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Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger •
Well, it is almost like the last week never happened, because the Penguins ended up getting the New York Rangers after all in round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
I had hoped that the Penguins wouldn't have to meet the Rangers in these playoffs, unless it was in the Conference Final, but fate has brought these two Atlantic Division rivals together now. Each of these teams face a serious test in moving on to the next round, but it should make for some great hockey.
It will be interesting to see how the Penguins coaching staff and forwards find a way to get through the Rangers defense. The boys in blue have done a great job all season long of frustrating the high flying Penguins. When the birds have found a way to get behind the defense, Hank Lundqvist has been up to the challenge. Lundqvist could very well be the difference in this series if the Rangers move on, as he is probably the best goaltender remaining in these playoffs.
The Rangers are not only intimidating defensively, their star studded offense has started to show signs of life. Jaromir Jagr has been reborn on a line with Brandon Dubinsky and is playing like the old "Double J, Triple Excitement!" Chris Drury and Scott Gomez are showing why they were brought to broadway this past summer and let's not forget Marty Straka and Brendan Shanahan.
The Rangers have also been getting huge contributions from their young up and comers. Marc Staal and Dan Giardi have been great additions to the blue line, while Nigel Dawes, Ryan Callahan and the aforementioned Dubinsky have been huge up front.
Interesting that some of these Rangers were members of the Pittsburgh Penguins the last time these Flightless Birds made any noise in the playoffs. Jagr, Straka and Rozsival were big contributors to the 2000-01 Penguins who made a run to the Conference Final in Mario Lemieux's comeback season. That bunch was beaten by a New Jersey Devils team that frustrated the heck out of the high flying forwards of the Penguins...sound familiar? They also had one of the best in the game between the pipes...familiar again?
This road through New York will not be an easy one, but I foresee a Penguin victory in 6 games. More on the actual series later...
* * * * *
Injury Updates:
The Tribune Review is reporting that Gary Roberts is still not 100% and may not play on Friday evening.
"I skated today and it was just OK," the grizzled vet told the Trib. "At this point I am not 100 percent sure if I will play Friday or not."
There are no other significant injuries to report, as the 9 day layoff seems to have healed all nicks and bruises.
* * * * *
The Penguins players are calling for a "White Out" at Mellon Arena for Friday night. The crowds at the Arena have been great all season long and even more so in the playoffs. I am sure that they will not disappoint the boys in 48 hours.
All fans will receive a white t-shirt as they enter the building on Friday evening to help the "White Out" cause.
" … make sure you wear those t-shirts, and we’ll see you all Friday," Sidney Crosby said in a video featured at www.pittsburghpenguins.com.
Other players are also featured in the video...
"Friday night, we’re going to have our first whiteout of the playoffs … and you’re going to get a free white t-shirt to put on and support us, just as you have been all year," Ryan Whitney states in the video. "We have the best fans in the league and we’re looking forward to this place really rocking Friday night. Thanks a lot."
Scary Gary Roberts in commanding the fans of Pittsburgh to participate in the "White Out!"
"Hey, Penguins fans, it’s Gary Roberts, and it’s time for the whiteout!"
You don't want to make him angry do you? Please do it for all mankind! Make the "White Out" happen at Mellon Arena Friday night!
* * * * *
Gonchar robbed!
Sergei Gonchar has had one of the finest seasons of his career, finishing second in the league among defensemen in scoring and being matched very effectively against the oppositions top line on a nightly basis. That wasn't enough to even get consideration for the Norris Trophy which is given to the League's top defenseman.
Gonchar is quickly becoming the Rodney Dangerfield of the National Hockey League. He is consistently among the leading defensemen in scoring and has really rounded into a great defensive player.
This is not Sarge's first snub of the season, as he was originally left off of the league's ballot for All Star Fan Voting. He did end up making the team, but was an injury addition.
Hopefully Gonchar can use these playoffs to show the league that he is not a power play specialist and that he is in fact a top defenseman.
* * * * *
If everything goes according to plan, we will be going live with the Penguins Hockey Buzzcast this evening at 8:00pm. Please tune in as Alex and I discuss the second round match up with the Rangers and give our predictions.
I had hoped that the Penguins wouldn't have to meet the Rangers in these playoffs, unless it was in the Conference Final, but fate has brought these two Atlantic Division rivals together now. Each of these teams face a serious test in moving on to the next round, but it should make for some great hockey.
It will be interesting to see how the Penguins coaching staff and forwards find a way to get through the Rangers defense. The boys in blue have done a great job all season long of frustrating the high flying Penguins. When the birds have found a way to get behind the defense, Hank Lundqvist has been up to the challenge. Lundqvist could very well be the difference in this series if the Rangers move on, as he is probably the best goaltender remaining in these playoffs.
The Rangers are not only intimidating defensively, their star studded offense has started to show signs of life. Jaromir Jagr has been reborn on a line with Brandon Dubinsky and is playing like the old "Double J, Triple Excitement!" Chris Drury and Scott Gomez are showing why they were brought to broadway this past summer and let's not forget Marty Straka and Brendan Shanahan.
The Rangers have also been getting huge contributions from their young up and comers. Marc Staal and Dan Giardi have been great additions to the blue line, while Nigel Dawes, Ryan Callahan and the aforementioned Dubinsky have been huge up front.
Interesting that some of these Rangers were members of the Pittsburgh Penguins the last time these Flightless Birds made any noise in the playoffs. Jagr, Straka and Rozsival were big contributors to the 2000-01 Penguins who made a run to the Conference Final in Mario Lemieux's comeback season. That bunch was beaten by a New Jersey Devils team that frustrated the heck out of the high flying forwards of the Penguins...sound familiar? They also had one of the best in the game between the pipes...familiar again?
This road through New York will not be an easy one, but I foresee a Penguin victory in 6 games. More on the actual series later...
* * * * *
Injury Updates:
The Tribune Review is reporting that Gary Roberts is still not 100% and may not play on Friday evening.
"I skated today and it was just OK," the grizzled vet told the Trib. "At this point I am not 100 percent sure if I will play Friday or not."
There are no other significant injuries to report, as the 9 day layoff seems to have healed all nicks and bruises.
* * * * *
The Penguins players are calling for a "White Out" at Mellon Arena for Friday night. The crowds at the Arena have been great all season long and even more so in the playoffs. I am sure that they will not disappoint the boys in 48 hours.
All fans will receive a white t-shirt as they enter the building on Friday evening to help the "White Out" cause.
" … make sure you wear those t-shirts, and we’ll see you all Friday," Sidney Crosby said in a video featured at www.pittsburghpenguins.com.
Other players are also featured in the video...
"Friday night, we’re going to have our first whiteout of the playoffs … and you’re going to get a free white t-shirt to put on and support us, just as you have been all year," Ryan Whitney states in the video. "We have the best fans in the league and we’re looking forward to this place really rocking Friday night. Thanks a lot."
Scary Gary Roberts in commanding the fans of Pittsburgh to participate in the "White Out!"
"Hey, Penguins fans, it’s Gary Roberts, and it’s time for the whiteout!"
You don't want to make him angry do you? Please do it for all mankind! Make the "White Out" happen at Mellon Arena Friday night!
* * * * *
Gonchar robbed!
Sergei Gonchar has had one of the finest seasons of his career, finishing second in the league among defensemen in scoring and being matched very effectively against the oppositions top line on a nightly basis. That wasn't enough to even get consideration for the Norris Trophy which is given to the League's top defenseman.
Gonchar is quickly becoming the Rodney Dangerfield of the National Hockey League. He is consistently among the leading defensemen in scoring and has really rounded into a great defensive player.
This is not Sarge's first snub of the season, as he was originally left off of the league's ballot for All Star Fan Voting. He did end up making the team, but was an injury addition.
Hopefully Gonchar can use these playoffs to show the league that he is not a power play specialist and that he is in fact a top defenseman.
* * * * *
If everything goes according to plan, we will be going live with the Penguins Hockey Buzzcast this evening at 8:00pm. Please tune in as Alex and I discuss the second round match up with the Rangers and give our predictions.
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