Pens v Sens: Game 5, or 'I think I need a hug'

I'm about a nine.

Why only a nine, you ask? Well, possibly because I'm not suspended by my underwear from four stories, but mostly because I think next year will be better.

Sure, it sucks losing, and I'd like to reference this picture to show my post-game reaction (fairly accurate, even though I'm no longer a blonde. Just put tears of dejection and hopelessness on her cheeks and a Pens jersey on and we're all set), but as I said before: the Pens went farther, did more, than anyone gave them credit for being capable of at the beginning of the season. They rose up to the challenge, although not as much as I'd really like (or they would, I bet), but they came and gave Ottawa a run for their money on their way to the next round. The Senators were simply an unreal team, they were everywhere the puck was, or was even going to be, they were faster, more accurate, had a stronger defense and play action than the Pens did. It's just the way it is, and I congratulate them on their win.

In terms of the Penguins, I'd just like to point out one thing: this was their debutante party. Yes yes, I've heard it all before too, but just sit down and think about this for a moment. Most of the guys on that team are just beginning their careers or coming into their own as a hockey player and have a lot more game left in them. Sure, you can say all you want about empty comfort for a losing team, and yes, they need to keep them together, but we all can imagine what that bunch of guys are going to look like in 3 years, if that. Let that digest and contemplate again that this was their start. Good. Now think about what they're going to be like next year, and the year after that. Scared yet? If you're not a Pens fan, you should be.

That said, I can't wait to start cheering for the Sens' fiery demise in the second round. I'd hate to let all of the Ottawa jokes I've thought up go to waste, after all.