Despite the slow start, any Penguins fan watching the third period and subsequent overtime of their thrilling 2-1 victory over the defending champion Colorado Avalanche could not help but notice that this was not just another regular season win.
The intensity and sense of urgency was at a different level. With each shift you could feel the desperation building. The kind of desperation that only happens when every goal, every game is of the utmost importance. That emotionally draining climate synonymous with playoff hockey.
Such is the life of an NHL team plagued by inconsistency over the first half of the season and now in a fight for their postseason lives.