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Fans Remain Optimistic Despite Game 4 Loss

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -Playoff hockey is rarely dull and the first four games against the Columbus Blue Jackets are keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

Hockey aficionados will tell you the most dangerous thing to have in hockey is a two-goal lead.

That certainly has been true in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals as all four games, the losing team blew a two-goal cushion.

"They keep blowing their leads and they keep -- it reminds me of last year when they lost all those games. They should have won them," Steve Nydes said.

Wednesday's meltdown in Columbus was painful for fans to watch. The Pens actually blew a three-goal lead.

Perhaps the 3-0 cushion lulled them into a false sense of security.

"I would like to see the bigger players step up that's all," Dave Beveridge said. "I mean, [Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin] are the best in the world. They need to step up in moments like this."

Crosby and Malkin have not scored a goal in the first four games of the series. Malkin didn't have a shot in the Game 4 overtime loss.

Some are pointing the finger squarely at Marc-Andre Fleury for coming out of the net and getting burned as Columbus tied the game with just 22 seconds left.

However, not everyone is blaming No. 29.

"I think he has been one of the best players all series and it just happens. Bouncing over his stick. There's nothing you can really do about it," Tyler Barnhart said.

With the series is tied 2-2, fans haven't lost hope the Pens will advance to the next round.

"Partly because it's here and I think they know they have to, they got to wake up sooner or later. Hopefully, it will be Saturday," Beveridge said.

Fans hope the series turns Saturday night when the Pens and Blue Jackets come back to Pittsburgh for Game 5 at 7 p.m.

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