Faceoff Factor

One Piece At A Time

Jesse Marshall | Pittsburgh Penguins

Jun 1, 01:10 PM | Hype this story!

In 1976, Johnny Cash recorded a tale of a disgruntled automobile worker from Detroit (ironically enough) that spent his days sneaking parts out of the factory he worked in to build his own Cadillac.

It was a long, tedious process that ended with Cash finally having his own car for everyone to see, even if it was ugly and misshapen.

For the Penguins, the mission against Detroit is no different.

The series can be taken back, one piece at a time, shift by shift.

To say that the Penguins have been out-played by the Red Wings would be a gross estimation of how these two games have shaken down.

The Penguins have out shot the wings, gone blow for blow with the defending Stanley Cup champions, and have fallen behind on an inability to finish chances and get some bounces.

The Red Wings system is not impenetrable. For the most part, the Penguins have put their work boots on and gotten pucks deep. Last night, they had ample scoring chances in close and several opportunities to take lead or tie the game. The difference between these two teams right now is that Detroit is burying those chances and the Penguins are not.

Last year’s series was an entirely different beast altogether. The Penguins left Detroit down 2-0, but they had been manhandled in every sense of the word and held scoreless in both contests.

This is not that series. The Penguins have life. They are showing emotion. They know they are close.

If you’re giving up, I’d like to direct you back to Monday, February 16, 2009.

The Penguins were playing a Monday afternoon game against the New York Islanders. They were out of the playoffs and then interim head coach Dan Bylsma had a long task ahead of him.

He accomplished what Ray Shero asked him to. With some new pieces added to the puzzle, the Penguins marched into the playoffs on a fantastic hot streak.

Harken back to Washington, down 2-0 to the Capitals, people wrote this team off and buried them before the series ended. The Penguins had lost 2 games in Washington that they probably could have won.

They rectified the one major problem that plagued them during the start of that series.

They finished the chances they were missing out on previously. The lesson has been learned once already. It’s time to apply it against the Wings.

This series can be had, ladies and gentlemen. If it is any team that can accomplish this feat, it’s this one. We did not come all this way to lie down and play dead.

The Penguins need to keep their work boots on and hold serve at home.

They can take this series back, one piece at a time.

Mr. Cash, please play us out.

Well, I left Kentucky back in ’49
An’ went to Detroit workin’ on a ‘sembly line
The first year they had me puttin’ wheels on cadillacs

Every day I’d watch them beauties roll by
And sometimes I’d hang my head and cry
‘Cause I always wanted me one that was long and black.

One day I devised myself a plan
That should be the envy of most any man
I’d sneak it out of there in a lunchbox in my hand
Now gettin’ caught meant gettin’ fired
But I figured I’d have it all by the time I retired
I’d have me a car worth at least a hundred grand.

I’d get it one piece at a time
And it wouldn’t cost me a dime
You’ll know it’s me when I come through your town
I’m gonna ride around in style
I’m gonna drive everybody wild
‘Cause I’ll have the only one there is a round.