I mean, we deserved it. Even our staunchest fans who like to be critical like DC and Mick will have to admit we played stellar tonight. Hard, gritty, hockey. Stephenson has evolved into a defensive specialist. Guys like Jay Beagle, Lars Eller, TJ Oshie and Matt Niskanen are finally carrying the play heart wise. We talk a lot about consistent games and how this team has struggled with that forever. Especially when it matters. Tonight was the most consistent hockey game this team maybe has ever played. Defensively, we never let up from the structure not but once. And look at the results. With the exception of a few bounces and a Penguins rush of energy in the second, they were battling to get into neutral, then battling to get into the zone, and then when in the zone battling in the boards. And our workhorses out hustled them and put the nose to the grindstone when it mattered most. Trotz said his team would play this like it was lose or go home. They did. Bravo.
Finally get to see a conference finals with this group. Even if Tampa tears us apart it's nice to see some sort of evolution with this team. This should also quell any bullshit of us replacing Trotz as far as I'm concerned. His coaching has been stellar, and obviously he wasn't the problem.
