Tuesday, December 18, 2007

2000th Visitor!

The 2000th visitor to this blog occurred some time this morning. I'd like to thank all of you loyal readers for continuing to return. Much appreciated!

When I first started writing here, I never thought anyone would even read it. Much to my surprise, there actually have been people to visit and return on several occsacions. And, as a complete shock I've been pulled into doing some advertising for a marketing firm that represent Versus!

So, going forward, my goals remain the same as they were when I started this effort. To report on as many games as possible, to lend my own analysis to the conversation and to have a good time while doing so.

Once again, thanks to everyone that has stopped by...

Monday, December 17, 2007

Pens 3, Islanders 2

The Penguins finally won a game against a division opponent when they beat the New York Islanders by the score of 3-2. This was an important victory for the Pens as it kept them out of the Atlantic Division basement and insured that the Isles stayed there. Goals for the Pens were scored by Crosby, Whitney and Tyler Kennedy chipped in the game winner on a power play. This was Kennedy's first 3 point game in the NHL!

The win put the Pens in the top 8 of the East. I know it's a little early to be talking playoffs but with the Atlantic Division only separated by only 7 points first to last nearly half way through the season it seems to be a good time to start thinking about it. If the division remains as tight as it is, it's very possible that 4 teams from the Atlantic could make the playoffs. This is what makes December games against division opponents so important.

Next up, Tuesday 8pm against the New York Rangers.

News of Note: While I make sure to watch every game on TV, I am not able to attend many games in person, I will be going to the game on Friday night against the Isles. This will be my first game of the season (hopefully not last!) so I will have an abundance of news to report on Saturday morning. Make sure to check back this weekend!

Friday, December 14, 2007

Rough Week for the Pens

The Penguins had a rather tough week losing a bruising game to the Flyers by the score of 8-2 and dropping one last night at the Igloo to the Senators 4-1.
For the Flyers game, while being quite entertaining with the 4 fights and nearly 250 penalty minutes doled out by the referees, it was evident that the team was tired following a trip through Western Canada. They played uninspired and let Philadelphia have their way physically in the early parts of the game. When the Flyers build a lead in the second period it got ugly, real ugly. The Flyers took several cheap shots which the Pens retaliated for and it was downhill from there. Game misconducts, 10 minute majors, fighting majors and countless penalties followed.

The Ottawa game was a different story and was actually a much closer game than the score would indicate. The game was tied into the third when the Sens were able to get a couple past Dany Sabourin to make it 3-1 with an empty netter at the end.

Injury Update: Marc Andre Fleury is out for the next month with a high ankle sprain so the Pens called Ty Conklin up from the Baby Pens. Look for a Conklin start possibly against the Islanders on Saturday the 15th and probably on one of the back-to-back games on the 20th or 21st.

Notes: Sid Crosby was held without a point for only the third game this season. Sid is 5th in the NHL in points only 7 behind Tampa's Lecavalier. Sid continues to lead all NHL players in All Star votes.

Friday, December 7, 2007

Pens 3, Flames 2 SHOOTOUT!

An unlikely hero, Kris Letang, netted the game winner in for the Pens in a shootout victory over the Calgary Flames last night. Letang was the round four shooter and lifted the puck beautifully over Calgary's goaltender, Miikka Kiprusoff. Preceeding Letang in the shootout were Sykora (goal), Crosby (saved) and Malkin (saved). Calgary's Kristian Huselius was the lone scorer in the shootout for the Flames.

Marc Andre Fleury left the game a few minutes into the first period with an apparent leg (or ankle) injury and was replaced, admirably, by Dany Sabourin. Future updates on Fleury's status will be posted as they become known.

Regulation goals for the Pens were from Malkin, a power play goal, and Ryan Malone with an outstanding short handed goal that tied the score midway through the third period.

All in all an outstanding effort from the Pens the last three games. They have managed to come from from behind in two of the three and put a thorough pounding on the Coyotes in the other. They have played soundly in the defensive end and have been gritty up front, constantly crashing the net.

Pittsburgh has now won three in a row and 6 out of the last 7. Quite a good streak considering 5 of those 7 games have been on the road.

There has been a lot of media interest in the Pens this week as this trip was the first time Sid Crosby has played in Western Canada in his three years in the NHL. This is a result of the unbalanced schedule the the NHL recently trashed in favor of one where each team plays all other teams as least once a season. There will always be intense media scrutiny on Sid but should not be as much if Pittsburgh plays every other season in each arena. And by the way, how is it possible that a 20 year old is able to be so mature and stand up to all of the pressure placed on his shoulders the way Crosby is able to do?

Just a point of interest that I noticed and was dicussing with a co-working this morning - the ice up north is awesome! Just watching the past two games, and making a comparison to what I've seen in Pittsburgh this season, the speed of the game is incredibly different. The puck does not bounce around on the ice and the players are able to make crisp, clean passes without wondering where the puck is going to go. Great job to the ice crews in Edmonton and Calgary!

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Penguins 4, Stars 1

The Pens put a beating on the Dallas Stars last night by the score of 4 to 1. Pittsburgh goals by Crosby, Sid had two, Kennedy and Malkin. Sid's first goal came on the first shift of the game, 24 seconds from faceoff, set the tempo for the entire game. Dallas was a tired looking bunch, always a half second behind whatever the Pens were doing.
Marc Andre Fleury had another solid game stopping 22 of 23 shots the Stars threw his way. It appears as if the confidence he was missing earlier in the season has returned.
While the first half of November was very miserable to the Pens the second half turned out pretty good. They have won 5 of the last 6 and are now within 6 points of taking over first in the Atlantic division.
Next up Toronto away tonight at 7. The Pens have a rather tough stretch of games coming up. 8 of the next 10 are on the road including a trio of games in Western Canada. If they can get 14 points of so in this stetch of games they will be in really good shape going into Christmas.