PITTSBURGH - Jimmy Rutherford looks at Mario Lemieux. Mario Lemieux looks at Jimmy Rutherford. They nod their heads in unison. Then, as if they were following a Hollywood script, they both break into huge grins.
It is an acknowledgement of very few words. Then again, not many are needed here. The message to Rutherford from the Silent One — aka Magnificent Mario — is clear enough.
A job well done, Mr. General Manager. Just one more to go, one obstacle to overcome, one road block to conquer en route to the Stanley Cup — the San Jose Sharks.