Pens 4 Devils 2

WE SCORED A POWERPLAY GOAL!!!

Okay, now that I got that out, on to the recap:

The Penguins and Devils started the game off with the normal brand of incredibly boring, strategic, and defensive hockey.  This one proved to be a barn burner compared to the 1-0 shootout win from their last meeting however.  The shot total was up to a whopping 5 with 8 minutes to go in the first period!  Play opened up for the Penguins as the Devils started clearing a path to the penalty box.  New Jersey took 3 penalties in a row, leading the Penguins to finally open up the scoring on the powerplay.  Jordan Staal came in with the puck, out-patienced Johan Hedberg, and waited until he dropped to the ice to roof a puck to end the period up 1-0. 

The mask that took us to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2001.

Time will tell how costly this is for the playoffs.

The 2nd period fell back into the lull that is Devils hockey.  It took 15 minutes to get another goal on the board, and this one was drowned out by the Boos of the home crowd.  Ben Lovejoy misplayed a puck as he skated behind the net with Matt Niskanen also behind the net.  This led to David Steckel getting a loose puck in the slot by himself and wristing the equalizing goal past Marc-Andre Fleury.  It's been a long time since I've heard the Penguins crowd boo a player like they did Steckel. 

The Penguins took the lead back just a minute later as Pascal Dupuis shoved the rebound from a Max Talbot shot past Hedberg to make it 2-1.

The third period featured some of the most exciting Penguins-Devils hockey of the season.  The scoring started off quickly as Chris Kunitz took a Tyler Kennedy pass in front of the net and deked around Hedberg to make it 3-1.  Brian Rolston brought the score to 3-2 with a wicked slapshot from the point just 3 minutes later.  The teams played back and forth with both teams getting numerous chances.  The final drama came as Jordan Staal was called for tripping with less than 2 minutes less.  As New Jersey pulled Hedberg to give themselves a 6 on 4, the Penguins took the opportunity to add another short handed goal, as Pascal Dupuis wristed the puck from his own blue line to score his 2nd of the game and give the Penguins a 4-2 win.

3 Stars:
3 - Rolston
2 - Staal
1 - Kunitz

Thoughts/Notes:

- Matt Niskanen's play seems to be getting worse and worse as the season comes to an end.  I would really like to see Engelland step in for him for just a game at least.

- The powerplay went 1 for 3 to move them to 3 for the last 54.  It was nice to see a powerplay goal, but Staal's goal was not out of the powerplay formation and was more on a rush and breakdown, just like the other powerplay goals the Penguins have scored.  The Penguins powerplay formation is a complete failure right now and needs to be fixed before the playoffs begin.

- Asham was in for Comrie as those 2 continue rotating through the 18th forward spot.  I have not been impressed by either player, and I wonder if Eric Tangradi will get a chance now that he's healthy.  He would be my pick until Cooke and/or Crosby returns.

Gameday: Pens vs. Devils, 7pm, Versus

Well Pens fans, we have finally arrived at the final regular season game at the Consol Energy Center in its inaugural season.  I just wanted to take a quick look at how it began, and how we have acclimated to our new arena in its first year.  The Penguins began their tenure at Consol with 3 straight losses to the Flyers, Canadiens, and Maple Leafs, with the latter 2 creating the "Tar and Feather Fleury" bandwagon.  The Pens went 3-5-1 at Consol heading into their 12 game winning streak.  Shockingly, a 12 game winning streak fixes everything and the Consol curse was gone forever.  The Penguins were the first team to 20 home wins this season, and go into tonight's game with the 2nd highest home win total in the NHL with 24, and a chance to finish tonight with 25.

We have accepted you for now...don't screw up in the playoffs, Consol.

Tonight, the Penguins (46-25-8, 100 pts, 4th in the East) face off against the New Jersey Devils (36-37-5, 77 pts, doesn't matter where they are).  The Devils have finally been eliminated from the playoff race after a valiant effort over the past 2 months.  In the last meeting between these 2 teams, we waited 60 minutes for a goal...and then an extra 5 minutes...and then the Penguins finally won in a shootout.  Luckily, tonight is fan appreciation night, so fans will have something to keep them awake.  The Penguins are 3-1-1 against the Devils this season and this will be their final meeting.

The Devils are expected to start Johan Hedberg tonight over Martin Brodeur, which is nice for the Penguins as Brodeur is 8-1-1 in his last 10 against Pittsburgh.  Zach Parise will also not be in the lineup tonight for New Jersey.  One of the keys to this game, as always with the Penguins, is whether the powerplay is capable of being competent.  The Penguins are on a 2 for 51 streak, and haven't scored in their last 14 chances against the Devils.  Getting the powerplay to contribute is more important than getting 2 points in my eyes.

However, those 2 points cannot be underestimated.  With 3 games to go, the Penguins have a 1 point lead over 5th place Tampa Bay.  The Penguins are also within 3 points of 1st place Philadelphia.  While chasing the latter is a longshot, the Penguins must keep their lead over Tampa to keep home ice.

The Pens only had an optional practice this morning, so here's my best guess at lines:

Neal-Letestu-Kovalev
Kunitz-Staal-Kennedy
Dupuis-Talbot-Conner
Rupp-Adams-Comrie

Letang-Orpik
Martin-Michalek
Lovejoy-Niskanen

Fleury

Personally, I think Engelland needs to get in the lineup at least one more time before the playoffs start, and tonight would be my pick since the Devils don't exactly wow teams with offensive firepower, but we'll see what Bylsma does.

Keys to the game:
POWERPLAY POWERPLAY POWERPLAY

Prediction:  A boring, yet productive, 2-1 victory for the Pens.  If the powerplay scores, I may streak across the ice for fan appreciation night.  LET'S GO PENS!!!

PS - Congrats to Brent Johnson and Chris Kunitz on their new babies!  (Johnson yesterday, Kunitz today)

Sizing up the Final Week: Western Conference

As we head into the final week of the NHL season, it's time that I try and fail at predicting how things will end up.

Current order of Playoff potential teams:
1. Vancouver, 113 pts
2. Detroit, 102 pts
3. San Jose, 101 pts
4. Phoenix, 96 pts
5. Los Angeles, 96 pts
6. Nashville, 95 pts
7. Anaheim, 93 pts
8. Chicago, 92 pts
9. Calgary, 91 pts
10. Dallas, 89 pts

The Sedin twins show off their alter egos.

1. Vancouver, 113 pts.  3 games left (@ Edm, vs. Min, @ Cal) 
The Canucks has clinched everything from their division to world domination at this point in the season.  They have nothing to play for but no one likes going into the playoffs on a losing streak.  Expect wins against Edmonton and Minnesota, but a loss in Calgary to a team who will kill for their last points.


2.  Detroit, 102 pts.  3 games left (@ Car, vs. Chi, @ Chi)
The Red Wings have clinched their division, but are facing strong competition from San Jose for this spot.  As a veteran savvy team, playoff positioning isn't their biggest concern.  They will likely lose to a desperate Carolina team and then split the home and home with Chicago, which may turn into an interesting step into the playoffs.

Will they choke under the playoff heat again?

3.  San Jose, 101 pts.  4 games left (vs. LA, @ Ana, @ Pho, vs. Pho)
The Sharks have made an incredible run in the last 2 months to solidify their playoff positioning.  Their last 4 games are a rough stretch, but very few teams have put up a big fight recently.  I see a win vs. LA, followed by 2 losses on the road and a win to finish off the season.


4.  Phoenix, 96 pts.  3 games left (@ LA, vs. SJ, @ SJ)
The Coyotes are the least talked about team in the playoff race as usual, but only 1 point away from clinching their ticket.  I think they will first take a close loss to LA, but then split the San Jose home and home to finally get a win against the Sharks who have owned them this season.


5.  Los Angeles, 96 pts.  4 games left (@ SJ, vs. Pho, @ Ana, vs. Ana)
The Kings are still treading water after the big loss of Anze Kopitar for the season.  The goaltending for this team has been outstanding, especially since Jonathan Quick learned he can move objects with his mind.  Also a point away from clinching, I expect the Kings to take care of business against Phoenix after losing to San Jose.  Anaheim will present an interesting series as the Ducks may be desperate or may have clinched by then.  I'll be safe and split the series.


6.  Nashville, 95 pts.  3 games left (vs. Atl, vs. Cls, @ StL)
The Predators have the 2nd best set of final games of all of the Western Conference teams.  St. Louis at the end may give them a fight, but I expect 3 wins out of Nashville to finish the season.  This streak will largely coincide with the reappearance of Mike Fisher's game at both ends of the rink.

Retirement - party of 1?

7.  Anaheim, 93 pts.  3 games left (vs. SJ, vs. LA, @ LA)
The Ducks on the other hand, face what is probably the toughest set of 3 games to end the season.  The resurgence of Teemu Selanne (did he ever truly leave?) will act as a major building block for this team as they come up with 2 big wins at home before dropping their final game to LA.


8.  Chicago, 92 pts.  4 games left (@ Mtl, vs. StL, @ Det, vs. Det)
The Blackhawks have gone extremely cold is recent weeks but still have an edge since they have 4 games left to play.  Patrick Sharp should return later this week, which will improve all aspects of this team.  I see them alternating games the rest of the way, taking losses at Montreal and Detroit.


9.  Calgary, 91 pts.  2 games left (vs. Edm, vs. Van)
For as bad as the Flames started this season, it is remarkable that they will be playing meaningful games down to the very end.  I don't think they will have any problem winning their last 2 games.  But, it remains to be seen whether that will be enough to get them into the playoffs.


10.  Dallas, 89 pts.  4 games left (vs. Cls, vs. Col, @ Col, @ Min)
The schedule shapes up incredibly well for the Stars, but their play of late does not bode well.  Dallas has fallen off over the past 2 weeks but still has a chance to get into the playoffs with a favorable schedule.  All of the numbers should say they would win 4, but I think only 3 out of 4 would be reasonable.  Colorado is going to play the spoiler in one of those home and home games.


My predicted final order:
1. Vancouver, 117 pts.
2. San Jose, 105 pts.
3. Detroit, 104 pts.
4. Nashville, 101 pts.
5. Los Angeles, 100 pts.
6. Phoenix, 98 pts.
7. Anaheim, 97 pts.
8. Chicago, 96 pts.

9. Dallas, 95 pts.
10. Calgary, 95 pts.

Sorry Stars and Flames...no solace in finishing 1 point out.  But alas, what are the odds of my predicting this accurately?  It's going to be a crazy week!  Enjoy!