The Pens put on a high-flying offensive attack that the Stanley Cup playoffs probably haven't seen since the likes of Lemieux and Gretzky patrolled the ice.  The tape to tape passes, the breakouts executed with precision and grace, and the all-world skills of all-world players on display.  But even Mario and Wayne both know that superior offensive teams do not guarantee Stanley Cup glory.  Gretzky, with the Kings, found that out.  Lemieux, with the Pens, found that out two years running.  It takes a lot of things to go right to win in the Stanley Cup - talent, of course, but some luck and a great deal of steely resolve and determination.

Being so young, so untested, it's understandable why many people looked at the Pens with some measure of question.  Their two young stars - Crosby and Malkin - sputtered (to be kind) in the playoffs last year.  They were overmatched, outclassed and roundly beaten by a vastly superior Ottawa squad.  Their third young star - Marc-Andre Fleury - has a long history of collapsing under pressure.  So there were questions.  They were fueled even more by the Pens lackluster start.  But as the season entered the second half, the Pens caught fire, and stayed that way.  People looked at them with respect, because no team in the league has quite the same level of offense on their top two lines like the Pens do.  But the questions still remained.  For good reason, too.  The Penguins had not had the chance to answer how they'll react facing adversity.  The Pens had not yet answered how they'll react in a tight game, or when the chips seemed down. 

Now, Game 2 did not answer all of those questions because one game in one series does not really answer anything.  It sure as hell does not anoint the Pens as the Stanley Cup champions - there are teams in the East and West that are all vying for the same title, and they want it every bit as badly as the Pens do.  But last night's game provided a glimpse of the character of this team.  They came out smoking, blowing past Ottawa defenders, throwing puck after puck at the net, knowing that in the playoffs there is no such thing as a bad shot because you just never know.  They erupted with two sensational goals in the second period, and then gave up a goal to Ottawa.  This was eerily reminiscent of what happened in the February game, where the Pens were taking the play to the Senators all game, scored their third goal to go up 3-0 and then immediately gave one back.  The Senators, buoyed by this goal, soon got their second to pull within one, and in the third period finally scratched their way back to a tie. 

But the Pens reaction was a complete non-reaction.  They didn't get tight, they didn't go into a shell.  If anything, their offense just kept on keeping on, and they continue to whistle shots at Gerber.  They continued to pressure Ottawa.  They continued to play their game.  And when Lapointe's blade struck Ruutu's head (or face), the refs had no choice but to call it, and Ryan Malone saw that Gerber made a tactical error, sliding just a little too far out of position, and used fast, long legs and his long reach to snap in the game-winner.  The Pens never quit, never faltered, and certainly didn't crumble under the pressure of seeing a 3-0 lead evaporate at home in front of a berserk crowd. 

Last night's game came at a perfect time.  The Penguins needed to face this kind of tight atmosphere.  They needed to look a desperate opponent in the eye and take their best.  They needed to do that, and win, because in so doing they have further generated the confidence they'll need to move along in this playoff season.

Does this mean they're now prohibitive favorites to win it all?  No - not by a long shot.  The Rangers are playing hockey at the same level of the Penguins, and Montreal isn't going away any time soon.  The Capitals are a thoroughly dangerous team, too, as Philly found out last night.  Does this mean that the Pens now have a measure of confidence to know that they're no longer boys among men?  Yes, I think so.  I think that Malkin and Crosby both realize that they're not outclassed or outgunned.  That they won't be outworked.  They will get beaten - I think everyone knows that - but they aren't in fear of the playoffs any longer.

In a way, this is the worst possible thing to happen for the rest of the teams in the NHL.  While nearly all remaining teams have some great talent on their squads, no one has a such a dynamic duo right now.  No one wanted to see the Pens suddenly realize that they can play playoff hockey, and win at it.  They wanted the Pens to worry and wilt, because their offense is going to take them far, but its character and drive and confidence that ultimately plays at least an equal role in winning the Cup.  The Pens are building those intangibles quickly - and Game 3 will be a huge indicator.  If the Pens, on the road facing a hostile crowd, can continue to play their game with the same passion, the Sens are dead in the water and the rest of the NHL is on notice.  These Pens are here to stay.