There Is Still Hope

No "Pep Rally" today (it didn't work last time anyways). Instead, I've got a few things for you to check out.

FYI: The Mellon Arena is opening again for Game 5. If you live near Pittsburgh, you should go. It's only $5.00 and ALL proceeds go to the Mario Lemieux Foundation.

We're not the only ones concerned about Geno. He too has wondering what's going on with himself, but his teammates think that Game 5 might be his time to shine.

Tony over at The Confluence of the Three Rivers gives us a Penguins take on a John Belushi scene from "Animal House."

↑ Don't hate me for this, Ruu-chelle!!

Today, thePensblog.com has a picture of an awesome banner (I linked to the picture directly because they change their header a lot) and a story about Dan Cleary's dad being less than gracious in a Pittsburgh hotel after the Wings won Game 4. (← I can ONLY IMAGINE what would be said if Troy Crosby acted that way in Detroit...) They've also got a very interesting fact about how long it has been since a team managed to come back from a 3-1 deficit to win the cup. Check this out: Only one team has ever been able to do it. In 1942, the Toronto Maple Leafs came back and won three in a row to beat the Red Wings for the Cup. Hmmm... What's 2008 - 1942??? :)

There's probably no "maybe next year" for Gary Roberts:

"Deep down I know this is probably the last time for me," Roberts said in the hours before the team plane departed for what could be the last game of the season and possibly Roberts’ career.

[...]

Roberts is aware that youth must be served and the reality that in the off-season that "service" comes in the form of dollars to players who are the future of the franchise. That means offers, substantial offers, to players like Marian Hossa, whose rights were obtained from Atlanta for three players and a prospect at the trade deadline. Hossa, considerably younger than Roberts, also is about to become unrestricted. The Pens have to make a decision on whether or not to keep him. They also must make a substantial qualifying offer to Evgeni Malkin, who like Sidney Crosby has emerged as a franchise player even if his play has fallen off somewhat in the final games of this extended season.


[...]

"I’ve enjoyed playing here," he says reflecting on the time since he agreed to leave the Florida Panthers in a 2007 deadline deal. The people have treated me great. It’s been a little embarrassing at times because I haven’t been as big a part of this season as I would have liked."

UGH. :(

Friends of The Show Ali and Alyse joined nearly 6,998 other Pens fans on the lawn in front of Gate 3. Evidently, they both went pretty early to secure decent seats (good thinking), and both were able to snap a few shots of the Boys coming to work.

This is Ali's view:



And here's what Alyse saw:



We (and the Pens) have to take it one game at a time. The Pens can keep hope alive with a win. I still believe they can do it.

Just keep your eyes on the prize...

LATE EDIT:

Look at that focus.

GO PENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!