Petr Sykora is Out of Game 7

Once all the euphoria died down from their game six win, the Pittsburgh Penguins were quick to realize that if they are to pull off this huge upset of winning the Stanley Cup in Joe Louis Arena that they will have to do it without their 25- goal forward Petr Sykora.

As the team was celebrating on Tuesday night after avoiding elimination with a spirited 2-1 victory, Sykora who won a Stanley Cup in 2000 with the New Jersey Devils was still nursing a foot injury. The next day it became evident that it serious as he was spotted hobbling out of Mellon Arena on crutches and with a big brace fastened to his right foot and ankle. “I don’t think so,” was his reply when asked if he could play in game seven. Sykora who was hurt courageously blocking a second period shot brings not only elite offensive skills to the table but also veteran experience that will be vital for a young Penguins team lining up for a winner takes all in an arena they haven’t won in this entire playoff round.

The Penguins will try to do something on Friday that no other team in basketball, hockey or baseball has done in the last thirty years and that’s win a game seven on the road. The last team to win a game seven was way back in 1979 when the Pittsburgh Pirates overcame a 3-1 deficit against the Baltimore Orioles to come back and capture the World Series title in Baltimore. Stats are on the side of the Penguins as they sport an impressive 4-0 record all time in game sevens on the road.