My pre-game thoughts (from the series thread)
1. Don't panic. We've been here before with Tampa in 2016. We were 3-3 with Washington in 2017. Against elimination is an uneasy feeling for us as of late. Only twice have we been there. I believe this will light an extra little flame under the boys.
2. We have played well enough to win 4 games out of the 5. Playoffs are as much about luck as anything. We should know what all too well from 2016 and 2017, ESPECIALLY 2017. Fact is, sometimes the puck goes your way, some times it doesn't. That's hockey, that's life. 4 of the 5 could have gone either way. Just like in 16 and 17 against the Caps. They've been in our shoes, we are now in theirs. Keep the heads up because we've played well enough to win and I believe we will continue to play well enough to win.
3. Home game. Crowd can help. I don't think Sid nor the rest of the team wants to let down the crowd on home ice.
4. This is really coming down to individual players performing. We can yak it up all day on who has played well and who hasn't. Fact is, playoffs isn't about playing well. It's about winning. To win, you need to produce. Only Sid, Jake, Geno, and Horny have done that. The rest haven't. For this team to pull the next two, more players have to start contributing. And not just nice looking zone time, cool cycles, and chest snipes. No. ****ing Kessel needs to start firing that puck in the god damn net. Brassard needs to figure his **** out, build on what he's done and start firing the ****ing puck into the god damn net. Rust and Sheary need to start putting the ****ing puck in the ****ing net. Hagelin needs to start producing with Malkin and Horny, period. The 4 line needs to chip in a damn goal, same with the defenders.
At this point, I don't give a **** who's "had good games" or "who looked good". That doesn't mean **** right now. Why? We are down 3-2 and we've missed enough opportunities over the last 5 games to have swept this series. To win Cups, the entire team needs to contribute. We are not getting that. They are capable though. They need to start doing it. Bottom line, brass tax, at the end of the day, all it comes down to...is those players that are on the team to put the ****ing puck in the net to start putting the ****ing puck in the net. End.
5. Murray needs to beat Holtby this game. I don't give a damn about the defense. I get that aspect. I do. But if that's the defense we are going to get we need Murray to be on top of his game. He hasn't been the Murray of 16 and 17. Again, no more "but he's played well". He has. I don't discount what he's done. But he needs to win tonight. He needs to win the goalie battle. Two games 100% up for grabs...and he hasn't. Chance for chance, Holtby has bested him...bigly...this series.
6. PP needs to start firing the puck. If Kessel won't shoot, Sully/Recchi need to replace him with someone who will. Time for feelings and pride is done. Fact is, Kessel has been dog **** this playoffs. If you want to win, you need to look to players who will help you win. Right now, that's not Kessel.
7. Stay out of the box. That will 100% be our undoing tonight if we let it. This can NOT be overstated enough. Stay out of the box. Period.
8. Simon off the top line. Try Sheary or Rust.
Jake-Sid-Sheary
Hags-Geno-Horny
Rust-Sheahan-Kessel
Kuhn-Brass-Simon
9. This game will come down to who buries chances. Bury the chances you get. Washington will be out for blood and will be 100% playing to not let up a chance. I'm expecting an intensely emotional game with hard checking from them while playing the utmost effective 2-way hockey. This one (and maybe next one) will not be easy. We can't afford to piss away chances on pretty passes.
10. Letang can not be the Letang from Game 5. That is 100% for certain. We've seen the ability for ONE player to give away a game. That simply can not happen tonight. If need be, his minutes need to be sheltered and others need to step up. This guy will cost us the series if the coaches let him. Can't be allowed to happen. Time for feelings is done. Letang needs to get his head out of his ass or sit it on the bench.
Those are my pre-game thoughts. I'm confident but nervous. Should be a great game.
