Wasn't able to watch the game until the 2nd period. When I got to where I was going to watch it and saw the score and highlights, my optimism for the Jackets chances in this series were greatly diminished. So much for diminished expectations
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Two observations that I have from period 2 though OT 2:
1) If an individual was viewing this stretch of the game didn't know which teams were playing, he would have never thought that the team in the white uniforms were a #7 seed playing with mostly playoff neophytes and the team wearing the black uniforms with the #2 seed had won a cup with many of its players and featured the best player in the world.
2) If this same observer was completely unfamiliar with the players on the team but had decent hockey knowledge, he would probably take #19 in the white over #87 in the black.
The Jackets needed to avoid the sweep in Pittsburgh. They not only proved that they can beat this team, but they saw that they are, in many ways, better than the Penguins. Should the Jackets keep up their energy level, avoid too many critical mistakes and Bob play like he can, they will have an excellent chance of beating the Penguins.
The Penguins players have boatloads of pressure on them and a goalie whose overall playoff performance is very poor. They could start gripping their sticks very tight should the Jackets take game 3.
The pressure is all on Pittsburgh. With the playoff berth and the first franchise playoff victory, the Jackets have met all reasonable expectations for their season. They are now on bonus time and seem like a group who will enjoy the challenge of exceeding reasonable expectations and who won't be carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders like the Penguins will be.
Just bought a ticket for a potential game #6.
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