When Penguins’ defenseman Ian Cole left the team’s optional skate this morning, his plan was the same as it would be any other day. Go get lunch, take a nap, then come back to get his sticks ready. Just like it were any other game.
Except it’s not any other game.
Despite having a chance to win the Stanley Cup with a victory against the San Jose Sharks in Game 5 of the final tonight at Consol Energy Center (8 p.m., NBC), the Penguins took a business-as-usual approach to today’s morning skate.
It was optional, with stars like Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Sidney Crosby opting out.