Updates at bottom...
Well, it worked last week. Let's see if the Devils have the cure to what ails the Pens.
At least the Penguins do not have to face Marty Brodeur, as Kevin Weekes will be in the net for New Jersey. He has a slightly above .500 record against the Pens, but not facing Marty can't be all bad.
Colby Armstrong must still trying to prove that he can play better...he is still out of the line-up. I know that you stick with a line-up that is winning, but you would think that Colby could crack one that has been sort of knocked around the past couple games.
How long before Tyler Kennedy gets sent back to Wilkes Barre-Scranton? My guess is that if doesn't play in one of the next two games he is on the night train.
Let's hope that Sidney Crosby can work some magic with Petr Sykora tonight...glad that Sykora finally got a whiff of the top two lines again.
Stay tuned...more in a bit...
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The newest Penguins killer, Travis Zajac, strikes again. Seems as if he finds his way onto the board each game against the 'Guins. It was not one of the prettier goals Dany Sabourin has ever allowed, as he should have had it stuffed between his pads. He was a second slow in getting the door closed. The puck hit his left pad and squirted through into the net.
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Amazing shift by Crosby, Sykora and Malone. They kept the puck in the New Jersey zone and cycled for what seemed like 10 minutes. It was one of the best shifts of the past 4 games. Unfortunately, they were not able to cash in and as they changed...Erik Christensen hopped the boards and took a penalty. The Devils promptly cashed in when Brian Gionta fed Zach Parise at the right side of the net.
It is like a new promotion...play the Penguins and get two free goals to start every game!
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Something happened to the Penguins late in the period, it was as if they got angry. Sparked by a huge hit that Jarkko Ruutu laid on Dainius Zubrus, and some all around strong play by the 4th line, the Penguins seemed invigorated.
The energy of Ruutu, Laraque and Talbot drew a penalty and the top unit started to generate some chances. They weren't able to score, but they did show some life...which got me a excited. They had looked lethargic at best aside from the shift I mentioned earlier.
Their strong play in the final five minutes of the period is definitely something that they can build on as the game goes on.
Crosby looks to have a chip on his shoulder tonight...can he channel that into a comeback? Let's hope so...
More in a bit...
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Sidney Crosby got the Pens on the board during his first shift of the second period. He came fast through the neutral zone, took a pass from Ryan Whitney...entered the Devils zone, worked a quick give and go with Ryan Malone, cut to the front of the net and lashed a shot between Kevin Weeke's legs. Now that is what I had in mind when I hoped he would get things going!
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Penguins getting themselves into some penalty trouble...back to back to back from Laraque, Capt Hook (Sarge), and Orpik. Not the way to make a comeback guys!
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a slightly ticky tacky goaltender interference call on Roberts, but that is how they call it these days. If you make contact, the whistle blows...Pens short again...they aren't making it any easier on themselves...
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The Penguins played a much better period, especially when you consider that they spent a good bit of it short handed. They produced some quality scoring chances, but were not able to beat Weekes, who has played a pretty good game. He hasn't seen a ton of shots, but he has been up to challenge on 13 of 14 occurances.
The Penguins 4th line continued to shine and had some spark throughout the period. Will it be enough to press this team to a victory? Third period comebacks are tough against the devils...
More in a bit...
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Kevin Smith...aka Silent Bob is in the house tonight. Very cool...
The Penguins get the chance they have been waiting for...Elias 2 for a hook on 87.
Let's go Pens!
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The Pens were not able to capitalize on the power play I mentioned above, but Malkin made sure that they cashed on the next one. He took his patented one timer from the right wing board and it found it's mark...
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Well, this worked so well last game, I think that I will just give some quick thoughts comments...the guys didn't have much to say post game. The room is so glum these days...really wish things would turn. I miss the jovial atmosphere that used to exist...guys happy go lucky, me trying not to step on the pristine Penguin logo in the middle of the floor! All in all another depressing night at the Igloo...
The line combos seemed to be some of the most effective we have had in weeks...Sid teamed with Sykora and Malone to produce some great shifts! The one I mentioned above was amazing! They seemed to control the puck in the New Jersey zone for an hour! Laraque, Talbot and Ruutu were great. They were all over the place, hitting more than I have seen in ages and cycling in the offensive zone...the gaffe that resulted in the final NJ goal aside, they were my line of the game. Malkin fed Staal like a bear at the zoo...unfortunately Jordo couldn't make it happen.
Speaking of Staal...he needs to sit out a couple of games. Get his feet back under him, shoot 500 pucks after practice, do something to get his confidence back. O' Great Oz...do you have some confidence for Jordon Staal? He doesn't do any of the things that he did last season. No shots, no dazzling one on one moves, nothing...
Rex...still the same thoughts as last game. He did have some shots on goal, but that isn't enough. I watched him pass up two opportunities to feed Malkin breaking to the net so that he could try his old standby shot coming down the wing from one leg...unfortunately he now misses the net with it almost every time.
Sabourin will play until Marc Andre Fleury gets his game back. Regardless of how Sabu performs, he remains supremely confident...something that Marc Andre Fleury doesn't do. To quote "What About Bob"...MA has been doing the work, baby stepping! I look for him to recapture the magic sometime over the next four games...he may have too...not sure if Sabu can face both New York teams, the Devils and Sens in a row!
Kevin Weekes is a much better goalie than I ever gave him credit for...he always does well against the Pens. If I am not mistaken, tonight marks his 9th win against them.
If you had told me that Crosby and Malkin would have point streaks of 17 and 11 respectively and this team would be in an 8 out of 10 free fall, I would have called you crazy...
However...isn't it amazing that they do have those streaks in the middle of what has happened this season? No matter what happens, we are so lucky to watch them on a nightly basis. Crazy good!
Travis Zajac, Zach Parise and Patrick Elias own the Penguins...win or lose, all three seem to find the back of the net anytime the two teams meet. All that was missing tonight was a Sergei Brylin tally.
Mr. Zubrus...meet Mr. Ruutu...
Congrats to two of the greatest Pens/Devils on their Hall of Fame Inductions...I can still see "De do Ron Ron" coming down the ice against Scotty in all of those regular season clashes and playoff match-ups.
Thanks to Peter and Jamie over at XM...always a great time talking Penguins with you!
I suppose that is all for tonight Hockey Buzzards...please continue to get your "5 Burning Questions" submissions in to:
[email protected]. Anyone interested in a 5 Burning Questions Xmas logo??
Also, I have had a slight delay in the talkcast, but plans are moving forward. I will also be responding to a couple of you who have submitted inquiries and or personal questions. It has been a long couple of weeks...thanks for the patience.
More later...
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