PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Returning to the playoffs for the first time in four years, the Pens were even unsure how this season was going to go.
Team MVP Erik Karlsson, and just typing those words is such a dramatic shift from the previous two seasons, broke down how he saw getting to this point as the Pens open the postseason at home against the Flyers Saturday night.
“I think we had a really good training camp in here,” Karlsson said. “I think our expectations were very low. We just wanted to do well for ourselves and for each other in here.”
It’s a really interesting comment there from the 35-year-old. It would be easy for him to just say all the experts were wrong. We knew it all along. Rather, he was honest with how the team felt.
“We got off to a good start and found a way to build on that and evolve,” Karlsson said. “We’ve been able to adapt depending on how the games were being played and we’ve done a good job at staying fairly consistent all year.”
Now is the challenge, owning the confidence in the group, Karlsson said they need to not get too far ahead of themselves. He said they’ve reaped the rewards of that mindset by being here right now.
It comes with a new leader. Dan Muse had never been a head coach at this level, but got the team’s respect by his work ethic and being consistent. Players found out over the course of a season how well prepared he is. Sidney Crosby said Muse is a really good communicator and he set it up that everyone knew their role and what was expected of them.
And here they sit. And Crosby said it’s about sticking to those fundamentals that Muse drilled over and over again.
“I think there are so many details,” Crosby said. “You can’t rest on the fact that you’ve done something over the course of the season, you got to go out there and do it every night. Those things that are very important tend to be a little bit harder (in the playoffs).”
“Physical play, finishing hits, blocking shots, wall plays and battles, all of those things add up. That’s why you preach it during the season, so they become habits. Those things will be the difference if you win or lose games.”
“I believe in this group,” Karlsson said. “The potential has always been there, this year we found a way to bring it out of everybody and be here today. I’m excited and looking forward to the opportunity to play for the Stanley Cup.”
“There was a little dip, but we have the opportunity to come back this year and go for it,” said defenseman Kris Letang.
What Pens said of facing the Flyers in the 1st round
“This is what you play for, the opportunity to compete for the Stanley Cup,” Crosby said. “After some years not being able to do it, you appreciate it even more.”
“The regular season is done, everyone starts fresh right now. Everyone is excited for the opportunity.”
Erik Karlsson tells what it was like early & Sidney Crosby on another shot
Erik Karlsson tells what it was like early & Sidney Crosby on another shot
