What the Opposition is Reading

Front page of the Ottawa Sun:


Don't Blame Gerber

Instead blame the columnist. This guy really needs a good ass kicking. He wants Georges Laraque to do what??? Maybe Prisuta can take care of this guy in the press box tomorrow night. Crazy, I tell you.

Cody Bass demanding respect from his elders

This gets more hilarious every day...

Today's Penguins Links

Here's some links for the Penguins faithful:

Penguins a True Playoff Team

A picture tells a thousand words:



Penguins Knock Senators Around

Pens 4, Sens 0

Vindication.

Vindication for last seasons slow start in game 1 where the Senators were able to assert their will on the Penguins.

Vindication for the last year of the so-called experts asking if the young Pens are experienced enough to win in the playoffs.

Vindication for Michel Therrien who has been questioned by the same experts on his ability to prepare his team for a playoff game.

Last nights game can probably be best described as a near mirror image of last years game 1 against the Senators. The only difference was which team was more ready to take the ice and put fourth the effort required to win the game. Instead of that team being the Ottawa Senators it was the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Pens controlled the tempo of the game from the first faceoff until the final buzzer sounded.

The game could not have started out better. Gary Roberts put the first shot of the game past a shaky Martin Gerber at 1:08 into the game. The Pens second goal was scored on a breakaway by Petr Sykora. The game remained at 2-0 until Evgeni Malkin fired his first career playoff goal past Gerber at 13:58 of the third and Roberts put the game out of reach with his second of the game with only 1:35 remaining on the clock.

Pittsburgh's penalty killing was spectacular holding the Sens to 0 for 7 on the power play including two extended 5 on 3's. The Pens were 1 for 5 (20%) with the man advantage.

Marc Andre Fluery stopped all 26 Ottawa shots to earn his first career playoff shutout. Fleury was named the #1 NHL star of the night for his effort. My first star of the game goes to Gary Roberts. He had the game winner with his first goal but that is not the reason I am going with him. It's the fact that he was a force that Ottawa could not counter. He knew what his role in the game was and, not only went out on the ice and performed that role, he did it with AUTHORITY!

Injury Update - Senator Anton Volchenkov took a Malkin slapshot to the forehead midway through the second and did not return to the game. His injury was described as a horrible pressure laceration but there were no broken bones. Volchenkov is expected to return for game 2.

Next Game - Game 2 of the series will be tomorrow night at 7pm from Mellon Arena. FSN(HD), WXDX or listen here.

What the Opposition is Reading

From the Ottawa Sun

Don't write off the Sens yet

Sens plan to target Crosby and Malkin

Sens insist heat is on the Penguins

On the lighter side

Today's Penguins Links

TSN: Sid is ready to go

Yahoo Sports: Series Breakdown

NHL.com: Series Breakdown

NHL.com: Crosby Revitalizes Pens

Stanley Cup Playoff Quarterfinals 2008

Eastern Conference:

(2) Pittsburgh vs. (7) Ottawa
Pittsburgh wins series 4-0
1. 4/9/08 Pens 4, Senators 0 at Pittsburgh
2. 4/11/08 Pens 5, Senators 3 at Pittsburgh
3. 4/14/08 Pens 4, Senators 1 at Ottawa
4. 4/16/08 Pens 3, Senators 1 at Ottawa

SWEEP!

(1) Montreal vs. (8) Boston
Montreal wins series 4-3
1. 4/10/08 Canadiens 4, Bruins 1 at Montreal
2. 4/12/08 Canadiens 3, Bruins 2 (OT) at Montreal
3. 4/13/08 Bruins 2, Canadiens 1 (OT) at Boston
4. 4/15/08 Canadiens 1, Bruins 0 at Boston
5. 4/17/08 Bruins 5, Canadiens 1 at Montreal
6. 4/19/08 Bruins 5, Canadiens 4 at Boston
7. 4/21/08 Canadiens 5, Bruins 0 at Montreal

(3) Washington vs. (6) Philadelphia
Philadelphia wins series 4-3
1. 4/11/08 Capitals 5, Flyers 4 at Washington
2. 4/13/08 Flyers 2, Capitals 0 at Washington
3. 4/15/08 Flyers 6, Capitals 3 at Philadelphia
4. 4/17/08 Flyers 4, Capitals 3 (OT) at Philadelphia
5. 4/19/08 Capitals 3, Flyers 2 at Washington
6. 4/21/08 Capitals 4, Flyers 2 at Philadelphia
7. 4/22/08 Flyers 3, Capitals 2 (OT) at Washington

(4)New Jersey vs. (5)New York
New York wins series 4-1
1. 4/9/08 Rangers 4, Devils 1 at New Jersey
2. 4/11/08 Rangers 2, Devils 1 at New Jersey
3. 4/13/08 Devils 4, Rangers 3 (OT) at New York
4. 4/16/08 Rangers 5, Devils 3 at New York
5. 4/18/08 Rangers 5, Devils 3 at New Jersey

Western Conference:

(1)Detroit vs. (8)Nashville
Detroit wins series 4-2
1. 4/10/08 Red Wings 3, Predators 1 at Detroit
2. 4/12/08 Red Wings 4, Predators 2 at Detroit
3. 4/14/08 Predators 5, Red Wings 3 at Nashville
4. 4/16/08 Predators 3, Red Wings 2 at Nashville
5. 4/18/08 Red Wings 2, Predators 1 (OT) at Detroit
6. 4/20/08 Red Wings 3, Predators 0 at Nashville

(2)San Jose vs. (7)Calgary
San Jose wins series 4-3
1. 4/9/08 Flames 3, Sharks 2 at San Jose
2. 4/10/08 Sharks 2, Flames 0 at San Jose
3. 4/13/08 Flames 4, Sharks 3 at Calgary
4. 4/15/08 Sharks 3, Flames 2 at Calgary
5. 4/17/08 Sharks 4, Flames 3 at San Jose
6. 4/20/08 Flames 2, Sharks 0 at Calgary
7. 4/22/08 Sharks 5, Calgary 3 at San Jose

(3)Minnesota vs. (6)Colorado
Colorado wins series 4-2
1. 4/9/08 Avalanche 3, Wild 2 (OT) at Minnesota
2. 4/11/08 Wild 3, Avalanche 2 (OT) at Minnesota
3. 4/14/08 Wild 3, Avalanche 2 (OT) at Colorado
4. 4/15/08 Avalanche 5, Wild 1 at Colorado
5. 4/17/08 Avalanche 3, Wild 2 at Minnesota
6. 4/19/08 Avalanche 2, Wild 1 at Colorado

(4)Anaheim vs. (5)Dallas
Dallas wins series 4-2
1. 4/10/08 Stars 4, Ducks 0 at Anaheim
2. 4/12/08 Stars 5, Ducks 2 at Anaheim
3. 4/15/08 Ducks 4, Stars 2 at Dallas
4. 4/17/08 Stars 3, Ducks 1 at Dallas
5. 4/18/08 Ducks 5, Stars 2 at Anaheim
6. 4/20/08 Stars 4, Ducks 1 at Dallas

Pens/Sens Playoff Series Preview

For the second consecutive year the Penguins will meet the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Last year the Sens set the tone in the first few minutes of game one and were able to control the level of play and aggressiveness immediately out of the box. So, with the Senators playing the underdog card giving the Penguins more confidence, should we expect the same thing again tomorrow?

Absolutely.

Ottawa will try to set the tone of the series tomorrow night in the same way that they did last year. They will be aggressive, hard hitting and intense. Will the result be them same?

No.

Pittsburgh will be ready this time. Game one is at home. The crowd is going to be fired up! The Pens have luxury of being able to look back at last year and learn from it. This team is bigger, faster and, if it even possible, better skilled. The injury list is clear with the exception of Mark Eaton. They are fresh, motivated, more experienced and ready to win.

With the addition of Marian Hossa at the trade deadline, the Pens added a skilled winger. This has been a much talked about need on the team for the past few years. The emergence of Evgeni Malkin gives Pittsburgh a second dangerous scoring line. Ottawa will have to be able to stop two scoring lines and two high energy role player lines that will aggravate and frustrate the Sens. Last season Ottawa could match their best defense line against the Crosby/Malkin line and were able to shut down the scoring. This will not be the case this time around.

Pittsburgh has also upgraded their defense. Adding Hal Gil at the deadline could be a key to playoff success. Gonchar has had one of the best seasons of his career. Letang is defiantely the Pens rookie of the year and Orpick has learned not to take himself out of position to get a huge hit. Sydor adds veteran leadership to a defense corps and locker room that was badly missed in last season playoffs.

Ottawa, on the other hand, is badly in need of motivation. Head coach/General Manager of the Sens, Bryan Murray, is using the fact that the Pens lost to the Flyers on the last day of the season to insinuate that the Pens lost on purpose in order to secure the series with Ottawa. But here are the facts: Ottawa has been the worst team in the NHL since January 1st, team captain and emotional leader Daniel Alfredsson is out for what has been only termed "weeks", Martin Gerber has been a locker room problem and backup goalie, Ray Emery, last seasons playoff hero, has been a shadow of himself. Murray is using whatever at his disposal to motivate his team into action. Can he be blamed for that? And being the Penguins, wouldn't you want a first round matchup with a team in these circumstances?

I may be a bit biased but I'm going to go along with most of the other hockey experts and go with the Pens in 5.

What the Opposition is Reading

Here are a few samples of what our hockey brothers and sisters to the north are reading today:

Pens tank vs. Flyers

Pens Relishing Rematch with Sens

Sens need to stir pot

and on the lighter side

ESPN.com Ranks Playoff Goalies

David Amber at ESPN.com has published a ranking of all 16 teams playoff goalies in the playoffs. Guess who is ranked at #16 (worst!). That's right, folks. It's Ottawa's Emery and Gerber.

See full story here: Click me

Nice to see Pittsburgh's Marc Andre Fleury in the 6 spot too!

Georges Laraque Vs Riley Cote 4/2/08

Here's one from last weeks game vs. the Flyers

Let the War of Words Begin!

Puckhead Report - Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review is reporting that Ottawa Senators Head Coach/General Manager Bryan Murray has questioned the work ethic of the Penguins in yesterday's loss to the Flyers.

"I knew what was going on...they wanted to play Ottawa. It was fairly obvious from the drop of the puck", Murray said.

Murray is suggesting that the Pens purposely dropped the game to the Flyers knowing that would give them a more favorable matchup with the Senators. While he is most likely using this as a motivational tool to get his team thinking that Pittsburgh is going to take them lightly knowing that it will be an easy series, this sort of suggestion could turn into a huge blunder if it gets the Sens thinking that they are an easy target for the offensively gifted Penguins. And I hope it does.

Now whether or not Pittsburgh lost the game on purpose, which I do not believe since they would have captured first place in the East with a win, Michel Therrien sat Sid Crosby for the game to give him a rest. They were also unable to score on 8 power play opportunities.

I do agree that a series, potentially 9 consecutive games with the last 2 regular season games, against the Flyers may have been tough on the Pens, it is Playoff Hockey. All series' are. That is the nature of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

News of Note - The Pens had the day off today and will begin preparation for the Ottawa series tomorrow. Game 1 is less than 48 hours away!

Playoff Hockey - Bring It On!

The Pens dropped the final game of the regular season to the Flyers, 2-0. The loss secured second place in the East and a first round playoff matchup against the same team that disposed of Pittsburgh in five games last year, the Ottawa Senators. The series begins in Pittsburgh on Wednesday at 7pm:

Wed 4/9 7pm Versus at Pittsburgh
Fri 4/11 7pm FSN at Pittsburgh
Mon 4/14 7pm FSN at Ottawa
Wed 4/16 7pm FSN at Ottawa
Sat 4/19 TBA at Pittsburgh (if necessary)
Sun 4/20 TBA at Ottawa (if necessary)
Tue 4/22 TBA at Pittsburgh (if necessary)

More to come later. Check back for analysis, news and a new feature called "What the opponents think..." that will offer views and commentary from Ottawa Senators fans and writers.

Pens 1, Rangers 2 OT

Recap - The Pens dropped a game in which they could have wrapped up first in the Atlantic to the Rangers, 2-1 in overtime. Pens goal was scored by Talbot.

It was a very hard fought game thorughout. The Rangers needed the win to stay in the Playoff hunt but were unable to obtain two points in regulation. Pittsburgh played a great defensive game but got off to a slow start in the first period, only posting one shot on goal in the first 20 minutes.

With the single point the Pens put themsleves within one point of winning the division. If they get a point in the next two games, or New Jersey loses one, the Pens will win the Atlantic. At this point they are already guarenteed home ice in the first round of the playoffs. Winning the Atlantic will mean at least a top 2 finish in the conference.

Injury Update - Gary Roberts is getting close to a return. He was recently quoted as saying he wanted to play in the last regular season game against the Flyers on Sunday. His presence in the locker room would be a tremendous boost for the post season.


Next Up - Tonight at the Igloo vs. Philadelphia. (7:30, FSN(HD), WXDX or listen here)

Pens 3, Rangers 1

Recap - The Pens put the Rangers away yesterday afternoon at Mellon Arena by the score of 3-1. Pens goals were scored by Hossa, Malkin and Talbot. Marc Andre Fleury stopped 26 of 27 shots to continue his phenomenal play since returning from the ankle injury.

The win put Pittsburgh back on top of the Eastern conference with three games remaining, one point ahead of the Canadiens. The Pens have nearly wrapped up first in the Atlantic. They have a 6 point lead over the Devils but New Jersey has a game in hand. If Pittsburgh earns three points or the Devils lose 3 points in any of the remaining games then the Pens will wrap up first place in the division.

Analysis - Hossa and Crosby are playing very well together. They looked like they were started to get used to each other's game throughout yesterday's contest. Crosby assisted on Hossa's goal along with Dupuis. Hossa did not seem to have any adverse effects from the hit to the back of the head. He was solid on his skates and made a number of great plays.

Wathcing this team come together the way it has since Thanksgiving has been nothing short of remarkable. They are definately ready for playoff hockey as evidenced by yesterday's physically solid play against the Rangers. This is the type of game they will have to play if they are going to go deep into the playoffs.

Next Up - Pittsburgh visits the Rangers tonight at Madison Square Garden (Versus, WXDX)

Pens 3, Islanders 1

Recap - Sidney Crosby returns to the line up for the first time in 7games. Marian Hossa plays his first game on a line with Sid. This was supposed to be the start of something very special...and indeed it was: Jarkko Ruutu scores the game winning goal and adds 2 assists and Georges Laraque scores a breakaway goal to seal the vistory. Sometimes things are very strange in the world that is the NHL.

The Pens first goal was scored by Malkin.

It was a tremendously competitive game. The hitting was fierce, the intensity high and the fights were numerous. I've been really impressed with the Islanders the past few games. They have no chance of making the playoffs but they really are playing as if they are fighting for a spot. Hats off to Ted Nolan for instilling the belief that they can win.

Ruutu was a pain in the Islander ass for the entire game. He gets my vote for player of the game. Not only did he score a goal and 2 assists, for a career high 3 points, he drew penalties, threw down the gloves, made a couple of huge hits and was generally a nuisance for the opposition. This is the reason that he is a fan favorite in this town!

Pittsburgh remains in first place in the Atlantic and is also, for the time being, first in the Eastern Conference. New Jersey lost last night so the Pens have a very comfortable 6 point lead over the Devils. If I had to pick a first round matchup right now I would have to say it will be the Flyers.

Hope everyone got their playoff tickets this morning. The first two games went on sale at 10am EDT and sold out within minutes. I was fortunate enough to secure 4 seats in section C1, row G for the second home game and have put 2 of them up on eBay. See listing here if interested:

Go to eBay

Next up - Sunday vs. NY Rangers at Mellon Arena. NBC 12:30pm

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 2, Devils 0...Pens Clinch Playoff Berth!

Recap - With a 2-0 win over the New Jersey Devils last night at the Prucential Center in New Jersey, the Pittsburgh Penguins have insured themselves a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second consecutive year. Pens goals were scored by Malone and Hossa put the nail in the coffin with an empty netter in the last minute of the third. Marc Andre fleury was spectacular in goal, posting his fourth shutout of the season. Fleury stopped all 31 shots he faced and made several key saves to preserve the shutout.

Analysis - the Pens beat the Devils at their own game last night. They played solid defense, keeping the Devils away from the front of the net, blocking shots, clogging up the neutral zone and finishing their checks.

The win gave the Pens a four point lead over the Devils in the Atlantic. This puts the playoff seeding in their own hands. If they win, they will be at least a two seed. If they lose they will not. They could secure the one seed in the conference but will have to rely on Montreal to lose a couple of games, and with the way the Canadiens have been playing that does not seem likely. It's looking more and more likely as each game goes by that the Pens first round matchup is going to be the hated Flyers. Since the last two games of the season are against Philadelphia it is possible that the two teams will play each other for as many as nine consecutive games. More on the Pens/Flyers playoff matchup will come at a later date if it looks any more likely that this will occur.

Injury Update - Sidney Crosby continues to participate in full practices with the team. He should be back in the line up in the next game or two. Rob Scuderi returned to the line up last night after missing the past three weeks due to a severely broken finger.

Playoff Tickets to go on Sale Friday

The Penguins have announced that tickets for the first two games of the Stanley Cup Playoffs will go on sale Friday (3/28) at 10am. Tickets will be available at Ticketmaster.com, by calling 412-323-1919 or at the Mellon Arena box office. 2000 tickets will be available for each game.

Get them quick as playoff tickets sold out in 10 minutes last year!

Pens 1, Islanders 4

RecapThe Penguins lost to the Islanders last night 4-1 in New York. Pittsburgh's lone goal was scored by Petr Sykora.

While it looked as if it was going to be a very competitive, exciting game in the first period, it had quite a different turnout than expected. Something happened during the first intermission that took Pittsburgh totally out of the game. The Isles were dominant throughout the second and third periods in a game which could have seen the Pens wrapping up a playoff spot with a win. Instead Pittsburgh has to look forward to playing games on consecutive days when they take on the Devils tonight in New Jersey. At least they didn't have far to travel...

Pens captain, Sidney Crosby, was conspicously absent amid speculation that he would re-join his team last night. In an on air interview with Versus at the start of the game he stated that his "conditioning was not quite there yet" and that he would not play tonight against New Jersey. If there was ever a pre-playoff game that Sid should play in it is the one tonight. Judging by their performance against the Islanders, this team needs a boost. Tonight is the closest thing to a must win as possible in a regular season game. A win will restore confidence to a team that clearly lost it last night. And it will also keep some space between first and second in the Atlantic division.

Pens 7, Devils 1

Recap - The New Jersey Devils were obsiously still hung over from the overtime loss to the Islanders the preceding evening and didn't bother to show up for the game against the Pens Saturday night. Pittsburgh thumped the Devils 7-1. Pens goals scored by Ruutu, Malone (2), Dupuis, Malkin (2) and Sykora. Malkin's first goal of the evening put him at 100 points for the season, only 4 behind NHL leader Alex Ovechkin. Marc Andre Fleury continued his strong play since coming back from the ankle injury. He stopped 24 of 25 shots and did not allow a goal after halfway through the first period.

Next Up - Monday vs. the NY Islanders

Analysis - With the win Saturday night the Pens moved into first place in the Atlantic and only trail Eastern Conference leader, Montreal, by one point. There are seven games remaining in the regular season and Pittsburgh only needs to secure one more point to insure themselves a spot in the playoffs but really need to earn a point in each remaining game to finish in one of the top 4 spots (2 vs. Islander, 1 vs. Devils, 2 vs. Rangers and 2 vs. Flyers).