Mission: Possible. Objective 3 of 4 (Hartford Whalers)

Oh wait, I forgot...

It's been over ten years since the sweet sounds of Brass Bonanza has been blasted over the loudspeakers at an NHL game. The beloved Whalers are now known as the Carolina Hurricanes, a move that alienated some of hockey's most hardcore fans. But let's not get too sentimental, it's the Eastern Conference Finals, and your Pittsburgh Penguins have a chance to return to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second year in a row. Looking back at what the Pens have accomplished so far, any sane human being would have to consider making it this far to be a success. In February, this team was in tenth place in the East, on the outside looking in. Fast forward three months, and the Pens have not only fought their way back into the playoff picture, but they've knocked off arguably their two most-hated rivals in reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in the process. And what else is amazing is that they will have home-ice advantage in this series, with most pundits giving them the edge over the Hurricanes. So you'd be hard-pressed not to deem what the Pens have achieved thus far as anything less than a success, but this team wants more, and is in position to have it. This team has displayed the will, drive and passion needed for any team to survive the gauntlet that is the hardest tournament in the world. But in actuality, we're only halfway home.

I have to admit, when you play teams like Philthadelphia and Washington, it's a lot easier to get into the series and convey actual hate for the opposition. With Carolina, not so much. The Pens and Canes only play four times a season, and most of their head-to-head matchups don't garner too much interest. Well, there was this one time...

I'm sure the Orpik-Cole situation will be discussed ad nauseum. As will the fact that...

Jordan and Eric Staal are brothers.

If you didn't know that already, the guys on Versus will be sure to let you know at least 657 times tonight. So there will be a few story lines to this series, and if the Pens want to reach the Finals again, they'll have to take down two familiar faces that were a huge part of bringing the Cup to the 'Burgh...

I don't think I need to tell you who, at least I hope I don't.

And don't forget about the other hometown hero-turned bandwagon Canes fan...

Totally inexcusable.

So it starts all over again tonight. As usual, for any of your Pens' needs, check out The Pensblog and Empty Netters. If the Pens can get to Cam Ward early and often, I see a return trip to the Finals for the Pens. Pens in five.

LET'S GO PENS