PITTSBURGH – The Stanley Cup Finals might only be two-games-to-one, but as far as the Penguins are concerned, Saturday’s Game Four is still a must win.

“You’re in the Stanley Cup Finals, so every game you should be desperate,” center Max Talbot said. “The guys are confident and we’re going to be real excited about tomorrow night.”

And as far as Talbot and his teammates are concerned, they’ve still got their best game left in them.

“I think obviously we played better in Game Three than we did in Game One and Two,” Talbot said. “But, you know, maybe, we let down a little bit at the end of the game. We can play better and we’re going to play better in Game Four.”

The biggest news series-wise on this day before Game Four is the status of Tomas Holmstrom, who may or may not play in Saturday’s tilt. The pesky, goal-hanging forward took hit after hit in Wednesday's Game Three, the last of which by Hal Gill, sent him crashing into the net, where he laid for almost a minute before skating off gingerly to the bench.

“Obviously it would be a pretty big loss for them,” defenseman Ryan Whitney said. “He’s pretty good at what he does. Some of those penalties, he’s going down easy, but in front of the net, I’ve never had to move someone that seems like he’s that strong, that tough to move.”

The Swede, who picked up a goal and an assist over the first three games, did not speak with reporters yesterday. His coach, Mike Babcock, said Holmstrom "didn't feel too good" after the game, but didn't elaborate further. His absence would be a welcome sight for the Penguins, who have spent the last week dealing with the forward's obstructive style of play in front of goaltender Marc Andre Fleury.

“It’s always tough as a goalie when you have someone in front,” Fleury said. “But every series, every team puts a guy in there.”

One of the guys responsible for defending him, Ryan Whitney, spoke highly of Holmstrom's skill and presence in front of the net.

“I think part of it is following the puck,” Whitney said. “If you watch him, he’s looking at the puck when it goes D-to-D. He’s got strong legs and he has good balance. Him and Ryan Smyth seem above and beyond everybody else.

While Detroit may lose a body offensively, the Penguins have seamlessly pulled off a Darryl Sydor-Kris Letang swap. The 36-year-old defenseman didn't miss a beat in Game Three, playing 13 minutes and contributing on the Power Play, all while trying to pick up the speed and intensity of the Stanley Cup Final.

“I think it’s just the reaction,” Sydor said of his readjustment. “Everything happens out there really quick and being around, I knew what it was going to be. And you just need to get your feet going and that was probably the biggest adjustment. Getting fore-checked and making plays.”

Holmstrom or no Holmstrom, the Penguins need to bring the same energy and physicality if they hope to send the Stanley Cup Final back to Detroit all even. And they’ll do so off an extra day of rest.

You’d think it would help the older, more experienced Red Wings, but not so according to Sidney Crosby, who spent most of his day off relaxing in bed.

“Having that day off can give us a little more jump, a little more energy, especially being at home. That’s always nice to have.”