That Answers a Few Questions: Habs 3, Pens 1

A Squid frightening a Penguin? Now there's something you don't see everyday.

Maybe its a lawyer thing, but I admit I'm kinda bipolar, sometimes optimistic but mostly skeptical by nature. I hate being disappointed, so I didn't get my hopes up too much last round even when the Habs got on a roll. And I was pretty close to writing them off after last game, but there were a couple of nagging questions at the back of my lawyer-brain:

1. Was it possible the whole team, and specifically Halak, were just tired and emotionally drained, not completely overmatched?

2. If they were 'just' tired and drained, could they bounce back against the defending Champs?

3. Can the D-corps survive the loss of Markov (again)?

(3a. Is PK for real?)

It's all coming up Milhouse after Game 2. So much so that right now the optimist usually stuffed in my mind's trunk (aka HFF33) is screaming about Game One being an aberration, a case of a good Pens team talking advantage of a tired Habs club coming off an emotional comeback. There's also something about the Habs being real contenders, losing 20 pounds and quitting meth, but I'm already tuning him out again.

Anyway, even cynical me (aka Panger) admits its hard not to get seduced by this team. Obviously there is the goaltending and shot blocking and Squid's clutch goals. But teh atraction is more about the team chemistry and effort from pretty much all over the lineup - even guys who aren't producing offensively like they should (hi there CHicken and Gomer).

Most shocking of all, PK probably lived up to all the hype. Three assists in four games and a plus 1. And a national interview on NBC. Well, "national" except for all those NBC affiliates who cut to Seinfeld reruns when then heard the game of the week involved at team from Europe (French Canada is the same thing, right?).

And full credit to the Pens, they weren't sleepwalking through this game. Crosby's "compete level" (I can't believe that's part of my vocabulary - damn you McSplooge!) is way higher than Ovie, although Gino resembles Semin so far.

Still too early to really buckle into a seat on the bandwagon, but I'm not hanging with one foot off anymore, either - keeping in mind that to advance, this team has to win as many 2nd round games as the last 16 editions combined, all against the defending champs lead by arguably most talented and accomplished player at his age in history. Not that I'm skeptical.

Comments. We crave them like our antipsycotics and meth. Do you really want to endanger us by not leaving any? Do you want that on your conscience?