Eastern Conference Swag Off: Pens vs. Canes...The Captain Swag

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins lead the series 2-0

By Lisa Ovens

Let’s see, these two teams are even Steven when it comes to Staal Brothers. Jordan keeps the Staal stat on the Pens, and Eric has the Staal marker on the Canes. Another interesting stat about these teams: both fired their head coaches during the regular season. (Actually, so did the Chicago Blackhawks... can you say “trendy?”)

But, the Penguins do possess a very important statistic that none of the Conference Final teams have: they don’t wear red. And another important stat: the Pens goalie, Marc Andre Fleury is the only conference final net minder without a Stanley Cup ring.

The Hurricanes lost their first game two since the beginning of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Do you think they feel weird because of it? Nah, they are heading home to the legions of Caniacs for game three. Break out the chips, everybody!!

Enter the Brind'Amour Chips...look at the Carolina Captain celebrating the 2006 Championship. Imagine if the Edmonton Oilers had won it that year: It would be Pronger's image dwarfed by the cascading crisps!

Yep...I got a "C". I received this swag at the Penguins very first Hockey and Heels event in 2007, not long after Sidney Crosby had one sewn onto his jersey for the first time. May 31st will be Crosby's second anniversary as captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins. It will also be Game Six...if necessary.