As the Penguins play the waiting game, the team did not skate today and went through dry land activities. The team will go through a full practice on Wednesday and the second round of the playoffs will begin on Thursday or Friday.
The big news from Mellon Arena today was the players being informed that the interim tag from Dan Bylsma’s title has been removed.
The Penguins, Bylsma did agree to a three year deal.
The players have been pushing for Bylsma to be named permanent head coach and the timing of the announcement is not surprising.
There will be a lot of

scoreboard watching from the players tonight.
Round 2 Scenarios
Pittsburgh will play Boston if Washington, and New Jersey win.

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Pittsburgh will play Washington if Carolina and Washington win.
Pittsburgh will play Carolina if New York and Carolina win
Pittsburgh will play New Jersey if New York and New Jersey win
Penguins want to avoid Boston?
A best case scenario would be for Pittsburgh to get home-ice but the players claim it doesn’t matter who they play, although they would like to avoid Boston.
The Bruins remind me of the team the Penguins had last season. They are the most complete team in the Eastern Conference and they can beat you at a skilled game or beat you by playing a physical game.
One important area where the Penguins would have an advantage is goaltending. I am not a believer in Tim Thomas and he benefits from the system he is playing in.
The networks are hoping for Carolina and Washington to prevail tonight.
Penguins paying two coaches for the next two seasons
The Penguins will now be paying two coaches for the next two seasons. Michel Therrien is the books for almost $1.1 million per season.
Ray Shero always believes a coach should start his tenure with a three year deal and while it hasn’t been confirmed by the team, sources tell us Bylsma did agree to a three year deal with a salary in the 750k range for the first year of the deal.
How times have changed where ownership does not have to worry about financial decisions getting in the way of personnel decisions.