The Pittsburgh Penguins will be anything but giving up in the fight for a playoff spot, and their win on Tuesday against the National Hockey League (NHL) leaders could prove to be a defining moment of their season.
Head coach Mike Sullivan's team went largely unnoticed against the Vancouver Canucks, but showed all their character by coming from behind to win 4-3 in overtime. Of course, she hopes that the game will reflect the outcome of the season, because there is still a lot to do: The “Pens” have won three games in a row, but are seven points behind the 11th Eastern League Association a place that allows access to the playoffs.
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While mission success is not guaranteed, confidence is growing within Sidney Crosby's club, which has reached the 1,000-point plateau at even strength in his career. The author of the equalizer, Lars Eller, hopes that this amazing triumph will give the team additional momentum.
“We were behind but there is still hope in this group and no one gave up. We persevered, even if things didn't look good in the encounter. This result is immense for our morale and the overall feeling of the group. We stayed in the game and I think we improved as the game went on. These are two important points against a very good club,” the former Montreal Canadiens told NHL.com.
Like the captain
Some say the Penguins' performance will inevitably depend on Crosby's performance, and the good news for their fans is that No. 87 is in great shape on the ice. He has seven points in his last three appearances and has 62 this season, including 32 goals. For Sullivan, qualifying for the playoffs will come primarily through his star center.
“He has had a remarkable career and shows no signs of slowing down. “He is the heart of our team and he is committed to inspired play,” said the pilot. We are hardly surprised that he achieved these feats of arms, as there are many of them, and it shows the extent to which he has been consistent for so long.
The Pens will continue their four-game trip out West by visiting the Seattle Kraken on Thursday.