Experiencing the Evolution

Pens vs. Canes - Recap

2009-12-08T03:19:00.003-05:00

Ugh. My recap is going to be as lame as the game. I freelance and wound up with a last-minute job that started at 4pm PST. I came home from work to watch the game via DVR.

The first period was horrible. Mellon Arena was dead quiet, even before the Canes scored their first goal. Again, it seemed like the Pens started off pretty well with an early scoring chance, but they gave up two goals in the first. The Pens have given up the first goal of the game in six straight matches.

Bill Guerin's fight with a little less than 5 minutes to go in the first period got the crowd into it a little and seemed to spark the Penguins. Billy took a beating just like Max Talbot did against Philly in the playoffs, but he had no one to shush - the real key to Superstar's actions. The Pens got a late powerplay but couldn't capitalize on the momentum shift.

In the second, the Canes struck again. Just as I was about to check the score online, Crosby scored. Letang made a great long pass from the defensive zone to Guerin at the opposite blue line. Guerin made a nice pass into space and Sid chopped the puck past the Canes' netminder who apparently has the same skates he had when he started playing in the NHL several years ago (thanks Bob Errey).

Less then a minute later, Mike Rupp continues his goal streak and made it to 4th in the league in scoring percentage. So the Pens gave me hope and I watched the rest of the game.

Needless to say, the Pens lost, but not for lack of trying. They had some good opportunities, but couldn't seem to find a handle on the puck time and time again.

The worst part of this game was listening to Paul Steigerwald say, "that could have gone in," and Bob Errey claiming that every little thing should have been a penalty call on Carolina. I wish FSN would pony up the dough and get Mike Lange and Phil Bourque on TV. I've tried to delay the TV broadcast slightly on my DVR to have it sync up with the delay that comes with the radio broadcast streaming on the internet, but I just can't seem to get it right. (sigh)

In other news, Brodeur tied the shutout record. (no asterix like the total win record - SO wins? anyone?) New Jersey is now the Atlantic Division leader with 20 wins, but the Pens were the first to 20 wins.

Martin Gaborik was first to twenty goals, but Crosby was the second with his 20th goal tonight.

The Caps are now #1 in the NHL with 44 points. Ovechkin is back, but the Caps were destroying the opposition without him. I loved hearing about their 8-2 win over Philly.

Daniel Carcillo was suspended but Duncan Keith was not.

Pens vs. Blackhawks Preview

2009-12-05T16:56:00.005-05:00

First order of business, Matt Cooke returns to the lineup for the Pens tonight after serving his two-game suspension.

We'll finally get to see a healthy 3rd line skate together. Enjoy it, because who knows how long it will last this time.

Next, somewhat old news, but Chris Bourque was placed on waivers the other day. This news should really have its own post because it's the best thing we've heard in a long time.

Even Ray knew that was coming. Look at that face..."My son blows, and I have to pretend like he doesn't."

Ironically, Sid hurt his balls and won't play against the Hawks tonight. Mark Lechickennoodlestu was recalled from WB/S to fill the void.

Not really surprised. He did say that the groin has been bothering him for at least a week or so.

During that week or so he has like a thousand points, so we don't have a problem with him sitting one out. Even if we did, what would that mean?

Kudos to the Captain for recognizing this is something that could continue to get worse and cause him to miss a lot more time. We think that's called "maturing". Who knows though.

FSN will try to play up tonight's matchup as a Marian Hossa hate fest.

"That's so last year"

Hating Hossa is old news. We don't like him. Everyone knows already. Paul Steigerwald will remind you why you should not like him on numerous occasions tonight. Whatever. He played here for like a week. Not worth the energy to boo him.

We'd much rather hate 20 Cent.

Go Pens.

Avs- Pens Recap

2009-12-04T06:34:00.003-05:00

Thanks Sid! Crosby, the first star of the game, managed to put two goals on the board and added an assist to help the Pens in a 4-1 against the Avs on my birthday.

First Period:

Max gets a 3-2 with Guerin and Crosby, doesn't pass, and just about scored early.

T.J. something camps out in front of Fleury and gets to shoot it in.
Avs 1-0

Feds contorts himself to get a rebound, but beat Budaj. Seems like Feds has got used to this, but I'm still losing $10 a game betting on him to score a GWG.

Dupes puts up a sweet wrister on Budaj, but he manages to crack it out of the sky.

Sidney Crosby, the man who has single-handedly destroyed our season and burdened our team (Pretty sure I've heard that come from the Rangers bench once) puts another puck in the net. Seems like this happens every couple of minutes now, this time with six seconds to play.
Tie 1-1

End of first.
Tie 1-1

Second Period:

Craigles kicks the crap out of Hendricks.

T.J. Something almost gets his second of the night, but the refs blew it off. I say it's a goal, but I think it was the intent to blow whistle rule that got him.
Avs 1.5-1

Fleury almost blew the game, due to a seizure, but the defense managed to pull through.

Cragles nearly Ballard's Budaj with the puck.

Geno tries to spin the puck in on Budaj, but he didn't get it fast enough to beat him.

End of the second.
Pens 1-1

Third Period:

Guerin makes the play of the year to slam the back of the net, thus giving Pens the lead.
Pens 2-1

Rupp tried to up the ante, no dice.

Staal dangles into the offensive zone and beat the goal line for the empty netter.
Pens 3-1

Geno, Staal, Crosby, GOAL!!! Another empty netter.
Pens 4-1

Game.

Notes:
Adams is the man.
Budaj had swine flu.
Pens win.

Paul Steigerwald is Unbearable

2009-12-03T20:21:00.003-05:00

No idea who or what he has been talking about during the entire 1st period of the Pens/Avs game tonight.

FSN's "veteran broadcaster" is Pittsburgh's "biggest douchebag."

His brother's cousin's second wive's sister's uncle's third cousin's girlfriend's brother is a douche as well.

Wooooooooo.

Go Pens.

Pens vs. Rangers - Recap

2009-12-01T02:37:00.002-05:00

The Penguins haven't won at Madison Square Garden in a long time, but they've beaten the Rangers twice this year at Mellon Arena.

I think everyone expected Monday night's game to be pretty chippy after the Pens thrashed the Rangers Saturday night. The third period of that game was pretty rough and tumble and I'm still shocked that Rupp and Godard didn't get into fights along with Matt Cooke.

Speaking of Matt Cooke and Mike Rupp, Rupper played on the third line with Staal and Kennedy to fill in for Cookie while he serves a two-game suspension. (If that was a suspendable offense, Mike Richards should still be watching Flyers games from the owner's box.)

Jay McKee returns to the ice, but Alex Goligoski is a scratch (H1N1?). It's a good thing Skoula has been playing well and is comfortable out there.

The first period lived up to expectations. Both teams played a physical 20 minutes, but the Rangers dominated play in much of the first frame. With Cooke out of the lineup, there was no clear target in the Penguins lineup, but I'm sure a few Pittsburgh players had Avery on the mind.

While the Pens ended the first with more shots, I think the two teams had the same amount of quality scoring chances... maybe the Rangers had the edge. Both Marc-Andre Fleury and Henrik Lundqvist did well, but Flower had to make some better saves.

After some early penalty time for both clubs in the second period, Gaborik sets up his own personal tea party in front of the crease. He ends up with the puck on his stick, all by himself, shoots, finishes his tea and then scores on the rebound. Letang was caught napping or just admiring Skoula's poor defensive play.

Letang realized his mistake and got there in time to disrupt Mary's second shot, but as Letang does so often, he merely chopped and whacked at the puck and at Gaborik's stick. He could have been a little more in control there.

The Pens, as is becoming customary, answer quickly. Indeed, the Pens score on the very next shift. Crosby wins the faceoff back to Gonchar. Gonchar makes a quick pass through the neutral zone and Billy Guerin dishes it off the boards to Sid who is flying down the ice. Crosby catches the puck in stride, Lundqvist goes down, but Sid's shot goes up. Pens tie the game at one, 11 seconds after the Rangers strike first.

The best thing about this goal was that when they announce Gaborik's goal shortly after the Pens tied it, I actually heard some boos from the audience. That was probably the first time Gaborik got absolutely no applause after a goal announcement.

It only took a few more minutes for the Pens to take the lead. On a great faceoff play, Staal wins the faceoff and he and Rupp both charge forward. Staal works the puck over to Rupp who shoots and, a la Gaborik, gets his own rebound and bangs it in.

It's so great to see Rupp getting chances and scoring. He played for my hometown Erie Otters in juniors. The go-ahead goal was Rupp's sixth of the season and ties his own high mark.

After a lot of back-and-forth, the Rangers tied it late in the second. Marian Gaborik scores his second of the night following a failed shorthanded attempt by Staal. Boy, if Staal scored, it would have really taken the wind out of the Rangers' sails. As it is, the period ended with the game knotted up.

Gaborik wouldn't be the only player to score two goals. After more than half of the third period ticked away, Rupp scores his second goal.

But first... Malkin has never scored a goal in Madison Square Garden, but not for a lack of trying. He had plenty of opportunites, but couldn't find the net. Sean Avery fell on his wallet more times than I could keep track of and couldn't draw a penalty, so the Pens decided to pick on Gaborik. Orpik, McKee, even Corsby got in on bashing Gaborik.

So with a little under nine minutes, Rupp gets the puck drives down the wing, looks for a pass and remembers what Dan Bylsma told him... "you can't score goals unless you shoot the puck." So Rupp shoots and blisters one past King Henrik. The puck had in imprint of the net on it Rupp shot that so hard.

The Rangers built some momentum for themselves after going behind by a goal. They started pressuring and skating, but the Pens held their own.

John Tortorella is seen motioning to the linesman to "drop the puck already." He thought the Pens weren't ready and wanted to give his team a better chance to win the faceoff in their own zone.

Oops! The Pens control the faceoff and keep the puck in the zone. Eaton accepts a point-to-point pass and rips a shot that knuckles off of his stick. Crosby watches the puck all the way, gives it a tap downward and the puck takes a bounce and squeezes past Lundqvist who was fooled by the play.

With a comfortable lead, the Pens go into shut-down mode. After the Rangers pull the goalie with a LOT of time left, they seem to be controlling the play in the Penguins' zone. Unfortunately, Crosby and Rupp are on the ice. They both have two goals...

Crosby makes a blind pass from Fleury's left out through the middle of the ice. Maybe it wasn't so blind because Rupp is there to corral the puck. He takes a quick look and shoots the puck down the ice just before taking an awkward hit. The puck goes in the empty cage and the Penguins and some small blue and yellow birds circle Rupp's head to celebrate the goal.

With 1:42 to go in the game, the Pens have salted away another win. The New York fans who haven't left boo their team and are rewarded with a Ranger shot off the crossbar in the final seconds.

Mike Rupp scored the game-winner, his first career hat trick, and a season high in goals.

The Pens win the home-and-home series against the Rangers and now have a record of 3-0-0 against them this season.

Fleury tops the win chart with 16 (and Evgeni Nabokov).

Crosby is moving up the scoring chart. He now has 33 points and tops Anze Kopitar with more goals. Gaborik and Thornton top the chart with 37 points each and Gaborik leads with more goals.

Malkin is down in 27th place, but he'll pick it up when his parents arrive and his mother starts cooking borscht every day.

The Pens improve to 19-9-0 and lead the Eastern Conference with the Washington Capitals with 38 points. The Caps have a game-in-hand, but the Pens have more wins... I think "officially" the Caps are on top, but who cares we're only about a third of the season in.

Let's Go Pens!!!

NHL Hands Matt Cooke 2 Game Suspension

2009-11-29T22:40:00.002-05:00

The NHL has suspended Penguins forward Matt Cooke for two games.

The suspension comes as a result of a hit to the head of Rangers forward Artem Anisimov, which occurred during the third period of the Pens-Rangers game on Saturday night.

Cooke received a two minute minor penalty for interference on the play.

It's hard to argue the NHL's justification of this suspension. But, as has been the case this year and in the past, if Blowvechkin or Bitchards makes the same play, they are back in the lineup the next time their team hits the ice.

Such is the nature of the NHL, and such is the nature of having a guy like Matt Cooke on your hockey team.

He'll sit out Monday and Thursday (against the Avs) and will be eligible to return to the lineup on Saturday night against the Blackhawks. So much for having a healthy 3rd line for more than a game at a time...

If nothing else, this might mean Monday's Pens/Rags rematch could be a little less chippy. It also means Chris Bourque could get back into the lineup.

/vomitonyourself

Let's Go Pens

Hello NHL, We're the Healthy Pittsburgh Penguins

2009-11-28T23:35:00.003-05:00

Couple of things to say about tonight:

First, we're too drunk and too stoked to recap the Pens 8-3 schlacking of the Rangers.

Two, on Monday, reality sets in. Whether that is college, or some form of schooling, or work, face it now, it's going to blow. Take solace in the fact that you have the rematch of this game to look forward to on Monday night. Believe us, it will get you through your bosses coffee breath or your Anthropology teacher's 120 minute monologue about the uses of women's breasts in foreign countries.

Third, the only thing worse than Sean Avery's untimely bitch fit in this game was "rookie sensation" Michael Del Zotto's plus/minus. -5.

Four, did anyone remember how good the Pens could be with an (almost) completely healthy lineup?? It's been a long while, but damn did it feel good to see Gogo, Letang and TK back on the ice.

Stephen Valiquette shouldn't kill himself, the Penguins were simply possessed tonight. We'll see Lundqvist vs. Fleury on Monday at MSG and the results could be somewhat different.

Chris Bourque was finally in the press box, where he belongs. If this kid never plays another game in a Penguin uniform, we dare you to find a single human being besides his daddy who will care.

Monday's rematch is going to be insane.

Good night.

5 point night. Eat it Gaborik.

Let's Go Pens

Letang and Goligoski Return to Lineup Saturday Night

2009-11-28T14:53:00.004-05:00

Kris Letang and Alex Goligoski will return to the lineup for the Pens when they host the Rangers tonight at 7:30 at the Mellon.

Goligoski led (and still leads) all Penguin defensemen in scoring before his injury.

His presence on the point opposite Sergei Gonchar could be the spark the Penguins' stagnant power play has been looking for.

By now, we all know what Kris Letang brings to the table.

Solid in his own zone, smart with the puck, physical on both ends of the ice, and the ever-present threat to go coast-to-coast and bury a smooth backhander with his quick hands and smooth skating ability.

Defensemen Deryk Engelland and Ben Lovejoy were both returned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL.

Engelland posted 2 assists and 17 PIM in in 9 games with the Pens. His defensive play was solid, but what stood out perhaps the most was his willingness to drop the mitts, something that none of the Pens regular top-6 D-men are prone to do.

Lovejoy recorded 3 assists and a +5 rating in 8 games with the big club. He showed a little more offensive upside than Engelland and had puck moving abilities similar to those of a younger, more inexperienced Letang.

Nevertheless, both Engelland and Lovejoy proved to be adamant fill-ins for Tanger and GoGo and provided Penguin fans some reassurance that the organization is not only deep up front, but on the backside as well.

In other news, The Flower turns 25 years old today.

Seems like just yesterday we were wondering if this 19-year old kid with loads of raw talent and blinding yellow pads would ever refine those talents, calm his nerves, and develop into the goaltender Pens' fans had been longing for since the days of Tommy B.

Under the tutelage of Eddie Johnston and Gilles Meloche, six years later, the Flower delivered this...

Thanks for proving the doubters wrong, MAF. Happy 25th. Celebrate it with a win.

Let's Go Pens

Pens @ Islanders Recap

2009-11-28T12:02:00.002-05:00

Remember last year when a game against the Isles meant easy win? Not so much this year, thanks to Tavares and the rest of the new guys. And whoever got the idea to wear the third jerseys on the road again needs to quit, it's really confusing. It's like playing Toronto on a weekend game. Just a highlight recap today, only for the reason that I didn't really get to see the game yesterday because I had to sleep after shopping at 3 in the morning and being attacked by a soccer mom over a shopping cart. But whatever.

FIRST PERIOD:

Maybe 10 seconds into the game, Engelland gets ticked and decides to give his fist a friend, his friend just so happened to be Tim Jackman's head.

Josh Bailey gets a rebound goal off of a cluster in front of the net.
NYI 1-0

Okposo gets an opportunity, all alone against Johnson, but he got robbed.

Geno shoots a backhander maybe inches away from the baseline and banks it in. Sick. Godard and Lovejoy get the assists.
Tie 1-1

END OF FIRST PERIOD
TIE 1-1

SECOND PERIOD

Justin Tavareslake gets a great opportunity as well, and this time he screwed himself by missing the net, inches away (kinda like that shootout shot against Fleury).

Matt Cooke gets a rebound on a Staal shot from the point and goals all over the back of the net. Sarge got the final assist.
Pens 2-1

Sutton got a double minor for high-sticking Geno.

We didn't convert.

Some joke takes it in on a breakaway out of the penalty box, dekes Johnson down, and Brent managed to poke it away as another one shot at the empty net and missed.

END OF SECOND
PENS 2-1

THIRD PERIOD

Bergenheim with a beautiful goal on Johnson.
TIE 2-2

Nate Thompson and Staal drop the gloves, ultimately a tie, with a slight edge to Thompson.
Staal got a misconduct.

Streit scores, but Johnson somehow made the save. Insane!

Tavares scores the gamewinner after a rebound, putting it right over Johnson's pad.
NYI 3-2

Rest of the period is spent hoping for Chara to break his stick so Guerin could score again.

Pens lose 3-2

NOTES:

Stop with jersey confusion!

Tavares has lived up to the hype so far.

Crosby only has about 2 points more than him.

Canadiens @ Pens Recap

2009-11-26T12:35:00.003-05:00

So much going on lately. Thanksgiving (that evil little holiday) caused the recap to be pushed back a bit.

FIRST PERIOD

Sid and Guerin come down the ice, Guerin makes a wing-to-wing pass to Sid, he cuts the crease and somehow Price made the save.

Talbot picks off the puck in the neutral zone, passes to Sid, Sid presses X and scores on Price.
Pens 1-0

MAF makes Brodeur look like Sabby with an insane group of saves. First, he stacks the pads (I thought the puck was already in the net), then he flips on his back, then flips his torso on the ice with his legs still in the air, all while making saves.

Billy Guerin nearly scores from the baseline, on the boards.

End of first, Pens 1-0

SECOND PERIOD

A couple of Canadiennes get a two-on-one, come in slower than hell, than Fleury clones himself and fills the net up faster than the Detriot Red Wings in an opponents scoring chance, and makes the save.

Mike Rupp destroys Jay Leach.

Billy Guerin goes five-hole on Price from the crease.
Pens 2-0

Eric Godard changes his name to Petr Sykora and comes close to getting 30 goals in one period.

Speaking of role-playing, Sarge makes an attempt at being Pavel Datsyuk, and does Datsuck's job better than he does when he dangled on Price and shot through the net.
Pens 3-0

End of second period. Pens 3-0

THIRD PERIOD

Max Paciosomething scores a pretty goal on Fleury, ruining his shutout. But in all honesty, I'd rather have this goal do it than a softy that usually breaks it.
Pens 3-1

MAF wins the Vezina with the save of the year.

Cooke gets a good shot on Price, but a rebound off of a defenseman had a better chance of scoring.

Rupp sends some fool home with a concussion after a banger of a hit.

Carey Price wins the Dumbass of the Year award after refusing to sit on the bench so they could get an extra man.

Pens win 3-1

Notes:

Crosby's getting closer to Kopitar in scoring.

Rupp had seven hits.

Godard wants a Richard.

Today marks the 18th anniversary of Badger Bob's tragic death. Pay your respects or Godard will show up at your front door with brass knuckles.

Happy Thanksgiving all.

Dupuis, Rupp Set the Stage for Sid's OT Winner in Florida

2009-11-23T23:13:00.005-05:00

The Pens entered the third period trailing the Florida Panthers by two goals for the second time this season.

The last time it happened, Sidney Crosby scored the tying goal in the 3rd period, and then sealed the deal in the shootout.

Tonight, Sid came through in the clutch again, after Pascal Dupuis and Mike Rupp tallied in the third to force the extra frame.

Mike Rupp dropped the mitts with Bryan Allen in the first period after Allen knocked Geno down in front of the net.

Rupp is proving to be much more of an asset to the team than Godard, both as an enforcer, and on the score sheet. Our money is on Gods being the odd-man out once the Pens are fully healthy.

After a 2nd period power outage and FSN's Rob King mis-pronouncing like 5 player's names during the intermission update, the 3rd period was back on the air.

5 minutes into the third, Deryk Engelland did something that isn't in Chris Bourque's vocabulary: dumped the puck in.

Orpik took the puck on the far wall and fired a shot to the net through some traffic.

Dupuis found the loose biscuit and banged it toward the cage.

Vokoun couldn't get a handle on the shot as it rolled up his equipment and over his left shoulder, just crossing the goal line before some joke blatantly knocked the net off its mourings.

Toronto reviewed it. Good goal. 2-1 Panthers.

Geno hit the ice centering a line with Mike Rupp and Craig Adams. Skoula and Lovejoy manned the points.

The Pens possessed the puck in the offensive zone for well over 2 minutes. The Cats were worn down.

Skoula made a sick play to keep the puck in at the blue line and get it to Geno behind the net.

Malkin danced around 2 defenders and managed to slip the puck in front, where Rupp banged it home to even the score at two with just over two minutes to go.

Both teams seemed content to salvage at least a point from the game, so we headed to overtime.

On a bizarre play early in the overtime period, Nathan Horton got his stick into the face of Orpik behind the play.

The referee (who is responsible for making all penalty calls) didn't see it. The linesman did.

Initially, no call was made.

After the next stoppage in play, the linesman told the referee what had happened and Horton was hit with a 4-minute double minor for high sticking since Brooks had been cut on the play.

Florida didn't like it. Read the rulebook, jokes.

The Pens PP hit the ice and patiently looked for the perfect shot. After a minute or so of nothing-doing, they started firing away.

Malkin loaded up a shot from just above the right circle, and the rebound came out to Crosby to the right of the net.

Sid fired the puck under the outstretched arm of Vokoun to end it.

Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has just left the building.

Final Score: Pittsburgh 3 Florida 2

- Brooks Orpik was a force all night long. 6 Hits, including the Subway Sandwich of the Game that rocked some dude's world in over 21 minutes of ice time.

- Bourque choked on at least 2 glorious scoring chances. There were probably more, but he sucks to the point that you stop noticing him after the 1st period. Luca Caputi has 7 goals for the Baby Pens... just sayin'...

- The Pens fired 45 shots at Vokoun. Valiant effort for the Florida netminder, as usual.

- If it's any reassurance, Florida's power play sucks worse than Pittsburgh's.

- The first 2 periods of this game were reminiscent of the Ottawa game. Good thing the Pens remembered how to play on the road in the 3rd.

- Why does Steiggy feel the need to give play-by-play during a fight?

- Engelland was very impressive. Lovejoy blundered once on a 2-on-1, but other than that, he was solid.

- Tyler Kennedy is close to returning to the lineup. We're calling a Friday return, but our opinions mean nothing, so whatever.

Let's Go Pens

Pens @ Thrashers Recap

2009-11-21T19:11:00.003-05:00

Wooo! Pens going to Atlanta looking to rebound from that crappy beatdown we got from Ottawa. Great game, seriously, watch it. Lot of good hockey all around, Thrashers is one of my favorite teams to watch (besides Pittsburgh, obviously) mainly because of Kovalchuk and Army. Always exciting when these guys meet.

First Period:

Skoula blasts from the point on the PP to score the first of the game. Bourque and Crosby with assists.
Pens 1-0

Seconds later, I guess someone scored, but I missed it updating the goal. It was disallowed though.

Guerin gets a sweet opportunity in front of the net but can't gather the puck in time.

Eaton nearly blows Hedberg out of the net, but gets robbed.

End of the 1st. Pens 1-0

Second Period:

Skoula scores again! Cooke and Staal with the assists.
Pens 2-0

Geno scores! Rupp has the ass. 1 stick + 1 butt = GOAL!!!! I have no clue what Errey's saying half the time.
Pens 3-0

Kovalchuk blasts Fleury the puck, Fleury destroys him.

Chris Bourque gets called for a Brooks Orpik trip which was actually Afinogenov (or however the hell he spells it) tripping.

Talbot gets a penalty shot. Hits the back of the net, after it bounced off of the boards.

Engelland drops the gloves with Kane after getting raped by him. Engelland destroys him, and tries to kill him whilst being restrained by refs.

Afinogenov (or however the hell he spells it) goes up against Fleury and literally gets robbed. It was dead in the net, but Fleury decided to do a tripple 900 backflip to save.

End of the period. Pens 3-0

Third Period:

Kovalchuck and Bourque nearly drop the gloves.

Dupes + empty net = Terrible shot.

Colby got pissed about Talbot's penalty shot.

Kovalchuk and Cooke drop the gloves. Of course , FSN doesn't show it. It looked like an even draw though. 4 minute PP.

Thornburn slashes Malkin's stick in half, gets a shorthanded 3 on 1, and scores.
Pens 3-1

Afinogenov (or however the hell he spells it) deflects the puck in on Fleury after going empty net.
Pens 3-2

Staal beats the crap out of Afinogenov (or however the hell he spells it).

Game over.
Pens win, 3-2

Notes:
Kovalchuk has his first scoreless game since coming back from injury.
Skoula's the man.
Why the hell can't we score on an empty net?

Pens 'Torched' in Canada's Capital

2009-11-19T22:57:00.003-05:00

One night removed from Sidney Crosby parading around his home province of Nova Scotia with the Olympic torch, the Ottawa Senators did the only 'torching' on the ice against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Sergei Gonchar and Max Talbot both returned to the injury-riddled lineup of the Pens, but their presence alone was not enough to mask the tenacity displayed by the Sens.

The Pens managed to show up for the first two minutes of the hockey game, then went missing for the next 54.

Jordan Staal, one of the few Penguins who actually turned in a solid 60-minute effort, scored just over a minute into the first period.

Gonchar made the play happen with a swift outlet pass from his own zone.

Billy Guerin directed a backdoor pass to Dupuis, who found the streaking Staal heading to the net.

Staal buried it for his second goal in as many games.

The Sens would reel off 5 unanswered goals, leading to Marc-Andre Fleury hitting the showers a little early.

Jonathan Cheechoo added insult to injury (pun intended) when he took advantage of a mis-communication between Gonch and Brent Johnson and deposited the puck into a gaping cage.

Geno added a power play goal (what's that? you might be wondering) at 17:09 of the third, but it was too little, too late.

Eric Godard fought for the first time in what feels like forever. Good scrap between Gods and Chris Neil that resulted in Neil shedding some blood under his left eye.

The Pens had to be expecting to waltz through the Sens, who have struggled scoring goals early on this season, especially with the presence of Gonchar and Talbot.

Gonch seemed no worse for wear in his return to the ice after a broken wrist. He logged just over 25 minutes of ice time and as usual, found a way to get the puck to the net.

The Sens blocked a ton of shots tonight, even without their stud d-man Anton Volchenkov.

Our boy Ben Lovejoy logged nearly 3 minutes of ice time on the power play, showing that the coaching staff's confidence in him is increasing with each game he plays. He was also the only Penguins to finish better than even in the +/- category. (Bourque was a -2, Engelland a -4)

The Pens were simply outplayed. They were beat to 99% of the loose pucks, outworked on the walls at both ends of the ice, and physically manhandled by a team who looks determined to turn its season around.

Nights like this happen more than once during an 82 game season. If we've learned anything about this Penguin squad over the past few seasons, it is that they usually respond to adversity quite well.

That being said, expect a much more motivated effort on Saturday night against Colby Armstrong and the Atlanta Thrashers.

Let's Go Pens

Pens vs. Ducks - Recap

2009-11-17T03:55:00.002-05:00

The Penguins faced the Anaheim Ducks at Mellon Arena, looking to start a win streak after the amazing victory against the Boston Bruins on Saturday.

Despite the injuries, despite the foundering powerplay, despite the powder blue uniforms, the Penguins managed to win 5-2 against the Ducks.

Other teams complain about injuries, but they got nothin' on the Penguins right now. The latest loss on the blue line is Alex Goligoski. That makes FOUR of the top six defensemen are out of the lineup. Add to that, Tyler Kennedy, Chris Kunitz and Max Talbot.

The Pens managed to prevail with Malkin and Crosby on the same line and with a mish-mash of blueliners called up from Wilkes-Barre.

Pittsburgh came out to their typical strong start. They started with a lot of jump and Matt Cooke scored after a giveaway by the Ducks' defense. With traffic in front of Giguere, Cooke threw a backhand wrister toward the net and it found it's way in.

A few minutes later, the Pens capitalized on another giveaway and scored their first powerplay goal in 30 attempts. Crosby intercepted a weak clearing attempt and found Billy Guerin's wheelhouse. Guerin's slapshot hit the twine before Giguere heard the Guerin's stick hit the puck.

While scoring a powerplay goal was a big plus for the Penguins and broke a long drought, they didn't score on six powerplay attempts. The trouble with the PP has not been fixed.

I honestly got nervous when the Ducks scored a shorty and then controlled most of the action for the second half of the first period. Jordan Staal answered with a shorthanded goal of his own in the second period and restored the two-goal lead.

In the meantime, Fleury and Giguere put on a goaltending clinic. They both made outstanding saves throughout the game. The difference was that Fleury had support and Giguere didn't.

Martin Skoula scored early in the third and put a big damper on the Ducks' night. He fired a long shot on Giguere who should have made the save, but the puck eluded him and found the five-hole.

Teemu Selanne almost made it interesting late in the third with a second goal for Anaheim, but they weren't able to rally and with Cooke's empty net goal, courtesy of an unselfish Jordan Staal, the Pens closed out the game.

The Pens played a simple, solid game of hockey. The game opened up in the third for a while, but the boys from Wilkes Barre stood tall along with Fleury. They made it tough for the Ducks to get looks at the net, they swept pucks out of danger, they blocked shots, they made the difference.

Dupuis played another energetic game and almost had a goal, but chopped the puck off the pipe. Guerin scored and then fought Getzlaf just as the momentum was starting to swing the Ducks' way. With Getzlaf off for five minutes, the Ducks lost steam.

Crosby had an assist, but secondary scoring came through in a big way. Assists went to Engelland, Adams and Lovejoy.

That's what has to happen when almost half your starters are wearing suits and watching from the sky boxes.

Pittsburgh improves to 14-7-0 while the Ducks drop to 6-10-3. New Jersey still leads the Atlantic Division with two games in hand on the Penguins though both teams have 28 points.

Pittsburgh travels to Ottawa to take on the Senators on Thursday.

Let's Go Pens!!!

Goligoski Out 2-3 Weeks

2009-11-16T17:03:00.002-05:00

Lower body injury.

Pittsburgh native Nate Guenin got the call-up and will be in the lineup tonight against the Ducks.

Gonch Cleared for Contact

2009-11-15T14:24:00.003-05:00

From PittsburghPenguins.com:
There was more good news for the club at Sunday afternoon's practice when we learned that Sergei Gonchar, who has been sidelined for three-plus weeks with a broken left wrist, has been cleared for contact in practice.

Gonchar, who had his cast removed last Wednesday, had been practicing with the team wearing a red "no contact" jersey. Gonchar took the ice in the normal white jersey for practice, indicating that he is healthy enough to participate fully in practice - a positive step towards his recovery.

Pens vs. Bruins - Recap

2009-11-14T23:46:00.003-05:00

My apologies for the delay with my recap. Last night, I was having trouble with my DirecTV and my internet connection... Gotta love the modern world.

When the game started, I was doubtful that Evgeni Malkin's return would have a big impact. To go over something we all know, the Penguins are missing six starters. The news that Kunitz would be out with an injury gives a little insight on the Pens' troubles. With several guys out, including Malkin, Kunitz was playing injured and Goligoski was playing sick.

I was also dubious of the pairing of Malkin with Crosby. They have put up numbers during the game when they are double shifted, but not when they play together consistently. However, this proved to be a brilliant way to deal with Chara's task of shutting down Crosby or Malkin. Malkin had three assists and Crosby had a goal and two assists.

The first goal of the game was proof of this. Chara was forced to pinch forward to handle Malkin or Crosby who were in the same area. That left a big open space for McKee to skate into and score.

The Penguins, true to form this season, come out strong in the beginning of the period and score a goal and put a few good shots on Tim Thomas. However, after a few minutes, they give up a bunch of shots and get hemmed into their own zone. At 4:30 of the first, Skoula gave the puck away and the Bruins had a two-on-one. I watched that play several times, and I still don't know how the B's didn't score.

Engelland had a good fight against Bitz. It didn't look like much at first, but Deryk got two good uppercuts in as the two fell to the ice.

The Bruins scored an equalizer at 8:30 and that started the tremendous back and forth pace of this game. Great move by Krejci behind the net to pass against the grain to a wide open Blake Wheeler who banks the puck off an unsuspecting Brent Johnson and into the goal.

The Penguins' second goal was something I'd like to see more of this season. Ben Lovejoy made a great play at the blue line to keep the puck in the zone. With Matt Cooke and Dupuis creating traffic in front of the net, Lovejoy's shot was on goal and rebounded into the slot. Dupuis corralled the puck skated to the right of Thomas and ripped the puck into the cage.

The second period started kind of ugly. Neither team controlling the puck or even looking like they were playing hockey. Even though the Pens started with some PP time, they didn't do anything at all.

Unfortunately, just as both team settled down, the Bruins tied it up again. Ryder intercepts a pass at the blue line, skates in and wires one over Johnson's shoulder.

The Penguins follow up with some good chances. Mark Eaton skated in and took his time to pick his spot. Unfortunately, he hit the post. Then Staal has a great chance in the slot, but Thomas denies the score.

Crosby, working hard and skating through the entire Bruins' team (twice) sets up his own goal. Arriving behind the net, he cycles the puck to Malkin who passes the puck back to Goligoski at the blue line. Go-go takes the pass and, as it is still bouncing, times a perfect shot/pass. Crosby, hanging out at his favorite spot to the Thomas's left, deflects the puck into the upper corner. That was a beautiful play.

Later, Thomas makes an unbelievable save on Mike Rupp. A hard shot/pass goes directly behind the goal and comes straight out to Rupp. Thomas is turned around and the net is wide open. Rupp's shot is heading straight into the goal, but Thomas expertly uses his stick to make the save and knock the puck out of danger. that wasn't just a wild stab at the puck, Thomas had complete control the whole time - awesome.

The Bruins tie the game again with a shot from the point. The puck deflects off of Deryk Engelland's stick and goes just to the left of Johnson and into the net.

At the end of two periods, neither team had a lot of momentum. The play went back and forth, north and south, and both teams seem pretty evenly matched. The story before the game was that of two teams struggling to score and having injury problems. Both teams are scoring tonight though with six goals in forty minutes.

After nine more minutes of back and forth play, Mark Eaton makes up for this shot off the post by scoring another go-ahead-goal. A play as simple as a pass from Fedotenko to Crosby who crosses into the offensive zone and dishes the puck back to Eaton following the play. Eaton releases quickly and Thomas can't get all his blocker on the puck. Thomas looked a little upset with himself, but he really had no time to react.

The Penguins seemed to be doing a good job of controlling the game after Eaton's goal but then the ref's decided to make the game more exciting. I hate fans who blame the referees for their team's troubles, but I have to voice my disgust.

Matt Cooke, playing the puck in the offensive zone, moves to avoid a check from Bitz. Bitz misses Cooke and as he's trying to get a piece of Cooke, lifts Cooke's stick into his face. Okay, okay... the game is fast and Cooke's stick did hit Bitz and draw blood so he gets four minutes. But I don't think it was a very good call.

Only forty seconds or so later, Crosby gets called for tripping. Now, I can grudgingly accept the call on Cooke, but the call on Crosby was total crap. Crosby skated back and went down on one skate to sweep away a rebound. In the follow through, Crosby goes down and puts his stick on the ice to keep his balance. Wheeler, skating out, gets a piece of the stick and dives. He really embellished that. That was a piece of shit call.

Bruins score five-on-three. A couple minutes later, Chara blasts a slapper through traffic into the goal. With 2:29 left, Bruins take the lead for the first time in the game. The would hold that lead for 2:28.6.

This has got to be the sickest goal in hockey and a testament to the coolness under pressure of the Pittsburgh Penguins. A coolness they have developed from going to the Stanley Cup Finals two years in a row.

The Penguins pulled Johnson for the extra attacker with a little over a minute of game time remaining. Initially the Penguins control the puck in their offensive zone, but the Bruins are able to get the puck in around the empty net and it looks like the game is over.

With less than ten second to go, Bergeron tries to keep the puck in the offensive zone but he breaks his stick at the blue line. Malkin is there and rushes up the ice with Crosby. Every Penguins fan, in the arena and watching on TV (including me) is yelling, "shoot!" Instead, with TWO seconds on the clock, he makes a cross-ice pass to Bill Guerin who takes a moment to control the puck and rips a wrister past Thomas.

With four tenths of a second left, the Penguins tie the game.

The overtime frame is all Penguins. The Bruins barely touched the puck. On a harmless dump in, Thomas and Wideman get their signals crossed behind the net. Thomas stopped the puck for Wideman, but really tees it up for Jordan Staal. Staal centers the puck to Dupuis who makes a nifty play to get the puck free and shoot it into the enpty net.

That was an entertaining game of hockey. Eleven goals, two shorthanded breakaways for the Penguins, lots of good goaltending (despite the score), some good hitting, lots of great chances, an astounding goal with less than a second remaining and a great overtime game winner from the Penguins.

Pens win 6-5 in OT. They improve their record to 13-7 and stop a four game slide. The Penguins play the Anaheim Ducks Monday night. I'll be doing the recap for that game and you can look for it Tuesday morning. We all have busy nights on Monday and I'll do my best to get the recap in as soon as I can.

New Jersey - Pittsburgh Recap

2009-11-13T06:32:00.002-05:00

Ugh. Pens have been playing so bad lately, they've given me bronchitis. So, that means you only get a scoring recap today, just because I feel like crap.

First Period

Crosby broke his scoring slump on a slick backhander towards the net that took Brodick down, and Feds jammed it in properly.

Second Period

Bergfors beats Fleury with a wrister to tie it up.

Greene gets a goal on the PP with a slapper that beat Fleury badly.

Third Period

Can't remember who, but a Penguin gave up possession in the neutral zone to Zajac (he's becoming a Penguin killer bigtime) and Parise put the one timer behind Fleury effortlessly.

Clarkson gets an empty netter.

Other

Lovejoy was solid.
We need less injuries.
My antibiotics need to kick in.

The Curse of the "A"

2009-11-12T16:21:00.004-05:00

Sitting around thinking about all the injuries the Pens have endured this season got us wondering...

There has to be some correlation between all of the injuries, right?

Some little, minuscule, tidbit that no one has picked up on yet, right?

Right.

We present: The Pittsburgh Penguins and The Curse of the "A".

Below you will find three players who have worn the "A" as an assistant captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins this season. All are currently injured. We know, it's a stretch, but we've got nothing better to do with our lives.

CASE #1: Geno
Started the season wearing the "A" for the Pens.
Injury Date: Unknown
Injury Type: Shoulder
Games Missed: 6
Status: Practicing, Cleared for Contact
Return Date: Possibly by Saturday

CASE #2: Sarge
Started the season wearing the "A" for the Pens.
Injury Date: October 20 vs. St Louis
Injury Type: Broken Left Wrist
Games Missed: 8
Status: Practicing, but no contact
Return Date: 1-2 weeks

CASE #3: Brooks Orpik
Given the "A" after Gonchar's injury.
Injury Date: November 10 vs. Boston
Injury Type: Lower Body
Games Missed: 1 after tonight
Status: Not Practicing
Return Date: 2 weeks

So who's wearing the "A" now for the Pens in the absence of Malkin, Gonchar, and Orpik?

Billy Guerin

Let's just say we don't envy Billy's chances of staying healthy if this "curse" has any real bearing.

The other "A" is vacant as of now. Head Coach Dan Bylsma might award it to someone prior to tonight's game against the Devils, or simply allow it to remain vacant until Geno returns to the ice.

We realize people are going to read this and think "what a joke." Other people will buy into it. We don't care either way, we're just pointing out the obvious.

If you take nothing else away from this theory, at least realize that the Penguins aren't just losing bodies, talented hockey players, and integral parts of their team, they're losing leadership as well.

Let's Go Pens

Pens vs. Devils: Morning Skate Update

2009-11-12T11:16:00.002-05:00

Pittsburghpenguins.com has some good info/pictures from this morning's skate before the Pens host the Devils tonight at the Mellon.

Brooks Orpik did not participate in the skate. The Pens have recalled BLJ from WB/S.

UPDATE: Orpik will be sidelined for at least two weeks with a "lower body injury". BLJ will be in the lineup tonight.

Some good news (which Penguin fans might not even know how to handle) is that Geno and Max have both been cleared for contact.

They were on the ice with the rest of the team this morning.

This doesn't mean one or both of them will play tonight, or even by Saturday, but it's definitely a step in the right direction.

The winner of tonight's game will take sole possession of 1st place in the Atlantic and 2nd in the Eastern Conference.

Let's Go Pens

Damn. Pens Shut Out For Second Straight Game

2009-11-10T21:58:00.004-05:00

We're all tired of people reciting the list of injured Penguins. We've done it here like 30 times in the last two weeks or so.

Now it looks like you can add Brooks Orpik to that list after he left the ice and did not return after crashing hard into the boards in the first period of tonight's game.

Speculation says it's a rib injury. Penguin fans say we don't care what it is, as long as it isn't serious.

Rookie defenseman Deryk Engelland made his NHL debut tonight, wearing #5 for the Pens.

Due to Orpik's premature departure to the dressing room, Engelland logged over 19 minutes of ice time. Not bad for your NHL debut.

He looked solid, barring a muffed exit pass out of his own zone in the (?) period. He threw 5 hits and was a surprisingly physical presence given his average size.

If Orpik can't go on Thursday, look for our boy BLJ to get the call up.

If anyone sees Jordan Staal, tell him now is his chance to prove he is something more than a 3rd line, defensive specialist.

If anyone sees Ruslan Fedotenko, tell him he sucks.

Fleury was great again tonight. Thomas was just as good.

The Penguins forgot to show up for the first and third periods. They played their asses off in the second (as if that's supposed to make up for the other two), but they got nothing to show for it.

You have to wonder if Recchi still scoffs a little under his breath when he picks up points against the team that screwed him over twice in his career??

900 assists in 22 seasons for the Recch'n Ball after tonight.

The two Chris's (Bourque and Conner) are proving themselves to be good "energy guys".

Here's the problem: Tyler Kennedy is an "energy guy". He also led the team in goals before his injury. See the connection?

Bourque and Conner haven't done anything to warrant continued time with the big club, in our opinion, so why not give someone else from WB/S a shot??

The answer to that question is probably why we type shit on our computers after a hockey game instead of coaching one.

The Pens haven't scored a goal in like 150-something minutes.

Geno could play Thursday. Don't get your hopes up.

Let's Go Pens

Letang Out At Least 2 Weeks

2009-11-09T22:30:00.003-05:00

The Pens' website broke the news that Kris Letang is going to miss at least the next two weeks.

This injury shit has become so ridiculous, we're not even giving you the link.

The Pens lineup Tuesday against the Bruins will be without: Malkin, Gonchar, Talbot, Letang, and Kennedy.

There are some unreal hockey players in that list of human beings.

"WTF is happening to my teammates?"

Look for Derek (although we think he spells it differently) Engelland or Ben Lovejoy to fill the void for Letang, who had been the Pens' ice time leader since Gonchar went down.

Our fingers are crossed for BLJ. He looked good last season and in this year's pre-season before some shoulder problem (imagine that) forced him to start the year in the minors again.

Keep the faith. Let's Go Pens.

State of the Union

2009-11-08T14:01:00.002-05:00

Firstly, the headline of this post is most likely the first and last political reference we'll ever make. Politics are a bigger joke than Scott Hartnell's hair style.

Now, on to more important matters: the Pens have lost two straight games for the first time this season.

They have scored one power play goal since Gonchar's injury, zero since Geno went down.

Ruslan Fedotenko has been hanging out with David Copperfield, refining his disappearing act to perfection.

They are potentially facing a lineup on Tuesday night that will not include Malkin, Gonchar, Talbot, Kennedy, Letang, and Sidney Crosby.

Pascal Dupuis has been their most effective player for the last week.

Yet somehow, they are still sitting atop the Eastern Conference with 24 points thru 17 games.

The Pens are set to round out their road trip on Tuesday night against the Bruins, a team which is currently playing without arguably their best forward in Marc Savard and lacking some much needed toughness in the absence of Milan Lucic.

Patrice Bergeron has done a decent job at filling the void created by the lack of anything resembling offensive chemistry.

Oh, and they have the reigning Vezina trophy winner between the pipes in Tim Thomas.

It's frustrating watching the Penguins lose to teams like LA and San Jose, especially when you catch yourself muttering about how it would be a different game if the Pens were healthy, or even, healthier.

If there's anything you learn from a grueling 82 game schedule, it's that nothing comes easy.

Nobody thought the Penguins would be faced with so many injuries to key players this early in the season.

Then again, nobody thought they'd post a 12-3-0 record through their first 15 games.

With injuries to key offensive contributors, comes a heightened sense of responsibility on Marc-Andre Fleury.

Barring a mini-meltdown against the Kings, Fleury has answered the call. All we can hope for is that he can hold the fort for another week or two, until the presence of Gonchar and Malkin in the lineup begin to alleviate some of the pressure on MAF to play at such a high level every single night.

The most important thing now is patience.

The Pens will get healthy, but it will take time. Judging by their place in the standings as of today, we shouldn't even be writing this post. But let's face it, we've come to expect more than back-to-back subpar performances.

Are we justified in this expectation? Probably. We're fans of the defending Stanley Cup Champions.

But before you start to point fingers, keep in mind that the Pens are in first place, and are playing without the reigning Art Ross winner and the central playmaker of their power play.

Then breathe a sigh of relief and know that after two consecutive losses, things can only go up from here.

Let's Go Pens

Pens vs. Sharks - Recrap

2009-11-07T19:02:00.009-05:00

First, to all the smug fans at Staples Center... How do you like your Kings today?

The LA Kings fell to the Nashville Predators in convincing fashion this afternoon.

PRE-GAME

Malkin, Gonchar and Talbot are all skating with the Penguins, albeit in red, "don't hit me" jerseys.

Kennedy AND Goligoski are doubtful for tonight's game. Deryk Engelland was called up for Goligoski. That one will be a game-time decision.

If the Penguins win, they will take the NHL lead back from the Colorado Avalanche. It's gonna be a good one!

FIRST PERIOD

Injury report:

Gonchar, Malkin, Kennedy and Talbot are out.

Goligoski isn't feeling well, but he's in the lineup.

Cooke-Staal-Rup starts for the Penguins.

The refs miss a pretty obvious trip on Rupp in the slot, :20 into the game. The zebras must have heard Bob Errey complain about it as they call a weak hooking penalty on Crosby.

The Pens do a good job killing an uninspired powerplay.

Letang makes a great move to dump the puck in, chase it down and steal a lazy pass by the Sharks behind their net. Letang's wraparound is stopped by Nabokov and nobody is there for the rebound.

3:27 - Sharks score. Fleury seemed to have good position on the post as McGinn digs the puck out and shoots it near side. Somehow the puck finds its way behind MAF. Fleury has actually given a few of those up already this season - something to work on.

Sharks lead 1-0

Not long after the goal, Fleury saves his own bacon after misplaying the puck behind his net.

- Fire Gilles Meloche

Bob Errey mention the earlier non-call on Rupp. The refs must have been listening, because they call Adams for elbowing. I guess Craig doesn't like it when the other team tries to clear him out of the crease.

How is the #2 team in the West, 30th in the league on the powerplay at home? (Okay, the Pens aren't much better and they are #2 in the NHL...)

The Pens kill that penalty and then get their own powerplay to work with. Billy Guerin should have scored... Crosby makes a play even surrounded by the four Sharks. He passes it off to Letang who is coming in late on the play. Letang drops the puck to Guerin who shoots and misses. Meanwhile, Letang skates past the top of the crease and is tripped by Nabokov (another miss by the refs). Letang hits hard and looks a little shaken up.

Cooke takes a very undisciplined penalty. It's a roughing minor for a late hit.

- Send him to Philly

16:04 - Sharks score. Boyle has forever to set up a shot-pass that is redirected beautifully by Pavelski. The Pens give up a powerplay goal after stopping the last eight.

Sharks lead 2-0

Rupp's fight with Staubitz at 16:45 wakes Fleury up as he absolutely stones Thornton.

With 1:40 to go, Nabokov makes a clutch save on a Crosby shot. Sid's attempt looked pretty harmless though, he merely directed the puck toward the net trying to elude the defenseman. The puck bounced off Nabokov's right pad and he grabbed it with his trapper.

Looks like Letang won't return to the game. Goligoski isn't feeling well (H1N1?), but he is playing and Deryk Engelland was scratched. Maybe the Pens should have gone with seven defensemen.

Sharks lead at the end of the 1st period, 2-0

SECOND PERIOD

Injury Report:

Add Letang to the list.

The Penguins get a good early chance as Crosby centers to Guerin in front of the net. Guerin connects but can't cash in.

Okay... I don't get this call... Pavelski is guilty of holding Cooke. How can Cooke be guilty of diving? I hate this call. If Cooke is diving, then Pavelski wasn't really holding... Am I the only one who finds this kind of thing baffling?

Well, Fleury gives up a bad goal on the ensuing 4-on-4. Brent Johnson comes in as Fleury is chased from the net (H1N1?)

Sharks lead 3-0

Pavelski comes out of the box and does some nifty skating at the blue line to keep the puck in the zone and get some open ice. The Sharks outwork the Pens on the play and Pavelski bangs a rebound into the net. I think Brooks Orpik actually helped dig the puck out (he was trying to sweep it away as Johnson was trying to keep it under control).

Sharks lead 4-0

Guerin gets another good chance from a centering pass. Who does he have to blow to get a goal?

Bourque goes off for something... For some reason I'm distracted by live updates from the World Series of Poker Final Table.

Pavelski interferes with somebody and evens it up. The Penguins will have an abbreviated powerplay in a minute or so.

Staal and Dupuis think the score is 1-0. They are working hard right now and got a scoring chance during the end of the 4-0n-4 then another chance early in the powerplay.

I'd like to see the Pens use the body a little more. It might take the pressure of the five remaining defensemen.

9:34 left and Staal gets dragged down in the slot - no call.

Nabokov is stopping everything the Pens are throwing at him - Kunitz had a nice chance on the PP.

Sharks still lead at the end of two, 4-0

THIRD PERIOD

It is hand 113 and blinds are at $250K/$500K ($50K ante).

James Akenhead finished in 9th place and fails to win any extra money. All the final table players were paid 9th place money ($1,263,602) when play was suspended back in July.

For the second year in a row, ESPN and the WSOP have brought the final table players back in November to coincide with the end of ESPN's television coverage. If you ask me, it's stupid unless they cover the final table live. Today's play won't air until Tuesday, and everyone will know who won anyway.

Kevin Schaffel finished in 8th place, good for $1,300,228.

Fan and pro favorite, Phil Ivey, is hanging in there with 25 big blinds.

Jeff Shulman and youngster Joe Cada are the short stacks with $7 million and $10 million in chips respectively.

Amateur and logger (yes, logger, not blogger) Darvin Moon has $40 million in chips. He was once the overwhelming chip leader but lost over $25 million by playing two hands horribly (yes, two hands). He has recovered a little bit.

Bill Guerin still can't find the back of the net.

Back when I bought tickets to the Ducks and Kings games, I had hoped to attend the Sharks game too since my fiancee's sisters live in San Francisco. Now I'm glad that I'm not there. After the abuse I took from Kings fans on Thursday, I might have ended up like McKee - 5 minute fighting major and game misconduct at 7:59.

This is turning uuuugly.

Sharks lead 5-0.

Pens are down to four defensemen.

Goligoski and Co. draw a penalty as they rush up the ice just when the Sharks' second PP on McKee's penalties expire.

13:30 - Nice shot by Fedotenko, looking for a redirection.

16:49 - Crosby makes a nice play to get a shot out of nothing. Trying to get through two players, the puck pops up into the air, but Sid keeps his eye on it an takes a whack. The puck just misses the corner over Nabokov's glove.

19:40 - last gasp as Crosby puts a pass on Kunitz's stick, but Kuni gets off a weak shot and Nabokov gobbles it up.

Sharks win 5-0

See you in Boston.

Lets' Go Pens!!!

Pens vs. Kings - Recrap

2009-11-06T01:43:00.007-05:00

This ain't gonna be much, cuz I have to go to work really early tomorrow morning.

I took pictures for Empty Netters again. If you want to see them, go to their game blog, I don't have time to post them here tonight.

I will say that I still had a lot of fun at the game even though the Penguins lost. When I noticed that Tyler Kennedy was not going to be in the lineup, I thought, "uh-oh."

Not all of the seats were filled at Staples Center when the Kings scored first at :27. It happened right in front of us (we were to Fleury's left at the faceoff circle).

However, at 1:10, when Staal tied it up, the Penguins fans erupted in applause and cheering. I didn't get a good look at the goal.

The Kings fans behind us complained that they are always surrounded by fans of the opposing team.

The highlight of the first period was when the Staples Center honored a U.S. Serviceman. The gentleman they put the camera on, a guy in the U.S. Navy, garnered instant applause. Then he held up a "Let's Go Pens" towel!!! People actually started booing him. I protested to anyone who could hear me, "don't boo our servicemen!"

Early in the second, Staal has a nice opportunity to SHOOT, but instead, he passes to Connor. Connor has a goal if he knew how to go top shelf, but he puts it right on Quick's pads.

- Send him back to Wilkes-Barre.

I got a real good look at Kunitz's goal. You could feel it coming as the Pens worked hard in the offensive zone. There were a couple of near misses during the second period that looked like they should have been goals.

We did get to see a lot of nice saves by Fleury until...

The third period was just plain disappointing. Lack of concentration led to givaways and four goals from the Kings.

I don't know what Fleury thought was going to happen, but he seemed to wait forever to react to Kopitar behind the net. Not too long after that goal, Fleury kind of misplays the puck behind the net. The Kings find the net again. Fleury should have been credited with an assist.

Those two plays were only part of the worst period played by the Penguins this season. Epic fail. Check those guys for H1N1.

In an interview after the St. Louis Blues game, Andy Murray said it best, "it's a tough league. You gotta stick with it. You gotta play it shift by shift and keep grinding."

Someone should play Murray's postgame interview for the Penguins tomorrow. I still have it on my DVR... I'll put it on tape and FedEx it to San Jose for them.

Let's look at this one more time for a little reality check.

For the Kings:

Kopitar - leads the league in points

LA Kings - 4th in the West, 2nd in the Pacific, 2 points behind Pittsburgh

For the Penguins:

Gonchar - #1 defenseman, injured

Malkin - #2 center, injured

Talbot - #3 center, hero of Game 7, injured

Kennedy - #1 game winning goal scorer, scratched

Pittsburgh Penguins - 1st in the NHL

I'll be doing a blog for the San Jose Sharks game... Come back Saturday.

LET'S GO PENS!!!