tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18853381046499131972024-03-13T00:11:56.270-04:00Back To The PointCSheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14828291664707462038noreply@blogger.comBlogger166125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885338104649913197.post-50578842311908996472010-07-16T16:20:00.008-04:002010-07-16T22:18:19.790-04:00Thoughts On Kovalchuk, Koivu & EklundI felt inspired by what I've been seeing around over the last couple days and felt compelled to comment on some things.<br /><br />First, the Ilya Kovalchuk madness needs to stop. The speculation of where he'd sign has been going on since well before the UFA period opened on July 1.<br /><br />As a Pens supporter, I would clearly like to see him leave the division and preferably the conference. His shot and quick release are lethal and seeing him six times a year is something I'd rather not experience.<br /><br />That being said, his coming to the New Jersey Devils was NEVER the right move. For a guy who is known for his offense, why would a mind-numbingly, boring and defensive-minded team trade a king's ransom for a guy that turned down $100 million from his then-current team?<br /><br />It's a huge risk and had they won the Stanley Cup this season, no one would have questioned it. However, the Devils got dominated in the first round and were hitting the golf course by the end of April.<br /><br />Based on everything I've seen from the insiders and even Eklund, who thinks he's an insider, it's rather apparent he wants to go play in Los Angeles.<br /><br />Can you blame the guy? Jack Johnson, Drew Doughty, Anze Kopitar etc. Hell, I'd even consider coming out of a self-induced retirement from playing hockey to have a go with those three guys.<br /><br />On top of that, the Kings clearly want Kovalchuk, so what the hell is taking so long in hammering out a contract?<br /><br />This is bordering on middle school dance behavior where you tell your friend to go ask the cute girl if she'd dance with you because you're too afraid of rejection in front of the entire school and the pressure is too high with high school just around the corner and if she says no, the next four years of your life could be worse than Alexandre Daigle's career, but if she says yes, the whole student body will respect you and you'll be a Greek god for all of high school.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKbT9hp9k_-PRVu0voq4Xw9TXM78uzl1IgJhm5divlW9lV_3w7c09uImHzEr_HHnWsp2W5nfYG-VCAWdVJN_1kf0kvD0ePGHmlwPa9TcTEJ23JdpFl7_SDVRFRgA6xkhLcwe8ln7__rZg/s1600/scared-boy-screaming_~px340044.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKbT9hp9k_-PRVu0voq4Xw9TXM78uzl1IgJhm5divlW9lV_3w7c09uImHzEr_HHnWsp2W5nfYG-VCAWdVJN_1kf0kvD0ePGHmlwPa9TcTEJ23JdpFl7_SDVRFRgA6xkhLcwe8ln7__rZg/s400/scared-boy-screaming_~px340044.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494620672390287490" /></a> (Gotta love Google image search)<br /><br />Wow....that got a little out of hand, but anyway.<br /><br />The Kings and the Kovalchuk camp want to get a deal done. Plain and simple. So get the damn thing done so the rest of the league can get back to retooling their rosters and infuriating their fan bases by making awful moves.<br /><br />Which brings me to my next point.<br /><br />The Minnesota Wild signed Mikko Koivu to a seven-year $47.25 million contract extension that will keep him in Minny through the 2017-18 season.<br /><br />I'd have a joke about that, but the contract is worth a hearty laugh if you're not a Wild fan.<br /><br />If you are a Wild fan, it probably provokes a lovely stroll through traffic while wearing dark clothing at night.<br /><br />How is Koivu worth that much money? Am I missing something?<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FZhPw8kCskk&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FZhPw8kCskk&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />That much money for a guy who has only barely eclipsed the 70-point plateau once in his career? Is he going to be playing against kids that size? If so, then it's a brilliant move.<br /><br />UPDATE:<br /><br />During a conversation via Twitter with OneSmugPug, he suggested one of my Tweets be added to this.<br /><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/CaseySheaPens">CaseySheaPens</a>: <a href="http://twitter.com/OneSmugPug">@OneSmugPug</a> and I know Koivu was having fun with those kids but I was hoping for Bob Probert to go Kool-Aid man through the boards and end it.<br /><br />OneSmugPug has a <a href="http://www.thehockeypug.com/">blog of his own you should check out</a> after you've read every word of every post for the last 3 years on this blog. Seriously, the time and effort will be worth it both here and with his work. It'll change your life. <br /><br />You can also find him and <a href="http://twitter.com/Brian_Metzer">Brian Metzer</a> at <a href="http://fromthepoint.com/">From The Point</a>, which might just be the greatest thing since sliced bread. Seriously, it's good stuff and made doubly better for Pens fans.<br /><br />Now back to the ramblings:<br /><br />Sure Koivu's a good player, but for that kind of money you could either sign another stud free agent or bring in a couple other guys to help round out the roster. I'd come up with names, but my head hurts trying to justify that kind of contract for a guy like him.<br /><br />Finally, everybody's favorite rumor guy is publicly defending himself against the trolls of the Internet.<br /><br />It's been rather apparent and proven by many people, that his site is something you read when you're having a bad day and you need a laugh.<br /><br />I'm sure he knows some people on the inside and whatnot, but the guy is never right.<br /><br />Ok sorry, my bad. According to <a href="http://hockeybuzzhogwash.com/">HockeyBuzzHogwash.com</a>, Eklund was right 3.1 percent of the time over a span of 17 months. During that time he was correct on 15 rumors and wrong on 457.<br /><br />Here's the thing, people still flock to his site only to be led off the edge like a group of lemmings.<br /><br />Most of these people are probably not hockey fans to begin with and don't know the more reliable sources like <a href="http://twitter.com/DarrenDreger">Darren Dreger</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/TSNBobMcKenzie">Bob McKenzie</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/SpectorsHockey">Spector</a> to name a few.<br /><br />Either way, no one's stopping you from going to it.<br /><br />The problem persists when those uninformed individuals then post on their blogs, Facebook pages or Twitter accounts what this guy is saying as if it's truth. Sorry not truth, more like an e5. Yeah, that's more accurate.<br /><br />Regardless of what you think of the guy, he showed a different side on his latest post this afternoon.<br /><br />He posted what may be the longest (and by default the post with the largest amount of typos ever) entry in the history of the site.<br /><br />However, he spends little time updating the status of Kovalchuk and the overwhelming majority of the post defending what he does and why he does it.<br /><br />We all know why he does it, so I won't even go into it.<br /><br />However, I was more perturbed that he was criticizing the people who criticize him, which will only add fuel to the fire I'm sorry to say.<br /><br />When you boil it down, his site is a blog, just as this is a blog.<br /><br />The sole purpose of a blog is for the author to express an opinion. Sure, some use blogs to report on factual things and such, but the majority of blogs are opinionated ramblings.<br /><br />The best part about blogs is that people can comment on them and say whatever they want. <br /><br />Why?<br /><br />BECAUSE IT'S THEIR OPINION!<br /><br />Not everyone is going to agree with your opinion on things. People are going to call you out. Someone living in their parent's basement with nothing better to do with their time, is going to call you out all the time!<br /><br />Why?<br /><br />BECAUSE THEY CAN!<br /><br />As the author of a blog and other published works on various websites, you can't take the comments seriously. Reading them is fine, maybe you might pick up something you could improve upon or engage your audience a bit more through the comments, but to sit there and drive yourself to the point of making a public defense of your work?<br /><br />Come on, that's a bit much.<br /><br />Anyway, this is getting a bit longer than intended and if you've made it this far, I applaud your effort and anxiously await your scathing comments that will cause me to show up all bleary-eyed and exhausted to work tomorrow.CSheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14828291664707462038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885338104649913197.post-91048908608138989592010-03-01T16:21:00.004-05:002010-03-01T16:52:58.257-05:00Crosby Leaves Me Uncomfortably NumbI sincerely hope that yesterday's gold medal game and really, the entire Olympic hockey tournament will bring a new wave of fans to the sport.<br /><br />For as great as last year's NHL playoffs were, I think this two week exhibition was some of the best hockey we have ever seen.<br /><br />Outside of die-hard hockey fans and maybe some gamers of EA's NHL series, who had ever heard of guys like Tore Vikingstad and Hnat Domenichelli before?<br /><br />Who knew Belarus had a hockey team that could actually put a scare into some of the world powers?<br /><br />Who knew the USA would actually get the easiest road to the gold medal game by beating their rivals to the north in the round-robin?<br /><br />Here's the thing, no one could have predicted the United States coming together as well as they did.<br /><br />I will say that some of my prognosticating was spot on.<br /><br />First off, Ryan Miller was what kept this team alive for the entire tournament except for the semifinal game against Finland where an orange cone in net would have done the job after the Americans jumped out to a 6-0 lead early.<br /><br />Against Canada, Miller sparkled and made two or three game-changing saves in the third period to keep USA within striking distance.<br /><br />Would he love to have the overtime goal by Sidney Crosby back?<br /><br />Absolutely.<br /><br />Can anyone really place any blame on Miller for giving it up?<br /><br />Hell no and if you're of that mentality, you need electroshock therapy.<br /><br />Which brings me to why I have no emotions about the game other than a vast appreciation for how great the game was.<br /><br />Had anyone else scored the game-winner I'd be sitting here right now ripping someone apart (Ryan Whitney most likely) about the loss.<br /><br />But it was Crosby.<br /><br />The same kid who delivered a Stanley Cup to Pittsburgh this past June. The kid who is the captain of my beloved Penguins.<br /><br />How can I hate him for realizing a childhood dream?<br /><br />My captain beat my country and I am left uncomfortably numb. I'm in hockey fan purgatory like I was when the Red Wings pasted the Flyers in the Stanley Cup Finals. <br /><br />Crosby's goal robbed me of elation or depression and I think this feeling might be worse, but I still like the guy.<br /><br />I feel like I'm being torn apart inside. I really wanted to jump off my couch screaming like an idiot as the boys in blue piled on top of Miller as the hushed Canadian crowd looks on.<br /><br />If that couldn't happen, let me be pissed off when someone like Jarome Iginla scores to knock us off.<br /><br />Had Jeff Carter scored, I might have needed a new television, but at least I'd have closure.<br /><br />Maybe this numbness will wear off tomorrow when Sid's back in the black and gold and I no longer have to root for Zach Parise to put the team I'm rooting for on his back.<br /><br />All I can say is thankfully Martin Brodeur wasn't in net and that I can be happy that I said Canada won't win gold with him in net.<br /><br />If he was in net yesterday, this whole post becomes a thank you letter to the aging wonder.<br /><br />Nothing made me happier than seeing the look on his face while sitting on the bench sulking. He looked like someone told him crepes were outlawed and that Quebec's official language was being changed to English.<br /><br />I will say that I feel lucky enough to have witnessed this display and can only hope that yesterday's game helped to grow the game in the country. <br /><br />Everything that is good and great about the game was on display for two weeks. Hopefully someone took notice.CSheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14828291664707462038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885338104649913197.post-85378472013289576692010-02-20T14:16:00.004-05:002010-02-21T13:20:06.280-05:00USA Vs. Canada TomorrowWhile I'm not shocked by the United States being 2-0 in this tournament so far, I am shocked that Switzerland nearly knocked off Canada.<br /><br />That game against the Swiss was probably the most exciting game I've seen since the Pens knocked off Detroit in Game 7 for the Stanley Cup.<br /><br />Jonas Hiller was the Greek god of goaltending and has permanent bragging rights over Ducks teammate Ryan Getzlaf.<br /><br />He not only stoned him in the shootout, he flat out pulled the greatest glove save in at least the last 10 years late in the third.<br /><br />No words came out of my mouth as my jaw hung wide open. Simply incredible and Getzlaf was in desperate need of a long hug from your girlfriend.<br /><br />Anyway, I still think that Team USA is screwed for tomorrow's showdown in Vancouver.<br /><br />What's on the line is potentially a first round bye if they can force OT or get a win.<br /><br />A win assures them of a top four seed, but with how the Group of Death (Group B) is playing out, one point in the standings could also get it done.<br /><br />Here's my issue with the Americans right now.<br /><br />In my predictions, I said that the inexperience of the young squad was concerning. That inexperience has shown up big time and if the USA would have played a top notch team in either of those openers, we're not sitting at 2-0.<br /><br />I've completely lost count of how many odd-man rushes the Americans have given up so far. Keep in mind they were giving these up to the Swiss and the bastard child of Scandinavia in Norway.<br /><br />If they continue to play fast and loose on defense, this will be an ugly game. Ryan Miller is a very good goaltender, but not even he will be able to shut down those odd-man rushes.<br /><br />The way this game needs to go tonight if the United States wants to get a win is to play a very tight checking game.<br /><br />If Canada puts up 4 goals, it's over. With Martin Brodeur in net, even getting three will be a challenge if they don't put bodies out in front of him. I can't stand the guy, but he stops what he sees and hates traffic.<br /><br />David Backes should take a run at him early to get in his head and if anyone breathes on Marty, watch for him to start crying to the refs like he always does. <br /><br />Some say he's the greatest of all-time and they're right. He's the greatest whiner of all-time. <br /><br />Either way, if they get to overtime, the United States should get a first round bye, which is far more than any of us probably expected.<br /><br />Puck drop is 7:40 p.m. Eastern.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Canada 5 USA 1</span> - write it down and take it to the bank.CSheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14828291664707462038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885338104649913197.post-22930432080648511422010-02-18T14:54:00.008-05:002010-02-18T16:06:06.181-05:00Tour Of The Consol Energy Center<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtlJRGbFmMYo-n-PrdbKrF2XaRVfZ0QBZwT2kzQ1eh9Fqt6aH2Ek-KYjbD9a96d3TP6UDr0sAeea2TS8K7MzxoUje6byn2hogBWYlizMCgukgulQYjLDzdRjnhqegpP13skFufISUPcRJ/s1600-h/consol_3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtlJRGbFmMYo-n-PrdbKrF2XaRVfZ0QBZwT2kzQ1eh9Fqt6aH2Ek-KYjbD9a96d3TP6UDr0sAeea2TS8K7MzxoUje6byn2hogBWYlizMCgukgulQYjLDzdRjnhqegpP13skFufISUPcRJ/s400/consol_3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439691532483290322" /></a><br /><br />(View of the Igloo from the new Consol Energy Center)<br /><br />Yesterday, I was one of a lucky few members of the media to get a tour of the new home of the Pittsburgh Penguins.<br /><br />The Consol Energy Center is going to be an amazing facility and it's amazing to see how far along the process is compared to the pile of dirt it used to be.<br /><br />The tour was led by CEO Ken Sawyer and VP of Communications Tom McMillan. I must say, both are very nice guys and were very accommodating.<br /><br />The tour started off by signing my life away since the building is very much an active construction zone.<br /><br />We were then boarded onto shuttles and taken in the back entrance to the new building. Representatives from all the media outlets in Pittsburgh were in town and everyone was more than impressed with the building.<br /><br />After a short walk through the back area of the arena, we emerged into the ice level area.<br /><br />It took me a minute to realize where I was and what I was supposed to be doing. I was sent to <a href="http://kdka.com/slideshows/Consol.Energy.Center.20.1500815.html">take pictures for a slideshow on kdka.com,</a> but I couldn't pull the trigger.<br /><br />The place is gorgeous. Workers were all over the building tending to their projects, forcing Sawyer to pretty much yell the entire time to explain what everything was.<br /><br />I wasn't paying much attention to what Sawyer had to say about the building because one of our reporters was there to handle that, so I started to wander around a little bit and explore.<br /><br />The concrete slab for the ice surface was brought in a few weeks ago and now the plywood base is being constructed.<br /><br />It's a very weird/cool sight to see how a rink is constructed from nothing to what we all know one looks like.<br /><br />There are no seats in place yet, but the concrete rows are already in place.<br /><br />I took a moment to just stand there and imagine hearing the goal horn go off and here the building erupt and feel the concrete rumble to it's core.<br /><br />Playoff time will be fantastic in the building, no question.<br /><br />I couldn't help but stand at the one end of the ice, where Marc-Andre Fleury will be protecting his net, and stare out at the other end. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCpQNmSbR1smyb69BdDs1Lte0aWY3d7HugRcXpqg8giulgRb43cmOUTVCTKpMDv0_JpzOMIRWOtQPyklCUFYJXPuqHAjhe5iu8BF0aRk4Uovs055R1fb1702SdPSYnDtZyT0b8mG23YPd/s1600-h/consol_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCpQNmSbR1smyb69BdDs1Lte0aWY3d7HugRcXpqg8giulgRb43cmOUTVCTKpMDv0_JpzOMIRWOtQPyklCUFYJXPuqHAjhe5iu8BF0aRk4Uovs055R1fb1702SdPSYnDtZyT0b8mG23YPd/s400/consol_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439691290807364594" /></a><br /><br />From the rink area, we moved into the locker room area and I don't think I've ever seen anything like it.<br /><br />The Pens' locker room is shaped like a giant egg, with the lockers around the outer walls.<br /><br />According to Sawyer the chalkboards and video boards will be at the one end and a team logo will be in the middle of the floor.<br /><br />As the players enter the building they will have a special changing room. The purpose of the room will be to change out of their suits and street clothes. From there the walk to the actual locker room is all of a few feet through an enormous recreation room.<br /><br />That room will have couches and recreational games for the players. Televisions and the whole nine yards will be in the room to help the players relax and kill some time between periods and before games.<br /><br />The shower area is huge too and there's a new steam room in that area.<br /><br />Without a doubt, the entire team will be able to fit in that steam room and be comfortable.<br /><br />We also toured the new concession areas and concorses. All are much bigger and wider than the current amenities at the Mellon Arena.<br /><br />There are conference rooms and party rooms at the new building. Pretty much whatever you want to do at this new building is available.<br /><br />The conference rooms are all going to be hooked up with display screens and everything to assist in presentations.<br /><br />The Consol Energy Center has it all.<br /><br />The luxury suites are just plain disgusting too. The whole tour fit beyond comfortably in a mock suite that was already finished. Each had a couple rows of seats and offer great views of the ice.<br /><br />Honestly, I don't think there will be a bad seat in the whole building. <br /><br />We went up to the upper-deck and even from up there, the view was impressive. Sawyer said that there will not be an obstructed view seat in the entire building.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCxnsHLwYkmLUIJFsQG8wXc1eOWpw7VdnaHl-ba56CwHV0hZzd50_wSzWMtAH3zX6Z8DYTBzLU3pBOtQAJYAhOj1b3nUj0M80DR3qNiABCqsN2vfiSj_x8_ddhs2D2gJlKRDXV2wCM8my/s1600-h/consol_9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCxnsHLwYkmLUIJFsQG8wXc1eOWpw7VdnaHl-ba56CwHV0hZzd50_wSzWMtAH3zX6Z8DYTBzLU3pBOtQAJYAhOj1b3nUj0M80DR3qNiABCqsN2vfiSj_x8_ddhs2D2gJlKRDXV2wCM8my/s400/consol_9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439689666383216834" /></a><br /><br />Anyone who has sat under the overhangs at Mellon Arena knows what that's like. I spent one game in the last row under an overhang up there. Had a great time, but was a little disappointed in the seats.<br /><br />My favorite picture that I took is this one.<br /><br />That's my feet planted at what will be center ice. <br /><br />Needless to say, I got chills standing there and looking around again trying to imagine the seats filled to capacity with fans chanting "Let's Go Pens!!"<br /><br />Only a few more months until that happens and hopefully the Pens can open the building in style with another Stanley Cup ceremony and banner raising.CSheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14828291664707462038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885338104649913197.post-15588202172517058592010-02-16T12:17:00.004-05:002010-02-16T12:54:02.972-05:00Flyers Season ReviewWell, well, it's been quite a while since I've had the pleasure of dissecting how the Flyers are throwing away a perfectly good season. Thankfully, they stormed into the break with two unexpected, and franky unbelievable come from behind wins against the Devils (remember in the 90's when the Devils were up by one goal in the third period and you just knew there was no point in watching the game anymore? I really, really don't miss those days), followed by a pair of victories over the Canadiens whom the Flyers are dueling for a lower half playoff spot.<br /><br />Truth is, the Flyers have no excuse not to make the playoffs at this point. We started off well, then hit the lull. John Stevens was fired and replaced with Peter Laviolette, and I had no issue with it. I had issue with the way the team played for the next stretch under Peter, but I settled for chalking it up to "getting used to the new system". Well, they have had plenty of time to get used to his system, and the team is still marked by inconsistent play. Perhaps the wins over the devils will buttress their confidence, especially Simon Gagne, who's nose for the net seemed to have disappeared until he single-handedly won the second game in overtime. Perhaps the shellacking of the Canadiens 6-2 a day after nearly giving up, but holding on to a 3-0 lead will shake guys like Briere and Hartnell out of their funk.<br /><br />It's hard to say what will happen from here on out. What I do know is that the Flyers have a lot more talent than most of the teams they are fighting for playoff spots with. The division isn't even out of the question if the Devils and Penguins stumble through the final quarter, but my sights are merely set on a playoff spot (and hopefully avoiding either the Caps or the Pens in the first round).<br /><br />Moving on to player contributions. Defense first. Pronger has been a force in the back, as expected, even though it's quite obvious he's lost a step. He can be beat with speed to the outside, but he is still chewing up minutes like crazy and using his body very well. Everyone knows we signed him for the playoffs, and his impact will be most noticeable there. Timonen has been his usual self, not underrated in our eyes but perhaps still around the league. He doesn't have the big body, but he's one of the most positionally sound defensemen around, and quite the passer to boot. One of the main problems with the offense last year was the inability of our defensemen to make good first passes out of the zone, but Pronger and Timonen are leading the way for guys like Carle and Coburn, and that aspect of our game has truly improved under Laviolette's attacking system. Krajicek has filled in admirably on the third line since acquired, and I think we're all pretty pleased to not see OKT back there anymore. Tough luck on injuries for him, but he's Detroit's problem now. As for the others - Bartulis, and the injured Parent and Syvret, they've been average at best. Bartulis has been forced into extended action sooner than we anticipated, so I have no issues with his play (go Latvia!). Overall, the defense has absolutely been a strength of the team, allowing 2.63 goals per game (11th in the NHL), and 28.2 shots per game (4th). With Pronger leading the way, and a group of forwards who don't mind getting dirty, blocked shots are a regular theme.<br /><br />On to the forwards. It feels like this group has traded slumps back and forth between them all season. We lost Knuble and Lupul in the offseason, but I don't think that's the real issue here. Maybe it's taking too much time for lines to mesh, maybe certain people (I'm looking directly at you Scott Hartnell) have forgotten how to put the puck in the net. Maybe we were expecting too much out of Giroux (who has looked elite at times in his puckhandling and passing) and van Riemsdyk (who has had a very good rookie year, but still drives us crazy when his slick skating and sweet shot disappear for stretches at a time). I'm certainly not putting blame on the latter two. JVR is a rook, he's still learning, and he's been great. Giroux has been shuffled around, like a lot of the guys, between Richards' line, down to play with JVR and Asham, and other combinations as well. When you've got a rookie and a grinder on your wings, it's not easy to shine. The fourth line has been excellent when healthy - Laperriere, Betts (who we recently re-signed to a 2 year deal at a very reasonable cap hit, pleasing me much), and Carcillo. Though Laviolette has now moved Carcillo onto the top line with Richie and Gags, so we'll see how long that lasts.<br /><br />Let's face it, this group of forwards is built to spread scoring out. Carter isn't going to score 48 goals again this year, but that is okay. We didn't nab Kovalchuk, so we don't have that overwhelming star force. Richards and Carter are the offensive leaders, but they are also two-way players, and we are counting on more than just them to fuel us. Briere has been mediocre for his contract numbers, but perhaps the switch back to left wing and a hat trick against those Montreal fans that just love him so much will give him back his drive. Powerplay is sitting at 5th in the league at 22.2%, which is remarkable considering they have been faltering lately, but still proves that the Flyers are capable of putting pucks in the net at all times. Do we need to trade someone to shake up the offense? Maybe. But the only person I'd like to see go is Hartnell, and he has a no-movement clause, an inflated salary, and perhaps too strong of a connection to the other players. If he can curtail his boneheaded penalties and work off this epic cold streak, he can stay around.<br /><br />I've been rambling for long enough and still have to cover the goaltenders, so I'm going to leave trade rumors for after the Olympics. Casey put up a nice Olympic preview there, check it out. And now, the epicenter of the Flyers struggles since Ron Hextall left - goaltenders.<br /><br />Ray Emery looked like a reasonably solid pickup at the beginning of the season. He played well for the most part, flashing across the crease and making the saves he needed to. He seems to lose track of the puck sometimes and sits idle instead of scrambling back into the crease, but for the most part, he was decent, and better than a lot of people expected when they heckled the signing in the offseason. He hasn't blown up at anyone, punched any trainers in the face, or gotten himself in any trouble (that I know of). Boucher.. hasn't gotten much time at all. Sorry Boush, it looks like you are stuck as a backup, and possibly even third goalie if Emery comes back from injury. At this point, I don't think that would be a wise decision. A torn labrum for a goalie after abdominal surgery at 27? Rumors are floating around that this could be career-threatening for Emery - and if he needs surgery, why throw him back into the net? He relies on quickness and movement, and if he's not 100%, we shouldn't be playing him.<br /><br />And besides, Michael Leighton has done everything we could ask of him to earn the starting job. I'm just as worried as the next guy that he's going to revert back to his career norm and start giving up softies every game instead of every once and a while. Is he the guy? Maybe. In 18 games he's put up some very impressive statistics - 12-3-2 with a .925 sv% and 2.19 GAA. If he qualified, those numbers would be in the top 10 in the league, easily. He says he's slightly adjusted his game by not challenging shooters quite as much, leading to better positioning. There are still rumors connecting Flyers to goaltenders on the market, such as Vokoun and Roloson, but with our cap situation very tight and our moveable pieces with no-trade clauses, I think we're going to have to ride Leighton to the end, and I'm okay with that. I don't want to move someone like Giroux or JVR out of panic, especially when Leighton has done everything to earn our trust. It's a sketchy situation, like always, and could yet again be the downfall of a Flyers season.<br /><br />But here's one observer with some hope. Because when it comes to the Flyers, that's about all you can have.DerekFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207647208217385452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885338104649913197.post-81519584635462167332010-02-15T16:41:00.004-05:002010-02-15T19:07:09.777-05:002010 Olympic PredictionsAfter a huge glitch during the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, we're off to an exciting start.<br /><br />The women's hockey tournament is already underway and I propose we just let Finland and Sweden play for bronze and let USA and Canada battle it out for gold.<br /><br />Imagine how intense the rivalry between USA and Canada will be if they meet in the men's and women's tournament. They already met in the Juniors in one of the most thrilling games ever played, with the red white and blue stunning the Canadians....on their home ice.<br /><br />Of course, there's no way the United States men make it to the gold medal game.<br /><br />Ok ok, so there's a chance of it happening, but unless Ryan Miller is the second coming of Jim Craig ala 1980, they make it out of group play and that's about it.<br /><br />I just think that this team is too young and inexperienced and I'm not just talking about at the international level. I'm talking about the NHL.<br /><br />Guys like Patrick Kane, Bobby Ryan, Erik Johnson, Jack Johnson and Ryan Suter are all studs in the NHL for sure, but what have any of them played for that meant anything in their professional careers?<br /><br />What pressure is there playing for Team USA for that matter? Has anyone really expected the United States to do anything in hockey at the Olympics....ever?<br /><br />Now, teams like Canada, Russia, Sweden, etc., those guys grew up feeling the pressure of winning gold in the Olympics. That was the pinnacle of hockey in their minds.<br /><br />Maybe that's another reason the United States' miracle in 1980 resonates to this day. <br /><br />Don't get me wrong, I'll be rooting for our boys (and I stress, boys) in these Games, but I'm just not expecting much.<br /><br />Not to mention the goaltending is atrocious.<br /><br />Should something happen to Miller, this team is beyond screwed.<br /><br />Tim Thomas is not a big game goaltender and has proven it over his career. When the big games come up in the playoffs, he folds like a lawn chair.<br /><br />Jonathan Quick is a solid young talent, but that's the problem. He's too young and has only been the starter in Los Angeles for a short time.<br /><br />He's still learning to deal with pressure and Thomas can't deal with pressure.<br /><br />Anyway, let's break down the groups.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Group A</span><br /><br />Canada<br />USA<br />Switzerland<br />Norway<br /><br />Clearly, the best teams in this group are Canada and the United States.<br /><br />Here's how I see the standings after the round robin opening round.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Canada 3-0-0<br />USA 2-1-0<br />Switzerland 1-2-0<br />Norway 0-3-0</span><br /><br />Canada gets a decisive 5-1 victory over the Americans in the final round-robin game to go undefeated and has no trouble with the other two teams.<br /><br />USA gets a good fight from the Swiss, but ultimately get the win behind the play of Miller who steals one. USA 4 Swiss 2. USA also has no problems dispatching Norway.<br /><br />Switzerland plays a close game against Norway, but Jonas Hiller stands tall in what will be their only win of the tournament before an early and expected exit. Swiss win that one 5-2.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Group B (The Group Of Death)</span><br /><br />Russia<br />Czech Republic<br />Slovakia<br />Latvia<br /><br />Here's how I see this one going down after round-robin play.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Russia 3-0-0<br />Czech Republic 2-0-1<br />Slovakia 1-2-0<br />Latvia 0-3-0</span><br /><br />While this may not be going out on a limb, I think the Slovaks actually put a scare into both the Czechs and Russians.<br /><br />It also would not surprise me if they steal a game from one of those two teams either.<br /><br />Jaroslav Halak has been playing very well for the Habs this season and seems to be coming out of his shell and their roster is littered with current and former NHL stars.<br /><br />This would be my darkhorse in this tournament by far.<br /><br />The Czechs and Russians have more pressure on them given history and recent success respectively, but the Slovaks scare me.<br /><br />Anyway, Russia and the Czechs play to a draw through 60 minutes, but the Russians get it done in the extra frame with Evgeni Malkin and Alex Ovechkin on the ice.<br /><br />The Czechs squeek by the Slovaks in regulation 3-2.<br /><br />Latvia shows up and gets pounded like a two-dollar whore for three games.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Group C</span><br /><br />Sweden<br />Finland<br />Belarus<br />Germany<br /><br />Here's how I see the standings following round-robin play.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Finland 3-0-0<br />Sweden 2-1-0<br />Germany 1-2-0<br />Belarus 0-3-0</span><br /><br />What I'd love to know is how Belarus even made this tournament, but whatever.<br /><br />I don't have a good feeling about the defending gold medalists at all and I think it's because of their goaltending.<br /><br />I respect Henrik Lundqvist a lot and think he's a hell of a goalie, but he hasn't been his normal self this season and I think that keeps them from repeating. If he can't do it, Jonas "The Monster" Gustavsson is the next choice followed by HV71's Stefan Liv.<br /><br />Does that really scare anyone? Not me, that's for sure especially with the trio of goaltenders Finland is sporting.<br /><br />Nick Backstrom, Antero Niittymaki and Miikka Kiprusoff. I'm not a fan of Nitty, but Backstrom and Kipper are clearly capable of putting this team on their shoulders.<br /><br />Anyway, Finland drops Sweden 4-1.<br /><br />Sweden has no trouble with Belarus and Germany.<br /><br />Germany might give the Swedes or Finns a small scare as they always seem to play at least decently in these tournaments, but they down Belarus 4-2.<br /><br />Belarus gives a valiant effort, but just gets out gunned all around.<br /><br />Now, from here the top four teams get byes into the quarterfinals.<br /><br />Based on this Canada, Russia and Finland are automatically in. I really think the fourth bye comes down to Sweden and Team USA.<br /><br />However, based on the rankings and weaker division, I give the edge to Sweden, which means Team USA has to play one more game as the 5-seed against the 12 which should be Latvia or Norway.<br /><br />If I'm ranking them, I think it comes out like this overall after the round-robin:<br /><br />Finland<br />Canada<br />Russia<br />Sweden<br />USA<br />Czech Republic<br />Slovakia<br />Switzerland<br />Germany<br />Belarus<br />Norway<br />Latvia<br /><br />Based on this, the 5 plays the 12, 6 vs 11, 7 vs 10 and 8 vs 9<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Matchups come out as:</span><br /><br />USA vs Latvia<br />Czech Republic vs Norway<br />Slovakia vs Belarus<br />Switzerland vs Germany<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Advancing are:</span> <br /><br />USA 8-0<br />Czechs 6-1<br />Slovaks 6-0<br />Swiss 4-1 <br /><br />No surprises here.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Now we're left with the following in the quarterfinals.</span><br /><br />Finland vs Switzerland<br />Canada vs Slovakia<br />Russia vs Czech Republic<br />Sweden vs USA<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Who advances?</span><br /><br />Finland 5-2<br />Canada 6-1<br />Russia 5-4 OT<br />USA 3-2<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Matchups in the semifinals:</span><br /><br />Finland vs USA<br />Canada vs. Russia<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Moving on:</span><br /><br />Finland 4-1<br />Canada 4-2<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Bronze Medal Game<br /></span><br />Russia 6<br />USA 3<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Gold Medal Game</span><br /><br />Canada 4<br />Finland 1<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">On the medal stand:</span><br /><br />Gold - Canada<br />Silver - Finland<br />Bronze - Russia<br /><br />The tournament sets up well for the United States, but they ultimately don't have the firepower or experience to hold up with the big boys.<br /><br />Finland's goaltending will get hot and carry them to silver.<br /><br />Evgeni Nabokov will choke when it matters just like he does in the NHL playoffs and the Russians will have to settle for bronze.<br /><br />Again, this is all hypothetical and I'm sure by tomorrow none of this will be relevant anymore.<br /><br />Either way it was fun to do and I can't wait to watch the games.CSheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14828291664707462038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885338104649913197.post-85155779300733994442010-02-14T17:05:00.006-05:002010-02-14T19:02:52.064-05:00Pens Fall 4-3 In ShootoutOK so I detailed out the whole game on <a href="http://kdka.com/sports/penguins/predators.penguins.recap.2.1494502.html">KDKA.com earlier today</a>, but obviously in a recap story there's things I can't say to remain as an objective journalist.<br /><br />That's what this platform is for right?<br /><br />So here we go.<br /><br />For one, I am not happy at all with seeing the Pens blow the lead....again.<br /><br />They did it against the Capitals last Sunday, they did it against the Rangers the other night and they did it not once, not twice, but THREE times today against the Predators.<br /><br />Good Lord.<br /><br />This has been a problem for months and if the Pens were as explosive as they are, I'm not so sure they're one point out of the Atlantic Division lead.<br /><br />Crosby got his 42nd goal of the season to open the scoring and Brooks Orpik got his first goal in 112 games to break a 2-2 tie in the third. <br /><br />Fleury made some nice saves throughout the game to keep the Pens in the game, but surrendered goals against Martin Erat and Cal O'Reilly in the shootout.<br /><br />Kris Letang and Crosby were denied by Dan Ellis and that was that.<br /><br />I'd go into more detail, but there's really no point. <br /><br />The effort wasn't there for 60 minutes and the Pens are lucky to get a point.<br /><br />Their next game isn't until March 2, due to the Olympic break.<br /><br />Now, going back to the other day I meant to tell this gem of a story, but figured I'd save it.<br /><br />On Friday, I took my wife down to the Mellon Arena to go get autographs after the morning skate.<br /><br />It was freezing out there, but she was a trooper and went along to help out and use her charm to help score some more signatures.<br /><br />I will go on the record and say, I do not sell these. I am purely a collector and am not just going down there to make a buck like some other people I see there.<br /><br />Anyway, we get to the arena around 11 a.m. and the players start filing out shortly before noon.<br /><br />For those doing the math, that's 45 minutes roughly and did I mention it was freezing out there and we were standing in a snowbank to be up near the front of the line? No? Well there you go.<br /><br />Why is any of this relevant?<br /><br />Some girl from south Florida was there gushing her Pens knowledge. I'm OK with hearing other stories from fans and such, but here's where I draw the line.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">There's four types of fans in this world.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1- Bandwagon -</span> No explanation needed.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2 - Casual -</span> The follow the team and sport, but don't know stats and wouldn't recognize any of the players on the street if they bumped into them. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3 - Die Hard -</span> I throw myself into this. We have rituals and routines and know more about the team than we probably should and for no good reason. <br /><br />It's been documented on here before that I haven't changed clothes or shaved for a period of time because the team was winning.<br /><br />During the playoffs I only shaved after every playoff round because of work and work alone.<br /><br />I had a daily routine that somehow kept spreading to all facets of my life, down to what songs I would listen to and from which bands and in what order during the playoffs.<br /><br />If this sounds like OCD, it probably is, but when I veered away from the plan the Pens lost. Every time. When I nailed my 24 hour routine, they won, 16 times and hoisted the Stanley Cup.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4 - Obsessive and Ignorant - </span>These are the types of people who think the world revolves around them. They think their team will always win even when the team sucks and is in last place and out of contention. <br /><br />These are also the same individuals who think they know everything about the player's personal lives.<br /><br />Ladies and gentlemen, this woman outside the Igloo on Friday was No. 4 and had a voice that I would prefer Fran Drescher to.<br /><br />My wife is more a hybrid of options two and three and it's only because of me. As such, she was even getting pissed at this girl.<br /><br />This girl and her friend were chatting (non-stop) for the entire time we were there. I don't think she took a breath.<br /><br />If that wasn't bad enough, she starts talking about rumors about some of the Pens in their personal lives.<br /><br />I don't claim to know anything about the player's personal lives. I don't really care to know about their personal lives either.<br /><br />As long as they're good citizens and being productive members of the team, I'm happy.<br /><br />Not this girl.<br /><br />One shining example was the topic of Marc-Andre Fleury and his supposed girlfriend. Again, I don't know if he has one, don't care either. I'm certainly not going to waste my time looking it up either to further illustrate the glaring differences between Fans of the third and fourth varieties.<br /><br />This girl turns to her friend and says "I hear she's not even that pretty either."<br /><br />I wish I had a picture of this girl to post on here to make this next line even more amusing.<br /><br />If that wasn't calling the kettle black, I don't know what is.<br /><br />I'm not trying to be mean, but when you're overweight and your face makes little kids run in fear, don't harp on athletes wives/girlfriends.<br /><br />It's a known fact that 99% of NHL players have hot significant others. Mike Fisher is engaged to Carrie Underwood for crying out loud. The other one percent either have average looking mates or none at all.<br /><br />Not trying to sound sexist or anything, but even women athletes bring home good looking guys too, so it goes both ways.<br /><br />Anyway, the jealously oozing out of this girl was palpable and I'm pretty sure the snow pile around her was melting at an alarming rate anytime Fleury's name came up.<br /><br />As for the friend, there's a lot of bridges in and around the city of Pittsburgh, but for a couple hours the bridge-keeping troll was not at her post.<br /><br />So flash forward a little bit, every player that exits the building she's yelling at as they're getting in their cars to come over to us.<br /><br />On top of that, she's telling anyone in earshot who is going to stop and who isn't. As if this sort of thing is done on a scheduled basis.<br /><br />She had a sign she made that looked like a 2-year-old had drawn it up and was trying to get the whole team to sign it. <br /><br />Finally I had enough and moved to the other side of the entrance/exit to the parking lot as Bill Guerin rolls up.<br /><br />I go over and get his autograph despite the all-knowing psychic predicting that he wouldn't stop.<br /><br />Again, the main reason I went was to get my Crosby jersey signed so that I could frame it and mount it on my wall.<br /><br />As Sid pulls up and gets out of his car, she starts yelling "I came all the way from Florida, please sign my sign!!!!"<br /><br />As Sid was signing my jersey I wanted to be kind and warn him of what he was about to encounter, but there were some other nice people on the other side that deserved a chance to get his signature.<br /><br />It was also apparent that she thought she was friends with the players because of having met a few for 30 seconds while they signed her pathetic sign.<br /><br />This girl is the real reason why I hate the obsessive fans as much as bandwagoners. Bandwagoners suck because when the team isn't on top they're jumping on the one who is.<br /><br />These obsessive/ignorant fans think they know everything and are too blinded by their egos and inner fears of rejection to see things clearly.<br /><br />Anyway, I hope she had a safe trip back to Florida and I also hope to not run into her again.CSheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14828291664707462038noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885338104649913197.post-89853733587227448732010-02-13T16:49:00.004-05:002010-02-13T18:01:54.177-05:00Crosby Gets #40, 41, Pens Lose 3-2 In OT<script type="text/javascript" src="http://widgets.ballhype.com/story/001/1535/1535625.js"></script><br /><noscript><a href="http://ballhype.com/story/crosby-gets-40-41-pens-lose-3-2-in-ot/">BallHype - Crosby Gets #40, 41, Pens Lose 3-2 In OT </a></noscript><br /><script type="text/javascript">ballhype_story_widget_1535625(false);</script>Sidney Crosby didn't disappoint in Friday's game against the Rangers, just hours after signing my jersey outside the Mellon Arena.<br /><br />I was still pretty jacked up after that while watching the game and I'm fairly certain that Sid needs to sign some more of my items if he's going to get production like that.<br /><br />Anyway, the Pens looked very good in the first period and I honestly think that had they gotten more pucks behind Henrik Lundqvist in the opening frame that the result would have differed greatly.<br /><br />In the first period, Lundqvist looked shakier than a teenage boy getting intimate with a girl for the first time.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Watch The Highlights From NHL.com Below</span><br /><br /><iframe width="480" height="289" frameborder="0" src="http://rangers.nhl.tv/team/embed.jsp?hlg=20092010,2,901"></iframe><br /><br />Despite all that, he somehow only allowed one goal on a rocket through the wickets from Crosby.<br /><br />Everything looked to be going well for the Pens after the first. The energy was there, the commitment level was there and the Rangers looked lost.<br /><br />Then, as has happened countless times this season, the Pens came out in the second and it was like watching a train wreck.<br /><br />Pucks weren't getting to the net. Brent Johnson was digging pucks out his own net and then tweaked something forcing Marc-Andre Fleury to come in for the rest of the game.<br /><br />After two periods, the Pens trailed 2-1.<br /><br />In the third, it took a little coaxing but the Pens finally started to get back to their game.<br /><br />On the power plan, a loose puck squirted back to Sergei Gonchar at the point. Gonch surveyed the situation and fired a slap-pass right onto Crosby's blade.<br /><br />Sid did the rest as he redirected the puck past Lundqvist to tie the game at 2-2.<br /><br />Neither team was able to light the lamp for the rest of regulation and so we head to overtime.<br /><br />About a minute in, Olli Jokinen carries the puck over the Pens' line and launched a wrister over Fleury's shoulder to win the game.<br /><br />I'm going to send an e-mail to PETA about Jokinen because he's an absolute Penguin killer and he needs to be stopped.<br /><br />I knew my anger in reading the news that the Rangers had traded for him was justified from going back to his Florida Panther days. The Pens always struggled against the Panthers and it was mainly because of him.<br /><br />As soon as he leaves, the Pens start getting wins over them. The worst part is that he's in the division now. <br /><br />Great. Awesome. Splendid.<br /><br />Anyway, at least the Pens got a point for their roughly 28 minute effort against the Rags last night.<br /><br />Up next are the Nashville Predators at 1 p.m. Sunday. Look for the preview story on KDKA.com by me tomorrow morning.CSheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14828291664707462038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885338104649913197.post-80068384670487269532010-02-12T18:56:00.009-05:002010-02-12T20:29:48.305-05:00Back To The Point Is Gearing Up For A Return<script type="text/javascript" src="http://widgets.ballhype.com/story/001/1532/1532838.js"></script><br /><noscript><a href="http://ballhype.com/story/back-to-the-point-is-gearing-up-for-a-return/">BallHype - Back To The Point Is Gearing Up For A Return </a></noscript><br /><script type="text/javascript">ballhype_story_widget_1532838(false);</script> It's true. <br /><br />After nearly a year absence, we are gearing up for a return. Many life-altering things happened to the authors, including myself, over the last year and now that things have calmed down we are planning to start updating this site again. <br /><br />That being said, let's get right into it shall we? <br /><br />The Pittsburgh Penguins are the defending Stanley Cup Champions and I couldn't be happier. <br /><br />The Pens winning the Cup last season was the turning point of my year. I had just gotten laid off, bills were piling up and I had to take a job as a waiter at a Chili’s just to make ends meet. <br /><br />On top of it all, my fiancée and I were planning our wedding. <br /><br />The Pens were one of the only things that kept my mind of the tornado of suck that was draining me. <br /><br />The longer the playoff run went, the more absorbed I became in it and the hope grew that things might turn around for me too. <br /><br />After dispatching the Flyers (again), the Capitals (who didn't like seeing Alex Ovechkin cry?), and then sweeping the Canes under the rug, the rematch of the century was set. <br /><br />Pens Vs. Wings Volume 2 <br /><br />Part of me felt all along that things would be different this time around and after the first two games, I still believed. <br /><br />Games 3 and 4 went to the Pens and I was riding high. <br /><br />Then, my hopes were nearly crushed when the Wings took a 3-2 lead in the series with a 5-0 drubbing. <br /><br />I had to work at Chili’s during Game 6. <br /><br />My shift ended right after the second period and there was no way I was driving home and missing any part of it. <br /><br />I'm fairly certain there's still nail marks in the bar as I and the Pens held on for dear life in the final seconds. <br /><br />Rob Scuderi made a couple saves while on his knees in the crease to preserve the 2-1 decision and to force a Game 7. <br /><br />Around that time, I got a call from WBZ in Boston to come up and fill in part-time for a woman going out on maternity leave. <br /><br />Why is that important? <br /><br />My first day was the day of Game 7. <br /><br />I left the office at 5 p.m. and got into my car in the middle of rush hour traffic in Beantown. <br /><br />Of course that was probably dumb on my part, but I needed to get up to go visit my parents in Maine. <br /><br />After I cleared the city limits, I floored it and made it to my parents' house with just enough time to change and turn on the game. <br /><br />As stated before somewhere on this blog, my dad hates the Penguins and the rest of the family are all Bruins fans, so watching Game 7 at home was like being the road team. <br /><br />Just like the Pens. <br /><br />I'll never forget watching Talbot bury two goals and jumping off the couch fighting back tears after Marc-Andre Fleury robbed Nick Lidstrom as time expired. <br /><br />A couple weeks later, I get a call from KDKA in Pittsburgh with a job offer. <br /><br />Now I'm actually living in the same general area as the hockey team I have spent my entire life following. <br /><br />It's beyond surreal to drive into the city every day and see the Igloo and know I work just blocks from the arena. <br /><br />Even today, I froze my twins off outside the arena on the off-chance that Sidney Crosby would come out and sign the jersey I have been trying to get him to sign for 2 years. <br /><br />He did too. Now I've got that to go along with my Marc-Andre Fleury signed jersey, also obtained outside the Igloo last year.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47osMZrcWl9HgrL5bIS63MPbxwp4dtr90HVHGQ5UEhn96sCoz4KAJg8-b9oBGhEFCBHcxVmlsOr3oeQainS_PCUvjrbudrlMvGPh9zc3FnynjOwmPklLT8Tb9qHgdigbHwz5PulThoYY3/s1600-h/crosbyauto.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47osMZrcWl9HgrL5bIS63MPbxwp4dtr90HVHGQ5UEhn96sCoz4KAJg8-b9oBGhEFCBHcxVmlsOr3oeQainS_PCUvjrbudrlMvGPh9zc3FnynjOwmPklLT8Tb9qHgdigbHwz5PulThoYY3/s400/crosbyauto.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437518230433826050" /></a><br /><br />In any event, this season has been nuts so far and some of you may have seen me blogging on KDKA.com. <br /><br />I'll still be making cameo appearances on there while I work on carving out a niche over there, but I write a majority of the previews of Pens games. Just go to www.kdka.com/penguins and look for any of the previews. <br /><br />But tonight is a game-night and the Pens have a chance to get back into first place in the Atlantic Division with a win over the New York Rangers. <br /><br />The Penguins have won all four previous meetings this season and have won seven straight games against the Rags overall.<br /><br />Stay tuned for more on the Pens as we begin to get Back To The Point.<br /><br />You can follow me on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/CaseySheaPens">http://twitter.com/CaseySheaPens</a>CSheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14828291664707462038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885338104649913197.post-32056672973963326252009-04-01T22:56:00.002-04:002009-04-01T23:03:00.444-04:00Flyers coming in for a harsh landingI'm upset. Very upset.<br /><br />The Flyers' recent form has been nothing short of embarassing. They aren't trying anymore. Sure, some players are putting forth performances, but the team seems to have given up. Why? Last year they played like hell down the stretch. This year, when they sort of have a playoff spot locked up, they wilt. Wonderful.<br /><br />Sure, the Devils are in a freefall. But who cares? They have the division locked up. They gave the Flyers three chances over the past week to catch up and the Flyers keep pissing them away. Now I'm just hoping to secure the 4 seed, which is looking less and less likely. Philly has an incredibly easy schedule down the stretch, but if they are going to be losing to teams like Toronto, I wouldn't be surprised with lower half finish.<br /><br />I don't know what to think about Briere. At times he seems to rejuvenate the offense, especially on the powerplay. At other times he competely screws the lines. Because of his massive contract and acknowledged skill, it's clear he shouldn't really be getting 3rd or 4th line time. But when he's messing with chemistry, its trouble. It seems like he's near full strength as far as his skating goes, but the Flyers haven't exactly been better with him. The PP looked great for a couple of games and now everything is going down.<br /><br />The good news? There's time left to turn this around. And an easy schedule. John Stevens needs to lay off his hands off approach and get in their faces. Immediately.<br /><br />The Flyers have the talent and work ethic to match any team in the East, and at least give the Sharks/Red Wings a run for their money. They have a powerful offensive team that can respond to anyone. But if they aren't getting effort from all four lines (and right now I'm looking at you, top two lines) - they aren't going to come close to winning.<br /><br />Prove me wrong Flyers, please.DerekFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14207647208217385452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885338104649913197.post-43542548504662627142009-03-23T15:35:00.003-04:002009-03-23T16:02:11.486-04:00Pens Go 1-1 Over WeekendThings have been rather hectic for myself over the last few days so this will be relatively short as well.<br /><br />I'm happy with the weekend's results for the most part.<br /><br />The 4-1 win over the <a href="http://www.kings.nhl.com">Los Angeles Kings</a> was what I expected in that game. The Kings are not a team the <a href="http://www.penguins.nhl.com">Penguins</a> should lose to. They showed up and competed and got the valuable two points in the standings.<br /><br />The lone goal given up by the Pens can't really be blamed on anyone on the ice. It was a 5-on-3 powerplay goal on a bomb by <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4472">Drew Doughty</a> that was tipped by <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1752">Michal Handzus.</a><br /><br />Video Highlights Courtesy Of NHL.com<br /><iframe width="480" height="289" frameborder="0" src="http://penguins.nhl.tv/team/embed.jsp?hlg=20082009,2,1066"></iframe><br /><br />The blame here will go on the two guys in the penalty box. In this case, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1922">Mark Eaton</a> and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3980">Jordan Staal</a> took minor penalties 20 seconds apart that eventually set up this goal.<br /><br />All around I was happy with the performance in this game and even Sunday's 3-1 loss to the hated <a href="http://www/flyers.nhl.com">Flyers.</a><br /><br />The Penguins once again wore the ugly powder blue jerseys and paid for it as a result. Can we please stop this experiment already?<br /><br />For the most part, the Pens dominated the game and forced <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1395">Martin Biron</a> to win the game for Philadelphia.<br /><br />The Pens got a few pucks behind Biron, but just not over the goal-line. On several occasions a Flyers player was there to clear the puck out of danger, or Biron somehow found the puck just in time.<br /><br />The first Flyers goal is entirely <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2837">Rob Scuderi</a>'s fault. <br /><br />With the Flyers on a powerplay in the first period, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1296">Mike Knuble</a> fired a shot on <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3341">Marc-Andre Fleury</a> who made the save, but left a rebound. Scuderi attempted to clear the puck up the middle of the ice on his backhand while staring Fleury in the face and completely whiffed on it. <br /><br />The attempted clear became a direct pass to <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1920">Simon Gagne</a> who buried the puck behind Fleury for the early 1-0 lead.<br /><br />Video Highlights Courtesy Of NHL.com<br /><iframe width="480" height="289" frameborder="0" src="http://penguins.nhl.tv/team/embed.jsp?hlg=20082009,2,1079"></iframe><br /><br />The second goal was another penalty killing mishap in the second period. With the Flyers breaking into the zone and driving to the net, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2491">Brooks Orpik</a> made a play on his man as he should have.<br /><br /><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1922">Mark Eaton</a> was visibly confused and somehow didn't notice <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2418">Scott Hartnell</a> racing to the backpost looking for the easy tap-in goal. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3349">Jeff Carter</a> saw Hartnell and attempted a pass to him that ended up hitting Hartnell in the skate and going in. The goal was reviewed and deemed legit.<br /><br />Eaton takes the full point on this one for not blocking the pass and not picking up the backside player.<br /><br />The Flyers third goal was an empty netter and I will not assign points for empty net goals, unless a Penguin puts it in their own net.<br /><br />The effort was there, but the bounces went Philadelphia's way. Simple as that. No need to dwell on it. The Penguins just need to focus on continuing to play with high energy and effort and things will work out in the end. <br /><br />Up next are the recently vastly improved <a href="http://www.flames.nhl.com">Calgary Flames</a> in what should be a good measuring stick for the Penguins. The Flames come to town on Wednesday.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Updated Hal Gill Quotient Standings:</span><br /><br />Kris Letang - 6.34 - 15 GP<br />Marc-Andre Fleury - 5.08 - 17 GP<br />Sergei Gonchar - 5.08 - 16 GP<br />Hal Gill - 5.34 - 17 GP<br />Mark Eaton - 6.33 - 18 GP<br />Brooks Orpik - 5.09 - 18 GP<br />Rob Scuderi - 4.50 - 18 GP<br />Ryan Whitney - 3.5 - 6 GP - TRADED<br />Jordan Staal - 2.88 - 18 GP<br />Evgeni Malkin - 2.0 - 18 GP<br />Matt Cooke - 1.0 - 18 GP<br />Ruslan Fedotenko - 1.0 18 GP<br />Tyler Kennedy - 1.0 - 18 GP<br />Pascal Dupuis - .83 - 18 GP<br />Max Talbot - 1.0 - 18 GP<br />Sidney Crosby - 0.5 - 4 GP<br />Referee Paul Devorski - 0.5 - 1 Game Reffed<br />Bill Thomas - .33 - 5 GP - WAIVEDCSheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14828291664707462038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885338104649913197.post-10062421611678306672009-03-18T06:00:00.001-04:002009-03-18T15:28:05.261-04:00Pens Destroy Thrashers 6-2<a href="http://ballhype.com/post/" onclick="location.href='http://ballhype.com/post/url/?url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title);return false;"><img src="http://images.dailyradar.com/media/img/hype/button_96x22.png" width="96" height="22" alt="BallHype: hype it up!"/></a><br />Well, it's about time the <a href="http://www.penguins.nhl.com">Pens</a> won a game and didn't force me to down a bottle of Tums.<br /><br />This one was over before it started as the Thrashers were without several players, but most notably <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2944">Ilya Kovalchuk.<br /></a><br />The <a href="http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app?gameNumber=1043&gameType=2&page=Recap&season=20082009&service=page">6-2 win tonight</a> ties the Pens with the <a href="http://www.flyers.nhl.com">Flyers</a> for <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm?type=CON&navid=NAV|STN|Main">4th in the Eastern Conference</a>, but the Flyers have three games in hand.<br /><br />There were some anxious moments early when <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3994">Bryan Little</a> banged home his own rebound just 34 seconds into the game.<br /><br />The only reason this puck ended up in the net is because of <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1661">Hal Gill</a> who practically handed the lead to Atlanta.<br /><br />Gill received a pass behind the net from <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2837">Rob Scuderi</a> and attempted a pass up the boards to <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3638">Evgeni Malkin.</a> The problem here is that Gill can't handle a puck to save his life and as such, the pass went awry. <br /><br /><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1040">Viktor Kozlov</a> picked off the pass and one-touched it on to Little. After a give-and-go with <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1641">Todd White,</a> Little was wide open at the top of the left faceoff circle. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3341">Marc-Andre Fleury</a> made a great first save, but his momentum took him out of the crease and Little slammed the rebound home.<br /><br />Little should not have been as open as he was. The only reason he was that open was because Gill got confused as to where he was supposed to be and slid over to White was already being marked by Scuderi.<br /><br />Gill is taking the full point in the standings on this one.<br /><br />Highlights Courtesy Of NHL.com<br /><iframe width="480" height="289" frameborder="0" src="http://penguins.nhl.tv/team/embed.jsp?hlg=20082009,2,1043"></iframe><br /><br />Lucky for him, this was Malkin's night to shine as he gathered five points to put him over 100 on the season.<br /><br />Midway through the first period, the Penguins went on a 5-on-3 powerplay and completely controlled the play. They would have scored had <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2656">Johan Hedberg</a> not done the splits and robbed <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/605">Bill Guerin</a> on the backpost. <br /><br />Right after the two-man advantage ended Malkin fed Guerin who found <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1189">Sergei Gonchar</a> at the point. Gonchar teed it up and found the twine around a screen set up by <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3340">Chris Kunitz</a> to tie the game at 1-1.<br /><br />With under a minute to play in the period, the Penguins went back on the powerplay and Kunitz found the back of the net on a rebound shot by <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3737">Sidney Crosby.</a> Kunitz has been unconscious since coming to Pittsburgh and is showing no signs of waking up any time soon. Malkin got the secondary assist for his second point of the night.<br /><br />With the Penguins up 3-1, Malkin decided it was time to put on a show for the fans. Both sides were short a man and a short 4-on-4 play took place. Malkin won the draw back to <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4064">Kris Letang</a> who made a quick pass to Gonchar. Again, Gonchar wasted no time in letting one fly and Malkin was there to deposit the rebound into the empty net for his third point.<br /><br />Just 43 seconds later Malkin connected again on a one-timer from the farside halfboards that beat Hedberg clean. <br /><br />Malkin capped his evening when he took a big hit, but sprung Gonchar and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1922">Mark Eaton</a> for a 2-on-1 on Hedberg. Gonchar waited out the defenseman and slid a slick pass to Eaton, who had a wide open net to make the score 6-2. <br /><br />The <a href="http://www.mellonarena.com/site.php">Mellon Arena</a> starting chanting "Geno! Geno!" for a majority of the third period hoping that he would get the hat trick and he had a golden opportunity to do so.<br /><br />With about three minutes to play, Malkin was hauled down on a breakaway and was awarded a penalty shot. As he closed in on Hedberg, he threw a bunch of head and shoulder fakes to try and confuse the goaltender, but it did not work. Hedberg stuck with him and forced Malkin to shoot wide.<br /><br />The game turned nasty and tensions finally boiled over late in the third period. A melee ensued behind Fleury's net that saw <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3082">Eric Godard</a> and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3646">Boris Valabik</a> engage in a very short fight. Valabik threw one haymaker and immediately dropped to the ice favoring his shoulder. He skated directly to the gate and did not return.<br /><br />Earlier, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1765">Matt Cooke</a> went to put a hit on <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4473">Zach Bogosian,</a> but ended up colliding with the young defenseman's knee. Bogosian tried to stay in the game, but eventually left and did not return. <br /><br /><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3980">Jordan Staal</a> scored his 20th goal of the season on the lone goal that Malkin didn't figure in on in the game. Staal has taken his game to a new level since <a href="http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app?service=page&page=NHLPage&bcid=tea_sta_bio.php_id_61">Dan Bylsma</a> became coach. Something tells me he likes the aggressive forecheck and wide open playstyle that the Pens have shown of late.<br /><br />As for the second Thrashers goal:<br /><br /><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3411">Chris Thorburn</a> moves out of the corner with the puck and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3472">Max Talbot</a> draped all over him. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2491">Brooks Orpik</a> slides over to him leaving <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1907">Eric Boulton</a> open with space five feet away from Fleury. <br /><br />Boulton attempts a pass through Eaton, but the puck hits a stick and pops up and appears to hit Eaton in the face or upper chest and bounce behind Fleury to cut the lead to 5-2.<br /><br />Talbot will receive 0.5 for allowing his man to beat him in the corner and Orpik gets the other 0.5 for not staying with his man when Thorburn had nothing to shoot at and would have had to make an incredible shot with Talbot in hot pursuit.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Updated Hal Gill Quotient Standings:</span><br /><br />Kris Letang - 6.34 - 13 GP<br />Marc-Andre Fleury - 5.08 - 15 GP<br />Sergei Gonchar - 5.08 - 14 GP<br />Hal Gill - 5.34 - 15 GP<br />Mark Eaton - 4.83 - 16 GP<br />Brooks Orpik - 5.09 - 16 GP<br />Rob Scuderi - 3.50 - 16 GP<br />Ryan Whitney - 3.5 - 6 GP - TRADED<br />Jordan Staal - 2.38 - 16 GP<br />Evgeni Malkin - 2.0 - 16 GP<br />Matt Cooke - 1.0 - 16 GP<br />Ruslan Fedotenko - 1.0 16 GP<br />Tyler Kennedy - 1.0 - 16 GP<br />Pascal Dupuis - .83 - 16 GP<br />Max Talbot - 1.0 - 16 GP<br />Sidney Crosby - 0.5 - 12 GP<br />Referee Paul Devorski - 0.5 - 1 Game Reffed<br />Bill Thomas - .33 - 5 GP - WAIVED<br /><br />Up next for the Penguins are the <a href="http://www.kings.nhl.com">Los Angeles Kings</a> on Friday night at the Igloo.CSheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14828291664707462038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885338104649913197.post-3265928358317104202009-03-16T03:41:00.001-04:002009-03-18T15:28:16.851-04:00Pens Score 4 In 3rd, Win 6-4<a href="http://ballhype.com/post/" onclick="location.href='http://ballhype.com/post/url/?url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title);return false;"><img src="http://images.dailyradar.com/media/img/hype/button_96x22.png" width="96" height="22" alt="BallHype: hype it up!"/></a><br /><br />If there was any doubt that the <a href="http://www.penguins.nhl.com">Penguins</a> are trying to kill me before this weekend, it has officially been erased.<br /><br />Why would a team willingly do this to its fan base? I have no answers, but I'm convinced that's what's going on here.<br /><br />With a two-goal lead in the third against <a href="http://www.senators.nhl.com">Ottawa,</a> they blow it and later lose in the shootout to Ottawa.<br /><br />Sunday against <a href="http://www.bruins.nhl.com">Boston,</a> just more of the same.<br /><br />With the Pens trailing 3-2 heading to the third period against the Bruins, I was hoping and begging for a win. They've made a season out of third period comebacks and blown leads, so why not one more for good measure?<br /><br />I'm already in my paranoid playoff antics mode where apparently if I put my pants on wrong, the team is doomed.<br /><br />Prime example?<br /><br />I hadn't shaved during the recent seven-game win streak. Then, before the <a href="http://www.bluejackets.nhl.com">Columbus</a> game on Thursday I had to shave out of necessity for work. The result? <a href="http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app?gameNumber=1007&gameType=2&page=Recap&season=20082009&service=page">4-3 loss in a shootout.</a> The hockey gods then punished me some more with yesterday's <a href="http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app?gameNumber=1021&gameType=2&page=Recap&season=20082009&service=page">4-3 shootout loss against Ottawa.</a> I'm so screwed and it's only March.<br /><br />Moving onto today's third period where the question was, "could the Pens do it again?"<br /><br />Yep. Sure enough the Pens delivered in a big way.<br /><br /><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3641">Blake Wheeler</a> had a holding penalty called on him just 28 seconds into the final frame and the Pens pounced on the opportunity.<br /><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1189"><br />Sergei Gonchar</a> fired a wrist shot through traffic from the point that bounced off something in front and dropped dramatically to the ice and behind <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2969">Tim Thomas</a> to tie the game at 3-3.<br /><br />The initial call was that <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3340">Chris Kunitz</a> had deflected it, but it was later deemed that he did not. Why is this important? This was his second goal of the game. Still not important right? Read on.<br /><br />Sixteen seconds later, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/605">Bill Guerin</a> blocked a shot and the puck ricocheted to Kunitz who had a breakaway from his own blueline. With a little shoulder fake he got Thomas to open the pads and Kunitz slipped it through the opening for what appeared to be his third goal of the game and second career hat trick.<br /><br />Thankfully, I was not in attendance and throwing my hat. If I had been, I'd want my hat back for sure.<br /><br />In typical Penguin fashion, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1333">Petr Sykora</a> takes a hooking call about a minute after Kunitz's go-ahead goal. As a result, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2499">Michael Ryder</a> picks off a clearing attempt by <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2491">Brooks Orpik</a> and roofs it over the glove of <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1968">Mathieu Garon</a> to tie the game at 4-4. <br /><br />Orpik will take the full 1.0 in this for an absolutely awful clearing attempt up the middle of the ice. Use the boards big guy or make sure you have a clear lane to get rid of the puck.<br /><br />Just under seven minutes later, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3980">Jordan Staal</a> protects the puck in the corner to the right of Thomas and finds Sykora in his sweet spot in the high slot. Sykora rifles a one-timer past Thomas to send the <a href="http://www.mellonarena.com/site.php">Mellon Arena</a> into a frenzy with a 5-4 lead.<br /><br />The Bruins upped the pressure and had some very good chances late to tie the game, but Garon and the Pens were up to the task.<br /><br />The Pens iced the game when Staal picked off a pass from <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1700">Zdeno Chara</a> and deposited the puck into the empty cage with 57 seconds to play.<br /><br />Video Highlights Courtesy Of NHL.com<br /><iframe width="480" height="289" frameborder="0" src="http://penguins.nhl.tv/team/embed.jsp?hlg=20082009,2,1032"></iframe><br /><br />I can't even begin to put into words the magnitude of this win. Huge does not do it justice. Normally, the Pens fold on the second day of back to back games. I was fully expecting the team to come out flat after yesterday's physical game with the Senators, but such wasn't the case.<br /><br />This team has a new attitude about them. They want it now. They know they are feared and are preying on that fear in the opponent. The new aggressive forecheck is a nightmare to play against because you never know when it's coming. <br /><br /><a href="http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app?service=page&page=NHLPage&bcid=tea_sta_bio.php_id_61">Dan Bylsma</a> has a system that fits this team like a glove and it's working. 10-1-3 under him is proof enough. Imagine where this team could be had Shero and Co. pulled the trigger on Michel Therrien a month sooner when it should have happened.<br /><br />The Penguins have 11 games remaining in the regular season and currently sit <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm?type=CON&navid=NAV|STN|Main">5th in the Eastern Conference with 82 points.</a> Most teams they are battling with for playoff positioning have a game or two in hand, so it's time to start hoping for some losses from those teams to even things out.<br /><br />Here's the other three goals against to update the Hal Gill Quotient:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goal #1 - <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/11">Mark Recchi</a> Tips In A <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3359">Mark Stuart</a> Blast</span><br /><br />The puck gets dumped into the far corner and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4064">Kris Letang</a> is forced to retrieve it because <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1922">Mark Eaton</a> was slow to react. Letang attemps a pass to Staal in the faceoff circle, but the puck bonces away from Staal and right to Stuart who unloads a bomb. Letang and Eaton are both standing next to each other and Recchi is untouched in the slot and deflects the puck past Garon to tie the game at 1-1.<br /><br />Points assigned: Letang gets 0.5 for the bad pass to Staal and Eaton gets the other 0.5 for not moving over and covering Recchi in the slot.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goal #2 - <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3983">Phil Kessel</a> Tap In On Backdoor</span><br /><br />Chara fires a wrist shot on goal through a crowd from the point. Wheeler beats <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3737">Sidney Crosby</a> to the rebound and passes through the slot to a streaking Kessel who buries it into the empty net behind Garon for the 2-1 lead.<br /><br />Points assigned: Crosby gets 0.5 for being late to the rebound and allowing Wheeler to get the pass off. Eaton gets the other 0.5 goes to Eaton for looking lost and not blocking the pass to Kessel. Can we break up the pairing of Eaton and Letang please?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goal #3 - Wheeler Shorthanded One-Timer From 3 Feet</span><br /><br />This was the point in the game I thought would be the back breaker, but the Pens rebounded nicely as noted above.<br /><br />Anyway, Wheeler leads the shorthanded rush up the ice and fires a puck off the side of the net. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3638">Evgeni Malkin</a> comes back into the zone hard and drills Wheeler in the corner to free up the puck. Gonchar whiffs on it and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3898">David Krejci</a> steals it away and feeds Wheeler out front for the easy goal.<br /><br />Points assigned: Malkin gets 0.5 for a weak attempt at getting Gonchar the puck after the big hit. Gonchar gets the other 0.5 for his half of the mishap in the corner that resulted in the goal.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Updated Hal Gill Quotient Standings:</span><br /><br />Kris Letang - 6.34 - 12 GP<br />Marc-Andre Fleury - 5.08 - 14 GP<br />Sergei Gonchar - 5.08 - 13 GP<br />Hal Gill - 4.34 - 14 GP<br />Mark Eaton - 4.83 - 15 GP<br />Brooks Orpik - 4.59 - 15 GP<br />Rob Scuderi - 3.50 - 15 GP<br />Ryan Whitney - 3.5 - 6 GP - TRADED<br />Jordan Staal - 2.38 - 15 GP<br />Evgeni Malkin - 2.0 - 15 GP<br />Matt Cooke - 1.0 - 15 GP<br />Ruslan Fedotenko - 1.0 15 GP<br />Tyler Kennedy - 1.0 - 15 GP<br />Pascal Dupuis - .83 - 15 GP<br />Max Talbot - 0.5 - 15 GP<br />Sidney Crosby - 0.5 - 11 GP<br />Referee Paul Devorski - 0.5 - 1 Game Reffed<br />Bill Thomas - .33 - 5 GP - WAIVED<br /><br />Up next for the Penguins are the <a href="http://www.thrashers.nhl.com">Atlanta Thrashers</a> in the third game of an eight-game homestand on Tuesday night.CSheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14828291664707462038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885338104649913197.post-49683576522662624772009-03-14T14:32:00.020-04:002009-03-15T03:05:23.240-04:00Pens Vs. Sens LIVE!<a href="http://ballhype.com/post/" onclick="location.href='http://ballhype.com/post/url/?url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title);return false;"><img src="http://images.dailyradar.com/media/img/hype/button_96x22.png" width="96" height="22" alt="BallHype: hype it up!"/></a><br /><br />I haven't been able to do one of these in a while, but this should be fun.<br /><br />The Cardiac Kids are back at it today opening up a franchise record eight-game homestand. A solid homestand here should solidify the <a href="http://www.penguins.nhl.com">Pens</a> place in the playoffs and it all starts today against the hated <a href="http://www.senators.nhl.com">Senators.</a><br /><br />The Pens are coming into this game off a <a href="http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app?gameNumber=1007&gameType=2&page=Recap&season=20082009&service=page">4-3 shootout loss</a> to the <a href="http://bluejackets.nhl.com">Columbus Blue Jackets</a> on Thursday night.<br /><br />The reason there wasn't a post about that game is because of the massive chest pains and stomach pains that game caused me.<br /><br />Down 3-0 after an early goal in the third period, the Pens storm back to tie the game with three goals in 3:08 to tie it. <br /><br />In overtime, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3340">Chris Kunitz</a> cleanly beats <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4163">Steve Mason,</a> but catches iron. Seconds later, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2158">Ruslan Fedotenko</a> channeled <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3737">Sidney Crosby</a>'s hands and deked two defenders out of their skates. Mason came out to challenge and Fedotenko slides a nice pass to <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4064">Kris Letang</a> who was streaking in from the point. Letang fires a one-timer only to be flat out robbed by Mason's blocker. <br /><br />In the shootout, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2131">Kristian Huselius</a> scored the lone goal in the third round for the win.<br /><br />During the intermissions today, I'll break down the three goals against in the Columbus game to update the Hal Gill Quotient.<br /><br />Video Highlights Courtesy Of NHL.com<br /><iframe width="480" height="289" frameborder="0" src="http://penguins.nhl.tv/team/embed.jsp?hlg=20082009,2,1021"></iframe><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Some things to keep in mind today:</span><br /><br />- Lead after two periods and your odds of winning are very good as Ottawa is just 1-25-2 when trailing after two periods.<br /><br />- <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3341">Marc-Andre Fleury</a> is expected to be the starting goaltender today with <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1968">Mathieu Garon</a> getting the call tomorrow against Boston.<br /><br />- <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1333">Petr Sykora</a> is still listed as day-to-day, but could play this weekend. When he plays is the question.<br /><br />- The Sentors lead the season series 2-1.<br /><br />- Kunitz has caught fire since coming to Pittsburgh and has eight points in his last nine games. Thank you Ray Shero!<br /><br />- The Pens are 9-1-2 under Dan Bylsma.<br /><br />- <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4136">Brian Elliot</a> in net for the Senators<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">First Period</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">20:00</span> - Pens wearing the ugly powder blue jerseys.......<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">19:00</span> - Looks as if Sykora is in the lineup according to the <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/">Hockey Night In Canada</a> crew. PP coming for the Pens. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1934">Mike Fisher</a> for roughing.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">18:17</span> - Couple solid chances down low for <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/605">Bill Guerin</a>, but Elliot is up to the task early<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">17:00</span> - Penalty killed, but some very good puck movement by the boys in blue and some solid saves by Elliot.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">15:20</span> - <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1339">Daniel Alfredsson</a> rings a wrister off the iron behind Fleury, but it stays out.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">14:07</span> - Senators get a ton of pressure thanks to two horrible pass attempts and turnovers by <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1661">Hal Gill.</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">13:55 - SCORE! 1-0 PENGUINS</span> - <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3082">Eric Godard</a> with an amazing individual effort. Who knew the big fella could skate like that?! Godard flew up the far boards to chase down a puck, beating the defenseman no less. He hauls in the puck along the wall by the hashmarks and makes a power move to the net looking for a teammate in the slot, but the pass goes off a Senator skate and behind Elliot.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">13:30</span> - Fleury stones <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2137">Mike Comrie</a> on a breakaway. Nice save Flower.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">11:24 - 1-1 Tie</span> <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3672">Chris Campoli</a> fires a wrister from the point off a face-off. The puck had eyes and hit something in front of the net to deflect past Fleury. Malkin takes the blame on this one for losing the draw cleanly and then losing his man off the draw who set the screen. Full point for Geno.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">5:34</span> - There hasn't been a whistle in a long time until Kunitz takes a tripping call. Sens head to the powerplay. Just as an observation, Gill has looked awful so far in this game. Every time he gets the puck on his stick, his hands turn to stone and he panics. Breathe Baby Huey Breathe!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4:27</span> - <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2726">Pascal Dupuis</a> runs over <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4008">Nick Foligno</a> for no reason. 53 seconds of 5-on-3 coming...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1:59</span> - Penalties killed, but the Sens rang two more posts on consecutive shots. Fleury getting help from his best friends.<br /><br />End of period one and we're toed at 1-1. Pens lead 9-7 in shots, but most of those came early in the period.<br /><br />Not a bad period, but the Penguins need to work on their in-zone play right now. Sens are getting to many good looks off turnovers and bad breakout passing.<br /><br />In the offensive zone, the Pens need to stop looking for the pretty play and just fire it on net. Look what happened when Godard threw it on net. I rest my case.<br /><br />Now let's go back to Thursday's game and breakdown the first goal:<br /><br />Fedor Tyutin leads Huselius into the zone with a pass through a couple of Pens, but Kris Letang got caught flat-footed and a little out of position and ended up chasing Huselius instead of being in his face. Huselies protects the puck an moves to the top of the left faceoff circle. He fires a shot, but Letang recovered slightly to get a stick on Huselius' stick, but it wasn't enough to stop the shot. Instead, the puck comes off the stick as a changeup and beats Fleury through the 5-hole.<br /><br />Points assigned - Letang 0.5 for being out of position, Fleury 0.5 for overreacting to the changeup and getting beat between the legs. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Second Period</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">17:43</span> - Elliot makes a nice save on a Sykora one-timer from the high slot. Pens are picking up the physical play early in the period.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">16:14</span> - Dupuis takes his second penalty of the game on a trip on Brian Lee. Nice acting job by Lee.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">14:04 - SCORE!!! 2-1 Pens!</span> - SIDNEY CROSBY WITH A TAP IN ON A BEAUTIFUL TIC TAC GOAL FROM <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3980">JORDAN STAAL</a> AND <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1922">MARK EATON.</a> The goal comes just after the penalty to Dupuis had expired. Eaton brought the puck up ice and hit Sid in stride. After a weak clearing attempt, Staal sends the puck down low to Eaton who finds Crosby wide-open on the backpost for the tap in goal.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">12:58</span> - Fedotenko takes a high-sticking penalty after failing to lift <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2900">Jason Spezza</a>'s stick and catching him in the face instead.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">10:05</span> - Comrie throws an elbow into <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2491">Brooks Orpik</a>'s face while trying to get around him. PP Pens.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">8:37</span> - <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1500">Chris Phillips</a> is not happy with a by Kunitz on <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2112">Chris Neil</a> and a melee ensues. Phillips goes after Kunitz, Crosby goes after Phillips, Neil joins the fracas and everyone on the ice pairs off in the scrum. Phillips is physically manhandled by a linesman while trying to kill someone. Nice job zebra.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">5:57</span> - Pens can't find the back of the net on a couple solid chances by <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3895">Tyler Kennedy</a> and Staal. Pens are starting to find some open ice to move into now though. Looks like the goal woke them up a little.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">5:20</span> - Trademark glove save by Fleury. Nothing less than what we've come to expect out of the young goaltender. Still looks impressive every time though.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4:12</span> - <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4377">Jesse Winchester</a> holds Staal. PP Pens. Time to make the Sens pay for taking these penalties.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1:34 - SCORE!!! 3-1 PENS!</span> - Kennedy buries a wrister on a 2-on-1 from <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1765">Matt Cooke</a> after Cooke stole the puck from Campoli at the Pens' blueline. Prety play again.<br /><br />End of period two and the Pens have a 3-1 lead. Remember that stat about the Sens and their record after two periods when trailing that's noted above. <br /><br />The other 2 goals from the Columbus game will be broken down after the game.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Third Period</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">19:36</span> - Sens head to the powerplay after a hold by Sergei Gonchar, who has played a solid game so far.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">16:59</span> - Penalty over. Fleury covers up the puck and takes a bump from Neil. Fleury punches Neil in the back of the leg with the blocker and another scrum ensues. Way to protect your paint Fleury, but he takes the penalty for slashing. Odd call, but in any event, the Sens have another PP.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">15:59</span> - Dany Heatley drills Gonchar in the teeth with the stick while trying to lift his stick and draws blood. No word yet on how many missing teeth Gonchar might have now, but it's a four-minute penalty to Heatley.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">13:50</span> - Anton Volchenkov has a "lower body injury" and will not return to this game.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">11:13</span> - Kennedy has been something else lately. He's been flying around making plays and taking good shots. He's definitely been one of the best players on the ice today.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">12-00 - 3-2 Pens</span> - Foligno rips a wrister to the shortside twine through a sea of blue bodies. Fleury never saw it as Orpik, Staal and Gonchar were all screening him.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">7:08</span> - Malkin gets wide open in the slot and takes a hard wrister, but Elliot is up to the task and leaves no rebound.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">6:06- 3-3 Tie</span> - Phillips ties it on a horrible turnover by Scuderi who attempted a breakoutpass/clearing attept. Heatley fires it off Fleury's shoulder and the puck rolls down him into the pain and Phillips pounds it home. This is all on Scuderi.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3:09</span> - I cant take this. Another two goal lead blown in the third period. Staring OT in the face for a 4th straight game.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2:02</span> - After a brilliant skate save by Fleury, Malkin kills the logo on Elliot's jersey again.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">:5.8</span> - Gonchar battling with Heatley and somehow the refs call a tripping penalty on Gonchar. Complete and utter diver by Heatley.<br /><br />End of period 3 and we go to overtime for the fourth straight game.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Overtime</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4:36</span> - Huge save by Fleury on a cross-crease pass from Spezza to Heatley. Keeps us alive for now.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4:25</span> - Another save by Fleury on a slapper by Heatley.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3:58</span> - Fleury eats one in the chest on a bomb by Filip Kuba.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3:45</span> - Fleury makes two big saves on Alfredsson and Spezza off a rebound. Pens losing every draw so far.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1:48</span> - Fleury is standing on his head to keep the Pens alive in this game. Fans are on their feet chanting "Fleury! Fleury! Fleury!"<br /><br />End of overtime and we head to a shootout for the fourth straight game. Unofficial NHL record has been set by the Pens for most consecutive shootouts.<br /><br />Pens got a couple chances including a 2-on-1 with Crosby and Malkin, but Elliot got the shoulder on a rising shot by Geno.<br /><br />If the Pens win this shootout, everyone owes this win to Fleury for his spectacular play tonight especially in overtime. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Shootout</span><br /><br />Pens will shoot first.<br /><br />Letang the first shooter - Letang bails on his usual move and Elliot makes the save.<br /><br />Alfredsson - Dekes around the sprawling Fleury and the Sens lead 1-0.<br /><br />Sykora - Stoned by Elliot on the backhand.<br /><br />Spezza - Fleury makes a nice save on a backhander by Spezza to keep the Pens alive.<br /><br />Crosby the last hope - SCORES! <br /><br />Ruutu - Fleury makes the save and we're going to extras.<br /><br />Malkin - Elects to shoot and not make a move and Elliot saves it with the glove.<br /><br />Fisher - Fleury slams the door on the 5-hole and we play on.<br /><br />Kunitz - Dekes Elliot out of hi jock, but goes over the net.<br /><br />Comrie - Slides the pucks under the outstretched pad of Fleury and the Sens win the shootout 2-1 and the game 4-3.<br /><br />Here's the remaining two goals:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goal #2:</span> Jackets dump the puck into the zone and Fleury comes out to play it. There's a big miscommunication between Letang and Fleury, which allows Antoine Vermette to steal the puck and fire an aerial pass out front from his knees. The pass connects with Jason Williams who fires a backhander from the slot to the shelf over Fleury's glove.<br /><br />Points assigned: Letang and Fleury get 0.5 each for their little mishap behind the net that led to the goal.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goal #3:</span> Gonchar has the puck in the corner and coughs it up to Williams who finds Vermette out near the blueline in the high slot. Vermette tees one up and blasts it by Fleury for the 3-0 lead.<br /><br />Points assigned: Gonchar takes full blame on this one as Fleury had no chance to stop that rocket.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Updated Hal Gill Quotient Standings:</span><br /><br />Kris Letang - 5.84 - 11 GP<br />Marc-Andre Fleury - 5.08 - 14 GP<br />Sergei Gonchar - 4.58 - 12 GP<br />Hal Gill - 4.34 - 13 GP<br />Mark Eaton - 3.83 - 14 GP<br />Brooks Orpik - 3.59 - 14 GP<br />Rob Scuderi - 3.50 - 14 GP<br />Ryan Whitney - 3.5 - 6 GP - TRADED<br />Jordan Staal - 2.38 - 14 GP<br />Evgeni Malkin - 1.5 - 14 GP<br />Matt Cooke - 1.0 - 14 GP<br />Ruslan Fedotenko - 1.0 14 GP<br />Tyler Kennedy - 1.0 - 14 GP<br />Pascal Dupuis - .83 - 14 GP<br />Max Talbot - 0.5 - 14 GP<br />Referee Paul Devorski - 0.5 - 1 Game Reffed<br />Bill Thomas - .33 - 5 GP - WAIVED<br /><br />Pens don't have long to think about this one that got away as the Bruins come to town tomorrow. Hopefully, this will teach them a lesson about those awful powder blue jerseys. For the love of God, STOP WEARING THEM! Show me a powder blue penguin in nature and I'll drop my argument. Until then, my point stands.CSheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14828291664707462038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885338104649913197.post-78805185563490208262009-03-11T05:26:00.001-04:002009-03-11T05:28:12.551-04:00Pens Storm Back In 3rd, Win 4-3 In Shootout For 7th Straight Win<a href="http://ballhype.com/post/" onclick="location.href='http://ballhype.com/post/url/?url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title);return false;"><img src="http://images.dailyradar.com/media/img/hype/button_96x22.png" width="96" height="22" alt="BallHype: hype it up!"/></a><br /><br />Is this really happening? The <a href="http://www.penguins.nhl.com">Penguins</a> really are on a seven-game winning streak after a <a href="http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app?gameNumber=994&gameType=2&page=Recap&season=20082009&service=page">4-3 shootout win</a> over the <a href="http://www.panthers.nhl.com">Panthers</a> tonight?<br /><br />Seriously?<br /><br />This isn't a joke? <br /><br />Part of me feels like I'm in a coma and the abnormal delusional part of my brain is creating a false reality, in which the Penguins mysteriously show their true colors as a dominant team in the <a href="http://www.nhl.com">NHL,</a> after treading along for most of the season in utter mediocrity.<br /><br />If this really is true, where was this team all season?!<br /><br />Granted the Pens didn't have the help that <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3340">Chris Kunitz</a> and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/605">Bill Guerin</a> have provided since coming over, but come on. The addition of those two guys is the sole reason this team woke up?<br /><br />The dramatic change in play tells me that Michel Therrien lost this team months ago and that <a href="http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app?service=page&page=NHLPage&bcid=tea_sta_bio.php_id_56">Ray Shero</a> wasted too much time in replacing him.<br /><br />The Penguins are now 9-1-1 since <a href="http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app?service=page&page=NHLPage&bcid=tea_sta_bio.php_id_61">Dan Bylsma</a> took over. Yeah, 9-1-1. Pretty nuts isn't it? It's like when the Pens called up a kid by the name of <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1386">Patrick Lalime</a> to lead them down the stretch and then into the playoffs. Hopefully history doesn't repeat itself with Bylsma compared to Lalime, who became about as useful as an orange pylon in the cage.<br /><br />The Penguins absolutely dominated the majority of this game and were rewarded for their efforts. They outshot the Panthers 50-21 for the game. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1541">Tomas Vokoun</a> played a phenomenal game between the pipes, but was no match for <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4064">Kris Letang</a> and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3638">Evgeni Malkin</a> in the shootout. Seriously, look at the move Geno pulled on Vokoun to win the game. Vokoun had no idea what hit him.<br /><br />Video Highlights Courtesy Of NHL.com - Watch to see Hal Gill actually hit someone!<br /><iframe width="480" height="289" frameborder="0" src="http://penguins.nhl.tv/team/embed.jsp?hlg=20082009,2,994"></iframe><br /><br />The game wasn't a cakewalk though. The Pens had a 1-0 lead after the first period and were dictating the pace of the game. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1765">Matt Cooke</a> and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2491">Brooks Orpik</a> were hitting anything that moved like this was a playoff game.<br /><br />The second period saw the Panthers take back some control and thanks to some fortunate bounces and breaks, a 3-1 lead heading into the final frame.<br /><br />The Therrien Pens would have packed it in and gotten down on themselves and lost this game by five. Thankfully, those days are long gone. The Bylsma Penguins are starting to believe in themselves once again and showed it again tonight.<br /><br />They scored two goals in just over 3:30 of play to tie the game at 3-3 with over 14 minutes to play thanks to <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3980">Jordan Staal</a> and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3737">Sidney Crosby.</a> This quick rally put the Panthers on their heels and the Pens were just unable to bury another one in regulation or overtime.<br /><br />Vokoun flat out robbed Staal shortly after Crosby tied the game. Staal was moving toward the backpost in the slot and fired a one-timer off a rebound to the gaping net, but Vokoun dove over out of nowhere to smother the puck and preserve his team's chances.<br /><br />Quick note about Crosby's goal. Guerin notched career assist #400 on the play. This makes two career milestones since coming to Pittsburgh. Welcome home Bill!<br /><br />Malkin scored his 30th goal of the season on a nasty backhanded from just outside the crease with his back to Vokoun and a defenseman draped all over him. Rather than trying to make a move, Geno just rips the puck behind him without even looking. Vokoun looked around after the puck got by him searching for answers about how Malkin got that puck by him.<br /><br />As for the Panthers, let's break down the three goals:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goal #1 - <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1959">Nick Boynton</a> Wrister From The Point</span><br /><br />Malkin tried chipping a puck up the boards from the corner, but got nothing on it. Keith Ballard held it in and passed it to the slot to <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4017">David Booth</a> who immediately passed it back to Boynton at the near side point.<br /><br />Boynton let a wrist shot go through a screen masterfully set up by <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2491">Brooks Orpik. </a><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3341">Marc-Andre Fleury</a> never saw the puck go over his right shoulder.<br /><br />Points assigned: Malkin gets 0.5 for a bad pass up the boards, Orpik gets 0.5 for stepping in front of Fleury and not blocking the shot.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goal #2 - <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3376">Kamil Kreps</a> Bangs Home Rebound</span><br /><br />Boynton fires a low shot on Fleury and Kreps was in the right place at the right time with no one on him to hammer home the rebound past Fleury.<br /><br />Points assigned: <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1922">Mark Eaton</a> takes the full 1.0 for being entirely out of position. Letang forced his man around the net, at which point Eaton should have slid over to cover Letang's position. Instead, Eaton followed his man out past the hash marks and never realized he blew the coverage until the red light was on.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goal #3 - Ballard Deflects Home Rebound In Mid-Air Behind Fleury</span><br /><br />The coverage in the defensive zone was pretty good except that no one picked up Ballard streaking to the backpost. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1292">Ville Peltonen</a> threw a shot on net from a bad angle, but the resulting rebound went right to Ballard. Fleury made the right move in trying to deflect the puck to the boards, but just got unlucky with it.<br /><br />Points assigned: <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3895">Tyler Kennedy</a> takes the full 1.0. Ballard was his man and he didn't do anything to prevent him from getting to the net.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Updated Hal Gill Quotient Standings:</span><br /><br />Kris Letang - 4.84 - 10 GP<br />Hal Gill - 4.34 - 12 GP<br />Marc-Andre Fleury - 4.08 - 13 GP<br />Mark Eaton - 3.83 - 13 GP<br />Ryan Whitney - 3.5 - 6 GP - TRADED<br />Sergei Gonchar - 3.25 - 11 GP<br />Brooks Orpik - 3.25 - 13 GP<br />Jordan Staal - 2.25 - 13 GP<br />Rob Scuderi - 1.50 - 13 GP<br />Matt Cooke - 1.0 - 13 GP<br />Ruslan Fedotenko - 1.0 13 GP<br />Tyler Kennedy - 1.0 - 13 GP<br />Pascal Dupuis - .83 - 13 GP<br />Max Talbot - 0.5 - 13 GP<br />Evgeni Malkin - 0.5 - 13 GP<br />Referee Paul Devorski - 0.5 - 1 Game Reffed<br />Bill Thomas - .33 - 5 GP - WAIVEDCSheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14828291664707462038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885338104649913197.post-34580922768638890432009-03-10T18:37:00.017-04:002009-03-11T00:24:26.218-04:00Bruins at Blue Jackets LIVE!<a href="http://ballhype.com/post/" onclick="location.href='http://ballhype.com/post/url/?url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title);return false;"><img src="http://images.dailyradar.com/media/img/hype/button_96x22.png" width="96" height="22" alt="BallHype: hype it up!"/></a><br /><br />So I admittedly slacked off a bit this weekend and we saw two distinctly average performances from the <a href="http://bruins.nhl.com/">Bruins</a>. They were lucky to secure the win against <a href="http://blackhawks.nhl.com/">Chicago</a> and certainly deserved the loss they put up on the board against the <a href="http://rangers.nhl.com/">Rangers</a> on Sunday.<br /><br /><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1252">Manny Fernandez</a> has proven he should not be the Bruins backup goalie and he'll likely be gone one way or another next season. After every save Manny makes, he's quickly looking behind himself to make sure the puck didn't squirt through. It's an obvious sign of a goalie lacking all confidence in his ability. Considering his GAA and how above his potential he played before the back injury, it's not a surprise to see him regress, but maybe a surprise to see him regress so far. It's time for <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3798">Tuukka Rask</a> to be the understudy for Tim Thomas, because Rask is the future number one netminder for the Bruins.<br /><br /><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1304">Stephane Yell</a><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1304">e</a> is out for the second straight game, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4285">Byron Bitz</a> will replace him in the lineup as he did on Sunday.<br /><br />Video Highlights Courtesy Of NHL.com<br /><iframe width="480" height="289" frameborder="0" src="http://www.nhl.tv/team/embed.jsp?hlg=20082009,2,991"></iframe><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">First Period<br /></span>It appears as if I have missed the first 6 1/2 minutes of the game and the score is 0-0 so I will assume absolutely nothing occurred while I was gone...<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />9:58 - </span></span></span>Bruins get lucky on a turn over when <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2417">Klesla</a> blasts it wide. One of the B's biggest problems these past three weeks has been sloppy passing and bad play inside their own end. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3508">Wideman</a> has been sent off for holding at 9:46.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">7:51 - </span>Five seconds left on the power play and I can confidently say the Bruins look very good on the penalty kill tonight. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1929">Ference</a> blocked a shot, won the battle to the puck and got it up to <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3641">Wheeler</a> who held it for <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3898">Krejci</a>. A little bit of inventiveness from the two forwards after Ference created the play. Encouraging sign.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6:09 - </span>Mark Stuart is bleeding out of the face and there's only a 2 minute high stick called for it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4:09 - </span>The Bruins power play is a fail. The <a href="http://bluejackets.nhl.com/">Blue Jackets</a> are the best first period team in the <a href="http://nhl.com/">NHL</a> and they are showing us why.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1:57 - </span><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1757">Malhotra</a> with one helluva shot block on Wideman. Looks like he's feelin' it a little bit on the bench.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">:51 - </span>Chara going off for a hook. Columbus held for about 45 seconds before Boston could touch it.<br /><br />End of one period and the Blue Jackets are looking like the stronger off the two teams. They lead in shots 12-5 and have seemed livelier to the puck. Bruins seem to be working hard, but they're being plagued by the usual issues. Bad passing, shaky power play, lack of physicality.<br /><br />Bring the energy and the intensity for 60 minutes and then I'll be happy.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Second Period</span><br />Bruins on the penalty kill for another 1:09 as we enter the period.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">18:35 - </span>Bruins kill the penalty, Krejci goes to the bench hurt after blocking a shot and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3983">Kessel</a> is stoned by <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4163">Mason</a> on a breakaway.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">18:01 - </span>This is what we like to see. Kessel rings the post. He, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4306">Lucic</a> and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1569">Savard</a> are looking good to start the period.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">15:49 - </span>Bruins called for offside. They are looking to attack every time they touch the puck, whether it be from out of their zone or not. I like what I'm watching early on here.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">12:37 - </span><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2131">Huselius</a> called for slashing and the Bruins will go on the power play, their hard work is paying off and they've completely dominated so far. They're banging on the door and the power play must be the time to punch it past Steve Mason.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">10:52 - </span>B's creating chances left and right. Mason making a number of terrific saves. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3153">Nash </a>gives Savard a bit too much of a push, Savard takes offense and Nash kicks his ass without ever dropping the gloves. They both get two minutes for roughing. Jackets kill the penalty to Huselius as well.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6:24 - </span>Kessel skates off the ice holding his face. Think he took a stick, he got rocked pretty hard into the half-wall as well.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5:32 - </span>Stuart and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4152">Boll</a> going at it! The big bruisers land some punches before the referees separate them. Boll with his NHL leading 21st fighting major of the season.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4:47 - </span>Getting chippy in the Boston end. Loose puck, Thomas makes the stop, it trickles around, Jackets try a little too hard on Thomas after it's tied up and the Bruins ready to defend their goalie.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1:38 - </span>Bruins doing a nice job of keeping the pressure up even while rotating through lines. It's certainly disappointing that they've yet to capitalize on anything, but Steve Mason should be commended for his job in this second period.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">:03 - </span><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2962">Montador</a> fakes a slapper and gets <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2427">Torres</a> to go down, makes the shot, saved by Mason. Bruins upping the ante as we go along here.<br /><br />An excellent period from the Bruins. They've upped the energy, intensity, physicality, everything that I called for after the first came into fruition here in the second. They're showing they're not afraid to fight back. They moved deeper into the Jacket's zone and should be able to break the door down in the third.<br /><br />Hats off to Steve Mason and Tim Thomas though, some stellar goaltending tonight.<br /><br />Let's laugh at Mike Millbury a moment, shall we?<br /><br />"These two goaltenders are 1-2 in the NHL in most stats. Mason is a bit surprising, but Thomas is not."<br /><br />You knew Tim Thomas would have a career year?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Third Period<br /><br />19:04 -</span> Oooh nasty glove save from Mason on Kessel's quick release.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">18:52 - </span><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2407">Commodore</a> to the box for holding. Bruins 0/2, 2 shots on the power play tonight. Anemic.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">16:52 - </span>Back to full strength, Bruins were sloppy at first but really pulled it together and got sharp toward the end. Mason makes a couple of nice saves and the B's are now 0/3 on the man advantage.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">16:04 - </span>Stoppage in play after Thomas collides incidentally with a Blue Jacket, causing his helmet to fly off. Timmy's helmet is now being worked out, the Jackets fans are growing impatient, letting everybody hear it.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">15:49 - </span></span><span>Timmy is wearing Manny's helmet. This does not bode well.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">15:05 - </span></span><span>Chara to the box for a high stick.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">13:10 PP GOAL 1-0 Blue Jackets - </span></span><span>Raffi Torres! Along the half-wall on Thomas' blocker side and beats him with a strong wrister.<br /><br />It's the curse of Manny's mask.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">9:52 - </span></span><span>Timmy has his helmet back. Sixteen minutes of repair time. If he doesn't allow a single goal, I give the loss to Manny Fernandez via mask.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8:58 - </span></span><span>More bad passing from Savard.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4:50 - </span>The third period Bruins are looking more like I'm used to seeing</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">. </span></span><span>They've completely lost any edge they had from the second period. They seem complacent again... not good.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2:53 - </span></span><span>Can't beat Steve Mason. Looking for his league leading ninth shutout of the year.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1:17 - </span>Thomas is on the bench. Extra attacker on. Urgency!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">:26 EN GOAL 2-0 Blue Jackets - </span>Rick Nash seals it! 150 foot shot to just clear the zone has just enough on it to get into the net.<br /><br /><br />The Bruins lose again and I'm out of energy on what to say at the moment.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885338104649913197.post-40289697903227173442009-03-10T16:49:00.001-04:002009-03-11T00:22:07.125-04:00Jason Spezza Busted For Illegal Stick<a href="http://ballhype.com/post/" onclick="location.href='http://ballhype.com/post/url/?url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title);return false;"><img src="http://images.dailyradar.com/media/img/hype/button_96x22.png" width="96" height="22" alt="BallHype: hype it up!"/></a><br /><br />When I first read about <a href="http://mapleleafs.nhl.com">Toronto</a> coach Ron Wilson challenging <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2900">Jason Spezza's</a> stick, I had to really think about why he would do such a thing so late in a game.<br /><br />Upon further review it makes perfect sense. You're down by one goal late in the game, why not try and get a cheap power play by challenging the legality of a stick?<br /><br />Ultimately, it worked out as the Leafs were successful in their challenge but that's not the real story in this tale.<br /><br />The real story is what Spezza did to try and hide the fact that he had an illegal stick. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bd_sVCqkmS4&color1=0x333366&color2=0x666699&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bd_sVCqkmS4&color1=0x333366&color2=0x666699&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Spezza is waiting to take a draw and overhears that the Leafs want to challenge his stick. In an absolute admission of guilt, Spezza snaps his stick in two and tries to exchange it out for a legal one without the refs noticing.<br /><br />A valiant effort indeed, but it didn't work. The refs saw the whole thing and properly measured the appropriate stick in question and found out that it was illegal.<br /><br />Spezza was assessed a two-minute penalty and the Leafs failed to score to tie the game and eventually <a href="http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/team/app?gameNumber=987&gameType=2&page=Recap&season=20082009&service=page">lost 2-1.</a> Pretty anti-climatic ending to a great move by Wilson.CSheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14828291664707462038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885338104649913197.post-57242000417001098332009-03-10T15:13:00.004-04:002009-03-10T18:34:47.123-04:00Gary "Chuck Norris" Roberts Hangs Up The SkatesAccording to <a href="http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=270609&lid=headline&lpos=secStory_nhl">TSN.ca,</a> <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/9">Gary Roberts</a> has retired from the <a href="http://www.nhl.com">NHL</a> for the second time.<br /><br />He was placed on waivers by <a href="http://www/lightning.nhl.com">Tampa Bay</a> last week prior to the trade deadline and no one claimed him.<br /><br />I for one, am sad to see him go. I loved him when he was in <a href="http://www/penguins.nhl.com">Pittsburgh.</a> He played with such a reckless abandon, despite his many injuries in his career. His playing style earned him the nickname of Chuck Norris around Pittsburgh and there was actually merchandise with "WWGRD?" (What Would Gary Roberts Do?" printed. Good times.<br /><br />Nothing phased him at all. Opposing defensemen always looked over their shoulders when they went into the corners to fetch a puck that had been dumped in. You always knew Roberts was going to be flying in behind that poor d-man to put him through the boards and win that puck.<br /><br />Roberts never took a shift off. He gave 110% every shift and his teammates fed of that. He made the team better with his gritty, take no prisoners style and he will be sorely missed.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/z17JP8AuKsc&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/z17JP8AuKsc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />For his career, Roberts played 1,224 games, registered 438 goals, 471 assists and 2,560 penalty minutes. <br /><br />Is he a Hall of Famer? I'd tend to say yes with over 900 points in his career. Not too shabby if you ask me. He also has his name on the Stanley Cup from the 1989 champion <a href="http://www.flames.nhl.com">Flames.</a><br /><br />It's too bad a contending team didn't take a flier on Roberts for the playoffs. Part of me was hoping the Pens would claim him, but it wasn't in the cards.<br /><br />Congratulations on a great career Gary. Thanks for the memories.<br /><br />I'm especially a fan of this fight. (Sorry Derek.)<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/llWnBfoRfwQ&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/llWnBfoRfwQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />UPDATE:<br /><br />I was poking around on YouTube some more and came across this gem as well. Enjoy!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/b2Xlnx5Go8M&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/b2Xlnx5Go8M&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>CSheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14828291664707462038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885338104649913197.post-68320888064553903022009-03-10T03:48:00.003-04:002009-03-10T04:04:22.609-04:00Canadiens Fire Carbonneau In Surprise Move<a href="http://ballhype.com/post/" onclick="location.href='http://ballhype.com/post/url/?url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title);return false;"><img src="http://images.dailyradar.com/media/img/hype/button_96x22.png" width="96" height="22" alt="BallHype: hype it up!"/></a><br /><br />According to <a href="http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=270525&lid=headline&lpos=secStory_nhl">TSN.ca,</a> the <a href="http://www.canadiens.nhl.com">Montreal Canadiens</a> have fired head coach Guy Carbonneau with just 16 games remaining in the regular season.<br /><br />General manager Bob Gainey will take over the coaching duties for the remainder of the season, much like he did in 2005-06. That year, he fired Claude Julien in a late season move. Look how that one turned out in history. Julien has the <a href="http://www.bruins.nhl.com">Bruins</a> in a virtual lock for the No. 1 seed in the <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm?type=CON&navid=NAV|STN|Main">Eastern Conferenc</a>e this year, while the Habs are now in a battle for their playoff lives.<br /><br />Currently, the Habs are tied with the <a href="http://www.hurricanes.nhl.com">Hurricanes</a> for 5th in the East with 77 points. However, the <a href="http://www.penguins.nhl.com">Penguins</a>, <a href="http://www.panthers.nhl.com">Panthers</a> and <a href="http://rangers.nhl.com">Rangers</a> are all one point back with 76. <a href="http://www.sabres.nhl.com">Buffalo</a> is 10th with 73 points and fading fast without Ryan Miller.<br /><br />The Habs started out the season well, but since the All-Star game that was held in their own rink, they just have not looked the same.<br /><br /><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3782">Carey Price</a> has been awful in net, which forced Carbonneau to throw <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3734">Jaroslav Halak</a> in net to stop the bleeding.<br /><br />According to <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3782/news;_ylt=ApMA1ku45zbzZ1xVol7uB2RivLYF">Stats,</a> Price was 3-10-1 since returning from an ankle injury on Jan. 20 before earning a 3-1 win against <a href="http://www.stars.nhl.com">Dallas</a> on Sunday. The win was Price's first since Feb. 3. That's the kind of stellar goaltending that gets coaches fired.<br /><br />The remainder of the season should prove quite interesting with some of the teams chasing the Habs catching fire. I still think they get into the playoffs, but if this coaching change doesn't work it could be a very long summer in Montreal.CSheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14828291664707462038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885338104649913197.post-78807432456047962282009-03-09T03:35:00.001-04:002009-03-09T03:37:59.241-04:00Pens Win Thriller In Washington For 6th Straight Win<a href="http://ballhype.com/post/" onclick="location.href='http://ballhype.com/post/url/?url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title);return false;"><img src="http://images.dailyradar.com/media/img/hype/button_96x22.png" width="96" height="22" alt="BallHype: hype it up!"/></a><br /><br />This is borderline insane and I'm not sure I fully believe it.<br /><br />Somebody pinch me.....please. <br /><br />The <a href="http://www.penguins.nhl.com">Penguins</a> have won six games in a row now after knocking off the <a href="http://www.capitals.nhl.com">Capitals</a> 4-3 in a shootout Sunday. Should the game have gone to a shootout? Absolutely not. <br /><br />The Penguins came out flatter than a day old open beer in the third period with a 3-1 lead and the Caps pounced scoring two goals in 49 seconds to tie the game. I was at Caps/Pens game at the Igloo on Oct. 16 and the same thing happened. The Pens had a 3-1 lead and gave up in the third period and <a href="http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app?gameNumber=50&gameType=2&page=Recap&season=20082009&service=page">lost 4-3.</a> Thankfully they learned from that mistake this time around.<br /><br />The shock from those two goals was rather apparent, seeing as how the team looked scared to be on the ice for most of the period after that. If not for a couple of powerplays, they may not have pulled this one out.<br /><br />There was one scary moment late in the third period thanks to good pal <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1661">Hal Gill.</a> I have never been more proud of his poor puckhandling skills. <br /><br />With under five seconds to play, Gill attempts to clear a bouncing puck out of danger in the slot. The key word there is "attempts." Gill fires the puck to the endboards behind <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3341">Marc-Andre Fleury</a> and barely misses turning the red light on for the Capitals. Had he done that I would have needed a new television.<br /><br />Video Highlights Courtesy Of NHL.com<br /><iframe width="480" height="289" frameborder="0" src="http://penguins.nhl.tv/team/embed.jsp?hlg=20082009,2,981"></iframe><br /><br />Here's some notes from the game:<br /><br />- <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/605">Bill Guerin</a> had three points (1G 2A) in the game today. The top line of <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3737">Sidney Crosby</a> - <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3340">Chris Kunitz</a> - Guerin is working rather well so far.<br /><br />- The top powerplay unit is still a shade off from regaining the lethal form it once had. Guerin parking his wide frame in front of the net resulted in one goal tonight on a bomb from <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1189">Sergei Gonchar.</a> That's a good sign if you ask me.<br /><br />- Fleury had a roughly .950 save percentage before today's game in March, which is a league high. He played spectacularly again today and came up huge in the shootout stopping <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3637">Alex Ovechkin</a> to win the game.<br /><br />- <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1333">Petr Sykora</a> did not dress for this game due to "an upper body injury," according to the <a href="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_615130.html?source=rss&feed=8">Pitsburgh Tribune-Review.</a> He is listed as day-to-day.<br /><br />- The Penguins finish this pivitol five-game roadtrip with a perfect 5-0 record. That is a franchise best mark.<br /><br />- The <a href="http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app?service=page&page=NHLPage&bcid=tea_sta_bio.php_id_61">Bylsma</a> Penguins are now 8-1-1. Not a bad start for the new coach. <br /><br />- The win prevents a season series sweep by the Caps for the first time in history as well. The Caps have come close to sweeping the Pens a couple of times, but that record lives on for another year now.<br /><br />The Penguins are making me do some extra work today in breaking down three goals against, but a couple of these are rather simple.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goal #1 - <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3261">Alexander Semin</a> dekes around Fleury down low</span><br /><br /><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4064">Kris Letang</a> is set up behind the net and attempts a long outlet pass intended for <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3638">Evgeni Malkin.</a> The pass fails miserably as he hits <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3982">Nicklas Backstrom,</a> who was applying pressure. Backstrom picks up the loose puck in the corner and hits Semin rushing into the slot to tie the game at 1-1.<br /><br />Points assigned: Letang gets the full point for the awful outlet pass.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goal #2 - Ovechkin Powerplay Goal</span><br /><br /><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1922">Mark Eaton</a> blocks a shot in the slot. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3287">Brooks Laich</a> picks up the loose puck and passes it back to Mike Green at the point. Green goes point-to-point to Ovechkin who takes a couple steps toward the net and fires a wrister behind Fleury. The puck appears to have gone off Gonchar, who was battling with Laich behind Fleury at the side of the net.<br /><br />Points assigned: <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3472">Max Talbot</a> gets 0.5 for being too far away from his pointman (Ovechkin) and allowing him to get a higher percentage shot. Gonchar gets the other .5 for not getting body position on Laich and as a result of the battle, the puck hits Gonchar and goes in.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Goal #3 - Laich Breakway Off Bad Line Change</span><br /><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2934"><br />David Steckel</a> catches the Pens in a horrific line change on defense and connects with Laich on the home-run pass. Laich walks in on Fleury and almost loses the handle on the puck, but puts on a nice move and roofs it behind Fleury to tie the game at 3-3.<br /><br />Points assigned: 0.5 each to Letang and Eaton for the horrible line change. It was poorly executed and Washington made them pay as a result. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Updated Hal Gill Quotient Standings:</span><br /><br />Kris Letang - 4.84 - 9 GP<br />Hal Gill - 4.34 - 11 GP<br />Marc-Andre Fleury - 4.08 - 12 GP<br />Ryan Whitney - 3.5 - 6 GP - TRADED<br />Sergei Gonchar - 3.25 - 10 GP<br />Mark Eaton - 2.83 - 12 GP<br />Brooks Orpik - 2.75 - 12 GP<br />Jordan Staal - 2.25 - 12 GP<br />Rob Scuderi - 1.50 - 12 GP<br />Matt Cooke - 1.0 - 12 GP<br />Ruslan Fedotenko - 1.0 12 GP<br />Pascal Dupuis - .83 - 12 GP<br />Max Talbot - 0.5 - 12 GP<br />Referee Paul Devorski - 0.5 - 1 Game Reffed<br />Bill Thomas - .33 - 5 GP - WAIVEDCSheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14828291664707462038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885338104649913197.post-69413335126365108392009-03-06T05:02:00.000-05:002009-03-06T05:29:45.609-05:00Pens Pull Away In 3rd For 5th Straight Win <a href="http://ballhype.com/post/" onclick="location.href='http://ballhype.com/post/url/?url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title);return false;"><img src="http://images.dailyradar.com/media/img/hype/button_96x22.png" width="96" height="22" alt="BallHype: hype it up!"/></a>
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<br />Am I really sitting here writing about a five-game winning streak for the <a href="http://www.penguins.nhl.com">Penguins?</a>
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<br />If the Penguins do go on to make the playoffs, they will be the best prepared team in the conference. Why? They have been playing playoff type hockey since the middle of February. They are approaching every game with a life or death mentality and it's paying off.
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<br />Tonights 4-1 win over the <a href="http://www.panthers.nhl.com">Florida Panthers</a> (the <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm?type=CON&navid=NAV|STN|Main">6-seed in the Eastern Conference</a>), was huge. The <a href="http://www.rangers.nhl.com">Rangers</a> also won again tonight, so now there is a three-way tie for the 6-seed.
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<br />The Penguins are now one point out of 5th and four points out of fourth thanks to the <a href="http://www.flames.nhl.com">Flames</a> beating up on the <a href="http://www.flyers.nhl.com">Flyers</a> tonight.
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<br /><a href="http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app?service=page&page=NHLPage&bcid=tea_sta_bio.php_id_61">Dan Bylsma</a> is making a serious push to drop the "interim" off his title if you ask me. The team is now 7-1-1 since he took over. Let's also remember that the Pens have not been stellar on the road this season, and they now have won four straight on this five-game road trip. The trip concludes Sunday in <a href="http://capitals.nhl.com">Washington.</a>
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<br />Some observations tonight:
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<br />- The top line of <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/605">Bill Guerin</a> - <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3737">Sidney Crosby</a> - <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3340">Chris Kunitz</a> will be a force. Their timing is just a hair off right now, but that's to be expected. Give them a couple games and practices and things will start to flow much better. A sign of things to come would be Crosby's goal tonight. Guerin hit him in stride and Sid does the rest by splitting the flat-footed defense.
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<br />- Some people will claim that the Pens got all the breaks in this game. I could see that to some degree. I don't have the exact number of posts the Panthers hit tonight, but needless to say if a couple of those go in, who knows how the game turns out.
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<br />Video Highlights Courtesy Of NHL.com
<br /><iframe width="480" height="289" frameborder="0" src="http://penguins.nhl.tv/team/embed.jsp?hlg=20082009,2,960"></iframe>
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<br />- <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3341">Marc-Andre Fleury</a> was brilliant when he needed to be. The lone goal against was kind of flukey. More on that later.
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<br />- <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3895">Tyler Kennedy</a> needs to shoot the puck more. I was unaware that he had as big a cannon as he does. Watch the highlights provided here to see the bomb he dropped on <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1541">Tomas Vokoun</a> in the third period. His second goal on the one-timer tap-in from <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3638">Evgeni Malkin</a> was just plain pretty.
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<br />- I'm very excited to see <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1189">Sergei Gonchar</a> quarterbacking the power play with Malkin, Crosby, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1333">Petr Sykora</a> and Guerin camping out in front of the net. Guerin might want to invest in a full cage for his helmet though. I love Gonchar's shoot at will mindset, but his accuracy isn't exactly perfect.
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<br />- The Panthers' color guy (Denis Potvin I believe) needs an education. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4064">Kris Letang</a> got drilled from behind in the second period and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1188">Cory Stillman</a> received a penalty for charging. Keep in mind, the hit was FROM BEHIND. Is it a charging call? Debatable, but if you look up penalties in the rule book, you'll see an infraction for "HITTING FROM BEHIND!"
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<br /><embed id="mediaPlayerContainer" width="404" height="352" align="TL" flashvars="id=03KqeOEbyCAV6riEJW06IWa7el&partnerId=3&pwidth=404&pheight=352&embedvars=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ehow.com%2fembedvars.aspx%3fshow_related%3dtrue%26from_url%3dhttp%253a%252f%252fwww.ehow.com%252fvideo_2347664_hockey-penalties-hitting-from-behind.html" scale="noscale" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="window" menu="false" loop="false" allowscriptaccess="always" quality="high" bgcolor="#000000" name="mediaPlayerContainer" style="" name="mediaPlayerContainer" src="http://www.ehow.com/flash/player.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"/><br><a target="_blank" href="http://www.ehow.com/video_2347664_hockey-penalties-hitting-from-behind.html">Hockey Penalties: Hitting From Behind</a> -- powered by eHow.com
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<br />He redeemed himself later by saying he hated the Penguins powder blue third jerseys. I concur. I don't support this team any less because of the ugly third jerseys, but you won't catch me wearing one.
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<br />- <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1661">Hal Gill</a> was actually effective tonight. At various points in the game he actually dropped to the ice to block a shot and succeeded. At another point the Panthers' announcer claimed Gill hit someone in the corner. I still need video proof, but I like the effort. There was a play in the third period though, where he dropped to a knee and his man spun right around him and drilled the post. To quote Meatloaf "two outta three ain't bad."
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<br />Speaking of Hal Gill, it's time to update the <span style="font-weight:bold;">Hal Gill Quotient</span> after tonight's game. It's normally a good day when I only have to break down one goal.
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<br />Goal #1 - <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1320">Radek Dvorak</a> fires puck off the bottom of the post, puck flutters into the air off Fleury and barely drops in over the line.
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<br />The Panthers dump the puck into the zone and Fleury comes out to play it and is forced to throw it to the near corner. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2491">Brooks Orpik</a> is a coasting back into the zone and gets beat to the puck. Crosby chases his man around the net who feeds Dvorak who gets the fortunate bounce.
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<br />Points assigned - Orpik gets 0.5 for not hustling back to the puck. Letang gets 0.5 for letting Dvorak get complete body position on him and free to take the shot.
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Updated Hal Gill Quotient Standings:</span>
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<br />Hal Gill - 4.34 - 10 GP
<br />Marc-Andre Fleury - 4.08 - 11 GP
<br />Ryan Whitney - 3.5 - 6 GP - TRADED
<br />Kris Letang - 3.34 - 8 GP
<br />Sergei Gonchar - 2.75 - 9 GP
<br />Brooks Orpik - 2.75 - 11 GP
<br />Mark Eaton - 2.33 - 11 GP
<br />Jordan Staal - 2.25 - 11 GP
<br />Rob Scuderi - 1.50 - 11 GP
<br />Matt Cooke - 1.0 - 11 GP
<br />Ruslan Fedotenko - 1.0 11 GP
<br />Pascal Dupuis - .83 - 11 GP
<br />Referee Paul Devorski - 0.5 - 1 Game Reffed
<br />Bill Thomas - .33 - 5 GP - WAIVEDCSheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14828291664707462038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885338104649913197.post-82385723227188396062009-03-05T19:20:00.012-05:002009-03-05T21:47:20.114-05:00Rangers vs Isles tonight in the Colisseum: LIVE<em><a onclick="location.href='http://ballhype.com/post/url/?url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title);return false;" href="http://ballhype.com/post/"><img height="22" alt="BallHype: hype it up!" src="http://images.dailyradar.com/media/img/hype/button_96x22.png" width="96" /></a></em><br /><em></em><br /><em>"We won our last game. If we win again today, that's 2 in a row. If we win again tomorrow, that's what they call a winning streak..... It has happened before."</em><br />- Lou Brown, Major League II<br /><br />I think this was the pregame pep talk Tort gave they boys.<br /><br /><strong>1st Period</strong><br /><strong>Rangers goal</strong>- <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/teams/nyr">Rangers</a> dump the puck deep into the <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/teams/nyi">Isles</a> zone, and both <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1844">Gomez</a> and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/533"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Naslund</span></a> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">forecheck</span> from opposite sides. The Isle's defender makes a panic pass behind him up the boards right to <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3328">Nikolai <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Zherdev</span></a>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Zherdev</span> coasts in and fires one by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Danis</span> through a Gomez screen.<br /><br />2 guys <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">forechecking</span>= increased pressure = <a href="http://backtothepoint1.blogspot.com/2009/03/rangers-rout-avs-6-1-advent-of.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Tortorella</span> goal.</a><br /><br /><u>Observations</u><br />- There is a clear energy in the crowd and on the ice whenever <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2749">Avery</a> is out there. The pace is much faster and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">inexperienced</span> Isles are visibly scared. Apparently <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3539">Bruno <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Gervais</span> </a>never got the memo that Avery was in the lineup tonight. YOU DON'T SKATE WITH YOUR HEAD DOWN BRUNO. Avery gave him a powerful reminder.<br /><br />- The Rangers now have 3 good defensive pairings. 3 lefties and 3 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">righties</span>. 3 Offensive d-men paired with 3 defensive D-men. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1801">Mara</a> and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1930"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Rozsival</span></a> never have to be on the ice together. This pleases me.<br /><br />- The team has Avery's back. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3835">Blake <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Comeau</span> </a>gives a couple cheap shots to Avery and the other 4 Rangers jump in and start a scrum. Great way to make the vagabond winger feel like he has a home.<br /><br />- End of the first. 1-0 Rangers<br /><br /><strong>2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">nd</span> Period</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Isle's Goal</strong>: <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/631"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">McAmmond</span></a> gets the puck in his own end and moves it through the neutral zone. Both Rangers <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">defensemen</span> collapse on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">McAmmond</span> and he hits Blake <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Comeau</span> streaking down the left wing. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Comeau</span> gets behind the D and slips one through Hank. Game tied at 1-1.<br /><br />-<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1962"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Antropov</span> </a>with a golden opportunity to answer quickly and retake the lead and he <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">demostrates</span> great patience by waiting and gets <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Danis</span> to the ground. He then <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">procedes</span> to hit the crossbar. I think this is a microcosm of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Antropov's</span> skill set. Shows some promise but in the end frustrating.<br /><br /><strong>Ranger's POWER PLAY Goal: </strong>With the Rangers on the power play because of a Trent Hunter trip, the Rangers capitalize. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Tortorella</span> has a power play philosophy called weak side shooting. Basically its hold the puck on one side and once the defense shifts, get it quickly to the other and blast away before the D can get back into position. After a couple weak side rockets on net, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Antropov</span> gets the puck on the wing and gives it the <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1761"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Drury</span> </a>at the point. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Drury</span> rockets one through a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Dubinsky</span> and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1335">Redden</a> screen and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3569"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Danis</span></a> never had a chance. Rangers now have 5 power play goals over their last 7 games.<br /><br />Forward <u>and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">defenseman</span></u> screening in front of the net = <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Tortorella</span> goal. Two thus far on the night.<br /><br />- <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3886">Callahan</a>, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3880"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">Dubinksy</span></a>, and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3656"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Korpikoski</span> </a>are all very much <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">Tortorella</span> type players. Lost of hustle, lots of crashing the net, lots of solid passing. I wouldn't be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">surprised</span> if <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Tortorella</span> told <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">Sather</span> that those three weren't allowed to be moved yesterday.<br /><br />- I've never seen <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2645">Hank</a> use his stick so much in a game to chip pucks away. He's cleared like 5-6 pucks already that were trickling out front.<br /><br />-The Rangers have been <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">sacrificing</span> their bodies a ton this game. Tons of shot blocking and diving to get into the passing lanes.<br /><br />End of 2 and Rangers up 2-1<br /><br /><strong>3rd Period</strong><br /><strong>Rangers Goal: </strong><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2634">Andy Hilbert</a> collides with Dean <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">McAmmond</span> in the offensive end and both fall down. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">Zherdev</span> picks up the puck and streaks down ice with Gomez next to him and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">Naslund</span> trailing. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">Zherdev</span> peaks back over his shoulder to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">Naslund</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">Martinek</span> takes the bait. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">Zherdev</span> hits Gomez in stride and flicks it into the back of the net.<br /><br />Isle's collision (Freaking Hilarious) + 3 on 1 = No Tort goal. 3-1 Rangers.<br /><br />- On the power play I don't want my 6'6" 230 forward on the wing. I want him camped out in front on the net screening like a sumo wrestler. Tort needs to tell <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">Antropov</span> to get himself out front.<br /><br /><strong>Isle's Goal:</strong> <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4391">Jack <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">Hillen</span></a> and Blake <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">Comeau</span> play give and go up and down the ice. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50">Hillen</span> uses his speed to cut to the net and sneaks one through Hank's pads for his first NHL goal. 3-2 Rangers.<br /><br />- Blake <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51">Comeau</span> looks like he wants to claim that C on his chest that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_52">Guerin</span> left behind. He has been vocal all game and has stepped his game up. And remember this, in the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king.<br /><br />- Every time <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_53">Rozsival</span> gets the puck at the point, he takes longer than Russ Tyler in the Mighty Ducks shooting the knuckle puck to get a shot off. BLAST AWAY MICHAL.<br /><br />- The Rangers are not playing scared hockey like they did over the last month and sitting on the 1 goal lead. It's refreshing to see them still attacking the net and not taking the proverbial knee.<br /><br />- Is there anything more nerve racking than the puck staying in your zone for more than 1 minute? It felt like the Rangers couldn't clear the zone forever and I was ready for a goal against or a stupid penalty. Luckily we averted disaster.<br /><br /><strong>Ranger's POWER PLAY Goal: </strong>Thank you <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2879"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_54">Radek</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_55">Martinek</span></a>. Isle's turn it over behind the net and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_56">Drury</span> gets the puck out to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_57">Naslund</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_58">Naslund</span> winds up to fire and breaks his stick. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_59">Radek</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_60">Martinek</span> goes to deflect it to the side and instead deflects it over the shoulder of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_61">Danis</span>. I'll take it. To be fair, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_62">Duby</span> was in the front screening and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_63">Danis</span> had no chance to react to a soft deflection.<br /><br />Power play + broken stick + dumb luck+ a screen out front: These things never happened under <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_64">Renney</span>, hence: Tort goal. 4-2 Rangers. 3 Tort goals on the night.<br /><br />- <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3988">Kyle <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_65">Okposo</span></a> is going to be that pain in the ass player that always seems to be around the puck in the years to come. Experience will help him get to the right place at the right time. Right now he's just about half a step away from being potent.<br /><br />- I'm willing to bet Tort has some sort of rule that each <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_66">defenseman</span> needs to wind up and let one fire at least once a game. Tons of shooting from the point from the Rangers <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_67">blueliners</span>.<br /><br /><strong>GAME OVER: RANGERS WIN 4-2...</strong><br />- Hank with 28 saves in a very solid effort<br />- 1st Rangers road win since January 16<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_68">th</span> at Chicago<br />- Rangers record with Avery in the lineup: 51-23-13<br />- Rangers 10 goals over the last 2 games... Woohoo<br /><br /><u>Tort Goal Update Total</u><br />Tort Goals -7<br />Non Tort Goals- 3<br /><br />And to take this full circle... If we win on Sunday, that's what they call a winning streak... It has happened before.Gopherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08044475470120574252noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885338104649913197.post-73180445251930880732009-03-05T18:37:00.042-05:002009-03-05T21:32:09.752-05:00Bruins vs. Coyotes LIVE!<a href="http://ballhype.com/post/" onclick="location.href='http://ballhype.com/post/url/?url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title);return false;"><img src="http://images.dailyradar.com/media/img/hype/button_96x22.png" alt="BallHype: hype it up!" width="96" height="22" /></a><br /><br />Back in Boston for the fifth of a six game homestand where the <a href="http://bruins.nhl.com/">B's</a> (42-13-9) will look to avenge their 4-2 loss to the <a href="http://flyers.nhl.com/">Flyers</a> on Tuesday night. The <a href="http://coyotes.nhl.com/">Coyotes</a> (27-31-5) and the Bruins both will look different than they did 24 hours ago, with the Bruins adding <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/11">Mark Recchi</a> and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2962">Steve Montador</a> and the Coyotes clearing house and apparently starting over.<br /><br />Gone from Phoenix are <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1645">Derek Morris</a> and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1573">Olli Jokinen</a>. Jokinen was signed just a summer ago to be Phoenix's star center, but not being in the thick of the playoff race will make a GM do crazy things and blowing up the team is one of those things.<br /><br />Good news for the Bruins tonight, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4306">Milan Lucic</a> returns after a two game absence with a "body injury." We all know it was his hand. This is excellent news for the club, you've got to believe the Bruins will rediscover some of that physicality they were missing over the last 2/3 of the Flyers game.<br /><br />Recchi and Montador are suited up and skating around pregame. Brick muses that Recchi will likely be on the left with <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1569">Savard</a> and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3983">Kessel</a>. He's not sure where Montador will fit in, and as I said after the trade happened, I'm not quite sure either.<br /><br />Even the <a href="http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/extras/bruins_blog/">Boston Globe's</a> Bruins blog isn't sure, they're best guess is that <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4285">Byron Bitz</a> sits so PJ Axelsson can move to the checking line.<br /><br />Remember, it's another night of Jack Bingo! Hopefully less frustrating that Tuesday night's version.<br /><br />I find it terribly satisfying that the Coyotes have yet to make the playoffs in Gretzky's three seasons as coach.<br /><br />Bruins lines in warm-ups..<br /><br />Forwards:<br />Mark Recchi-Marc Savard-Phil Kessel<br /><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1660">P.J. Axelsson</a>-<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3383">Patrice Bergeron</a>-<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2850">Chuck Kobasew</a><br /><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3641">Blake Wheeler</a>-<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3898">David Krejci</a>-<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2499">Michael Ryder</a><br />Milan Lucic-<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1304">Stephane Yelle</a>-<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2724">Shawn Thornton</a><br /><br />Defencemen:<br /><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1700">Zdeno Chara</a>-<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/539">Aaron Ward</a><br /><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1929">Andrew Ference</a>-<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3508">Dennis Wideman</a><br /><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3359">Mark Stuart</a>-Steve Montador<br /><br />Goaltending:<br /><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2969">Tim Thomas</a><br /><br />Looks as if Bitz, Hunwick and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2442">Hnidy</a> are gonna sit tonight. Has to be disappointing for them. I'm disappointed to see Hunwick sit, but let's see if Montador can help Lucic make this team the physical beast it can be.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">First Period<br /><br /></span><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2594"><span>Ilya Bryzgalov</span></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span><span>starting for the Coyotes tonight. My guess is he could have a long game.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">17:50 - </span></span>"D to D." Mark an X for me Jack, we're off to a good start. Early two minutes haven't been too exciting, teams feeling each other out. The Krejci line looked to have the best movement, but it's way too early to make any calls on things of that nature.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">15:25 - </span></span><span>One too many passes. Kessel breaks in with Recchi two on one, passes over to Recchi, back to Savard, back to Recchi and it skips to the wall. Gotta pull the trigger boys.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><span><span style="font-weight: bold;">13:49 - </span>Bruins defending extremely well. Coyotes can't keep position in the Bruins end. Also, I don't think I've seen Shawn Thornton put a shot on net yet, they always go wide.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">12:51 GOAL 1-0 Bruins - </span>Chuck Kobasew! Perfect pass from Bergeron along the halfwall to find Kobasew in the slot, who beats Bryzgalov with the shot. Now that the Bruins have the lead, let's see the intensity and energy remain constant and not drop off as it did on Tuesday.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">11:58 - </span>PING! Recchi re-directs Wideman's slap shot off the crossbar and out of play. Recchi's had two clear-cut scoring chances in three shifts on the ice. You can tell he's definitely excited and energized to be on this team.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">10:32 - </span>Brick talking about Wheeler facing his old team, despite never suiting up for the Coyotes and how there's "money on the board" for him to do well and score. Brick sounds serious about this. Gambling? Sounds sketchy.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">10:00 - </span>"Wing to wing." Mark it.<br /><br />Ooh tempers flaring as Chara crushes <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3756">Prucha</a> into the boards. Looked like a completely clean hit. Appears to be a penalty, as Jack says "because he's 6'9"." Well it's called interference. Chara pretty much steamrolls through him. It's a bit of a wishy-washy call. Julien certainly does not agree.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">7:59 PPG 1-1 - </span><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3132">Scottie Upshall</a> loves playing the Bruins! Wideman turns it over at the halfwall, it's flipped into the slot by <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3269">Lindstrom</a> and Upshall backhands it past Timmy Thomas.<br /><br />It was Upshall who tied the game at one on Tuesday night as well...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6:04 - </span><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1354">Shane Doan</a> going in for hooking. Bruins have responded to the Coyotes goal favorably. Let's see if that can continue here. Brick thinks the B's will run the overload toward Savard.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5:31 - </span>Recchi misses another chance right at the post, Ryder comes from behind and whiffs on it. I think Rex has a goal in him tonight.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4:04 - </span>Coyotes kill the penalty.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1:40 - </span>Wideman with a dangerous turnover that immediately got a pass to Prucha in front of the net, he couldn't put it over Thomas though. Not surprisingly, the Coyotes coming on a bit stronger after they tied it up and the Bruins seem to let them in it.<br /><br />Need to play smarter.<br /><br />After one, the Bruins certainly came out as the better of the clubs, but seem to fall into a comfort zone and get complacent once they achieve the lead. Phoenix clawed back with the power play goal and from then on the Bruins seem to look flat and they lacked some luster.<br /><br />Let's hope Claude gets them hyped back up in the dressing room.<br /><br />It's obvious that the Bruins have a clear advantage of Phoenix's youthful defencemen and they need to capitalize on the chances they're given in the offensive zone. Pull the trigger and shoot the puck. If you pepper Bryzgalov enough good things will happen.<br /><br />Barry says the B's are the best 5-on-5 team in the NHL. <a href="http://redwings.nhl.com/">Detroit</a> or <a href="http://sharks.nhl.com/">San Jose</a> anyone? And by the way <a href="http://flames.nhl.com/">Calgary</a> is ripping apart the Flyers (4-0 after one) they may have something to say as well.<br /><br />Interesting. Aaron Ward and Blake Wheeler were both drafted #5 overall by the WIN/PHO organization, but neither actually played for them at the NHL level.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Second Period<br /><br />19:36 - </span>Phoenix has 5 power play shots and 1 full strength shot. Ouch.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">17:15 - </span>Upshall "spoons it" into the corner. X it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">15:23 - </span>Bruins have done an excellent job stalling Phoenix at the blue line and causing a good number of offside calls.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">14:08 - </span>Some of the passes Savard has made lately are concerning. Luckily there was no one near it, but Savard shoveled one back for Montador and was a good 5 or 6 feet off on his aim.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">12:08 GOAL 2-1 Coyotes - </span><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2101">Steve Reinprecht</a>! <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3670">Nigel Dawes</a> skates in down the right side, feeds it across the zone to Reinprecht who tips it up and over Thomas.<br /><br />Shades of the Flyers game here...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">11:50 - </span>Thomas "fungos" it out of the air. Mark an X.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8:52 - </span>Tempers flare. Thornton and Montador along with <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1122">Klee</a> all shoving each other around a bit.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">7:46 - </span>Chara pushing Lindstrom down. Getting chippy here.<br /><br />Where's the crisp passing from the Bruins? Everything's skipping or long, or intercepted in the neutral zone. Not taking care of the puck particularly well at all.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">7:00 - </span>B's 30 seconds into a power play, Klee was called for interference.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6:42 - </span>Savard all alone can't pick the corner, shoots it wide.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5:55 - </span>Bruins moving the puck quickly, but a lot of wide shots from the point in a disappointing effort.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5:29 - </span>Ference trips Klee out of the box and it's another 'Yotes power play. Five shots on the first.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4:16 - </span>Coyotes moving the puck really well, Thomas is able to pounce on the puck beside the net for a cover.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3:28 - </span>Two pucks slid just past the post on that power play. Bruins are fortunate to kill it off. Where's the energy, where's the intensity? For the second straight game the Bruins are failing to follow their usual game plan and now a younger, less experienced club is taking advantage.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1:00 - </span>Showing a bit more fire in these last couple of minutes. Can it carry over?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">:10 - </span>Bruins almost level it before the end of the period. Montador takes a terrific rip from the point that goes wide. Wideman gets it and takes a huge rip, Savard gets it and takes an impossible angle shot that flies toward the blue line.<br /><br />Bruins down a goal after two. Lucic is hitting well, but he's not being hugely productive on the checking line. There's been a lot of sloppy passing, too many turnovers, not playing well on the forecheck and the tempo isn't high enough.<br /><br />The Bruins need to pull a 180 to get back in this.<br /><br />Barry thinks that Ference looks "a lot more confident" at the point on the power play than Bergeron does. Does it have anything to do with Andy being a defencemen? Seriously. What kind of commentary is that?<br /><br />And now I listen to Barry tell me everything I just typed into the post five minutes ago. Yawn.<br /><br />An unrelated exchange through AIM...<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Casey: </span>GILL LAYS DOWN AND BLOCKS A SHOT<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Justin:</span> take him off the ice!<br /><br />Looking at Jack Bingo on NESN, I have missed Juicy Rebound, He Bangs Him, Save By Thomas and Stick a Fork in It... I am X'ing those off.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Third Period<br /><br />18:58 - </span>Bruins 2nd in the NHL with 76 third period goals. Also have the best 3rd period defense.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">18:15 - </span>Lucic is with Savard and Kessel. Someone heard me.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">15:00 - </span>It's getting tough to watch the Bruins miss pass after pass after pass.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">12:32 - </span>Not a whole lot.. brewin right now. B's got an icing, but couldn't win the face off.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">11:00 - </span>Here's the pressure and energy we've been looking for. Kessel walks in and snaps it wide. Bruins skating a lot harder. Lucic sends <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3217">Michalek</a> down like a... sack of flour? Thank you, Jack.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8:39 - </span>Boston finally dominating physically here. Throwing bodies around with reckless abandon. Bryzgalov is getting a lot of work but he's holding the fort down. Terrific energy from the B's, but they need a result from this.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6:51 - </span>Lucic comes in on Bryzgalov 2 on 1 and can't control the puck. Oh woe is the Bruins.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6:11 - </span>Krejci has certainly been one of the best Bruins on the ice tonight. Seems to be playing his heart out, trying to make things happen. Give the kid a little help, please.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3:35 - </span>Urgent, urgent... emergency. Yes. Foreigner completely sums up the Bruins style of play right now.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3:11 - </span>Bryzgalov is huge again! Slid across from Lucic to Ryder who tries to force it by Ilya, but the 'Yotes goalie makes another fantastic save. The desperate Bruins can feel this one slipping away.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1:38 -</span> Tikhonov throws a big elbow into Montador's head. Bruins on the power play for the rest of this game. Surprisingly Thomas is still in net... for now.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">:35.4 - </span>A scrum in front of the net at the beginning of the power play, but nothing doing. Ference is on for Thomas, Chara moves to the front of the net. Fantastic game from Ilya Bryzgalov tonight.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">And the Phoenix Coyotes have beaten the Brins 2-1.</span></span></span></span> With a ton of new faces and an incredible performance from, Bryzgalov the Coyotes deserved their win. However, the Bruins once against came out complacent and stayed that way for 40 minutes. The urgency shown in the third period is something they need to come out with from the start and stick with for 60 minutes.<br /><br />After scoring 12 goals in the first two games of this homestand, the Bruins have now scored 6 in the last three, all losses.<br /><br />I've said it once and I'll say it again, the Bruins won't make it out of the first round of the playoffs if they continue to give this sort of effort.<br /><br />Jack Bingo fails to deliver once again tonight, but Jack put forth a strong effort to get us closer...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SvhA0vHzdiU/SbCKxCbKjYI/AAAAAAAAABA/P8gxcn1bOqc/s1600-h/bscoyotes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SvhA0vHzdiU/SbCKxCbKjYI/AAAAAAAAABA/P8gxcn1bOqc/s320/bscoyotes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309896535738846594" border="0" /></a><br />So with the <a href="http://blackhawks.nhl.com">Blackhawks</a> on tap, Claude and company are going to have to once again look to motivate these Bruins for a full sixty minutes. I'm starting to wonder if they're running out of steam after such a torrid start to the season. The opponents that come from here on out are odds on to be better teams than the Coyotes, so hopefully this game can snap the Bruins back out of it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885338104649913197.post-20527377186007609642009-03-05T17:12:00.005-05:002009-03-05T18:33:18.140-05:00Crosby Returns Tonight, Gonchar Out<a href="http://ballhype.com/post/" onclick="location.href='http://ballhype.com/post/url/?url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title);return false;"><img src="http://images.dailyradar.com/media/img/hype/button_96x22.png" width="96" height="22" alt="BallHype: hype it up!"/></a><br /><br />According to the <a href="http://community.post-gazette.com/blogs/emptynetters/archive/2009/03/05/crosby-to-play-3-5-09.aspx">Pittsburgh Post-Gazette</a>, <a href="http://penguins.nhl.com">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> captain <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3737">Sidney Crosby</a> (23+56=79) will return to the ice tonight to face the <a href="http://panthers.nhl.com">Florida Panthers</a> in Sunrise.<br /><br />Crosby had missed the last four games following a groin injury. The Penguins have won all four games that Crosby has missed on his latest layoff. He has missed a total of five games this season and the Penguins have won all five.<br /><br />I'm sure Casey will add something to this, but I can guess he's stoked to see Crosby and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3340">Kunitz </a>finally on the same line.<br /><br />This could be considered Pittsburgh's biggest game of the season to date: facing a Florida Panther team who sit two points ahead of the Penguins for 6th place in the Eastern Conference.<br /><br />A proverbial four-point game.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Casey's Take:</span> This is great news and it couldn't come at a better time. The Penguins play the Panthers in two of their next three games with the <a href="http://www.Capitals.nhl.com">Capitals</a> sandwiched in the middle. A sweep of the Panthers would go a long way toward climbing back into the thick of the Eastern Conference.<br /><br />In another roster move, the Penguins recalled defenseman <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4287">Alex Goligoski</a> to replace <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1189">Sergei Gonchar</a> tonight. Gonchar flew back to Pittsburgh for the birth of his second child.<br /><br />It should be interesting to see what the line combos are tonight. Here's what I'd like to see:<br /><br />Kunitz - Crosby - Guerin - This line practiced together today.<br />Sykora - Malkin - Staal - Do it Bylsma. You know you want to.<br />Dupuis - Talbot - Fedotenko - Fun scrappy energy line<br />Cooke - Adams - Kennedy - Don't expect to see Adams in much more of a role than this.<br /><br />Defense:<br /><br />Kris Letang - Brooks Orpik<br />Rob Scuderi - Hal Gill<br />Alex Goligoski - Mark Eaton<br /><br />Goaltender:<br /><br />Marc-Andre Fleury<br /><br />A win tonight would give the Pens five in a row to head into Washington on Sunday.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1885338104649913197.post-57203957146246891822009-03-05T15:21:00.001-05:002009-03-05T15:42:46.798-05:00Poll: Paraplegic Hockey Brawl vs Marathon NHL Bout<a href="http://ballhype.com/post/" onclick="location.href='http://ballhype.com/post/url/?url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title);return false;"><img src="http://images.dailyradar.com/media/img/hype/button_96x22.png" width="96" height="22" alt="BallHype: hype it up!"/></a><br /><br />There has been talk recently about doing away with fighting in hockey. I for one am opposed wholeheartedly to that notion. It's a part of the game. Always has been, always will. More people show up to games to see fights than people who avoid the game entirely because of the fights.<br /><br />Call it the <a href="http://www.nascar.com">NASCAR</a> crash theory. Why do most people watch NASCAR? To see people make left-turns all day? No. You watch to see car crashes that don't make your insurance rates shoot through the roof. <br /><br />Now some people watch NASCAR for the sporting aspect and strategy of the sport. I for one, am in that minority. There, I said it. I like NASCAR too. Boo to <a href="http://community.nascar.com/crews/Jeff_Gordons_Crew">Jeff Gordon</a> and go <a href="http://www.nascar.com/drivers/dps/jburton00/cup/">Jeff Burton.</a><br /><br />I digress.<br /><br />Here's a couple good scraps over the past week.<br /><br /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://sports.todaysbigthing.com/betamax/betamax.swf?item_id=1289&fullscreen=1" width="480" height="360"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /> <param name="movie" quality="best" value="http://sports.todaysbigthing.com/betamax/betamax.swf?item_id=1289&fullscreen=1" /> </object><div style='padding:5px 0; text-align:center; width:480px;'></div><br /><br />Pretty good right? Now how about a marathon bout between <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2169">Aaron Downey</a> and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3741">David Clarkson?</a> Get your self some popcorn and strap in for an epic battle. Maybe not as good as some old Tie Domi/Bob Probert fights, but it's pretty good.<br /><br /><iframe width="480" height="289" frameborder="0" src="http://redwings.nhl.tv/team/embed.jsp?hlg=20082009,2,950"></iframe><br /><br />If those two bouts don't get you excited and send you immediately to <a href="http://youtube.com">YouTube</a> to look up some more fights, you need to check your pulse.<br /><br />Which fight ranks higher? You decide. Let us know in either comments on this post or send an e-mail to backtothepoint1@gmail.com with your vote.CSheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14828291664707462038noreply@blogger.com0