Penguins Could Win Stanley Cup Today

The Stanley Cup was cradled by Sidney Crosby before 350,000 parade onlookers, dunked in Mario Lemieux's swimming pool, carried on a slippery ride across a baseball outfield by Bryan Trottier.

The one adventure that has never happened to the shiny silver cup in Pittsburgh is being lifted at center ice after a championship-clinching victory.

In fact, of the 11 major sports championships won by Pittsburgh teams since the Pirates claimed the 1960 World Series at Forbes Field -- six Super Bowls, three Stanley Cups, two other World Series -- not one was won on home turf or home ice.

But the Penguins, improbably, can win their fourth Stanley Cup in a quarter-century on Thursday night if they can close out the San Jose Sharks, who trail 3-1 in a finals in which Pittsburgh has never fallen behind in regulation.

And, even better for fans who are paying $1,000 for standing room tickets for Game 5 at Consol Energy Center, the Penguins have a chance to claim the Cup in Pittsburgh.

"We can feel like there's something big coming up here," Penguins forward Carl Hagelin said Wednesday. "Guys are ready to play. We've won games all year, and that's the plan (Thursday)."

Every game of the finals but one has been decided by one goal, yet the Penguins have had a clear advantage in shots, speed, scoring chances and, most visibly, momentum.

Now they have a clear path to the NHL championship -- the second of the Sidney Crosby-Evgeni Malkin era -- but it's one that is also fraught with danger. Lose Game 5 at home and the Penguins must trek back to the West Coast for a Game 6 on Sunday they most certainly don't want to play.

Thursday, June 9 Schedule (Time Central)

San Jose at Pittsburgh

Game 5 - Penguins lead 2-1, 7 p.m.

Friday, June 10

No Games Scheduled

Saturday, June 11

No Games Scheduled

Sunday, June 12 Schedule (Time Central)

Pittsburgh at San Jose

Game 6* - Penguins lead 2-1, 7 p.m.