These Penguins don’t want to be remembered merely for reaching the finals so early in most of their careers, Crosby said.

“You ask people, they can’t tell you who the Eastern Conference champion was in 19-whatever,” Crosby said. “That’s not why we play. I don’t think we’re happy just to be here.”

Staal believes the Penguins’ relative inexperience might be an advantage. They are treating the finals as just another playoff round, he said, and aren’t getting overly excited even though the Cup is only four victories away.

“I think we’re a little naive in this dressing room, a few players, we really don’t know what’s going on,” Staal said. “But everyone is having fun and playing hard and taking everything in stride.”

Much like the ’83 Oilers? Maybe not.

Crosby said there is more parity in the NHL now than in 1983 when, he said, “They were going into a building that night knowing they could play OK and still win. That’s not the case in the league anymore.”

To Crosby, that’s one reason why there’s hardly any basis for comparing teams of different eras and styles.

“We’re used to comparisons, we’ve had a lot of that,” Crosby said. “I don’t think we’re putting any thought into that. We’re just trying to get ready.”

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