Close It Out

HBIC Headquarters was under renovation again today as I spent the majority of my waking hours applying paint to walls again. I have to admit that painting has been a fun project as I work from one room into the hallway, and the second coat tonight went on with the sounds of hockey being played. Listening to the New York-Pittsburgh game was a good way to distract me from the time that it took to apply the second coat of paint, but it also led to questions as to whether the Penguins would be able to finish off the Rangers while missing their top two netminders, their top centerman, their second-best defenceman, and their trade deadline acquisition.

With the Rangers forcing a Game Seven at Madison Square Garden following a 5-3 win in Pittsburgh, it would seem that Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan has some decisions to make about how to deploy his players following a game where it seems as though his team was in control until Evan Rodrigues took a rather astounding retaliation penalty that allowed the Rangers to score five seconds into the power-play. That play seemingly turned the tides for the Rangers, and a rather horrific misplay by goaltender Louis Domingue on a long shot by Mike Zibanejad to make it 4-3 for the Rangers seem to cap off a night where the Penguins couldn't get out of their own way.

Since Sidney Crosby's injury from the elbow of Jacob Trouba, the Penguins have looked lost, discombobulated, confused, listless, and disjointed at times and especially when they have a power-play. It's hard to imagine how that could be with the likes of Malkin, Letang, Guentzel, Rust, Zucker, Carter, and Marino patrolling the ice, but nothing seems to be working for the Penguins when the unexpected happens. Will they be able to play a full sixty minutes without their captain and, arguably, their best player on Sunday?

The Penguins have played better at home than at Madison Square garden, and it should be noted that their 4-3 overtime win in Game One was the only one they've recorded against the Rangers thus far while playing in New York City. The other two games at MSG saw the Rangers win 5-2 and 5-3, so the Penguins haven't been at their best with or without Crosby when it comes to playing in Manhatten. Whether it's the line matching that happens or the Rangers simply getting a boost from their fans, the Penguins will need to overcome their own mistakes as well as the Rangers' sense of confidence when playing at home.

There may be good news for the Penguins when they take the ice on Sunday as Crosby is reportedly returning to practice on Saturday while Rickard Rackell, their deadline acquisition, and goaltender Tristan Jarry are reportedly close to returning as well. While the status of all three remains in the air for at least tonight, the fact that all three seem to be closer to a return than not will help the Penguins if they can have one or more of these three playing on Sunday.

At the end of the day, though, the Penguins simply need a couple of guys to step up. Kasperi Kapanen finding a couple of goals would do wonders for the success of the Penguins, Brian Boyle and Jason Zucker need to be more than just big bodies, and finding a way to ignite Malkin back to his Conn Smythe style of play would certainly give the Penguins a very good chance in defeating the Rangers.

For one day, the Penguins need their improbable starter, Louis Domingue, to play like he's Martin Brodeur, the Penguins need to find any success on a power-play, and they need one of their quietly-having-a-postseason players to announce loudly that he's going to lead this team beyond the first round. Let's not forget that the entire roster has to be defensively responsible as well as the Rangers have proved time and time again that they'll convert opportunities if they're given.

The biggest decisions, though, may be made with respect to who plays on Sunday because if Crosby tells Sullivan he's ready, does Sullivan play him knowing Crosby's concussion history? What about Rackell or Jarry of either or both are available? Undoubtedly, Sullivan will have to look at all his options before the game starts, but one would have to think that he plays his best lineup which would include both Crosby and Rackell while Jarry may be dressed as the backup. I can't say this is what will happen, but Sullivan has to play his best players in a one-and-done game.

Decisions will be made. They'll be debated as good, bad, or insane for hours leading into the game, and, depending on the results, long after the final horn sounds. I don't envy Mike Sullivan over the decisions he has to make on Sunday, but I'm just hoping they don't decide his future with the Penguins.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!