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Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger •
The buzz for this game has been echoing around the league all week...two of the top teams in the East facing off in Montreal with Conference standing on the line. As I alluded to yesterday, the Penguins could make a significant impact on the race, with 3 of their next 6 games against Montreal and Ottawa, but the focus is on this evening.
From a Penguins perspective, things took a strange turn today, when it was announced that coach Michel Therrien would start Dany Sabourin in net against the Canadiens. This is a very strange move, especially because he will have Marc Andre Fleury back in the stable as soon as this weekend.
Sabourin did start against the Canadiens back on January 19th and post a 2-0 shut-out, but this is a very shocking decision. To say Sabourin has lost his luster as the season has gone on would be kind, he was given every opportunity to win the number one job and failed. In fact, in his five 2008 starts, he has gone 2-3 and allowed 16 goals...with one shut-out...which technically means he allowed those goals in four starts.
The motivation for this move is lost on me...I agree with the opinion of local talk radio, in that Conklin should be starting tonight, Fleury Saturday and Conklin again Sunday. Conklin has given the Penguins an opportunity to win in almost all of his starts this season and should be in there for one of the most important games in recent history.
Let's just hope that the defense plays a good game against this very formidable opponent, as I do not think Sabourin can win this one for the Penguins.
* * * * *
Last 10 Games:
Penguins - 6-3-1
Canadiens - 6-4-0
The Russians are coming!
Evgeni Malkin has been running wild since Sidney Crosby has gone down, in fact Malkin has more goals and points than any other NHL player since January 1, 2008. (19G 19a = 38pts) His unbelievable play has him sitting atop the NHL's scoring race with 79 points.
Alex Kovalev has looked a lot like the old Kovy this season and has been one of the Canadiens best players. He has formed one of the scariest lines in the NHL with Tomas Plecanec and Andrei Kostitsyn.
Sergie Gonchar may finally get that elusive 600th point tonight, as the Russian defenseman needs only one more point.
* * * * *
Ryan Malone has been all heart and soul for the Penguins...the power forward has posted 17 pts (9G 8A) over his last 13 games. Malone had only 18 points in his previous 42 games this season.
* * * * *
Tonight marks the final meeting between these two teams on the season. The Penguins have gone 1-1-1 in the previous three match-ups.
The Penguins are 3-1-1 in their previous 5 games in Montreal, but have historically not fared very well in the M T L, going 10-63-11 in the previous 84 meetings.
* * * * *
I may not be live from my recliner, but I will most definitely be watching this one...will have more post game...will also post today's play list soon!
* * * * *
Today's playlist...
1. White Zombie – Feed the Gods
2. Orgy – Stitches
3. Atreyu – Becoming the Bull
4. The Cure – Boys Don’t Cry
5. The Outfield – Your Love
6. Muse – Starlight
7. Tiger Army – Nocturnal
8. Johnny Cash – I Walk the Line
9. Radiohead – Fake Plastic Trees
10. The Doors – Love Her Madly
11. Danzig – Circle of Snakes
12. Guns ‘n’ Roses – Rocket Queen
13. The Guess Who – No Sugar Tonight, New Mother Nature
14. 10,000 Maniacs – Candy Everybody Wants
15. Four Star Mary – Pain
16. Lordz of Brooklyn – Saturday Night Fever
17. Children of Bodom – Punch Me I Bleed
18. Metallica – Damage Inc.
19. People In Planes – Falling By The Wayside
20. Lamb of God – Again We Rise
21. Pete Drodge – Northern Bound Train
22. The Beatles – Paperback Writer
23. Fear Factory – Archetype
24. Everclear – You Make Me Feel Like a Whore
25. Prong – Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck
* * * * *
WOW! What a period of hockey between these two Beasts of the East! Both teams are going hard at one another...the physical play is ramping up and not just between the ham and eggers! We are talking Kovy vs Malkin, Orpik vs Ryder and Streit, Sabourin vs the Puck! Sorry, but I had to throw that one in...Sabourin has done ok during the period, but there are times that he looks a lot like a guy who is wearing the equipment for the first time. Sort of like when you are playing dek or roller hockey and your goalie doesn't show for the game....you borrow the facility's extra equipment and suit up your worst player thinking that as long as you limit the shots you can win the game!
Evgeni Malkin is doing every thing for the Penguins! He is getting back on defense, blocking shots, carrying the biscuit up ice, showing a deft playmaking touch, crashing the net and once again looking like the best player on the ice. His battle with Alex Kovalev is going to be one of the most entertaining parts of the last two periods.
Ryan Whitney....PLEASE SHOOT THE PUCK! And if you do, please don't kill Ryan Malone with it...
Tyler Kennedy is money from the crease and out...in close on the goaltender, not so much. He actually has nice hands around the net, but could have done a better job when he took a slick feed from Conner James and was one on one with Huet.
Who need Tuomu Ruutu when we already have the great Jarkko! Ruuts is heating up, having scored his second goal in three games. He did a great job of getting himself into the open and on a loose puck...gliding left and getting his shot off of a Habs player and past Huet.
The Penguins worked hard throughout the period and played the type of defense that we had all hoped for when the Sabu announcement was made. They are gathering all of the loose pucks, clearing rebounds and making pretty stick checks to break up plays. Sergei Gonchar made a superb play to break up an Andrei Kostitsyn scoring opportunity...Sarge just scooted back and knocked him off of the puck.
Brooks Orpik is playing a great game. He was playing some Jack Black and Kyle Gass (Tenacious D) on Michael Ryder. Ryder could not get away from Brooksie at one point, as big number 44 was in his face and hitting him at every turn...once he finished with Ryder, he made a beeline for Mark Streit, knocking him on his wallet in the slot to break up a scoring opportunity.
Overall, a great period of hockey and an even better one if you were rooting for the boys in Black and Vegas Gold!
More in a bit...
* * * * *
The WOW factor of this game continues!
Habs fans now have something to scream about as well...great moxy coming from the blue, blanc and rouge as they storm back for two goals.
I said it in the comments and I will say it again here. Sabu wasn't asked to make a tough save until the second period and the first time he needed too, he didn't. I am not condoning the give away by Darryl Sydor in the corner, but THE ANSWER has been bailing the Pens out in those situations all season long. Sabu looked lost as Koivu took the Kostitsyn pass in front...Sabu quickly fell backwards into the net and the Captain had almost the entire net empty to shoot at.
Chris Higgins scored the second MTL goal on a very nice one timer...it was actually more of a redirection. However, he should never have had the opportunity to knock it home. Jordan Stall and Ryan Whitney were both on him...neither doing much to impede what he was doing. I know that you can't just blow a guy up in front anymore, but you can't let him just stand there and knock pucks passed your pseudo goaltender.
What more can we say about Ryan Malone...his goal is exactly the type we all were dreaming off when discussing Bugsy's potential. He just continues to fight through checks and go to the net! I do not think he would have scored tonight's goal last season...heck, I don't think he would scored that goal back in November. He has grown by leaps and bounds this season...amazing development.
3-2 heading into the third...please fasten your seat belts....
* * * * *
Can I say that the WOW factor stay on through the third?? Well it did! What a game tonight in Montreal...I haven't enjoyed a game this much in a loooong while. Both teams would not be held down and this could have gone either way!
These two teams just kept coming at one another...however, I wish Conklin could have been in the net. Sabourin was not good...he was serviceable, but far from good. Steigy made a point to talk about not questioning Therrien's decision, since it paid off in a win...let's call it like it was, the Penguins won in spite of Sabu tonight. I was glad that he hung in there, but he was far from good...3 goals in a 5 minute span is unacceptable in a game of this magnitude.
Evgeni Malkin willed the Penguins to victory tonight...did he channel Mario Lemieux on that break away or what. It looked just like the old days, Malkin was a man possessed and got himself free behind the defense, dragged to stay onsides and finished it off with the defense on his back. AMAZING. I love the four point lead in the points race too!
Jordan Staal disappointed me several times tonight. He seemed to be skating in quicksand at times...not sure what the sluggish play was all about. He had several opportunities to get up ice in the transition game and just couldn't generate any mustard.
Congrats to Sarge! He finally notched number 600...and what better way than off of a one timer for a game winner! He was very humble about it afterward too. Sarge thanked his teammates in Pittsburgh and Washington...he also was quick to say it was just a byproduct of staying healthy and playing 13 seasons!
The Penguins now hold a share of the Eastern Conference lead...how about that!? These boys have come a long way in 2 years! What a game, what a night and what a race this going to be coming down the stretch!
Watching Kovalev makes me really miss him! He is playing some of his best hockey and looks like he is feeling young again. Actually, it was a blast watching the game that Higgins, the Kostitsyns, Streit, Markov, Latendresse, and Lapierre play. I am a fan of so many players on this Montreal team...
I don't know about you guys, but I hope these teams find a way to meet in the playoffs!
More later...Let's Go Pens!!
From a Penguins perspective, things took a strange turn today, when it was announced that coach Michel Therrien would start Dany Sabourin in net against the Canadiens. This is a very strange move, especially because he will have Marc Andre Fleury back in the stable as soon as this weekend.
Sabourin did start against the Canadiens back on January 19th and post a 2-0 shut-out, but this is a very shocking decision. To say Sabourin has lost his luster as the season has gone on would be kind, he was given every opportunity to win the number one job and failed. In fact, in his five 2008 starts, he has gone 2-3 and allowed 16 goals...with one shut-out...which technically means he allowed those goals in four starts.
The motivation for this move is lost on me...I agree with the opinion of local talk radio, in that Conklin should be starting tonight, Fleury Saturday and Conklin again Sunday. Conklin has given the Penguins an opportunity to win in almost all of his starts this season and should be in there for one of the most important games in recent history.
Let's just hope that the defense plays a good game against this very formidable opponent, as I do not think Sabourin can win this one for the Penguins.
* * * * *
Last 10 Games:
Penguins - 6-3-1
Canadiens - 6-4-0
The Russians are coming!
Evgeni Malkin has been running wild since Sidney Crosby has gone down, in fact Malkin has more goals and points than any other NHL player since January 1, 2008. (19G 19a = 38pts) His unbelievable play has him sitting atop the NHL's scoring race with 79 points.
Alex Kovalev has looked a lot like the old Kovy this season and has been one of the Canadiens best players. He has formed one of the scariest lines in the NHL with Tomas Plecanec and Andrei Kostitsyn.
Sergie Gonchar may finally get that elusive 600th point tonight, as the Russian defenseman needs only one more point.
* * * * *
Ryan Malone has been all heart and soul for the Penguins...the power forward has posted 17 pts (9G 8A) over his last 13 games. Malone had only 18 points in his previous 42 games this season.
* * * * *
Tonight marks the final meeting between these two teams on the season. The Penguins have gone 1-1-1 in the previous three match-ups.
The Penguins are 3-1-1 in their previous 5 games in Montreal, but have historically not fared very well in the M T L, going 10-63-11 in the previous 84 meetings.
* * * * *
I may not be live from my recliner, but I will most definitely be watching this one...will have more post game...will also post today's play list soon!
* * * * *
Today's playlist...
1. White Zombie – Feed the Gods
2. Orgy – Stitches
3. Atreyu – Becoming the Bull
4. The Cure – Boys Don’t Cry
5. The Outfield – Your Love
6. Muse – Starlight
7. Tiger Army – Nocturnal
8. Johnny Cash – I Walk the Line
9. Radiohead – Fake Plastic Trees
10. The Doors – Love Her Madly
11. Danzig – Circle of Snakes
12. Guns ‘n’ Roses – Rocket Queen
13. The Guess Who – No Sugar Tonight, New Mother Nature
14. 10,000 Maniacs – Candy Everybody Wants
15. Four Star Mary – Pain
16. Lordz of Brooklyn – Saturday Night Fever
17. Children of Bodom – Punch Me I Bleed
18. Metallica – Damage Inc.
19. People In Planes – Falling By The Wayside
20. Lamb of God – Again We Rise
21. Pete Drodge – Northern Bound Train
22. The Beatles – Paperback Writer
23. Fear Factory – Archetype
24. Everclear – You Make Me Feel Like a Whore
25. Prong – Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck
* * * * *
WOW! What a period of hockey between these two Beasts of the East! Both teams are going hard at one another...the physical play is ramping up and not just between the ham and eggers! We are talking Kovy vs Malkin, Orpik vs Ryder and Streit, Sabourin vs the Puck! Sorry, but I had to throw that one in...Sabourin has done ok during the period, but there are times that he looks a lot like a guy who is wearing the equipment for the first time. Sort of like when you are playing dek or roller hockey and your goalie doesn't show for the game....you borrow the facility's extra equipment and suit up your worst player thinking that as long as you limit the shots you can win the game!
Evgeni Malkin is doing every thing for the Penguins! He is getting back on defense, blocking shots, carrying the biscuit up ice, showing a deft playmaking touch, crashing the net and once again looking like the best player on the ice. His battle with Alex Kovalev is going to be one of the most entertaining parts of the last two periods.
Ryan Whitney....PLEASE SHOOT THE PUCK! And if you do, please don't kill Ryan Malone with it...
Tyler Kennedy is money from the crease and out...in close on the goaltender, not so much. He actually has nice hands around the net, but could have done a better job when he took a slick feed from Conner James and was one on one with Huet.
Who need Tuomu Ruutu when we already have the great Jarkko! Ruuts is heating up, having scored his second goal in three games. He did a great job of getting himself into the open and on a loose puck...gliding left and getting his shot off of a Habs player and past Huet.
The Penguins worked hard throughout the period and played the type of defense that we had all hoped for when the Sabu announcement was made. They are gathering all of the loose pucks, clearing rebounds and making pretty stick checks to break up plays. Sergei Gonchar made a superb play to break up an Andrei Kostitsyn scoring opportunity...Sarge just scooted back and knocked him off of the puck.
Brooks Orpik is playing a great game. He was playing some Jack Black and Kyle Gass (Tenacious D) on Michael Ryder. Ryder could not get away from Brooksie at one point, as big number 44 was in his face and hitting him at every turn...once he finished with Ryder, he made a beeline for Mark Streit, knocking him on his wallet in the slot to break up a scoring opportunity.
Overall, a great period of hockey and an even better one if you were rooting for the boys in Black and Vegas Gold!
More in a bit...
* * * * *
The WOW factor of this game continues!
Habs fans now have something to scream about as well...great moxy coming from the blue, blanc and rouge as they storm back for two goals.
I said it in the comments and I will say it again here. Sabu wasn't asked to make a tough save until the second period and the first time he needed too, he didn't. I am not condoning the give away by Darryl Sydor in the corner, but THE ANSWER has been bailing the Pens out in those situations all season long. Sabu looked lost as Koivu took the Kostitsyn pass in front...Sabu quickly fell backwards into the net and the Captain had almost the entire net empty to shoot at.
Chris Higgins scored the second MTL goal on a very nice one timer...it was actually more of a redirection. However, he should never have had the opportunity to knock it home. Jordan Stall and Ryan Whitney were both on him...neither doing much to impede what he was doing. I know that you can't just blow a guy up in front anymore, but you can't let him just stand there and knock pucks passed your pseudo goaltender.
What more can we say about Ryan Malone...his goal is exactly the type we all were dreaming off when discussing Bugsy's potential. He just continues to fight through checks and go to the net! I do not think he would have scored tonight's goal last season...heck, I don't think he would scored that goal back in November. He has grown by leaps and bounds this season...amazing development.
3-2 heading into the third...please fasten your seat belts....
* * * * *
Can I say that the WOW factor stay on through the third?? Well it did! What a game tonight in Montreal...I haven't enjoyed a game this much in a loooong while. Both teams would not be held down and this could have gone either way!
These two teams just kept coming at one another...however, I wish Conklin could have been in the net. Sabourin was not good...he was serviceable, but far from good. Steigy made a point to talk about not questioning Therrien's decision, since it paid off in a win...let's call it like it was, the Penguins won in spite of Sabu tonight. I was glad that he hung in there, but he was far from good...3 goals in a 5 minute span is unacceptable in a game of this magnitude.
Evgeni Malkin willed the Penguins to victory tonight...did he channel Mario Lemieux on that break away or what. It looked just like the old days, Malkin was a man possessed and got himself free behind the defense, dragged to stay onsides and finished it off with the defense on his back. AMAZING. I love the four point lead in the points race too!
Jordan Staal disappointed me several times tonight. He seemed to be skating in quicksand at times...not sure what the sluggish play was all about. He had several opportunities to get up ice in the transition game and just couldn't generate any mustard.
Congrats to Sarge! He finally notched number 600...and what better way than off of a one timer for a game winner! He was very humble about it afterward too. Sarge thanked his teammates in Pittsburgh and Washington...he also was quick to say it was just a byproduct of staying healthy and playing 13 seasons!
The Penguins now hold a share of the Eastern Conference lead...how about that!? These boys have come a long way in 2 years! What a game, what a night and what a race this going to be coming down the stretch!
Watching Kovalev makes me really miss him! He is playing some of his best hockey and looks like he is feeling young again. Actually, it was a blast watching the game that Higgins, the Kostitsyns, Streit, Markov, Latendresse, and Lapierre play. I am a fan of so many players on this Montreal team...
I don't know about you guys, but I hope these teams find a way to meet in the playoffs!
More later...Let's Go Pens!!
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