Next Up: The Hardest Game to Win
By
Grace Heidinger
Pittsburgh Penguins
- Attendance
Head coach Mike Sullivan said Rickard Rakell, who wore a regular black jersey during today's well-attended optional practice, isn't officially cleared for contact yet. The forward's status remains day-to-day with an upper-body injury suffered after taking a high hit in the first period of Game 1.
"It was more that it was an optional skate and there wasn't a whole lot of contact out there just from the nature of the practice," Sullivan said.
- Stay Hungry and Stay in the Moment
The Penguins are heading into Game 5 with a 3-1 lead in the series over the Rangers. But even after collecting commanding back-to-back victories, nobody in Pittsburgh's locker room is comfortable. They know the challenge that's in front of them - getting that fourth win.
"It's gonna be a different game, it's gonna be the hardest game to win," Kris Letang said. "Some games go certain ways, and it doesn't matter if you win by five goals or in overtime, a win's a win. We have to be able to turn the page quick."
"We got to stay hungry and just stay in the moment, and that's the most important thing," Sullivan added. "I think it starts with a mindset. It starts with an attitude before the puck drops, and that's the message to our group."
Hitting the reset button and getting right back to work is the main focus ahead of tomorrow night's matchup. The Penguins are looking to keep doing the things that have brought them success, with last night's game was a particularly dominant performance.
The Penguins scored seven goals for a second straight contest, chasing Vezina Trophy finalist Igor Shesterkin yet again, while giving up virtually nothing at their end. Afterward, Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant called his team "soft," before skating them hard in their practice today. With their backs against the wall and back playing in front of their home crowd, the Penguins expect nothing but the Rangers' best.
"The elimination game is always the most difficult," Sullivan said. "We're going to have to go out and earn it each and every night just like we have to this point. So, we're going to hit the reset button, we're going to go to work, and we're going to do our best to put our best game on the ice."
- Congratulations Coach Sullivan
With Pittsburgh's 7-4 victory in Game 5, Sullivan became the winningest head coach in Penguins history with 44 playoff wins.
"The opportunity to coach this team has been just an honor and a privilege," Sullivan said. The group of players that have been here in my time had been second to none from a character standpoint, and I don't take a single day for it for granted."
Sullivan heard of the news after the game ended, and said because he's so immersed in the moment right now, he hasn't given much thought to the honor. But when he saw the names of the other coaches on that list - including Dan Bylsma, Scotty Bowman and Eddie Johnston - it was a humbling moment for the Penguins bench boss.
"To be able to coach a group of players that have had the success that they've had, for me is just the honor of a lifetime," Sullivan said. "I don't take a single day for granted. I embrace each day when I come in. I love what I do. I love being a part of this and I love the challenge that we have in front of us. I just love to compete with these guys every day, and we're going to try to do that again tomorrow."
