Dynasty Lives Here: Pittsburgh

There’s no way these guys can do it again, right?

I mean, the Penguins have played 212 games over the last two seasons. They’ve gone through the emotional ups and downs of reaching the Stanley Cup Finals two years in a row.

They won the Cup last year, so the motivation won’t be as high, right?

This is what all the critics are saying. You know, the “Experts.” Wear, tear and motivation to the outside world appear to be huge factors going against the Penguins.

To our niche in Pittsburgh, though, we know that none of that is valid. And personally, after second-guessing the Pens last year, there’s no doubt in my mind that this team can be what we all have been hoping for since the lockout: A DYNASTY IN PITTSBURGH.

Honorable Mention — Darius Kasparaitis’ game winner

Not only was he the most unlikely candidate, but he did it under the most unlikely circumstances.

It was the playoffs … Game 7 … on the road … overtime … against one of the greatest goaltenders in the game.

Robert Lang, a goal-scorer, skated up the right wing with the puck in to the Sabres’ zone and eyed the net.  He had a defenseman in front of him and a trailing Kasparaitis.  The last thing anyone thought was that he’d pass it to a clearly inept scorer in Kasper.

Obviously, Dominic Hasek thought so too as the puck sailed past him and in to the net.

Honorable Mention – Pens back-to-back Cups

So this moment wasn’t within the last 15 years.  But you know what, this is a blog about the Penguins and we’d be remiss if we didn’t include it.  It’s close enough!!!

The Cup wins officially made this town a hockey town.  Since the 1970s, Pittsburghers have expected greatness from the Steelers and Pirates.  Countless championships led to this city being named the ‘City of Champions.’

Hockey was always on the back burner.  The Penguins, at times, fielded a competitive team and gained interest in the 1970s.  They reached the playoffs in 1970, 1972 and 1975 — where they became one of the only clubs in any sport to ever build a 3-0 series lead and lose, 4-3 (sigh).  The beginning of the 1980s was rather successful as well, but from 1983-1989 the franchise missed the playoffs every year.

That drought diverted fans to the Steelers and Pirates, which were all enjoying success.  In 1984 Mario Lemieux was drafted and things started to change.  Just his name brought people to the arena to watch the team.

Still, wins were hard to come by.  The aura of a superstar player only lasts for so long.  But eventually the team improved, and after four years Pittsburgh was in the playoffs in the 1988-89 season.

Two years later, the Stanley Cup made it’s first appearance in the Steel City.

Free Agency – Defense

Rob Scuderi (‘The Piece’), Philippe Boucher and Hal Gill.

Three more big names for the Penguins.  Each played a significant role in both the regular season and postseason.

As I guestimated in the forward scenario, Shero might be able to make a couple signings for around $4 million.  If that’s the case, he has roughly $5.3 million left in cap space.

Defense seems to be a pretty big issue.

Click read more for a breakdown of each defensive free agent and my take on who can/should be signed and who should sail off into the free agent market.

Pens vs. Wings, let the chatter begin

Well it’s back to another rivalry series.

First there was the Flyers and then the Capitals.  The Pens got a break in the Eastern Conference Finals and are lucky for that, because this series will almost undoubtedly have emotions running the highest we’ve seen all postseason.

Rightfully so.  If both teams didn’t have everything to give there would be something seriously wrong.  This series has Steelers-Cowboys written all over it.

Pens fans just hope their team can reverse the fortune of last June.

Stanley Cup Finals Schedule

You might have seen/heard controversey surrounding the start of the Stanley Cup Finals and if the NHL would be able to have the series end by June 15th (deadline for last day of competition).

Detroit Red Wings vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Series starts Saturday @ 8 p.m.

Well, Detroit wrapped up its series last night, beating Chicago in overtime.  Thus, Gary Bettman need not worry.

Pittsburgh and Detroit will drop the puck Saturday night at 8 p.m. in the first of back-o-back games to open the finals.  The rest of the schedule is as follows…

Weird Series, Pens Sweep Canes

If you say that you thought the Pens would sweep Carolina in the Eastern Conference Finals, you’re lying.  Either that or you have zero hockey sense.

After beating my favorite to represent the Eastern Conference, New Jersey, and the No. 1 seed in the East, Boston, nobody expected the Hurricanes perform as poorly as they did.

What many expected to happen going in to this series failed to happen.  The unexpected did happen.

Max Talbot’s eventual series-clinching goal was a perfect example of how these four games have been: WEIRD.

Pens vs. Canes – Series Outlook

Well here it is folks.  The race for the Stanley Cup is down to its final four, with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes vying for the Prince of Wales Trophy (awarded to the Eastern Conference champion).

No. 4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 6 Carolina Hurricanes

I’m hearing alot of confidence from alot of the Pittsburgh fans.  I’ve got to stress that Carolina is no pushover.  They are a solid hockey team with the hottest goaltender in the league.

This series is destined to go at least six games, maybe seven.  Lucky for the Pens is the fact that they earned that No. 4 seed.  Had it not been for the New York Rangers beating Philadelphia on the last day of the regular season, we may not even be here right now.

Nevertheless, it’s off to the conference finals.  Here’s how I feel about the upcoming series …

Heart Attack City

If you’re anything like us, you feel like crap.  This series has taken more out of you than any series in recent memory.  The NHL playoffs take years off of your life, there’s no doubt.

And now we have a game seven.  A win on Wednesday night means at least four more games.  At least four more near heart attacks.  At least four more chances to cheer on the Penguins.  At least four more chances to avoid the Pirates.

A loss and life seems meaningless.  After witnessing the Detroit Red Wings lift the cup on the ice at Mellon Arena last year, I sat in traffic wondering where my life was going to go from there.  There was nothing more to look forward to.

It’s all on the line at the Verizon Center at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.  Going back to D.C. feels like there’s no chance.  A few things, though, give me glimmers of hope.

Initial thoughts on Pens vs. Caps

First off, this is what everyone wants to see.  This is the series that could make people interested in the NHL again.  This is the series that could end as one of the greatest in recent memory.

However, it’s a series that alot of Pens fans didn’t want to see.

In my opinion, the Capitals are the most dangerous team in the Eastern Conference playoffs.  As the first round proved, the Capitals are a team you can never count out … of a game or a series.

Despite that, the Pens have the ability to use their talent and experience to beat Washington and move on to the Eastern Conference finals.