The Penguins are not in a must-win situation tonight against Tampa in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final, contrary to some people’s belief.
Sure, it would behoove the Penguins to win and avoid falling into a 2-0 hole, especially with the next two games scheduled to take place in Tampa.
But if they lose tonight, it doesn’t mean the series is over as the only must-win games in the playoffs are elimination games.
We just watched the Penguins beat the Capitals three times in a row in the last series, and while two of those games were at Consol, the fact is that each game in any playoff series is independent of the next.