CRANBERRY TWP. (93.7 The Fan) – Up 3-1 in the series and coming off scoring 14 goals in the last two games, the Pens vow to remain focused with Game 5 in New York on Wednesday.
"Nobody is comfortable," said Pens Head Coach Mike Sullivan. "Nobody in our dressing room is comfortable. We understand the challenge ahead of us. We are trying to stay in the moment. We are going to try and learn through each experience. We are going to try to get better as a team. We got to stay hungry and stay in the moment."
"We just turn the page and go back to work," said Pens defenseman Kris Letang. "It's going to be a different game, it's going to be the hardest game to win. Some games go certain ways, it doesn't matter if you win by five goals or in overtime. A win is a win and we have to be able to turn the page quick."
"We have a lot of work left," said Pens Captain Sidney Crosby. "When you are in a game like this, you know you are going to see a teams' best the next time. They are a good hockey team, we definitely got an opportunity. We know it is going to be a big challenge going to New York. We need to continue to get better."
"I think it starts with a mindset and attitude before the puck drops," Sullivan said. "I think we have great leadership, a veteran group that has been through a lot of playoff experiences and they understand how hard it is. The elimination game is always the most difficult. We are going to hit the reset button and go to work."
It may not be stated by the players or coaches, but a majority of players went through a spirited optional practice on Tuesday. It could be part of setting that example and keeping that mindset.
Injuries
Wearing a normal practice jersey there was hope on Tuesday of forward Rickard Rakell being cleared to play on Wednesday night.
"He hasn't been cleared for contact," Sullivan said. "I think it was more it was an optional morning skate and there wasn't a whole lot of contact out there by nature of the practice. His status is day-to-day."
Rakell was hit hard in the first period of Game 1 and hasn't returned to the series. In 19 games since the trade with Anaheim, Rakell has four goals, nine assists, is a plus seven with only four penalty minutes.
For a fairly significant time before practice, goalie Tristan Jarry worked with goaltender coach Andy Chiodo. He took pucks, working a lot on his lateral movement. There is no change to his status.
Defenseman Brian Dumoulin did not skate either before or during the practice.
Up Next
Game 5 moves back to New York Wednesday night for a 7p faceoff on AT&T Sportsnet.
