if i had to give you something, then i think i'd go to hell

One of the fun things about being a Pens fan is that they always surprise you.
The Penguins have shown resilience over the past several seasons. Their ability to win in almost any situation has been astounding, and their road mentality is absolutely what has sent them to the Stanley Cup Finals for the past two years. We saw it again today. We saw a little team unity go a long way. Regardless of talent, without the necessary atmosphere and mentality on a very personal level, a championship just isn't as sweet, and the battle level doesn't increase as much.
The Pens have a core of guys that has been together for awhile. They know how to go on the road together and put together a solid performance, even after the opposing team put together their best effort of the season in Mellon Arena the previous game, even after the big heartbreaker--the Penguins knew how to get it together eventually and eke out this win.
The battle level showed up tonight.
And it's going to have to stay in the tank.
Because there are still 12 more wins to a Stanley Cup. And in case you forgot, it's not ours anymore.
12 more to bring it home.

Have you ever been glad to not be somebody? We're glad to not be these bitches:
Do you really want to look like a worthless slut in body paint for a team that pays Andy Sutton to do a bad impersonation of what it would be like if Wade Redden and Chris Pronger had a retarded child?
Sorry.

Matt Cullen scored on a breakaway in the first:
Let's be honest, everyone was a little worried.
The Pens looked like they cared enough, but the sense for the puck didn't seem to be there.
Battle level.
"Marc-André, you are utterly absurd."

Fleury came up big after getting Cullen'd.
Just so much going on in front of the net.
Later, Rupp puts a puck in tight on Leclaire. The puck is on the line, and so is Leclaire's pad. About fifteen years later Toronto decides it's not a goal. Probably the right call. The video suggested that the puck likely crossed the line, but whether it went over completely or not was inconclusive.
We're pretty sure Rupper got one and that Leclaire's Hot Goalie Syndrome had no effect on #17.
But Toronto are assholes and they don't need to agree with the Hand of Justice that the Pens were reaching over the city of Ottawa this evening.
The Pens needed the period to end for this shit to get calmed down, for their minds to get together.
It did.
Cooke was given some ridiculous charging call at the end.
But survival is key.

Then the second started. We kill the power play but Chris Neil takes a dump on Kris Letang and chips a puck over Fleury:

We like the mood lighting in this shot.
It was a dump but it was a romantic dump.
Crosby spends about 4 seconds in the locker room with Chris Stewart. If you're smart you took a shot of something at least 100 proof, but he was back and taking shifts soon enough.

Then the Penguins start running around.
Defense was brutal.
Alfredsson:
What a weird picture.
Let's not dwell on this.
Cause Matt Cooke did not, and neither did anyone else.
They went to the net and got a goal:
so many humans, and Matt Cooke got a stick on it.
3-1
We're back.

Shortly thereafter, the Sens think that they have another goal, but general shenanigans take place which involve Fleury being taken out of the play and the net coming off the moorings.
It is ruled that the net was off when the puck crossed the line.
Correct call based on the overhead view and the net-cam view. Matt Cullen was sparkling all over the paint and tried to push the puck in with his hand?
"The blush on your cheeks is lovely."
Shut up Matt Cullen.
There's a penalty on the play.
The Pens kill it, because they have to.
The late period push features some more hardcore pressuring from little Chris Conner, which we appreciate.
But not there yet.
The third will come.

On the power play, Bill Guerin rips one.
You felt that one coming in the deepest recesses of your heart.
The press didn't and neglected to photograph it, apparently.
After that goal, the doubters started biting their lips a little.
Andy Sutton just runs at Malkin and continually sticks his stick between his legs long after the play has moved away.
Stunning levels of insolence from Andy Sutton. He was getting pissed. He probably knew in that moment that his team was going to lose.
Play moves back to the Sens zone. After a faceoff, Matt Cooke just makes a beeline for Leclaire.
Leclaire gets out of position after a shot from Mark Eaton who was just taking over the world today, let's be honest.
The hugs surround:
The Pens continue to pour on the pressure, but Leclaire is still trying to convince himself that he's not a joke.
Overtime arrives.

And we feel a little something in our guts.

The Sens get their chances on Fleury, who looks calm and collected.
He's tending goal against neighborhood kids in his driveway, it's all good.

Mark Eaton rushes a puck deep. Senators fear his Wilimington, Delaware poise.
Keeps some guys occupied so Staal can dig it free. Gets it to Dupuis.
Pascal rips it past Pascal.
don't cry Jesse Winchester someone will buy you a cake
Nick Foligno. . .you can cry. Dick.

PENS WIN
4-3 OT
DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP

We felt it, we wanted it, we scratched our way to the surface in this game.
That mentality will serve us well.
[TP] again answered the call for Blingee on Twitter:


[Nicole G]'s test can't be scored because she didn't answer the prompt:

Solid effort by Leclaire though.

Tonight's unsung hero:


4 wins down.
Au revoir, Senators.
kthxbaittyl

Now. . .who's next in line?