Is there hope?

After figuring that Detroit would be very hard to beat at home, I resided to the fact that the Pens had little chance of winning Game 5. But I also thought that if they could somehow find a way to win, to get back to Mellon Arena for game 6, they would have a fighting chance to win that one as well and force a game 7. That loss could be heartbreaking for the Wings. 35 seconds from the Cup -then to play into 3 OT's and lose. It could give then Pens a ray of hope or it could have just worn them out. Games 3,4 and 5 have been awesome to watch -I can only wish for a great game 6 and maybe the Pens get to game 7.

OMG.....Malkin actually did something good

I think my favorite moment of the entire season may be seeing Adam Hall truck-stick one of the refs while carrying the puck. 

Seriously though, both teams have had times when the refs have played too much of a role (not just in calling penalties) on the ice.  I'm just sick and tired of seeing the Pens swing the puck around the bend and having the refs stop the puck.  Their job is to maintain the on-ice play, not to be a part of it.

Is there hope?  Sure, as long as Detroit isn't hoisting the cup after the game.

Do I expect the Pens to come back and win it all?  Probably not.  History is against us.  We still need to win two more games, with one more in Detroit.  And Detroit is really, really good.  We did see Detroit slow down a little on extra OTs but we can't expect to go that long in all games.  It will be interesting to see how Detroit bounces back and the Penguins for that matter. 

If we were keeping pace with hit, shots, puck possession, I'd feel better with our chances.  No swing yet, so every game left is game 7 for the Pens.

All I can say it is still a very steep slope.

Hope springs eternal as they say...certainly it is difficult to win three Cup final games in a row.  But now they only need to win 2  more games (to state the obvious).  So they just need to take it one game, one period, one possession, etc. at a time. 

I think most of us Pen fans had similar emotions going into last night's game; namely we were hopeful, but also bracing for a defeat.  I know after Detroit scored 3 unanswered goals to take the lead, I thought it was all but over. But in the back of mind, I was thinking....if these guys can get one more scoring chance, get a shot on goal with players around the net....then just maybe. Then of course with time running out and a furious flutter of Talbot's stick in front the net, the game tying goal was scored.

I tell you what...that was just friggin great.  Win or lose this series, it has been an awsome ride!