GDR wrote:“People don't really understand the pressure we have here,” defenseman Kris Letang said. “Because we have the two best players, we have to win every year. You can't. We didn't.
“That doesn't make us a bad team, but I think that's what people say now. They say we need a lot of changes. So now I guess we'll see just like everybody else.”
That quote pisses me off. Kris, it's not that you lose, I think everybody accepts that a Cup is not going to happen every year - this isn't a video game, it's HOW YOU LOSE. Every year a flame out in spectacular fashion - two blown 3-1 leads, a collapse against Montreal, the circus against Philly, and total neutering by Boston. If you guys played your best and laid it all out there and just got beat, I can't speak for every Penguins' fan, but I personally would have no problem with it. You can't win every year, but you can try every year.
If you don't want pressure, then go play for the **** Panthers or some other lousy team. You guys should all be embracing the pressure because it means you're playing for a good team with expectations.
2010 Up 3-2 against the Canadians in the 2nd rd. Lose games 6 and 7. After back to back trips to the SCF's and a Cup, plus the Olympics, team was given a pass as being tired and this was understandable.
2011. No Sid. No Geno. But again, up 3-1 against Tampa Bay and lost a game 7.
2012. Just came off the rails against the Flyers in all ways, down 3-0, avoided a sweep but nonetheless an embarrassing out in Rd 1.
2013. Swept out of the Eastern Conference Finals by the Bruins.
2014. Lost in the second rd to the Rangers after having a 3-1 lead and the Rangers looking dead.
That is not just "not winning" every year, that is a lack of character and killer instinct by this group, Changes had to come.