Pittsburgh's been waiting a long time. And the city's ready. It's actually never been more ready.
Penguins faithful were gathering outside Consol Energy Center early this morning, some lining up as early as 9 a.m., to view the game outdoors on a jumbotron.
Six hours before puck drop, to watch the game on a large screen outside Consol. #Penguins pic.twitter.com/99ByKCt5g8
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) June 9, 2016
Due to the sheer volume of fans who descended on Consol Energy Center throughout the day, city officials erected a second screen in Market Square, which itself was immediately brimming with supporters.
Like drawing insects to a lightbulb! Market Square is packed at the second big screen. #LetsGoPens #StanleyCupFinal pic.twitter.com/N5l3tGosP2
— The Next Pittsburgh (@TheNextPGH) June 9, 2016
The streets were packed hours before puck drop.
Fans are out in full force for Game 5. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/3bKHPUooNP
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 9, 2016
The Penguins are looking to win the fourth Stanley Cup in club history, but first on home ice. They took care of business in Minnesota in 1991, in Chicago in 1992, and in Detroit in 2009.
In fact, the Pens have never lost a Cup-clinching game, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Dave Molinari. They beat the Stars in six games in '91, the Blackhawks in four straight in '92, and rallied from a 3-2 deficit to beat the Red Wings in seven in '09.
The last time Pittsburgh celebrated an in-city championship was 1960, when the Pirates won the World Series. Their subsequent titles in 1971 and 1979 were both won in seven games on the road.
