Snap Shots: Pens 8, Flyers 5 (Game 6)
* The fourth game is always the hardest to win, and this was a prime example of that. Not only were the Pens missing Evgeni Malkin - and lost Carl Hagelin during the game - but they had to battle back from deficits all game long, including a 4-2 hole at one point. But the Pens displayed both a next-man-up mentality along with the resiliency that's become so ingrained in their identity. It's helped them win back-to-back Stanley Cups and it's the biggest reason they're moving on to hopefully win a third straight. This game wasn't perfect by any stretch and there's still a lot to clean up, but for now, all that matters is they got the job done. "This time of year it doesn't matter how, it just matters that you get the win," Matt Murray said. "I couldn't be more proud of the way we competed today."
* Talk about momentum swings. This game was filled with them. And during a TV timeout in the second period, Pens head coach Mike Sullivan said they had to do a better job of handling them. Fortunately, they were able to do just that. The Pens seized momentum at the end of the second period and they didn't let go. They stayed even-keeled through the ups and downs they dealt with in the final 20-plus minutes and ended up getting rewarded with four unanswered goals from Jake Guentzel en route to the win.
* Yes, you read that right - Guentzel got four goals in the game. FOUR! He became just the third player in franchise history to do so in the playoffs, joining Mario Lemieux and Kevin Stevens, and first to do so since 1991. I think it's safe to say this kid is a legitimate star. Before the series started Sullivan marveled at Guentzel's ability to play his best when the stakes are high. And now, after leading the NHL with 13 goals in 26 games last playoffs, he again ranks first with six goals through six games. After Guentzel's four-point night in Game 1, I wrote about how he was a factor across all 200 feet of the ice. He was again today.
"He did such a great job last year in the playoffs and he's raised his game again to another level," Sidney Crosby said. "It's more than just scoring. He's making plays, he's hard on pucks, he's doing a lot of little things too. It's great to see him get rewarded. You don't ever expect to see someone put in four, but he was definitely on today and he had a great series."
* Guentzel's line with Crosby and Patric Hornqvist was terrific as they combined for six goals and 11 points. Man, did the Pens miss Hornqvist in the two games he sat out with an upper-body injury. He's such a hard guy to replace with the incredible impact he makes on the lineup. Nobody works harder than him, and he created so much for himself and his linemates with his energy and intensity.
* I've got to give some love to the penalty kill. They've had a rollercoaster ride of a season and their ups and downs have been well-documented, but they're coming up big when the Pens need them most. They were absolutely brilliant today, killing off all three Flyers power plays - including a 4-on-3 for a minute-and-a-half in the third period with the Pens holding onto a one-goal lead.
I can't say enough about the job they did, especially after losing Hagelin, a key member of the PK, early in the game. Riley Sheahan led the unit with 3:33 shorthanded minutes and he was an absolute beast out there. Carter Rowney did a great job as well in his playoff season debut.
* In Game 5, the Pens said they didn't have the right level of urgency in the first period, but found it in the second and third. They didn't have the right level of urgency to start Game 6 either, but this time, they made sure to reach it a whole lot quicker.
After allowing the first goal just 2:15 minutes into play, the Pens woke up and started playing desperate. They started moving their legs, winning foot races and puck battles, and generally just battled as hard as they could for every inch of ice. Their hard work resulted in a couple of huge goals.
