PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Even before the question was completely asked, a resounding 'NO' from Jason Zucker. The Pens needs some help with the Islanders and Panthers playing tonight, will they be watching one or both games?
"Yeah, I'm sure I will keep an eye on it," said captain Sidney Crosby. "Whether I watch it or watch the score. It doesn't change what we have to do, obviously we got to worry about ourselves in that way."
The Pens need one of those teams to lose one of their remaining games in regulation. The Panthers are home to Toronto winners of only one of three games against the Maple Leafs this year. The Islanders are at the Capitals tonight, New York has won its last two games by a combined 10-1 score and the Caps have been outscored 15-6 of its last three games, all losses.
"Might watch, but be paying attention one way or another," said Pens forward Bryan Rust. "Control what we can, just go from there. The more you start focusing on outside factors, that's when bad things happen."
"I don't watch much (hockey)," said defenseman Jeff Petry. "I will definitely tune in and check scores. We have to do everything we have to everything we have to do to prepare for (Tuesday) and control what we can control."
"For me, I'm one of the guys who is checking it, said forward Nick Bonino, who is still on injured reserve, but staked full in practice Monday and is a potential to return this week. "It's a tough feeling having to rely on help especially when I can't help this team. That's what is probably the most frustrating. I'll probably watch the Panthers game or parts of it. Obviously, you don't want to be in this position but that's the reality."
Pens host the last place team in the Western Conference on Tuesday night. The Blackhawks have won one game since March 16 and all 10 losses over that span have been by multiple goals. Chicago is tied with Columbus, who the Pens play Thursday, for the worst record in hockey—so losses help them try and secure the number one overall draft choice.
"You got to take care of your business," said forward Ryan Poehling. "That's the biggest thing. We have two games coming up and playing some good hockey. Watching or not watching the other games is not going to affect it. For us, just being prepared for yourself is the biggest thing we can do to help ourselves win."
"I will probably tune in for a little bit," said forward Danton Heinen. "Just after dinner I'll take a peak. I won't watch the whole game."
"At the end of the day, we have to take care of business. That's the main thing because if we don't it's for nothing, right."
