Bob Pompeani

Man, it's tough when you realize, oh, so we have no chance to win at all.

Like, that's why you play, and we have zero chance.

I think the Penguins kind of got a wake-up call in that direction in these last two games, but that's okay.

They can still salvage it.

They can still get to the playoffs.

And Bob, the best way there, in my not-so-humble opinion...

Is to stave off the Islanders and maybe even the Flyers, but definitely the Islanders and just cling, cling to that third spot in the Metro.

They have a game in hand on the Islanders.

They're a point up and they have the tiebreaker and the Islanders have lost three of four in regulation here.

So they're teetering worse than the Penguins.

That's the spot you got to cling to is third in the Metro.

And I think they can still do it.

But let me ask you a question.

Them against Columbus would be a fabulous series, Bob.

Right up the road here.

They should be the Penguins' natural rivals, Columbus.

Limits, could you crack another one for Bob and I?

Thank you.

Bob, that raises a question that I broached in my column today that you can read but never do at triblive.com.

Would it be a failure of a season if the Penguins missed the playoffs?