To say that tonight's Game 6 on Long Island could be a pivotal game for a multitude of Penguins would be a gross understatement.
Should the season end after just one round of the playoffs for a third straight season, sweeping changes could be in store.
There are new sheriffs in town – GM Ron Hextall and VP of Hockey Ops Brian Burke – and after another post-season disappointment there are liable to have to support of ownership (i.e. Mario) to remake the roster however they see fit.
Just about anyone this side of Sidney Crosby could be gone – from 3-time Cup champs Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang to Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust to Jason Zucker and Jared McCann. Even coach Mike Sullivan could be a casualty, although his contract runs three more season so he is probably safe. Of course, in the NHL you never know.
So it's not just this season that is at stake but Penguins' careers. Still, the coach says just the season being on the line is more than enough incentive.
"Well, there's obviously a heightened level of urgency," Sullivan says, "When your backs are against the wall, you've gotta bring everything you can to have success. I'd like to believe we're doing that each and every game."
The Pens certainly did that in Game 5, with an aggressive forecheck that helped generate 85 shots – 50 on goal – but Ilya Sorokin stopped 48 of them. The game should have been won well before Tristan Jarry's colossal gaffe in the second overtime.
Sorry. That may have been a bit much. But Sullivan says his players will have to approach Game 6 as if that has never happened.
"We're going to try to build on the last game," Sullivan says. "We really liked out overall team game. We're going to try to build on the positives and make sure we're playing on our toes and bringing the game that gives us the best chance to be successful."
"We just talk about staying in the moment, staying on task and focus discipline," Sullivan continues. "We're not gonna get overwhelmed by the circumstance, we're not gonna listen to the surrounding noise around this situation."
Speaking of noise, there will be more of it tonight in the venerable, but dumpy, Nassau Coliseum. Sullivan says that kind of noise he and his players can deal with.
"Of course," Sullivan says, "I think players love to play in an exciting environment. The fans are such an important aspect of that, whether you're playing at home or on the road. I think that makes the experience better for everyone. Our guys are looking forward to playing tonight."
Then they can look forward to another elimination game Friday night.
Notable – Sullivan did not offer an update on Zucker who was given a maintenance day Tuesday. Islanders coach Barry Trotz said Oliver Wohlstrom, who left Monday's game with a leg injury, wil be a game-time decision. If Wahlstrom can't go, Trotz says veteran Travis Zajac will make his first post-season appearance.
