Pens looking for first victory in East final Wednesday night
Must. Win. Game 3.
We say “anything’s possible,” but if the Penguins lose to the Bruins on Wednesday -- season’s over.
Pittsburgh has won its last six ventures into TD Garden, but there have been plenty of numbers thrown around already and we’ve seen how much that’s helped the Pens. The only thing that really matters right now is getting out of Game 3 with a “W.”
For those into simple math, Boston has two “W’s” and Pittsburgh has two “L’s.”
Many observers believe that the team that scores the first goal wins Game 3. I wouldn’t go that far. I’d say the Pens (or Bruins) could fall down by a goal and rally back.
It’s the style of play which has separated the two Eastern Conference finalists.
See if you can guess the team I’m referring to.
One team persists in making stretch passes against a defense designed to stop them.
One team has exhibited the patience needed to sit back on defense and wait for the perfect opportunity to pounce.
One team plays defense by keeping the puck in the offensive end and wings it when it comes into their own end.
One team employs a defensively-responsible system that has kept the other team’s superstars largely at bay.
If you’ve seen comments like these before, you’ve probably read the Pens-Flyers playoff articles from last spring.
There are reasons to believe the Penguins will rally, though, at least for Game 3.
First, they haven’t played their best game. For a team that comfortably won the Eastern Conference, that’s due to change.
Second, Pens players apparently needed to be shocked back into the reality they can’t just show up on the ice and win. Thank you Boston for applying the jolt.
Third, Sidney Crosby will rebound from what he termed a “terrible game” on Monday. He’s the best player in the world, isn’t he? He’ll play like it tonight.
Fourth, the Bruins might find it hard to keep razor-edge sharp up by two games. It’s human nature to let down after winning two straight on the road. The first game back at home should be Pittsburgh’s best opportunity to nab a win, especially if it can withstand the first 10 minutes of the game.
Penguins players have talked the skate before, about how winning a 1-0 decision is foremost in their minds. Now it’s time for them to skate the talk against the Bruins.
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Game 3 Predictions
-- Zdeno Chara scores first
-- Pascal Dupuis scores even-strength two goals
-- James Neal nets a power-play goal
-- Sidney Crosby registers three assists
-- Pens win, 4-2
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Pre-Game Audio
Sidney Crosby
Dan Bylsma
Tomas Vokoun
Pascal Dupuis, Part 1
Pascal Dupuis, Part 2
Brooks Orpik
Brandon Sutter
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Hockey Poll Results
Question:
Who should Pens coach Dan Bylsma name as his Game 3 starting goaltender against the Boston Bruins?
Coach Bylsma agrees with the 62 percent of voters who chose Tomas Vokoun as the Game 3 starting goalie. Thirty-seven percent went with the Flower. As I tweeted earlier in the day, it doesn’t matter which goalie starts if the Pens can’t score more than one goal in two games.
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Treasure Life!
JT
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • 
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