Red Wings and Penguins taking nothing for granted
DETROIT (Reuters) - Pittsburgh and Detroit caution that the Stanley Cup final is not over but history says it is as the best-of-seven series swings back to the Motor City for Game Five on Monday with the Red Wings leading 3-1.
The Penguins face the daunting challenge of accomplishing something that has been done only once before and that was 66 years when the Toronto Maple Leafs climbed out a similar 3-1 hole to capture Lord Stanley's silver cup in 1942.
"We know what we have to do," Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby told reporters on Sunday. "We've got to win to stay alive.
"It's pretty clear and simple. So that's the way we're looking at it.
"We're going to be desperate here tomorrow night. We've got to leave it out there.
"We have to make sure we empty the tank and play desperate and see where that takes us."
To make the task even tougher, Pittsburgh must find a way to win in an arena where they have yet to score a goal this post-season.
With a record of 9-1 at the Joe Louis, the Red Wings have been nearly unbeatable on home ice, humiliating the Penguins in two opening two games with back-to-back shut outs.
Despite having some of the NHL's most explosive offensive talent, the Penguins have managed just four goals in four games and must quickly find their scoring touch if they hope send the series back to Pittsburgh for Game Six on Wednesday.
SINGLED OUT
Evgeni Malkin, runner-up to Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin in the NHL scoring race, has been singled out for particularly harsh criticism, the young Russian having yet to register a single point in the finals.
"He (Malkin) is facing a tough time," said Penguins coach Michel Therrien. "It's not a matter that he doesn't want to have success. He wants success for our team, and his team mates and for himself.
"Things are not going the way that he'd like but in the meantime, he's working hard, and he's trying.
"The only thing he's got to do is keep focusing and working hard."
Despite their domination of the series, particularly on home ice, Detroit is taking a cautious approach to Game Five.
The Red Wings say they are well aware of what desperate teams are capable of after going 3-0 up on Dallas in the conference finals before watching the Stars win two games, including a big Game Five victory at the Joe.
"We know as a team we haven't won anything yet," said Red Wings Swedish captain Nicklas Lidstrom. "We have to win four to win the Stanley Cup and we know that in our locker room.
"But we're excited this is where you want to be, have a chance to win the Stanley Cup."
(Editing by Ed Osmond)
