Great players will take control of the game when faced with adversity. They will pick up their own game through sheer force of will and, in turn, elevate the game of everyone else on the team. Sidney Crosby did this last night. He scored the first two Pens goals of the series and game last night and was the leader that his team needed him to be to take game 3 from the Red Wings 3-2.
Adam Hall got the game winner after Sid's first two.
Marc Andre Fleury was spectacular, stopping 32 of 34 Detroit shots including 16 in the third period.
This was the type of game the Pens must play if there is any hope of taking this series past 5 games. It took them two games to realize this, but it has not come too late. Pittsburgh hit hard and often, got the puck on the net, got to the puck faster than Detroit and was able to generate offense by getting through the neutral zone quickly.
In the end, Detroit was tired. They had been pummeled all night long and it showed. At one point in the third period Brooks Orpik hit four Red Wings in a 15 second sequence and each one of them was looking over their shoulder to see when the next one was coming. Crosby, Hossa, Malkin, Malone, Staal, Roberts and Talbot were all tremendous on the fore-check, generating loose pucks with their ferocity.
Malkin was the force that we remember seeing in the Rangers series nearly a month ago. Guess he got some rest, huh.
If Detriot cannot counter what the Pens now know they are capable of, they are just going to get more and more weary and tired as the series goes. If Pittsburgh can keep up with this same intensity and level of aggression then a game 7 is likely.
NHL.com Three Stars of the Night go to 1) Sidney Crosby, 2)Marc Andre Fleury and 3)Marian Hossa
Next game is Saturday 5/31 at Mellon Arena, 8pm on NBC, WXDX or listen here.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Game 3 roundup - Pens 3, Red Wings 2
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Game 3 - 2nd intermission update
A much better effort from the men in black and gold tonight. The Pens are up 2-1 after 2 periods and are looking like the team that flew through the Eastern Conference Playoffs.
Let's come out strong in the third and wrap this one up.
Game 3 tonight at 8pm
Darryl Sydor is replacing Kris Letang in the line up tonight. Sydor has not yet made an appearence in the playoffs but may provide some veteran leadership on the blue line. At least that's the hope of Pens coach Michel Therrien. Therrien also changed the line combinations in hopes of generating some offense.
Personally I do not think that tinkering with the line combinations or substituting a defenseman that has not played a game in 2 months will make any difference. The difference must happen within each member of the team. They must dig down deep within and find that high flying, motivated individual that took the ice two weeks ago and dispatched the Flyers in 5 games. That is what is needed. Each player must take responsibility for his actions and follow through with the best game he has ever played. Nothing else will overcome what has become a near flawless Red Wings defense corps. Nothing else will put pucks in the net. Nothing else will bring a victory tonight at Mellon Arena!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Game 2 roundup - Pens 0, Red Wings 3
For the second consecutive game the Pens failed to put one past Detroit goalie Chris Osgood, losing game 2, 3-0. The Red Wings now have a two to zero lead in the series coming back to the 'Burgh.
All indications point to a very quick series if Pittsburgh continues playing the way they have the first two games. They have been able to generate very little offense and when they have been able to they have not finished the play by putting the puck behind Osgood. Not to take anything away from the Red Wings, they have played a nearly flawless, defense minded game quickly getting pucks out of their zone and into the hands of their forwards to create scoring chances.
Much has been said around town about Evgeni Malkin's recent statement that "he is tired". It really looks as if the entire team is suffering from the same thing, not just Geno. This is not the time of the year to let fatigue take over. I'm very surprised that any professional hockey player would even make such a statement. This team was flying high just 3 days ago, before the Finals started. They looked and sounded unstoppable. Oh, how things change...
Monday, May 26, 2008
Game 2 first intermission report
There's not a whole lot to say. The Red Wings have, once again, imposed their will on the Penguins. The Pens only managed 6 shots in the opening period - all on the power play. If Pittsburgh cannot figure out how to break the Detroit defense and get more pucks on the net and capitalize on their scoring chances this series will be over before the series moves back to Detroit.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Stanley Cup Final series Preview - Pens vs. Red Wings
I, like most of you that will be reading this post, have been reading what the experts have to say about this series all week. I've come to the conclusion that all of these people get together in one room before each series and agree what they are going to write. I say this because it seems as if they are all using the same talking points and all agree on the strengths and weaknesses of both Pittsburgh and Detroit.
Many of these same, so called, experts have even put in print the fact that Pittsburgh has a great team but they are too young or "have not paid their dues yet" and therefore, cannot win without doing so. On this point I vehemently disagree. They have paid their dues. They have been through tough times since they last made a deep run in the playoffs in 2001. They have been at the bottom of the league for several years. They have nearly moved from the city of Pittsburgh in order to survive and secure a new arena to play in. They were emphatically pounded into submission in the first round of the playoffs last season - by a team that ultimately advanced to the Cup Finals. They have struggled as a team throughout the past season, being under .500 as late as Thanksgiving day. Injuries have decimated the line-up putting Crosby, Fleury, Talbot, Roberts and Eaton away for extended periods of time. Many hockey pundits thought that the trade deadline deals would hurt the chemistry of the team more than help. Through all of this they have endured. The Pens got healthy at the right time. They were able to learn from adversity and translate that knowledge into success on the ice. They were able to win, even when they were told they shouldn't be winning.
Does that sound like a Stanley Cup Champion to anyone? It sure does to me. That is the very definition of a Stanley Cup Champion. Now there is only the matter of putting everything they have learned together on the ice and getting the job done.
Yes, the Red Wings are a powerhouse of a team. And, yes again, the Pens have not been matched up with a team in the playoffs yet of this caliber. But neither has Detroit.
On paper these two teams are very evenly matched. They both have explosive offenses, defense that can shut down opposing teams at will and hot goaltenders. They both have coaching staffs that are at the top of their games at the right time. Special teams are among the league playoff leaders for both teams.
So what do the Pens have that Detroit doesn't? A no quit attitude - the Red Wings have not dislayed that. Youth and fresh legs. Old vs new. It may even be true that they are not yet wise enough to know the intense pressure that is on them right now. But those things can only help. They will not be a hindrance. The Pens will endure. The Pens will win. In 6.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Tickets for games 3 and 4 sold out
Tickets went on sale this morning for games 3 and 4 at Mellon Arena and sold out in less than the 8 seconds it took my big, fat fingers to type in that password at Ticketmaster.com. So, alas, I have no tickets to the biggest hockey games to occur in this town since 1992. You say I could buy them online from a ticketbroker...minimum prices around 600 bucks. I guess it's not in the cards this season.
Anyway, congrats to those that were able to get tickets. I will be there in spirit!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Pens Head to Detroit for Game 1 on Saturday
It's official - The Penguins will meet the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Finals beginning this Saturday at 8pm. Here is a breakdown of the schedule:
Sat 5/24 at Detroit 8pm Versus
Mon 5/26 at Detroit 8pm Versus
Wed 5/28 at Pittsburgh 8pm NBC
Sat 5/31 at Pittsburgh 8pm NBC
Mon 6/02 at Detroit 8pm NBC*
Wed 6/04 at Pittsburgh 8pm NBC*
Sat 6/07 at Detroit 8pm NBC*
* if necessary
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Game 5 roundup - Pens 6, Flyers 0
Pittsburgh was on fire today, beating the Flyers at Mellon Arena, 6-0. Pens goals by Malone (2), Staal, Malkin, Hossa and Dupuis. Philadelphia never got much of anything started and trailed by 2 goals after the first period. Pittsburgh added 3 more in the second to bury them once and for all and one in the third just in case the body was still warm.
Now we wait. Tomorrow is game 6 for the Red Wings and Stars. If Detroit wins then the Red Wings it is, otherwise the series will go back to Detroit for a game 7. I'm definitely hoping this one goes 7.
Either way I would like to congratulate the Eastern Conference Champion Pittsburgh Penguins. Welcome to the Stanley Cup Finals gentlemen. Only 4 more wins to go!!!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Game 4 roundup - Pens 2, Flyers 4
Recap - The Penguins failed to wrap up the series and allowed the Flyers to win game 4, 4-2. Both Pens goals were scored by Jordan Staal in the third period.
Philadelphia came out in the first and dominated the game, getting 3 goals in the opening frame. The Pens settled down after that and were able to play the type of game that they need to play to control the tempo and were eventually able to get back in it before the Flyers got an emtpy netter to close out the game.
What is not easily understood is, after saying all the right things since the game 3 win about how the Flyers are going to be motivated, desperate and physical, why did the Penguins come out so flat in the first period. They described in detail before the puck even dropped what Philly was going to do and how they were going to play. The Flyers did exactly that and it seemed as if Pittsburgh was not prepared for it. Did they really think that Philadelphia was going to roll over and let the Pens take it with no effort? Absolutely not! Now the Flyers have tasted blood and they will be just as aggressive and maybe even more desperate on Sunday for game 5.
Game 5 - Sunday at 3pm. TV on NBC, radio on WXDX or listen here.
Tickets - Tickets for game 5 go on sale this afternoon at 2. Get tickets here or by calling Ticketmaster at (412)323-1919 or at the Mellon Arena box office.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Point to ponder
Does anyone besides me think that the Flyers are losing just to avoid having to play the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup finals??
Maybe that's why Stevens insisted on keeping Steve Downie in the line-up for game 4 after giving away the turnover that led to game 3's winning goal.
It's the only plausible explanation that I can come up with.
Or maybe it's just the curse of the city of Philadelphia that needs to be perpetuated...
hmmmmmmm...
Go Pens!
Today's Penguins links
Yahoo Sports:
The curious cult of the Penguins Jarkko Ruutu
TSN.ca:
Give the Penguins their due
Jagr looks like he has poopie in his pants!
Pittsburgh Post Gazette:
Hossa is perfect wingman for Crosby
This is a good one...
I'm usually not one to call out opposing teams players but Steve Downey deserves it for taking a run at Petr Sykora after he gave the Pens a goal with his stupid turnover. This was emailed to me today and I thought it very fitting. LOL!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Today's Penguins Links
Yahoo Sports:
Penguins flex defensive muscle
ESPN.com:
Philly Creamed
TSN.ca:
Penguins put Flyers on brink of elimination
NHL.com:
Morning Joe: Hurrah for Hossa
Pittsburgh Tribune Review:
Flyers never had a chance
Pittsburgh Post Gazette:
It's sinking in - Pens are for real
Game 3 roundup - Pens 4, Flyers 1
The Flyers have to be bewildered after losing game 3 to the Pens 4-1. Pittsburgh is now one win away from playing for the Stanley Cup and is looking to sweep Philadelphia out of the playoffs tomorrow night. Pens goals were scored by Whitney - his first of the playoffs and first in three months, Malone and Hossa got the game winner and added an empty netter at the end.
Philadelphia is going to have problems scoring goals for the remainder of the series. They are shell-shocked at the high level of defense the Penguins have been playing and are being outplayed on the boards. The Penguins are more physical and faster to the puck than any of the Flyers. If this series isn't over on Thursday night then there is no way if will go past 5.
#1 star of the night was Marian Hossa.
Here's a few quick stats from the Pens in this playoff run:
Pittsburgh has scored the first goal in 9 of the 12 playoff games. There is no surprise in the fact that they have won all 9 of those games.
Pittsburgh is 6-0 when leading after the first period.
The Pens have won the first 3 games in each of the 3 series.
Pittsburgh is the first team since the 1983 Edmonton Oilers to win 11 of the first 12 playoff games and only the fifth team to do so in NHL history.
Sid Crosby holds the lead for most points in the playoffs with 19. Malkin is tied for second with 18.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Game 2 roundup - Pens 4, Flyers 2
The Penguins took a 2-0 series lead with another win over the Philadelphia Flyers, 4-2. Pens goals scored by Crosby, Hossa, Talbot and Staal chipped in an empty netter to seal the victory. Marc Andre Fleury saved 30 of 32 for his 10th playoff victory.
The big story of the game was the grit and determination of the fourth line. Max Talbot, in his first game back after missing the past 4 games with a broken foot, got the game winner at 8:51 of the third. Talbot even being in the game brought about much controversy before the play even started. Pens head coach, Michel Therrien made the decision to scratch forward Adam Hall so Max could start the game. There was much talk about this decision since it is generally accepted that a winning line-up should stay on the ice. Once again, Therriens decision was the right one when Talbot put the game away in the third.
Another big question is why was the fourth line on the ice in the third period of a tied hockey game? When asked about this in a post game interivew, Talbot responded, "Scoring goals...Coach Therrien really trusts us on the ice."
There have been several moves that Therrien has made in the playoff run that could have turned the course of the game for the worse, but have not. His moves have all worked out as he expected and, in lasts night's case, even produced a game winning goal. I, for one, am becoming much more of a Therrien fan than I was before these playoffs began. I felt that he was easily out coached in last season's short playoff run and really expected much of the same this time around, but his team has really bought into the system and they play it as designed.
Talbot was named the NHL # 1 Star of the Night while Marc Andre Fluery got #3.
Next up - Tuesday night at Philly, 7:30 pm on Versus, WXDX or listen here.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Game 1 roundup - Pens 4, Flyers 2
The Penguins have now made it 9 wins in 10 playoff games, and 6 of 6 at the Igloo, with a 4-2 beating of the Philadelphia Flyers. Pens goals scored by Malkin (2)m Crosby and Sykora.
All in all a very nice effort by the Pens, with the exception of the first ten minutes of the game, and a completely lackluster effort by the Flyers, again with the exception of the first ten minutes of the game. I do realize that Philadelphia has lost the first game of each series so far , and has managed to still make it to the Conference Finals, but if last night was the most effort they could put forth then it will be a very short series for the former Broad Street Bullies.
Now, being a pretty realistic guy, I will make the assumption that they were just not ready for the type of physical game that they got from the Penguins. And if this is the case then it will be a very different type of game tomorrow night for game 2. But the question that must be asked is this: Is there anyone that has any hockey sense whatsoever that truly believes the Flyers can beat the Pens in a run-and-gun type of game? The type of game that they got suckered into playing last night?
#1 star of the night goes to Evgeni Malkin. He was a force to be reckoned with again last night. Keep up the solid work Geno!
Friday, May 9, 2008
Today's Penguins links
Yahoo Sports
5 reasons the Penguins can win the Cup
TSN.ca
Therrien's 2006 remarks have gone a long way
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Penguins, Flyers have a history
Penguins power on rise
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Pens 1-2 punch packs equally devastating wallop
Crosby leads his Pens by example
Rocky needs to wear a Pens Jersey
Someone needs to step up and get this thing done. This statue needs to wear a Pens jersey. Can one of the loyal Pens fans on the eastern side of the state put a jersey on this thing??
Send pictures to penshome@gmail.com
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Eastern Conference Finals preview - Pens vs. Flyers
The Pittsburgh Penguins will begin their series tomorrow night against the Philadelphia Flyers at 7:30 pm at the Mellon Arena. The series should be a hard fought, physical battle between two teams that share a great deal of animosity.
Regular Season - The Penguins took all 8 games from the Flyers in 2006 - 2007 season leaving the Flyers a bit sore about it. The series proved to be a close on for 2007 - 2008 with the Flyers winning 5 games to 3 with the last game being a loss in the last game of the season when the Penguins sat some of their players for a rest and to keep them safe from injury. While the Pens did give 100% in that game it was in their best interest to not get injured. Many looked on this as the Penguins throwing the game, but it was actually more self preservation. And the loss did lead to a first round series against the weakest Eastern Conference team in the playoffs instead of a match up against these same Flyers.
Playoff History - The Pens and Flyers have met 3 times in their histories in the playoffs with Philadelphia winning all three series'.
2000 Semifinals Flyers 4-2
1997 Quarterfinals Flyers 4-1
1989 Semifinals Flyers 4-3
This will be the first time these teams have met in the Conference Finals.
Keys to the series - The Flyers have a hot goaltender and a stonger offense than they have faced yet in this years playoff run. Of course, the same can be said for the Penguins. Marc Andre Fleury has been best in the East so far in the playoffs and the Penguins offense volatile with the exception of game 4 vs. the Rangers. Philadelphia has not had to shut down two high scoring lines and with the news that Flyers D Kimmo Timonen being out indefinately with a blood clot in his foot. The Pens offense, and how the Flyers are able to control Pittsburghs top tow lines, will be the largest determinate of which team will win this series.
Philly's forward, and Pittsburgh native, R J Umberger was tremendous against Montreal, scoring 8 goals in the series and being an offensive force. Look for the Pens to match up their top defense pair of Gill and Scuderi against Umberger's line. This pair has been able to shut down the top scoring line against the Rangers and Gill was paired with Orpik against the top line of the Senators.
Pens goalie Fleury and Flyers goalie Biron are both hot and at the top of the post-season statistics. Whichever goalie withstands the barrage of shots that will come his way best, will emerge the victor and move on the the Cup Finals.
Head coaches Stevens and Therrien have a good, healthy dislike for each other. They have met twice before in the playoffs, both times with the minor league team of their current organizations. They have both gone out of their way to call each other out on various occasions to send a message to their team as well as the other. That will not be any different for this series.
This should be very entertaining. Pens in 6.
Today's Penguins Links
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Some deep thoughts
Malkin's personality starts to show through
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Therrien - Stevens: A simmering rivalry
New Pens, Flyers catching on to feud
ESPN.com
Conference Finals preview
NHL.com
Pens/Flyers storylines
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Today's Penguins Links
Pennsylvania is hockey heaven
NHL.com
Penguins Playoff Media Guide
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
City Planners approve new arean designs
War of words begins
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Pens making doubts disappear
How Pens have responded to adversity
Penguins Fans - God Bless 'Em
White Out on Friday
Penguins players are asking fans to wear white while attending the opening game of the Eastern Conference Finals on Friday night in Pittsburgh.
See story here.
All fans attending the game will be given a white T-shirt courtesy of Trib Total Media.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Today's Penguins Links
ESPN.com
Pens/Flyers series preview
CBS Sportsline
Expert's Picks
NHL.com
Pens/Flyers series preview
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Flyers will test Pens discipline
Animosity festers between Pens, Flyers
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Therrien worthy of respect
Adam Hall deserves a little bit of fame
Monday, May 5, 2008
Game 5 Roundup - Pens 3, Rangers 2 (OT)
The Penguins are advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals after taking the Rangers down in overtime yesterday afternoon, 3-2. Marian Hossa scored the series winner at 7:10 of the first overtime period. Hossa also had the Pens first goal of the game at 8:45 of the second period. Malkin knocked in the Pens second goal at 12:40 of the second period.
The Rangers were able to even it up in the third with two early goals. Both teams looked a bit skittish througout the rest of the game but the Pens got it together in the overtime period and were able to put the Rangers away once and for all.
Third liners Staal, Kennedy and Hall and the defense pairing of Gill and Scuderi were matched up against the Rangers first line most of the game. They were able to hold Jaromir Jagr to zero shots for the game, and the rest of the line to three shots, to effectively shut down the New York offense.
Hossa was named the NHL #2 star of the night.
Conference Finals Schedules Released
#1 Flyers at Penguins Fri 5/9
#2 Flyers at Penguins Sun 5/11
#3 Penguins at Flyers Tue 5/13
#4 Penguins at Flyers Thu 5/15
#5 Flyers at Penguins Sun 5/18*
#6 Penguins at Flyers Tue 5/20*
#7 Flyers at Penguins Thu 5/22*
* if necessary
Friday, May 2, 2008
Game 4 roundup - Pens 0, Rangers 3
The Penguins will have to wait until Sunday to wrap up their round 2 series against the Rangers. The Rangers won game 4, last night, 3-0.
It didn't seem as if the Penguins were ready to exert the effort that they needed to do to be competetive in the game. New York controlled the tempo and tone of the game from the first face off to the end. Lundqvist was spectacular in goal, but the Penguins missed at least 3 open net shots as well as Evgeni Malkin's pee wee league attempt at a penalty shot in the second.
Game 5 is Sunday 5/4 at 2pm. See it on NBC, listen at WXDX or here.
Ticket for game 5 will go on sale at 2pm Friday afternoon. There will be around 2,000 seats made available for the game. Tickets can be obtained by calling Ticketmaster at (412)333-1919, at the Mellon Arena Box Office or here.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
What the opposition is reading
NY Daily News
Avery nearly loses spleen
New York Post
Staying power
Seeking a sweep
The Blue Seats
