It's time for Pens to play to their full potential.

The playoffs are usually never lacking in excitement or some surprises.
Well, some might be surprised with how the Penguins vs. Islanders series is going. If I knew nothing about it, I am not sure I would guess that it was a battle between the first seed and the eighth seed. An eighth seed that was not very good during the regular season. That's exactly what this battle is, as we well know, but the Pens are not looking like their first seed selves. Yes, we are up 2-1 in the series, but we are lucky to be there.

Sure, give some credit to the Islanders, but let's face it, at times, the Pens are making it way too easy for the Islanders. The Pens have had poor puck management their past 2 games. Yes, remember how we won the first one 5-0? Then The Pens had a poor effort in a game 2 loss and then with yesterday's overtime win the Pens were lucky to get a win. We came back after going down 2-0 but again giveaways and poor play resulted in the Islanders tying the game and sending it to overtime. The Pens were lucky to win Game 3.
I am not seeing a team that is determined to redeem themselves after last year's first round loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I have lost faith in the Pens. I know they are capable of playing better, just like they did after some losses during the regular season. Let's hope to see their best in tomorrow night's Game 4.

Some injuries aren't helping us. We could use Brooks Orpik back. It was a good sight to see him back at practice today and hopefully he is back in the lineup soon. Many also point out that it seems Jarome Iginla and Evgeni Malkin lack chemistry. It does appear that way, but some want that Dupuis, Crosby and Kunitz line together no matter what, so Iginla and Malkin will most likely stay. James Neal is still out. He was present in practice today too and when Neal comes back into the lineup some changes will be made, obviously.

Game 4 is tomorrow night. I am ready to see a better Pens team, the team we know the Pens are capable of being. I am ready to see the Pens be the dominant force that many were predicting they'd be in this series. Let's hope the Pens are ready to show us better hockey tomorrow night.