A distraught Sidney Crosby sounds off ahead of do or die matchup!

Ahead of Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Penguins could guarantee their playoff participation with wins over struggling clubs Chicago Blackhawks that same night, and the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday. Instead, they bowed down 5-2 to the Hawks and now leave their playoff hopes in the hands of the New York Islanders, who could steal the last spot in the East with a win over the Montreal Canadiens tonight. If the Canadiens do them this major favour, then Pittsburgh can only hope for a win in Columbus on Thursday to get them through.

When asked about their playoff streak being in jeopardy, captain Sidney Crosby could only be honest about the uncertainty of the next few hours.

“It’s not a great feeling. I think it’s a situation where you just gotta make the best of it and prepare the same way today, and hope that we get another chance.”

After last night’s poor effort, Crosby prefers to forget about it and focus on what can be done with the last game of the season.

“You just gotta move by it, and hope that we get another opportunity here. It’s one of those things, you just gotta mentally prepare as if you’re going to get that opportunity.”

This has to be tough mentally for a veteran like Crosby, and even forward Evgeni Malkin and defenseman Kris Letang.

The jeopardy is a real threat. If in fact the Penguins come up short of a post-season invitation, it will be just the second time in Crosby’s career that the team has done so… the last time coming during Sid’s rookie season in 2005-06.

The Penguins will be watching the Islanders and Canadiens’ game tonight, no doubt about that!

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