from Scott Burnside of ESPN,

Answer the bell after being outscored 9-1 at home in the first two games, including a 6-1 shellacking in Game 2, and this series takes on a different tenor. In short, win and there will be life.

Lose and it’s all but over and the questions about dramatic changes within the organization will begin in earnest.

It’s hard to imagine a game for which there has been this much anticipation this spring, and that takes into account dramatic Game 7s between Boston and Toronto, Detroit and Chicago, and San Jose and Los Angeles. That’s because of the manner in which the Bruins have manhandled the Penguins juxtaposed against the star quality and attendant expectations that surround the Pittsburgh franchise heading into this postseason and specifically this series.

This game will be a litmus test for the Penguins’ character, pure and simple.

read on