Game Update: Pens vs. Devils and Pens vs. Thrashers

It was a tale of two very different games earlier this week. The Pens looked like Stanley Cup Champs in beating the Devils on Tuesday night 4-2 and then proceeded to drop one to Atlanta the next night 4-1.

The game against the New Jersey was a teriffic display of teamwork, chemistry and work ethic. The Pens overcame two goal deficits on two occasions and were able to play effectively with a two goal lead through most of the third period. Pens goals by Malone(2), Christensen and Staal.

The following night in Atlanta, a completely different team took to the ice. They made critical mistakes that lead to Atlanta goals while playing an unmotivated, flat game. The Pens lone goal was scored by Whitney in the third to make it a 4-1 game.

The victory over Jersey was very important as far as division standings go. The win propelled Pittsburgh to a one point advantage over the Devils, where they remain as of this morning. So, if they were going to lose one of the back-to-back games in the first place, they did pick the right one to lose. But with that being said, there is no reason so be so motivated one night and not the next, especially with the Atlantic being such a tight race at this point in the season.

What has most impressed me, since Crosby was injured in the 1/26 game, is how Pittsburgh is able to pull together and take a couple of points out of a contest when it is most needed. Not only have they been playing without Sid, they have also had very bad luck with other key team members not being able to get in the lineup. Eight of the players on the current roster started the season in the AHL with the Baby Penguins. Brooks Orpick, a defenseman his entire life, has been pressed into service on the Left Wing the past two games following the acquisition of Kris Beech, who has not been able to get the proper work papers to enter the United States.

Injury Report: Armstrong (Flu, day-to-day), Hall (Groin,IR), Kennedy (Mono, IR), Crosby (ankle, IR), Roberts (leg, IR), Eaton (ACL, IR), Fleury (Ankle, IR).