Underdog Pittsburgh Just One Win from Stanley Cup Title
The Pittsburgh Penguins are not even considered the favorite to win the Stanley Cup Finals, but are now just one win from lifting the Cup.
Pittsburgh beat the San Jose Sharks 3-1 on Monday night in Game 4 to extend their lead in the series to 3-1 and put the Sharks’ backs against the wall.
On Thursday night, the Penguins can win the series and another Stanley Cup Championship with a win on their home ice.
It may seem strange to many in hockey that the Penguins have arrived to this point. The team did not look like a championship caliber club during October and November as well as part of December.
The changes started to take place for Pittsburgh after Mike Johnston was fired by the team and Mike Sullivan replaced him. Since then the club has responded to Sullivan and is now one win from holding the Stanley Cup in their hands.
The Penguins have spread things around in the postseason as evidenced in the Game 4 win with Ian Cole scoring his first ever goal during the postseason. He is the 16th different Pittsburgh player to score at least a goal during the postseason.
Not only did Cole score, which is an oddity in itself, but Evgeni Malkin scored just his second goal over the last 16 games.
Playing behind the Penguins this postseason is Matt Murray the rookie goalie. He once again bounced back from a Game 3 loss to stop all but one of the 24 shots he faced.
Pittsburgh’s players know they cannot let up. The players will want to end the series and win the Cup at home on Thursday. They do not want to lose and then have to travel across the country to play the Sharks in a Game 6 on the road.
Sidney Crosby the Penguins captain said it would take the best play his team has, as the Sharks will come out on Thursday with their absolute best with the Cup on the line.
A win and a Stanley Cup would top off an improbable journey for the Penguins from mediocrity to NHL Champions,
Of course, the Sharks will have plenty to say against that thought. The next 48 to 72 hours will be quite nerve racking before Game 5 of the series begins.
