Can The Pens Win One?

I haven't posted in a few days...... I was a little hostile and afraid that I might take my anger at my beloved Pens and splatter it all over this blog.  I didn't really want to do that so I took a few days off to regroup, it worked for me so dear god please let these last few days off work for the Pens too!  There is a chance that they can still win this series, a slim slim chance, but any chance is better than none.  They have come back from 3 games down before, although not to Philly and not without Malkin stepping up and scoring.  He hasn't scored in 12 playoff games.  12.  I just read that stat on Mark Maddens twitter feed.  I knew he hadn't scored this series, but I didn't realize how many playoff games he has been scoreless.  That stat really hurts.  We need the leagues leading point scorer to step up and SCORE!  I feel like I should take the opportunity to say that our defense has hopefully also arrived in Philly.  I think they got lost along the way because they certainly were not on the ice last game.

I am not a Marc-Andre Fleury fan, thats not a newsflash or anything so I would love to blame him for the insane amount of goals Philly has scored but I can't.  Oh I know I can blame a few on him, believe me hes not innocent in these debacle games.  He just isn't 100% to blame either.  At some point someone has to step up and help him out.  Maybe playing a thousand regular season games in goal isn't looking like such a great idea anymore, maybe Fleury is tired, maybe Bylsma is regretting that decision.... maybe not.  Maybe Disco Dan is going to come out tonight with the exact same game plan he has used for the last 3 games..... I hope thats not the case and some adjustments were made..... I guess I will just have to start pacing and impatiently waiting for this game.  I'm optimistic about tonight though..... LETS GO PENS!!!

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 grab a "W" from the Jets

The Penguins bounced back huge from their loss Sunday to the Flyers by throwing down an 8-4 victory against the Winnipeg Jets.  The Jets jumped up early but behind a James Neal hat trick (and 4 total points), Evgeni Malkin scoring 5 points and Sidney Crosby collecting 4 points, not to mention so many other contributions that the Jets never had a chance.

Most impressive of all of these was Tyler Kennedy.  All the talk involving Kennedy lately has been how much he has been under producing.  You can count me as one of those who were greatly disappointed in his play.  Lately though I have been even more disappointed in him, and by lately I mean since Sidney Crosby has returned and joined TK on a line with Matt Cooke.  Kennedy hasn't been able to capitalize on many things the last few games (and by the last few games I mean the last 17), but not today..... today he stepped up and scored not once but twice, both off Crosby assists.

A few other notes from the game....

Pascal Dupuis scored his career high 21st goal of the season.

Malkin has had 4 (including today's win over the Jets) 5 point games this season.


Malkin also currently has a league high 93 points, 9 points ahead of Steven Stamkos of Tampa and Claude Giroux of Philadelphia.

The Pens have won 8 in a row at home.

James Neal's hat trick today was only the second of his career, the first as a Penguin.

At this point I just want to say, lets go PENS!!!

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!!!