Pens Solidify Playoff Spot

With the 5-2 win over the New York Rangers the Penguins finalized their own playoff picture.  It looks like they draw home ice advantage over the Philadelphia Flyers.  Its going to be a brutal series with a hated rival.  I can't wait.  But wait, first lets summarize the New York game....

The Pens looked solid.  Kunitz, Kennedy, Park, Malkin and Letang all scored goals tonight while Fleury stopped 35 shots and let 2 sneak by.  Not bad, not bad at all.  The Pens also racked up 25 penalty minutes in preparation for the Philly series coming up... My gut is telling me both these teams are going to spend a lot of time killing penalties.

Saturday the Pens and Flyers meet up in the final regular season game to get a few shots in before the playoffs begin.  Don't look forward to seeing a lot of star power on the ice on Saturday.  Winning or losing doesn't change anything for either team so I don't look for them to risk injuries to the key players. Look for the Pens to call up some youngsters and give them a little extra ice time.

Now we sit and wait until the real games start with Philly..... I can't say this enough, It's going to be BRUTAL folks..... I know it, you know it, and the players know it.  Its going to make for some great hockey.

Pens collect another win!

The Pens officially clinched a playoff birth with tonights 5-1 victory over the Nashville Predators.  It was a GREAT game to watch.  If the Pens play this way in the playoffs no one will be able to stop them, I don't care who they are.

James Neal came out tonight and set up everyone he possibly could as he collected 4 assists on the night. Evgeni Malkin was right there with him scoring 2 goals (both from Neal) picking up number 44 and 45 on the season.  Kris Letang and Chris Kunitz both added a goal and an assist while Matt Cooke also tallied a goal for the Pens.

Marc-Andre Fleury remained solid in the net tonight stopping 29 of 30 shots he faced. 

There is so much to say about this Penguins team and the way they are playing but I think people really need to just watch a game to see.  Watching tonight I couldn't help but notice that they are everywhere.  I know, your thinking of course they are there is only so much room on the ice.  Thats not what I mean.  What I mean is, they are hitting, getting hit, avoiding big hits, making passes, taking passes, throwing everything they have into every second they are on the ice. Even if you aren't a Pens fan (why aren't you????) you need to watch them play just once without whatever biased you have that makes you not like them.  If you can honestly tell me that you think there is another hockey team out there right now that can beat them..... I'd like to know who it is an what on earth makes you believe that?

I hope they can maintain the momentum that they have going right now and make a solid run for the cup.  I have no reason to believe they won't but there is still a lot that can happen..... so for now I am going to sit back and enjoy the ride!

Pens Beat the Devils 5-2

Today the Pens left no doubt in my mind that they are legit contenders to bring the cup back to Pittsburgh when they convincingly beat the Devils 5-2.  Even the most casual of hockey fans has taken notice of the Pens current win streak (11 games!) and the fact that this team is really playing beyond solid hockey.  Even on nights when they don't look like they are playing their best, they are still playing good enough to win.

What is even more amazing is that the "star" player on this team, Sidney Crosby, hasn't even been playing but now that he has returned from injury he has picked up right where he left off.  In the second period of the game verse the Devils, Crosby set up Evgeni Malkin for the one timer from his knees!  So many players couldn't make that pass on their best day, and yet here's Crosby in only his second game back dishing these amazing passes oh and don't forget collecting his 5th assist in 2 games.

We can't overlook the play of the rest of this team.  Pittsburgh is getting points from everywhere including Matt Cooke, James Neal, Chris Kunitz, Evgeni Malkin, Pascal Dupuis..... I could keep going but you get my point.  While we are at it I can't forget to at least mention how well the defense is playing as well as the PK units and the PP team.  Oh yeah, and finally it should be said that Marc-Andre Fleury is playing SUPERB hockey right now.  I have been known to bash Fleury pretty hard sometimes but I will 100% give him props right now, he is on it.

If what we are seeing is only the build up to the playoffs...... I CAN'T WAIT!!!