The Pens grapple with the tragedy in Pittsburgh

The Penguins awoke Saturday morning to the horrific news of what had taken place back home in Pittsburgh.
Over 2,000 miles away, a lone gunman walked into a synagogue, the Tree of Life, in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood and opened fire, killing 11 Jewish citizens and wounding six others, including police officers.
"Just following it from Vancouver, it was everywhere," captain Sidney Crosby said. "You see things happen like that unfortunately a lot, and to have it happen where you live is something that's hard to believe once it does happen. It's a terrible feeling and we'll try to do whatever we can to help out. But it's terrible to see."

The city remains in a state of mourning, grappling with unanswered questions and unresolved emotions. The Penguins, too, in their adopted city are trying to come to grips with the tragedy.
"It's sad. It's terrible," goaltender Matt Murray said. "From what I've seen of Pittsburgh since I've been here, is that it's really strong, really positive city and I'm sure everybody will rally around what happened and rally together and stick together.
"That's one of our biggest motivations, playing for this city. Even more so now."
The Pens had that motivation against the Canucks on Saturday night in Vancouver - a 5-0 victory. They played the game with Pittsburgh on their mind.
"They played hard in Vancouver with heavy hearts," head coach Mike Sullivan said. "Our players have a strong connection with this city and the fan base and all the respective communities. I know our players feel such a big part of the city of Pittsburgh and are appreciative of the support that the fans have given this team over the years.
"We feel for the victims of the tragedy in Squirrel Hill and I certainly know that our players, if they can do anything for the city it's to play as hard as they can and try to put an inspired effort forward."
The Pens host the New York Islanders on Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena. The team has already enacted many initiatives to benefit the families of victims - through blood drives, donations and auctions. A blood drive held at the arena on Monday was overflowing with Pittsburghers wanting to help.
"I think everybody in this community rallies around each other," forward Bryan Rust said. "Despite that horrible tragedy, I think that's going to bring this community closer together. Hopefully, we can help with that."
"You keep that in the back of your mind," Crosby said. "Try to play for the city as we always do, but especially in times like this. It's a terrible thing that happened and we're thinking about everyone involved. Hopefully, we can do all we can to support and help them right now."
With everything that is going on, it may feel like hockey should take a backseat.
"We understand that we're just playing a game," Sullivan said, "and that a tragedy that occurs like that in our community is at a whole other level from a perspective standpoint."
But perhaps normalcy is what is most needed after a tragedy of this magnitude. Something as simple as a hockey game - a child's game with a child's innocence - can help people move on.
"Maybe it can serve as a distraction," Rust said, "a kind of way for people to maybe get their minds off of something and have something good to cheer for, something to look forward, watching sports teams. It's something that is really hard with situations like this."
These Pens are Pittsburghers, too. They are part of the community, interwoven into the city's fabric. This is their home. And they are trying to deal with the tragedy just like everyone else.
"I think given everything we just have to hold that stuff to our heart," Rust said. "But we have to keep playing hockey."