Locker Room Talking Points: Orpik says Pens need to play like a desperate team

— Last post-season the Penguins were not good at closing out series. What is the key for the Penguins tomorrow afternoon to not go back to Tampa?

Defenseman Brooks Orpik who has arguably been the Penguins MVP in their first round series, said the Penguins need to play like a “desperate team” and a key is controlling the play early on, which Orpik believes could lead to the Lightning doubting themselves

“I think we should look at it the same way they do, as a desperate situation, ” Orpik said.

AUDIO LINK: Brooks Orpik Audio

“For us, we don’t want to go back to Tampa Bay, “Orpik said. “We don’t want to give them any life. Especially if you can score early, can put doubts into their head right away, been on the opposite end of that.

“Even if you don’t score first, If you take over the game early, put a lot of doubts into their mind, you can make them doubt theirselves pretty early, ” Orpik said.

Audio Link: Arron Asham Audio

— To win in the playoffs, success a lot of times comes from unlikely players who rise their games. Arron Asham is a prime example of that and Asham talked today of why playoff hockey suits his style of play and how he’s after his goal of winning a Stanley Cup.

“It’s tighter, more physical, more intense, just a great time to play, ” Asham said. Everybody’s game rises that much and hopefully it can continue for me and my line.”

“Every kid dreams about playing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, ” Asham said. Have to make the most of it, been a longtime and I want to win a Stanley Cup and I’m going to do what it takes.”

Audio Link: Chris Kunitz Audio (2)

— Pens winger Chris Kunitz returns from a one game suspension. Kunitz didn’t have much to say on the subject but said he’s looking to move forward from the hit and he put his team in a bad situation.

“It’s tough game to watch, ” Kunitz said in regards to Game 4. “Emotions, great our team pulled it off in overtime….. Another game to play, one more to win the series.

“I know I put myself in a bad situation, put team in bad situation, something I don’t want to do.”

Audio Link: Pascal Dupuis Audio

— Spoke with Paul Martin after practice and he said a key for the Penguins defensively has been getting puck out of the zone quickly and not letting the Lightning gain any momentum in 5-on-5 situations.

“We’ve just been using everybody, forwards included, ” Martin said. “Trying to get puck out quick as we can and when we do that we are at our best, ” Martin said.

Martin said the Penguins need to come out strong and not let the Lightning think this game is going to be any different.

“Your goal is to always want to get up early, ” Martin said. For us, hopefully we don’t give them any reason to think it’s going to be any different than has been the whole series.”