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The Pittsburgh Penguins played host to the Flames yesterday and the result was a familiar one. The Penguins earned another home victory which brings their home winning streak to 10 games. It also extends their overall winning streak to 7 games.
The Flames were actually the better team for elongated stretches but the Flames don’t have Sidney Crosby. Crosby had his 16th multi-point game of the season. As you would expect, when Sidney Crosby has multiple points, the Penguins win. The Penguins record when Crosby gets more than 1 point this season is a perfect 16-0.
Crosby’s goal against the Flames is a microcosm of him as a player. He does things that a lot of people have the physical ability to do, but he does it at much faster speeds, and he does it consistently.
Crosby exploded through the neutral zone and made a quick little flip of the puck with his backhand which set up the time and space he needed to wire a slap shot upper glove.
Sid now has a 6 point lead over Patrick Kane in the chase for the Art Ross Trophy.
The Penguins made a guest appearance on HBO’s 24/7 episode this week. The Penguins played both the Red Wings and the Maple Leafs, both of which are the focal point of this year’s documentary.
One of the more notable things in the episode this week was the exchange between Dion Phaneuf and Sidney Crosby. Crosby didn’t appreciate Kadri’s actions on the ice and he calmly let Phaneuf know what his opinion is on the matter. It’s not often you get to hear Crosby outside of his polished clichés. I thought the exchange was really funny and it’s a nice window into what really goes on out there.
I wish there was a hockey package available that would give me those kind of audio exchanges rather than hearing the play by play/analysis.
You can see the video of the exchange here (NSFW). The referee also makes a pretty comical appearance as well (also NSFW).
Here is the transcript of the Crosby/Phaneuf exchange:
Crosby: “A guy runnin’ an elbow up through my head, that’s OK too, right?…Phaneuf: “Who did?…
Crosby: “Kadri. [Explitive] dummy. Then he acts like he got shot.…
Phaneuf: “You [expletive] hit me from behind, Sid!…
Crosby: “I did not. C’mon, I don’t even hit anybody. I haven’t hit anybody [expletive] this year.…
Phaneuf: “You wouldn’t like it if I pushed you like that.…
Crosby: “Probably not, but you’d do it all night anyway.…
Phaneuf: “I got a job to do too.…
Crosby: “Yeah well Kadri is a [expletive] joke. You tell’em.…
Here are the game highlights, including Crosby’s nice goal:
It wouldn't be a Penguins game if Mike Cammalleri was on the opposing team and did not score. Cammalleri's love of the Penguins continues, as he was able to score for the Flames. Cammalleri could become a trade deadline rental, could he find his way onto the Penguins?
Here the possession chart from the game:
Is “The Piece… on the brink of returning to the lineup? All signs are pointing to yes. Today at the morning skate Scuderi jumped up and was partnered with Matt Niskanen. This is a great sign considering that Niskanen is the defenseman who is highest on the pecking order amongst healthy available options.
This pairing worked together for much of the start of the season when Kris Letang was out. They were very successful.
What a weird feeling, somebody from the Penguins top 4 defense is actually going to play hockey for the team again?
Another #JagrBomb, another milestone. Jaromir Jagr had another multipoint game for the Devils last night when he had a goal and 2 assists against the Capitals. His 694th career goal has tied him with Mark Messier on the all time list.
So far in this season Jagr has passed Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman, and in the near future Mark Messier on the all time goals list. He also has broken Gordie Howe’s record of most game winning goals. Not too shabby for the 42 year old.
For those that care, Jaromir Jagr is on pace for 28 goals and a 73 point season for the Devils. Living Legend.
The Penguins will head to Ottawa on Monday night to take on the Senators.
Thanks for reading!
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