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The Penguins enjoyed an easy 4-1 win over the Hurricanes with goals from Max Talbot (who also had two assists), Ruslan Fedotenko, Bill Guerin and Craig Adams (empty-netter).  Captain, Sidney Crosby had two assists and goalie, Marc-Andre Fleury, stopped 30 shots on net.  In the end, Pittsburgh outscored the Hurricanes 20-9 in the series.

I think that this young team has one thing on its side now – experience.  They were in this position just a year ago and, hopefully, they learned something.

I really held my breath when they brought out the Eastern Conference Championship Trophy.  I wasn’t sure if they were going to touch it since it is considered bad luck.  In the end, Crosby bravely went right up to it and skated away with it.  “We didn’t touch it last year and things did not go the way we wanted to, so we switched it up,” Crosby said. “We know what we want.”

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With this series wrapped up, I’m guessing hockey fans will be watching what happens over in the Western Conference where the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Detroit Red Wings, are just one win away from eliminating the Chicago Blackhawks.

If the Red Wings succeed in taking the conference, it will be the first time two teams met again for a Stanley Cup rematch since the Edmonton Oilers and the New York Islanders battled in 1983 and 1984.

I lost my voice screaming and yelling during the Stanley Cup Finals last year and I’m ready to do it again.  I guess I better go stock up on ice cream and popsicles.

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Pens captain, Sidney Crosby, and Evgeni Malkin were again HUGE for their team.  Thinking back to last year, I believe that a major factor in their loss was the fact that Malkin just didn’t seem able to deliver.  This is, of course, a new season and it’s amazing to see what a difference a year can make.  “Sid and Geno, they bring their level and they make everybody better,” right-winger Bill Guerin said. “Everyone’s talent level goes up. That’s what they do for us.”  I would be inclined to agree considering how well this series has gone for the Penguins.

Carolina goaltender, Cam Ward, had another rough night since Pittsburgh outshot his team 40-34.  He was able to turn away 34 shots but it just wasn’t enough.  His counterpart, Marc-Andre Fleury, made 32 saves.

If they can complete the sweep on Tuesday night, the Pittsburgh Penguins will become the Eastern Conference champions for the second year in a row (they lost to the Detroit Red Wings in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final).

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During the first period, Carolina outshot Pittsburgh 12-9 but it felt more like the Pens were dominating.  With goals from Miroslav Satan (fresh out of the penalty box) and Evgeni Malkin, those first twenty minutes really seemed to be in Pittsburgh’s favor.

In the second period, the Hurricanes were outshot 6-12 but they seemed to be more in control.  They were putting a lot of pressure on goalie, Marc-Andre Fleury, who had to come up with some amazing saves but, finally, let a shot by Chad Larose slip behind him.

In the third, both teams put in a huge effort but the goal by Philippe Boucher (Pittsburgh) remained the game-winner, although Joe Corvo scored on a power play for Carolina with just more than a minute and half left in the game.

The Hurricanes seemed to be in an absolute frenzy in the final moments and, despite a very close call, they just couldn’t tie up the game.  As has been the case throughout the postseason, Carolina continues to surprise and put forth an effort that is reminiscent of that in 2006 when they took home Lord Stanley.  I would love for the Penguins to move on to the next round but I wouldn’t be shocked at all if they didn’t make it.

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