PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – At one time it would be hard to imagine this core of Penguins players being an underdog in any playoff series. Of the 16 NHL.com writers predicting the Pens-Rangers series, TWO have the Pens winning. Two.
"They are a really good team and we are too," said defenseman Kris Letang. "We want to prove that we still belong in the dance. It's a great challenge for us to actually prove that."
There are good reasons to pick the Rangers, given their outstanding goaltending and deep, quick team. Probably as many reasons to pick against the Pens winning five games in regulation in April and beginning the postseason without their starting goalie.
"I certainly feel like it," Letang said of being underdogs. "As a team I've been around for a long time, when I have a guy like Sid, Geno, Jeff Carter, Guentzel. That core group, you have confidence in what they bring. I trust the guys around me and that's all I care about."
Only one Ranger has Stanley Cup experience, while the Pens have an abundance. Can it really play out in this series that what the Pens veterans have witnessed could give them an advantage?
"Experience can be very helpful," said Pens Head Coach Mike Sullivan. "There aren't too many teams that have more playoff experience than this one. That's a credit to the core group of players that have been here and have played in so many high stakes environments and excelled in that capacity. It gives our guys a certain perspective."
"There haven't been too many experiences in a playoff environment they haven't been through. They can draw on those experiences to help us react the right way to the ebbs and flows of a game or a series. I believe their experience is invaluable."
It's a core of Letang, Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby that have won 100 playoff games and three Stanley Cup Championships. There is also the emotion of it potentially, more likely than ever before, being the last time these three Hall of Famers will ever get a chance like this again.
"People have been talking about it for the last three years," Letang said. "We all know about it. We don't have to discuss it. We know what it is. We just look at it as an opportunity to solidify what we did throughout our careers in Pittsburgh and keep it going. That's our focus and that's what we talk about, winning another one."
"I haven't been around a core group of players as accomplished and as driven as this group right here," Sullivan said. "It's an honor to coach these guys. I look forward to every opportunity to compete with them. I know they are excited about the challenge we have ahead of us. We know it's going to be a tough challenge."
Injuries
Sullivan confirmed goalie Tristan Jarry and forward Jason Zucker will not be ready for the start of the series on Tuesday in New York. He said both are day-to-day. Forward Drew O'Connor was recalled, there is a chance he could see action given the struggles of the Pens penalty kill recently.
