it. What else do they have to do? The Wings did what they were supposed to do and win at home. Now its the Pens turn to try and do the same.
Pens have the last change so that should free Therrien to get Sid and Co more ice time, but watch Pavel he's not getting the credit he deserves.
giwan
Snow Land, MI
Total Comments (39)
I don't see the last change giving the Pens any advantage. If Crosby doesn't get Z or Pav, he'll see Draper, who is great on faceoffs and solid in his own zone (at least until they can make the change). In either case, he's going to see Lidstrom and Rafalski and that's a big problem for the Pens.
For me, the key is going to be the Malkin line vs the Filpulla line (with Franzen and Samuelsson). Whoever wins that battle is going to win the game tonight. So far, it's been the Wings winning that battle while the top lines have essentially canceled each other out.
The Winged Wolverine
Total Comments (131)
I'm only going to say one thing to my fellow Wings fans....this series isn't over yet. Don't plan the parade until it is.
Good Luck Pens
Go WINGS
mhwings
Total Comments (555)
mhwings is a class act.......................
T Rocks
Mysterious, PA
Total Comments (2574)
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