Penguins focused on ousting Flyers in Game 5

CRANBERRY, Pa. --Phil Kessel isn't getting ahead of himself.
The Pittsburgh Penguins forward knows his team is one victory from advancing to the Eastern Conference Second Round, following its 5-0 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 4 of their first-round best-of-7 series on Wednesday, which the Penguins lead 3-1.

But Kessel doesn't think any of that means much if Pittsburgh does not close the series. Its first chance to do so will be in Game 5 at PPG Paints Arena on Friday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVAS, ATTSN-PT, NBCSP).
RELATED: [Complete Penguins vs. Flyers series coverage]
Kessel isn't focused on a third straight Stanley Cup championship for the Penguins, but rather on the next game.
"I think each year is different and there are a lot of good teams," Kessel said Thursday. "There's still a long way to go. We have to beat [the Flyers] here. They're a tough team. A lot of good players, and we just have to play good hockey."
Kessel's sentiments echo those of his teammates.
Several of them said they think the series has been closer than the scores would indicate, despite each game being decided by at least four goals. Even after outscoring Philadelphia 17-1 in three wins, Pittsburgh doesn't feel advancing is a foregone conclusion.
Because nothing is inevitable, Penguins center Sidney Crosby would like to finish it Friday.
"We had a couple good road games and we want to carry that here at home," he said. "So we know it's going to be a tough one, but I think we want to try to carry that momentum, and the way we played, into our own building. … We want to be disciplined. We want to be intense.
"So there's always a fine line there. But I think we've done a pretty good job of making sure we do that."

On their way to Stanley Cup championships the past two seasons, the Penguins were 8-5 when they had a chance to clinch a series, including 4-3 in 2017.
Pittsburgh had a 3-1 series lead following a 3-2 win against the Washington Capitals in Game 4 of the 2017 Eastern Conference Second Round before losing the next two games by a combined score of 9-4. The Penguins won 2-0 in Game 7, but don't want to take a similar route to a series win this time.
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan doesn't foresee a collapse.
"I think it starts with a mindset and a competitive spirit, and I think our team has that," he said. "I think it starts with our leadership. But I think we can also develop it as well, and encourage it and foster it, and make sure it becomes a strength or competitive advantage. I believe that this group of players has a real strong competitive spirit, and I think it's hard to win in this game if you don't.
"I think it starts with our core players. They lead the way for us in so many different ways, but certainly our compete level is one of them."
The Penguins are 7-1-0 in eight games against the Flyers during the regular season and postseason. They have scored at least five goals in seven of those eight games, with their 5-1 loss in Game 2 the lone exception.

Matt Murray, who has been in goal for the past two championship runs, has a 1.27 goals-against average, .948 save percentage and two shutouts in four games during this series.
Those numbers are impressive, but Murray knows they won't help win Game 5.
"We're just looking forward to one game and trying to play our game," Murray said. "Stick to our mindset, stick to our game plan. That's where our focus is at."