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!!!

Bad Pittsburgh Sports Night

I am not even sure where to start this post.  Luckily its a blog and not an article because the only thing I can manage to think about the Pens playoff game last night is "Horrible".  Yet again we jumped up quick.... and yet again we managed to let the Flyers not only come back,  but take the lead AND WIN.  What makes this even worse is not only did we allow Sean Couturier to get a Hat Trick but we also let Claude Giroux collect a Hat Trick (while also adding 3 assists Giroux had a great game).  Two hat tricks in one game.... that makes me wonder where on earth our defense was?  I can tell you they were not out there last night, well they were on the ice but they weren't very good.

We had far to many costly turnovers to even dream of winning that game.  Ben Lovejoy had one of those costly turnovers allowing Couturier to score a breakaway goal to even the score at 5.  From that point on the Flyers didn't look back.  And my head began to hurt.  I guess my head hurt so much because I can't understand how we can jump on them so quick and not take full advantage of the lead that we created.

The fact is game three in Philly is going to be HUGE, if we don't pull out the win then the series is basically lost. We absolutely need to win Sunday's game to stay alive and stop the momentum the Flyers have built up.  Many writes, bloggers, and assorted sports junkies said from the beginning this was going to go all seven games, and I was in agreement with that, I just didn't think it would be because we dropped the first two games in such a horrible fashion.  Sunday's game holds all the marbles for the Pens.... Lets hope we can keep it together.

In other Pittsburgh Sports news the Pirates lost 5-0 to the San Francisco Giants last night.  They play again tonight at 9:05pm with Charlie Morton making his season debut, returning from off season hip surgery.  I will get more into a Pirates review later tonight but for now I am still trying to swallow the Pens loss....

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!