Three reasons why the Penguins will win Game 7

BySCOTT BURNSIDE
May 25, 2016, 1:56 PM

— -- PITTSBURGH -- First, let us not speak one word about momentum as we contemplate Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Momentum is a fable, a myth, a bedtime story for hockey writers and fans that has no basis in reality.

Don't believe me? Where was the momentum genie when the Pittsburgh Penguins steamrolled the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 3 and then promptly dropped Games 4 and 5, setting up Tuesday's must-win situation in Tampa in Game 6?

Where was the momentum for the Lightning, who had scored 53 seconds into overtime in Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead and then were dominated through the first two periods of Game 6 en route to a 5-2 loss that sets the stage for Game 7 in Pittsburgh on Thursday night?

So let's agree that whatever transpires in Game 7 at Consol Energy Center won't have anything to do with momentum. Here are three non-momentum-related reasons why the Penguins will advance to their first Stanley Cup finals since 2009.

The captain is back in command

Let's start with the big man, Sidney Crosby. Although he endured an eight-game goalless drought that extended into this series, Crosby has delivered in crucial moments throughout the conference finals  -- including a glorious individual effort on Tuesday that gave the Penguins a 3-0 lead in Game 6 and eventually stood as the game winner. He has, in fact, delivered the dagger in all three games won by Pittsburgh in this series.

Another interesting stat: The Penguins have won the last 11 postseason games in which Crosby has scored. If he has historically struggled to produce late in playoff series since the 2009 Stanley Cup win, Crosby's performance in Game 6 suggests a new trend is emerging.

"Well, you want to produce, especially this time of year," Crosby said Wednesday morning as the Penguins prepared to jet back to Pittsburgh. "You want to contribute. But I think we have a lot of belief, a lot of trust in everybody."

The bottom line: If they get another big game from the captain, the Penguins will have one skate in the finals.