John Toperzer: GAMEDAY! Revenge after a 5-3 pasting Tuesday?
The Islanders cost Pittsburgh two points it couldn't afford to lose Tuesday. How will the Pens respond in the return affair?

6 games, 5 points to make up, a game in hand, and one head-to-head tilt with the Rangers remaining. Should make for an exciting finish.

The Pens must tighten up defensively. Their lose play extends well beyond this past Tuesday against the Isles.

Looks like Nabokov is done for the year.

The Islanders signed John Grahame.

Looks like Nabokov is done for the year.

The Islanders signed John Grahame.
- Gunner Staal

Wow. Too bad Grahame won't be able to play for them in the post-season. Oh..wait..

Uh the score was 5 - 3. Still ugly though. Lets Go Pens!

Wow. Too bad Grahame won't be able to play for them in the post-season. Oh..wait..
- akane13

Too bad he couldn't start tonight

No Letang, Niskanen or Lovejoy. Jeebus.

No Letang = no power play.

Too bad he couldn't start tonight
- rival22

He is a sieve. It is too bad.

Uh the score was 5 - 3. Still ugly though. Lets Go Pens!
- Sell My Monkey

Thanks Sell My Monkey for the score correction. Didn't mean to short-change James Neal's 37th goal. I see Neal and Scott Hartnell are tied with 16 power-play goals.

BJ is backing up MAF tonight.

BJ is backing up MAF tonight.
- akane13

Figured that would happen. Send him down to the WB/S for the AHL playoffs and keep BJ with his experience here for the NHL playoffs.

Thanks Sell My Monkey for the score correction. Didn't mean to short-change James Neal's 37th goal. I see Neal and Scott Hartnell are tied with 16 power-play goals.
- the-mitch-wilsons

It is truly amazing that he is tied for 5th place in the league for goals. He has always been good at what he does but goals were never his forte!

It is truly amazing that he is tied for 5th place in the league for goals. He has always been good at what he does but goals were never his forte!
- kgrpitt

Claude Giroux

Claude Giroux
- schoobs2731

Definitely the reason but he still needs to make those shots count when he gets the opportunity.

Although I never want the team to lose...and don't like the idea of facing the Flyers in the 1st round...I am glad there have been a couple of stumbling blocks lately.

The first round is always tough...and if you head into it over confident...you can get a rude awakening.

For example...who really wants to play the Sabres in round 1?

If they have anything left in the tank (a valid question), they will be a formidable opponent because they have been in do-or-die mode for about a month.

Granted, the Pens have had a similar (or better) record than the Sabres over this timeframe, but I'm not sure it's a result of playing the kind of 'playoff hockey' that Buffalo has needed to play to get into 8th pace.

Hopefully the Pens focus over the last 6 is to play complete games. With their talent and skill...if they put in the effort and attention to assignments and detail...the wins should come.

6 games, 5 points to make up, a game in hand, and one head-to-head tilt with the Rangers remaining. Should make for an exciting finish.

The Pens must tighten up defensively. Their lose play extends well beyond this past Tuesday against the Isles.
- akane13

The Rangers game will be epic. It will be that game that decides the East if the Penguins can oull their defensive heads out of their asses.

Although I never want the team to lose...and don't like the idea of facing the Flyers in the 1st round...I am glad there have been a couple of stumbling blocks lately.

The first round is always tough...and if you head into it over confident...you can get a rude awakening.

For example...who really wants to play the Sabres in round 1?

If they have anything left in the tank (a valid question), they will be a formidable opponent because they have been in do-or-die mode for about a month.

Granted, the Pens have had a similar (or better) record than the Sabres over this timeframe, but I'm not sure it's a result of playing the kind of 'playoff hockey' that Buffalo has needed to play to get into 8th pace.

Hopefully the Pens focus over the last 6 is to play complete games. With their talent and skill...if they put in the effort and attention to assignments and detail...the wins should come.
- icedog97

To be honest, the last thing I am worrying about is if the Penguins will be ready to play in round 1. If it is the Sabres, so be it.

To be honest, the last thing I am worrying about is if the Penguins will be ready to play in round 1. If it is the Sabres, so be it.
- Gunner Staal

I know what you mean...and I think they understand what they have to do...but when you get out there with a team that desperately wants to win...you have to be able to match that.

If their game is in order...the X's and O's...and if it's just a matter of elevating their level of play...fine...I think we're good there.

But if their attention to the details isn't there...which we have seen slip recently...the playoffs is not the time to try and get back to that...you need to do it before then.

That's why I think the losses serve a good purpose.

A team like the Sabres has needed to be there for a long time now.

I know what you mean...and I think they understand what they have to do...but when you get out there with a team that desperately wants to win...you have to be able to match that.

If their game is in order...the X's and O's...and if it's just a matter of elevating their level of play...fine...I think we're good there.

But if their attention to the details isn't there...which we have seen slip recently...the playoffs is not the time to try and get back to that...you need to do it before then.

That's why I think the losses serve a good purpose.

A team like the Sabres has needed to be there for a long time now.
- icedog97

I think as Penguin fans it is tough to remember just how good a playoff roster we have since it has been two years since we have seen any resemblance of it. But they have a chance against any team in the NHL regardless of who did what in the regular season.

The Rangers game will be epic. It will be that game that decides the East if the Penguins can oull their defensive heads out of their asses.
- Ben37

would be nice if that flyers game didn't mean anything, but unless the pens emerge from that ranger's game 3 points up, that won't be the case. and if the seedings are set after that game and it's pitt/philly in the first round, then that last game will just be the start of an 8 game series and both teams will probably go at it hard.

Dave Molinari ‏ @MolinariPG Close
Bylsma, on scoring chances allowed: "Under 10 is exceptional. Under 12 is good game. We’ve been averaging 18 against the last 4 or 5 games."

I keep seeing on my twitter and Facebook feeds, postings by my favourite bands (Tim Barry, Gaslight Anthem, Dave Hause, Chuck Ragan) about how all 4 of them are playing a series of shows in Philly, NY, and NJ. All I can think is that in order for me to start seeing these concerts and some Penguin games, I might just have to move to Penn.

I keep seeing on my twitter and Facebook feeds, postings by my favourite bands (Tim Barry, Gaslight Anthem, Dave Hause, Chuck Ragan) about how all 4 of them are playing a series of shows in Philly, NY, and NJ. All I can think is that in order for me to start seeing these concerts and some Penguin games, I might just have to move to Penn.
- Ben37

Hey just get close. I am 4 miles from the PA border.

Hey just get close. I am 4 miles from the PA border.
- powerhouse

Pretty much anywhere in that area would work for me. I'm not afraid to drive to events.

Who in that area is looking to hire a soon to be Addictions Service Worker. Any takers, c'mon

Dave Molinari ‏ @MolinariPG Close
Bylsma, on scoring chances allowed: "Under 10 is exceptional. Under 12 is good game. We’ve been averaging 18 against the last 4 or 5 games."
- Gunner Staal

Well we are down 3 defenseman. No excuse though they have been sloppy. I still believe no one can hang with us for 7 games