CRANBERRY TWP (93.7 The Fan) – They had it right in front of them and lost by three goals to a team in last place in the Western Conference at home. The Pens practiced Wednesday in Cranberry trying to forget.
It was a 25-minute, crisp practice with a lot of special teams work. All practiced in full contact jerseys.
“You got to move by it and hope we get another opportunity here,” said Pens captain Sidney Crosby. “You got to mentally prepare like you will get that opportunity. It’s not a great feeling. It’s a situation where you have to make the best of it and prepare the same way today and hope we get another chance.”
“Everybody was disappointed with how it turned out,” said Pens defenseman Marcus Pettersson. “We got to look at what happens today and take it from there.”
“We are all disappointed we missed an opportunity (Tuesday),” said Pens head coach Mike Sullivan. “We are all human and have emotions and have to live with those. The other aspect is we are not out of the playoffs until we are out of the playoffs. We have to operate with the assumption there is meaningful hockey in front of us.”
In order for them to have meaningful hockey on Thursday night, Montreal has to upset the Islanders on Long Island Wednesday night. The teams split the season series with the Islanders winning 2-1 in New York as Montreal goalie Sam Montembeault made 36 saves. Canadiens won the second 4-3 in overtime in Canada, Montembeault made 27 saves and Mike Matheson had the game-winning goal. The 26-year-old Montembeault will start Wednesday.
The best splits of his career have come against the Islanders, career high save percentage (.944) and career-low goals-against average (1.77) is against New York in five starts.
“I think everyone knows the position we are in,” said defenseman Jeff Petry. “I don’t think anybody is happy about it, but there is a game to be played tonight that hopefully goes in our favor and we get a second chance and second crack at this.”
“We have to put it behind us,” said forward Josh Archibald. “Our fate was in our own hands and we let one slide. I’ve seen crazier things happen. We have to be prepared to play (Thursday) as if that game is meaningful.”
“You know it’s definitely a hard pill to swallow,” said defenseman PO Joseph.
“Nothing is over until it is over, the game is played on the ice. We have to focus on what we can do. We are hoping for the best.”
Roster news
Forward Nick Bonino has still not been cleared despite practicing full on Wednesday. Defenseman Marcus Pettersson says he feels good. He and forward Drew O’Connor will be game-time decisions. Sullivan said if the Pens are eliminated by the Islanders, he will alter his lineup Thursday night in Columbus.
The team waived defenseman Mark Friedman.