I go back a long time.I want to go back to that 2017 team comparison I was making the other day as I really think that's the game they should aspire to. One of the things that defined my experience with that team was I never once knew "We're going to win the Cup" during that playoff run. Every other Cup Run - there was a point that I "knew".
I'm hoping this version of the Pens has similar surprises in store for us. There's been a lot of progress made this season, they look like they're even listening to Coach. Add in the young talent, and it's a nice mix if they can get hot at the right time.
1991. Obviously when we beat the Bruins in the Conference Finals, I knew we were going to win the Cup.
1992. It was weird, while the Pens were defending champs, they actually were 3rd place in the division, The Rangers and Caps had the 2 best records in the league. Beating the Rangers without Mario in Rd 2, I knew there was no stopping this team, even with the Blackhawks ahead. People don't realize the Pens were 3rd place finishers. But if you remember, they had home ice advantage in the Conference finals against the Bruins and SCF's against the Blackhawks. That's how loaded the Patrick Division was then.
1993. Never, ever considered the Penguins losing at any point until they did. I was wrong, as were most of us.
2009. Obviously with the Wings, I mean you knew the Pens were the best in the East, but the Wings again, same set up. Until Marc Andre Fleury made the save on Lidstrom, I didn't know if we were going to win.
2013. Wow...was I wrong. Blitzing through the first two rounds, I thought they were going to win until the Bruins just shut them down.
2016. Beating the Caps. Obviously, I felt the winner of that series would win the cup.
2017. Beating the Caps. Again, I mean they willed themselves to it, but with Ottawa in the finals and then the Preds, I thought they could and should win. They did, but it was much harder than I thought.