ColePens
RIP Fugu Buffaloed & parabola
MATCH: Penguins vs. Capitals
SERIES: Second Round, 3-2 WSH
TIME: 7 p.m. EST
PLACE: PPG Paints Arena
TV: NBCSN
RADIO: 105.9 FM, the X
5 THINGS
1. The Pens face elimination for the first time this playoffs. The team is 4-0 all-time in elimination games under head coach Mike Sullivan. The last time the club trailed 3-2 in a series was in the 2016 Eastern Conference Final against Tampa Bay.
2. Jake Guentzel (21 points) and Sidney Crosby (20) rank Nos. 1 and 2 in the NHL in postseason scoring.
3. Crosby scored his 66th career playoff goal in Game 5, surpassing Jaromir Jagr for 2nd place on the team's all-time list - 10 behind leader Mario Lemieux.
4. Washington's Nicklas Backstrom suffered an upper-body injury in Game 5. He traveled to Pittsburgh and is expected to be in the lineup for Game 6.
5. The Caps used rookie Jakub Vrana on the top line with Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov in place of the suspended Tom Wilson. He recorded 3 points (1G-2A), including the game-winning goal. The top line combined for 7 points (2G-5A).
Game Preview: Pens-Caps (Game 6)
If this is it
If this is the game that ends this insane wave that we've been riding, it's been one hell of a ride. I know it will be bittersweet, but pop a champagne bottle and celebrate an epic journey that probably will never be duplicated.
Never forget how blessed we are to have Mario, Sid, Jagr, Geno and be able to enjoy hockey the way we have. 5 Stanley Cups since 1990. Some teams would kill for one. It's been such an amazingly blessed and fun journey to share with friends and family. If tonight we come up short, just kick back and think about how truly awesome it has been.
Never forget what Badger said - "It's a Great Day For Hockey" and if you need another great Badger quote:
"I'm always optimistic. It's the only way to live life, ya know? Don't hang your head. Life is too short. Every day is a bonus. Don't ever forget that. It's a bonus." ~ Bob Johnson
Pittsburgh Penguins:
Guentzel-Crosby-Simon
Hagelin-Malkin-Hornqvist
Sheary-Sheahan-Kessel
Kuhnhackl-Brassard-Rust
Dumoulin-Letang
Oleksiak-Schultz
Maatta-Ruhwedel
Murray
Washington Capitals:
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Vrana
Stephenson-Backstrom-Oshie
Connolly-Eller-DSP
???-Beagle-Chiasson
Kempny-Carlson
Orlov-Niskanen
Orpik-Djoos
Holtby