It’s funny. I was wondering whether you could call this a must-win game or a statement game for Carolina. In the end I concluded it was a must-win statement game. Obviously nothing is a must-win until you get into the 3-0 hole or face elimination, but I really believe that in this scenario it’s just about as much a must-win as anything. The Canes can’t afford to go down 3-0. Technically Pittsburgh can afford to lose one but what team or fan base will ever admit that? It’s just as much a must-win for them as it is for Carolina.

BTW – another stellar job with the write up.

One thing is certain, for all the haters of Verses commentary, you won’t be able to hear them unless the Penguins do well. Coaches, players, just about everyone says it’s an intense atmosphere, and, during the Bruins series (my rare opportunity to hear and see a Carolina home game), it was astonishing how loud it gets.

I’m looking for the first goal of the match to say a lot of what happens in Carolina.

Against New Jersey, the team with the first goal in Carolina went undefeated. Game 3’s winner being the Devils in OT; their lone win in Carolina.

Against Boston, the team scoring first in Carolina won 2/3, with the lone let down of this stat being another Game 3 OT finisher, this one swinging the way of the Canes.

Bottom line, we score first, we have darn good chances of quieting that crowd long enough to disrupt any home ice the Canes may have. I’d take 5/6 odds any day, so first goal is my bet in Carolina.

I would love a sweep, but I just feel the Canes will show us some of that cardiac arrest inducing magic, and, at the least, put one over us in Carolina.

The reason I lean on calling this a must win game for the Canes is for fatigue reasons. They are leaning on their big guns way too much due to the fact that they have no depth. Corvo, Seidenberg, Pitkanen, Staal, just to name a few were among seven players to go over 20 minutes. Pitkanen almost his 30. On the other side the Pens only had two guys go over 20 and barely. The Canes have already played two seven game series. If they lose Game 3, I severely doubt they are going to have enough to go another seven.

Also, thank you again. I appreciate it.

The biggest difference between the 0-2 hole the Pens faced against Washington and the 0-2 hole Carolina is facing now is that the Pens played well enough to win games 1 and 2 against the Caps. Carolina played well enough to win game 1, but they just looked terrible in game 2. IMO the Pens haven’t yet played their best hockey in this series; in both games they’ve had long stretches in which they’ve scrambled in their own end, and in which they’ve let up on pressuring the puck in the Canes’ zone. As such, you need to be concerned if your opponent’s playing a sloppy, unfocused game and they’re still waxing you by 3 goals.

We could be seeing fatigue catching up to the Canes, but part of that is the Pens: when they’re on their game and working the puck down low, Pittsburgh is a VERY tiring team to play against. I think we’re also seeing some lack of depth on the Canes’ blue line being exposed. It seems that their D has made slowing Crosby a priority (not a bad idea after the Washington series), but Malkin is really no less dangerous, and Carolina just doesn’t have an answer for both of them. Also a nice little reminder to everyone of just how good Crosby and Malkin really are.

I expect a ton of energy out of the gate from the Canes tonight. But if the Pens can play a smart, tight game I still think they can wear down Carolina and get a win tonight.

Let’s go Pens!