CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The Penguins are still in control of their first-round best-of-seven series with the Columbus Blue Jackets, but the challenge for the Pens is to finish it off tomorrow night to avoid another trip to Columbus.
The Pens are one win away from advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
With that in mind, captain Sidney Crosby doesn't downplay the importance of Game 5.
"If you have an opportunity to close it out, you want to make sure you do it. We know it's the most difficult game," Crosby said.
Right now, the Blue Jackets are desperate. The Penguins are not, but Crosby says they have to play like they are.
"You could see last night (in Game 4), the desperation in their game. The importance of that to be in ours as well," he said.
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Conor Sheary knows that being back on home ice should give the Penguins a boost.
"Take it one step at a time, get a good start, and feed off the energy of PPG Paints Arena. Get our home fans behind us," Sheary said.
Forward Scott Wilson knows they have to avoid another slow start.
"Play simple and don't worry about scoring," Wilson said.
Phil Kessel and Trevor Daley were missing from practice on Wednesday.
Head Coach Mike Sullivan said, "We just decided to keep them off the ice today. Everybody at this time of the year is dealing with bumps and bruises."
No practice for Kessel/Daley. Sullivan: "we just decided to keep them off the ice today." Says everybody is dealing w/ bumps & bruises #WPXI
— Alby Oxenreiter (@albyox)
[ April 19, 2017 ]
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Sullivan stressed the importance of being "committed to playing the game the right way" with the hope that the Pens can get back on the winning track Thursday night.
"We've shown an ability to overcome adversity," Sullivan said.