Penguins Are Confident, But What's The Alternative?

I'm always amazed that, when a team says they're confident though facing adversity in the playoffs, it is reported as some major development.

What's the expectation here? Should the players be throwing their hands up at the podium on press days saying, "We're done, we're no good, now excuse us while we go kill ourselves."

Facing an 0-2 hole heading into tonight's game, the Pittsburgh Penguins are presenting themselves as a confident team, determined to win.

And this is news?

Each and every player in the NHL has had to face adversity at one point or another to even make it this far. They're playing in the best league in the world, not only because they have the best skill, but the best attitude.

Mopey guys who don't believe in themselves typically don't make it to the big leagues (Manny Legace is one exception).

Whether or not the Pens are truly, in their hearts, confident and calm heading into Game Three isn't the issue here.

But what else are they going to say?

Some players say that this "feels" a lot like the Washington series, that they've played well enough to win, but still face an 0-2 deficit. The fact that they won that series in seven games gives them confidence going into tonight.

Now, even the Pens have to admit that beating the Washington Capitals is at least a wee bit easier than beating the Detroit Red Wings. But, why wouldn't they talk about that series as a way to motivate them to do the same in this one?

The point is, even if they lose Game Three, they'll talk about how "someone has to come back from a 0-3 deficit, it might as well be us" at the Game Four press conference.

And why wouldn't they, what else are they supposed to say?