Pittsburgh Penguins Season Ends with the Flick of a Stick

The Pittsburgh Penguins season ended with the flick of a stick by the New York Rangers Panarin #10, in Overtime of Game 7.  Penguin Playoff hopes and dreams have officially vanished before our eyes.

Now folks, let’s be honest here, if I told you at the beginning of this series that, the Penguins would not have their All-Star Goalie, Jarry#35 playing in net until Game 7, what chance would you have given the Penguins to win?  Strike 1.

If I told you that trade deadline pick-up Rackell #67 would get injured and only play in the Game 1 and not again until Game 7, what chance would you have given the Penguins to win?  Strike 2.

If I told you that the Penguins back-up goalie DeSmith #1, would also get injured in Game 1, meaning the playoff hopes between the pipes were now on third string goalie Louis Domingue #70, what chance would you have given the Penguins to win?  Strike 3.

Given the above information, if I told you these facts before the series began, and then I said that the Penguins would make it to Game 7, as well as take that game into overtime, you would have said, “hell yes”, we’ll take our chances in overtime, given all those hurdles you just described.

The Truth is Out There

Fact 1:

What I failed to mention is, the Penguins held the Series lead 3-1, and lost 3 games in a row.  A trend that happened six separate times this season.  Stanley Cup Winning Teams know how to stop the bleeding fast.

Fact 2:

What I failed to mention is, the Penguins held two, 2 goal leads in close out Game 5 as well as Game 6 and lost both games.  Stanley Cup Winning Teams know how bury their opponent when they have them on the ropes.

Fact 3:

What I failed to mention is, the Penguins held the lead in Game 7, however lost in Overtime.  Stanley Cup Winning Teams know how to close out 1 goal games to clinch.

Wait, What?

Why?

How?

These questions are for another time.

My View from the Cheap Seats

What started out as a Team with no hope in October, became a Team with Stanley Cup aspirations from Mid November until Mid-March.  The final month of the season, April, saw this team lose its Mojo, struggle with their overall team game, and of course lose Jarry #35, to injury, just before the Playoffs.

Sometimes the March of the Penguin is filled with too many obstacles for them to overcome, making their Final Destination impossible to attain.

Facts are Facts: in Baseball, 3 Strikes means you are out, and so are the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Quote of the Day

“For it’s One – Two – Three Strikes “You’re Out” at the Old Ball Game ”

Take Me Out To The Ball Game – Song/Lyrics