The Pittsburgh Penguins have a special opportunity in this year’s postseason. The Penguins are trying to become the first NHL team in 35 years to three-peat. The early 80’s New York Islanders were the last club to accomplish the feat, winning four straight Cups from 1980-83.

If the players are feeling any pressure about that challenge, they’re not letting it show – even with the news of Evgeni Malkin and Carl Hagelin being out injured for Game One. During Wednesday’s practice, Penguins goaltender Matt Murray took time to work on his batting swing.

Video

Matt Murray was crowding the plate. That’s gonna happen: pic.twitter.com/HOiBWe1O13

— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) April 25, 2018

Video: @JMackeyPG

Watch as someone on the Pens bench tosses Murray pucks like a MLB pitcher. Murray does his best Roberto Clemente impression, connecting with one pitch and sending it off the boards and down the ice. On a second throw, the puck hits Murray and the goaltender falls to the ice faux-injured.

This Penguins team is loose and for good reason. During their first-round series with the Flyers, the Penguins gave up a playoff low 24.7 shots per game and outscored Philadelphia 28-15.

The team is 9-1 against the Capitals all-time in playoff series and has beaten Washington two straight years in the second round en-route to consecutive Stanley Cups.

• The Capitals are 17-28 all-time in playoff series
• They are 1-9 against the Penguins and 16-19 against everyone else
• The Penguins are 39-27 all-time in playoff series
• They are 9-1 against the Capitals and 30-26 against everyone else

— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) April 24, 2018

The Penguins are having fun out there and it shows.

All smiles today at practice here at #UPMC66. Hagelin and Malkin are the only players not in attendance. pic.twitter.com/7mv7wp17GO

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 25, 2018