Pens vs. Islanders Preview

The Islanders visit the Igloo tonight at 7:30. The Pens lead the season series 4 to 3 with all 7 games, with the exception of the most recent a 4-1 loss, begin very competitive. I do not expect that fact to change tonight but I do think that Pittsburgh will take the Islanders more seriously this time. Even though New York has no chance of making the playoffs, Ted Nolan has this team believing that the games they still have remaining are worth winning, if for nothing more than to play spoilers.

Sidney Crosby is expected to be back in the line up after missing the last 7 games with a recurrence of the ankle injury. Sid and Marian Hossa will be on the same line for the first time so anticipation of this is at a very high level. Expect Sid and Hossa to be a lethal combination throughout the remaining games and playoffs. This should force opposing teams to load up the best defensemen against the top line and allow the Malkin/Malone/Sykora line to have a considerable amount of offensive freedom since they will not have the top tier defense playing against them.

Pens 7, Flyers 1

Recap - The Pens dominated the Flyers this afternoon at the Igloo, 7-2. Pittsburgh goals by Malkin(2), Sykora(2), Kennedy, Gill and Hossa with his first in a Penguins uniform. Both Malkin and Sykora added 2 assists to their point totals for 4 each. This brings Malkin within 2 of Alex Ovechkin's NHL lead. Marc Andre Fleury had another great game stopping 24 of 25. The Pens chased Philadelphia's Marty Biron out of goal when they tallied their third of the game four minutes into the second.
Injury Update - Marian Hossa returned to the line-up today and tallied a goal. Crosby was kept out of the game with his sore ankle and is projected to return next Sunday when the Devils visit Pittsburgh.

My Analysis - All in all a very dominant game from the Pens. Philly is still chasing a playoff spot and may have had a very bad hangover after losing to the Bruins in overtime yesterday. This was not a typical performance from the Flyers. Not a whole lot of hits, and no momentum producing shifts. It actually looked as if they had given up on the season and were ready to hit the golf course a bit early.

Pittsburgh still has 2 games left with Philly and, providing they don't hang up the skates entirely, could be very interesting as they are the last two games of the season. I'm very curious to see if they will bounce back from the past two devestating losses and make an effort at securing a playoff spot.

Pens 4, Caps 2

Recap - The Pens got the better of the Capitals today, 4-2 in an intense, high energy game. Pens goals were scored by Sykora, Crosby (2) and Staal added an empty netter to close out the game. Crosby's goals were his first since coming back from the ankle injury. His second, the games winner was a bit of a fluke being shot directly into the net by Caps defensemen, Backstrom. Malkin had an outstanding game as well, setting up three of the Pens 4 goals. Fleury had an amazing game stopping 37 of the 39 the Caps threw at him.

The win puts the Pens one point behind Eastern Conference leader, New Jersey.

My Analysis - This was a very important game for the Pens to get a win. They've won only 3 of the last 8 when they could have really put some space between themselves and the rest of the East. Pittsburgh has 12 games remaining in the regular season, of which 10 are against Atlantic Division opponents. Three against the Rangers and Flyers, two against the Islanders and Devils. And the other two games are against Eastern Conference foes as well. This will be quite an opportunity to see how well this team has come together since the bold trade deadline deals that went down two weeks ago. Pittsburgh can probably stay in the top 8 of the conference by winning half of the games through the rest of the season, but will probably need to go 8-4 or better to get home ice advantage in the playoffs.

Injury Update - Hossa is skating and looks to be about ready to return. Roberts is in the same situation.

Evgeni Malkin # 1 NHL Star for February

Congrats to Geno for being named the NHL's #1 Star for the month of February. Malkin led all NHL players in points for the month with 26 and helped the Penguins post a February record of 8-3-3. The Penguins were able to climb to the top of the Atlantic division with the past month's outstanding record.

Weekend Recap

Recap - The Pens moved into sole possession of first in the Atlantic and second in the East with a 3-2 shootout win over the Atlanta Thrashers yesterday afternoon at the Igloo. Pens goals were scored by Malone and Talbot. The winner in the shootout was scored by Kris Letang with Sykora punching one past Thrashers goalie Lehtonen as well.

Saturday's game did not turn out as well for the Pens. They dropped a disappointing one to the Ottawa Senators, 5-4. Pittsburgh goals by Malone (2), Sykora and Malkin. Pittsburgh D Sergei Conchar took a double minor late in the second and Ottawa capitalized on the opportunity by scoring goals in each power play. The Pens were unable to comeback from that 2 goal deficit.

Next up - Tuesday at Tampa Lightning.

Analysis - Malkin has kept his pace up throughout the past 16 games and continues to lead the NHL in scoring. His name is now being tossed about as a Hart Trophy candidate. Malone has dramatically stepped up his game in the past few weeks. He is not afraid to plant himself in front of the net and take the hits that will come with that. This should really help the Pens down the playoff stretch if he can keep up this pace. Petr Sykora has become quite the asset as well lately. He is lethal on the power play and continues to rack up points on the man advantage.

Injury Update - All signs are pointing to a Sydney Crosby return this Sunday against the Capitals. Possibly a Hossa return as well which would lend a bit of intrigue to the game. This game will be broadcast nationwide on NBC and a Crosby/Hossa return, first game together would provide some good TV ratings. Looking forward to how this comes together. Gary Roberts continues getting closer to his return as well. The team has stated that he should be back in the line-up by the end of March.

News of note - Marc Andre Fluery had his first start in net since December in the Atlanta game. He turned in a very solid performance stopping 31 of 33 and only allowing one by him in the shootout. Conklin was a bit disappointing in the Ottawa game allowing a couple of soft ones by. It will be interesting to see who claims the starting spot the next couple of weeks.

Weekend Wrapup

The Pens had a couple of tough losses over the weekend. Saturday's game against the Senators ended with an Ottawa goal at 4:56 of overtime. Pittsburgh lost 4-3 when Daniel Alfredsson lifted a backhander past Pens goalie Ty Conklin. Pens goals were scored by Sykora, Armstrong and Taffe.

Pittsburgh had a comfortable 3-0 lead halfway through the second against an Ottawa team that looked flat and unmotivated. When the Sens finally managed to get one past Conklin there was no looking back as they went on to score four unanswered goals to steal two points.

On Sunday afternoon, after a 25 minute delay due to a Zamboni malfunction that left a pool of hydraulic fluid on the ice, the Sharks got past Pittsburgh in a shootout win. Final score 2-1. The lone Pens goals was scored by Christensen. Shootout goals by Christensen and Letang. San Jose was able to put all three past Conklin.

While Pittsburgh played well in both games, they were unable to hold a three goal lead against Ottawa and were unable to generate anything resembling an offense against San Jose. Pens head coach Michel Therrien praised his team after the Ottawa game for doing everything they could to win. I wholeheartedly disagree! The effort to hold the lead was just not there. Granted Sens goale Ray Emery was outstanding in net while saving 32 of 35, but there would have been no need to score more than the three Pittsburgh scored had they played to win instead of playing not to lose. And against the Sharks, the Pens just looked tired. They played hard but it seemed to be without purpose. That fact is clearly visible on the scoresheet as neither team was able to put up any goals until the third. Pittsburgh's power play that had been converting at around 30% for the past 15 games was held to 1 for 9 (11%)in both games combined.

Pens red hot center, Evgeni Malkin, was held without a point in both games. He was dogged into submission, much like last seasons playoff series, by Ottawa defenseman Anton Volchenkov on Saturday and was not a visible force on the ice against the Sharks.

It is a pretty good assumption that the Penguins will meet the Senators again in the playoffs. For this current team to win that series they will need to believe that they are able to beat an Ottawa team that will be even more hungry to win than the team that was on the ice on Saturday.

Next up - tonight vs. the New York Islanders

Injury Update - while I expected Sydney Crosby to get back on the ice against the Canadiens on Thursday, he remains on IR while still participating in full contact practices. I admire the fact that Pittsburgh is clearly waiting to get him back in the lineup until they are sure his injured ankle is fully healed, but it looks to me as if they need the shot of adrenalin his return will produce.

New of Note - Nathan Smith was sent back to WBS Penguins on Monday. He was scoreless in the 12 games he played for Pittsburgh.

Marc Andre Fleury has returned to the Penguins after playing 5 games for the WBS Penguins and putting up some outstanding numbers in those games. The Pens have decided to keep 3 goalies on the roster for now. Look for Fleury to get a start in one of the back-to-back games coming up this weekend.

Pens 3, Florida 2

The Penguins overcame a 2-0 third period deficit to beat the Florida Panthers last night at the Igloo. Pens goals scored by Armstrong and Malone (2). Once again Pittsburgh came out looking rather flat and then put together an outstanding third period to steal 2 points away from the Panthers. There is a lot to be said of this performance but looking ahead to tomorrow night's match with the Canadiens, they will have a much harder time recovering from a two goal deficit. Montreal is a much better team and will not allow the breakdowns that Florida did.

News of Note - Evgeni Malkin's two assists last night put him in the leader spot for the NHL scoring race. Congrats to Evgeni! Could be interesting seeing Geno and Sid competing for that trophy the rest of the season...








Ty Conklin continues his assault on the NHL Goaltending leaders as well. He is first in SV% at .932 and third in GAA at 2.18









Complete NHL stats can be found here

Injury Update - Sid's been skating very strong and looks like he is ready to play. Look for him to be in the starting line-up tomorrow against Montreal. This will be very big news as the game is in Canada. Marc Andre Fluery continues to impress in his rehab assignment in Wilkes Barre/Scranton and should be brought back up late this week.

I am looking forward to see what the forward lines look like when Sid gets back in the line-up. It's got to be tough, from a coaching standpoint, to break up the Malkin/Malone/Sykora line since they have been absolutely outstanding the past month. Here is what I'd like to see:

Line 1 - Crosby/Staal/Armstrong
Line 2 - Malkin/Malone/Sykora

Armstrong and Crosby play very well together when they are on the same line. Staal has really raised the level of his game in recent days and deserves his shot at the top. I see no reason that Malkin's like should change in any way.

Pens 4, Sabres 1

The Pens put a good trouncing on the Buffalo Sabres last night in Buffalo, 4-1. Buffalo opened the game with a flurry of shots at Pens goalie, Ty Conklin, throughout the first period. Conklin weathered that storm of pucks to preserve a tie after one. The Pens opened the second period by scoring on a Jarkko Ruutu breakaway at 7:28 and never gave up the lead. Sykora got the game winner, Malkin chipped in his 34 of the season in the third and Colby Armstrong tallied an empty netter at the end of the third to put the Sabres away once and for all.

Pittsburgh was flat coming out in the first and allowed Buffalo to gain momentum, which led to 17 shots on goal in the first 20 minutes. After the intermission the teams looked to be on much more even footing. It would have been awesome to hear what was said in that locker room during the intermission but osmehow I doubt I would re-print much of it at all since it would look something like this:

"look you @#^&*%#@, time to get your $#%^ together and #%^&$%#@@ play some @$%%&^%# hockey!" or something like that...

It's going to be a tough week ahead for the Pens as Sunday's game was the first of 5 over the next 8 days. Next up is Florda on Tuesday at home, at Montreal on Thursday, Ottawa at the Igloo on Saturday and another home game on Sunday against San Jose. Looking at the conference standings the Montreal and Ottawa games look to be the important ones to come away with 2 points.

Injury Update - Sid Crosby looks to be back in playing form and I suspect he will be on the ice for the Montreal game. Marc Andre Fleury should be returning from his rehab stint in Wilkes Barre and should also be back on the ice this week.

Pens 1, Bruins 2

The Pens lost a tough on last night to the Bruins, 2-1. Pittsburgh's lone goal was scored by Malkin. A power play goal at 13:02 of the third.

The Penguins played a solid game throughout but were only able to convert 1 of 8 power play opportunities. The B's were very aggressive on the penalty kill and have successfully shown anyone that wants to study the game tape how to stop the Pens increasingly volatile power play unit. Granted, the power play unit will get a major upgrade when Crosby rejoins the team, but for now the coaching staff will need to come up with a strategy of how to overcome any team that challeneges the puck like Boston did.

Injury Update - Sid continues to make progress and will accompany the team on the trip to Carolina so he can practice with the team. Marc Andre Fleury won his first rehab start with Wilkes Barre last night, beating the Norflok Admirals 3-1. Look for his return to the big team sometime early next week. Gary Roberts is getting back in game shape and should also return soon.

Next Up - @ Carolina tonight at 7.

News of Note - I am an avid HD viewer and have been very disappointed that the last 3 games broadcast on FSN have not been in HD. I've expressed my disappointment to FSN here: click me. Feel free to do the same.
And if you are not a HD lover yet, I urge each and every hockey fan to check it out before the playoffs start. It makes an indescribable difference in viewing NHL games on TV.

Here's a Brief Summary of the Past Ten Games

During the past ten games that the Pens have been without Sid here is what they have accomplished:

6-2-2 Overall record
3-1-1 vs. Atlantic Division opponents
6 - games that the Penguins have scored 4 or more goals (5 wins)
4 - games that the Penguins have given up 4 or more goals (all losses, 1 in OT)
1 - moved from third in the Atlantic to first
2 - moved from fifth in the East to second and are within 3 points of Ottawa for
first
33.33 - power play conversion rate

What Evgeni Malkin has accomplished in the past 10 games:

- NHL # 2 Star of the Week for the week of 2/3 through 2/9
- Moved to third place on the NHL Scoring leaders list and within 3 points of leader Alex Ovechkin
- Registered at least a point in 9 out of the past 10 games
- Put up 21 points (8 goals, 13 assists)

This is a team that is to be reckoned with! They have shown that they can fight through adversity, play with the lead and win the games that matter the most. Players that were expected to step up have done so. Malkin is one, others are Staal, Talbot, Armstrong and Letang. Both Conklin and Sabourin have been outstanding between the pipes. The coaching staff has done a great job of extracting the right amount of effort from each of the players.

What a terrific way to start a playoff run.