PITTSBURGH — The Detroit Red Wings skated into Pittsburgh in this very situation last year, outplayed the Penguins in their building and, in the final indignity, paraded with the Stanley Cup on the same ice where Mario Lemieux once played.
Think Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Marc-Andre Fleury don’t remember the emptiness and frustration they felt after that Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals?
“We don’t want that image in our heads again,” Penguins forward Max Talbot said Monday.
If the Red Wings win this Game 6 tonight, a year and five days after winning their last one there, it will be more than an image to the Penguins. It will be an instant replay.
Not since Montreal clinched in Boston in 1977 and 1978 has a team won the Stanley Cup in the same opponent’s building two seasons in a row, but the Red Wings will gladly take another clincher in Pittsburgh if it means avoiding an ever-dangerous Game 7.
“It’s obviously a special night when you know you have a chance to win the Cup in one single hockey game,” goalie Chris Osgood said.
The Penguins have heard for two days how they lost the Stanley Cup with a more-than-miserable 5-0 loss in Game 5 on Saturday. Even if they win Game 6 before an all-in-white home crowd, they must go back to Detroit and inhospitable Joe Louis Arena, where they have been outscored 11-2 while losing three games.
The Penguins’ problem is the Red Wings are in a much better position. Two-way star Pavel Datsyuk’s return after missing seven playoff games with a foot injury gave them a big lift in Game 5, and many of their players have been in games like this before.
Nicklas Lidstrom, Kris Draper, Tomas Holmstrom and Kirk Maltby played on all four of the Red Wings’ Stanley Cup winners since 1997, and they can make it five tonight. None of those previous four Finals went to a Game 7.
“You play for home ice and we have it, but that doesn’t give you any guarantees,” Maltby said. “You always want to try to get that fourth win sooner than later. We have to play like we’re a desperate team.”
Especially against Crosby, who is second in the playoffs with 31 points but was neutralized in Game 5 by a combination of Henrik Zetterberg, Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski.
The Pittsburgh captain said it’s one bad game and it’s over.
“I think we’re going to bounce back,” Crosby said. “We have all year. We weren’t happy with that effort, but we’ve moved on.”
For all the Penguins’ struggles in Detroit, Game 7 couldn’t look more attractive.
“I really believe it’s not over,” said Fleury, the Pittsburgh goalie. “I really look for that Game 7. But at the same time we’ve got to be ready to just play the game.”
To Penguins coach Dan Bylsma, the best teams and best players are those that accomplish the most during the toughest times. For his team, this is about as tough as it gets.
“I like it being a defining moment. Moments like this define where you’re at,” he said. “Everyone in that room should be ready to play their best game and make a difference.”
Stanley Cup Finals schedule: Red Wings lead series 3-2
May 30: Detroit 3, Pittsburgh 1
May 31: Detroit 3, Pittsburgh 1
June 2: Pittsburgh 4, Detroit 2
June 4: Pittsburgh 4, Detroit 2
June 6: Detroit 5, Pittsburgh 0
Today: Detroit at Pitt., 6 p.m.
Friday: Pittsburgh at Detroit, 6 p.m., if necessary
