One More Until The Bloodbath

Just a few notes before game 5 against the Rangers

Penguins center Maxime Talbot remains a game-time decision. Suffering from a broken bone in his foot, Talbot skated on his own before practice yesterday and "felt good". If he doesn't play, expect the same lineup the Penguins iced in game 4, with Gary Roberts staying in the lineup and Adam Hall continuing to play center in Talbot's spot.

For the Penguins to win today, they are going to have to up their intensity, and play with focus and discipline. They got away from those things in game 4 Thursday in New York. They also need to get Sykora going a little bit. He only had 2 shots on the road in MSG in games 3 and 4 combined.

I personally expect the Penguins to bring a strong performance today. Crosby, particularly, is due. As a team, they have been an excellent bunch the last few years coming off a loss. In fact, they didn't lose more than 3 games in a row all season this year, and that speaks to consistency and resolve. The fact that they avoid losing streaks and usually bounce back strong has gone a long way the last two seasons to them finishing with as many points as they have.

If they lose, game 6 back in The Garden comes quickly --- tomorrow night, with a hostile Ranger crowd and an energeic team with momentum that will think they've made a series of things. If they win, a no-holds-barred Eastern Conference Final awaits against the hated Philadelphia Flyers, who eliminated Montreal in 5 games last night.

And to think I'm emotionally invested now .....