Streak Ends at 11, Pens Lose in OT

Main Storylines:

- The Pens have won 11 in a row, the best streak in the NHL this season and the longest streak since their own 12 game streak last year.  If they win today, they will be the first franchise in the NHL to have 3 win streaks of at least 12 games.

- Fleury starts in back to back games, Asham is back in after missing yesterday’s game and Vitale sits for him.  Tangradi stays in the lineup. 

- Milestone-wise, Staal and Dupuis are looking to continue career high streaks (currently 10 and 5 game point streaks respectively).  Meanwhile, every goal Dupuis and Cooke score from here on out will be a new career high.

Result:

Flyers  3  Pens 2 (OT)

Goals:  Adams (5) from Letang, Dupuis

            Malkin (41) from Letang

               

The Good:

- Milestones:  Dupuis extended his career high point streak to 6 games. 

- Geno’s goal was a great demonstration of strength and patience, has he rolled off of Giroux in the corner and took the puck across the crease until Bryzgalov lifted his pad for Malkin to slide it through.  Vintage NHL 94 goal right there.

Craig Adams – Adams only played 10 minutes, with 4 of those being on the penalty kill, but his time was very efficient and useful.  He basically set himself up for the first goal by crushing Simmonds in the corner and keeping the puck in the zone.  He somehow led the team with 6 hits and was pretty much a force on every shift he played.

Playoff effort from Adams in this game.

Kris Letang – Letang played an outstanding game offensively and defensively.  He assisted on both Pens goals and was huge in the physical game.  The highlight of his day might have been crushing Jagr, and then knocking over Hartnell when he came after Letang (resulting in Hartnell high sticking his own teammate Rinaldo in the face).  Letang finished 2^nd on the team with 6 shots and also added 2 blocks.  His ability to break up passes was clutch today.

The Bad:

- Staal’s point streak ended at 10, along with the Pens win streak at 11.  The Flyers ended the Pens streak at 12 last year as well.

- Quite a few bad penalties in this one.  Kunitz with an unnecessary cross-checking penalty earlier in the game, and though I loved him attacking Hartnell, he’s lucky it didn’t lead to a Flyers powerplay.  Malkin also had a couple of bad ones as well.  If we remain stuck in a 4-5 matchup with the Flyers, the team that stays disciplined will have a great advantage in this rivalry.

Hartnell was a major catalyst in this game.  The Pens simply can't allow that.

- The Flyers scoring with .9 seconds left in OT.  Unfortunately, Hartnell was Crosby’s guy and the whole team got caught up puck watching at the end.  Crosby knew that was his mistake, and expect that to drive him even harder.

- The puck possession and shooting for the Pens was outstanding in the first 2 periods.  However, lack of finishing kept the Flyers in the game the whole time.  No matter how dominant this team can be, they can’t afford to leave teams in the game when they are dominating the play.  Give Bryzgalov a lot of credit for handling the onslaught to keep the Flyers in it.

Bryzgalov's play as of late has the Flyers catching up to the Pens.

The Ugly:

- The reffing left a lot to be desired at times, and not just for the Pens sake.  Both teams had penalties not called and the Kunitz/Hartnell wrestling debacle should never occur in a hockey game.  The refs didn’t have much control in this one.  If these teams meet in the playoffs, everyone better hope that the refs take control early and often, or there will be some injuries from ugly plays.

Thoughts:

- As the powerplay experiment continues with Crosby back in the lineup, I have to wonder if leaving them out as long as 1:30 to 2 minutes each time isn’t a problem. There is a lot of skill on that line, but powerplay goals need to be ugly sometimes, and putting in the 2^nd powerplay to wear down the other team’s PK might help every so often.  Also, when that line knows they can stay out for 2 minutes, I wonder if it kills some of the urgency to get shots on early and quickly in a powerplay. 

- Asham and Tangradi only played 4 and 5 minutes respectively.  I was rather surprised against a bigger/grittier team that those two did not get more ice time.  This was also a big factor in how slow the Penguins looked for much of the 3^rd period.  The role players certainly didn’t get out to rest the big guys much in the 3^rd game in 4 days. 

- My heart rate cannot handle a 7 game series with the Flyers in the first round.  It really is a shame that at least one Atlantic team is guaranteed to be knocked out in Round 1.  All of the teams are very strong and that 4-5 matchup is going to deny the NHL a very strong team in the 2^nd round.

- It sucks to see the win streak end, but if you told me a month ago that the Pens would take 5 out of 6 points on a 3 games in 4 days road trip that went through NY, NJ, and Philly, I would have bet heavily against it.  So, kudos to the Pens for putting their work in, it’s time to start a new streak with Crosby’s return to home ice on Tuesday.  After he was on for that last goal, my meaningless prediction is expect a goal out of him on Tuesday night.

When Crosby is at fault, he usually comes out on fire...look for it on Tues.

Pens Record: 44-21-6, 94 pts, 2^nd in the Atlantic, 4^th in the East

Next Game:  3/20 vs Win, 7pm

Pens Win Their 11th in a Row, 1500th in Franchise History!!

Main Storylines:

- The Pens have won 10 in a row and go for #11 against one of their toughest opponents over the past couple years. The Pens have lost 4 straight in NJ, and Malkin and Crosby have each scored only 1 point in their last 5 games against the Devils.

Keys to the game right here. 

- Fleury gets the start and the only lineup change is Tangradi is in for Asham (illness). 

- Staal looks to continue his career high 9 game point scoring streak, while Dupuis looks to match his career high by making it 5 today.  Malkin’s next goal will be #40, which will make him the 6^th player in franchise history to score 40 goals multiple times.

- The Pens’ next win will be the 1,500^th in franchise history, making them to the 11^th team to hit that mark.

- Matt Cooke has been named the Penguins’ Masterton Trophy nominee (player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey). Jump to the thoughts at the end for more on this.

Result:

Pens  5  Devils  2

Goals:  Neal (32) from Malkin

            Dupuis (20) from Staal, Niskanen

            Cooke (15) from Crosby, Kennedy

            Malkin (40) (PP) from Crosby, Kunitz

            Cooke (16) from Kennedy, Crosby

               

The Good:

- The Pens make it 11 in a row!!  This is simply the best team in hockey, there is no even remote argument otherwise right now.  It is also the 1500^th win in franchise history!

- Milestones: Dupuis becomes the 5^th player on the Pens to hit 20 goals this season.  Dupuis matches his career high point streak at 5 games and that 20^th goal tied a career high as well.  Meanwhile, Staal extends his career high points streak (and assists streak) to 10 games.  Malkin scores his 40^th goal, becoming the 6^th player in franchise history to hit that mark multiple times for the Pens.  Cooke has set a new career high for goals with 16 so far.

Just 8 goals less than Hossa, makes $4 mil/yr less.  Dupuis is the centerpiece to that deal now.

- The pace of this Pens-Devils game was the best we’ve seen in years.  It was a quick moving game from the very first shift as opposed to those boring chess matches we usually see in New Jersey.  Playoff hockey is nearing quickly!

- Everything and everyone.  The defense played great, Martin/Letang looked good, the offense is efficient, the defense is on lock down, this team is just clicking on all cylinders.  The Pens outshot the Devils a ridiculous 43-14 today.

Matt Cooke – Back to back 2 goal games for Cooke, wait what?  Cooke is apparently in all-star form on a line with Crosby.  Most people thought he’d have to defend and protect Sid, but instead he’s just putting the puck in the net at will.  What more can you ask from a guy who almost had his career end through stupidity last year?  A very well-earned Masterton nomination for him.  Cooke now has 31 points and 30 PIM this year.  A far cry from his usual 30 and 120.

Sidney Crosby – Just look at Kennedy’s and Cooke’s stats to see exactly what kind of impact Crosby has on anyone.  He had 3 assists in this game, and was robbed twice by Brodeur on some nice chances.  That first goal of this comeback is coming very soon, any other goalie and he would probably have had it today.  A happy, healthy Sidney Crosby has made this team look simply unbeatable.

Pens fans are showing up everywhere to welcome Sid back

Evgeni Malkin – In a very weird concept, might Malkin actually be overlooked right now due to the team dominance and a fully healthy roster?  Geno scored on a blistering one-timer on the PP and also won the faceoff to set up the “Neal play” which led to a goal.  He just quietly continued his Hart worthy season.  Just Geno being Geno.

The Bad:

- Cooke made an ugly misplay/pass back to Engelland in the defensizve zone when he wasn’t ready for it, turning into Sykora all alone on Fleury for a goal against early in the 3^rd period.  The Pens will have to learn not to get too comfortable with the leads that this team can build too early.  Luckily, Cooke decided to score right after to shut up the Devils instantly.

- Joe Vitale went crashing into the boards late in the 2^nd period and missed about a period’s worth of hockey, but returned late in the 3^rd period.  So I would assume he’s okay.  If not, we have a very healthy set of scratches right now.

The Ugly:

- For the Devils: Brodeur actually played a very solid game and robbed a few chances.  I can’t even imagine what it would have been like if anyone else was in net.

38 saves including a penalty shot, what more can a goalie do?

Thoughts:

- Nothing about the team – everyone just sit back, relax, and enjoy this ride, it’s wonderful.

- Cooke is up for the Masterton trophy for the Pens.  Two Pens have won the award before: Lemieux in 93 when he returned from chemotherapy and Lowell McDonald back in 75 when he returned from tearing his knee.  Current Penguin Steve Sullivan also won the award with the Predators back in 09 after returning from missing most of 2 years with a fractured disc and groin issues.  Generally, the award goes to players coming back from major injuries.  Some other nominees around the league so far this year: Jagr (Flyers), Alfredsson (Sens), Tootoo (Preds), Smith (Coyotes), Pacioretty (Habs), Fraser (Kings), Potter (Oilers) and still may more to come out.  I think Cooke definitely deserves the nomination, but he wouldn’t be my top pick in the NHL.

- Even though it’s back to back games, I would expect Fleury to start against the Flyers tomorrow.  The light workload today certainly helped out that decision.  Tomorrow will also be the biggest test for Crosby handling physical play, as I'm sure the Flyers will try to rip his head off.  Early 12:30pm start, so get drinking and pass out early, Happy St Patty's Day!!

Pens Record: 44-21-5, 93 pts, 2^nd in the Atlantic, 4^th in the East

Next Game:  3/18 @ Phi, 12:30pm

Crosby Returns, Pens win their 10th in a Row!

Main Storylines:

- SIDNEY CROSBY IS BACK!!!  Easily the biggest headline.  Here’s #2: KRIS LETANG IS BACK!!!  On a lesser note, welcome Paul Martin back to the lineup as well.  Crosby will start with Cooke and Kennedy. But I expect him to take the ice with pretty much everyone.

No more comeback games, okay?  Just continue playing!

- The Pens have won 9 in a row coming into this game, and are chasing the Rangers hard for 1^st place in the conference.  This is as big as games get in the regular season.

- This will be just the 7^th time in the past 157 games that the Pens have Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Letang, and Fleury in the lineup.

Result:

Pens  5  Rangers  2

Goals:  Cooke (13) from Kennedy

            Malkin  (39) from Neal

            Cooke (14) from Kennedy, Staal

            Kunitz (21) from Crosby, Neal

            Dupuis (19) from Letang, Martin

               

The Good:

- Make it 10 in a row!!! The Pens gain 2 points on the Rangers.  They are now 4 points behind New York, with one less game played and one more game against the Rangers ahead.  This will be a tight race to the finish, and don’t look now, but the Flyers are right on the Penguins’ tails as well.

- Staal extended his career high points streak to 9 games with the assist on Cooke’s 2^nd goal

Injury Returns:  Crosby came back with an assist and a +3 in 16 minutes of ice time.  He also was 11 for 21 on faceoffs.  He was able to get into the gritty areas and take hits while showing no ill-effects.  Let’s hope this continues more smoothly than last time.  The bigger story tonight was probably Letang though.  Letang put up a +5 and an assist in 24 minutes of ice time.  He was superb tonight in the defensive end, especially when he was left out to dry for three 2 on 1’s against him, none of which ended in a goal.  Oddly enough, adding 2 of the best players in hockey back to the lineup tends to be a good thing.

He didn't get much help, but he didn't need it.  Letang was flawless.

Marc-Andre Fleury – Flower made some simply defiant saves, to the point that it looked like he was teasing people.  He made at least 4 saves while he was flat on the ground by getting his glove or blocker up just in time.  He ended up stopping 29 of 31 shots and ensured that the Rangers would not get an easy goal to try for a comeback.  As Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo’s Puck Daddy put it: “John Mitchell, sitting alone in the corner, rocking back and forth chanting "Fleury... Fleury ..."” 

Matt Cooke – What’s Sidney Crosby doing on the 3rd line? Wait, maybe it’s what’s Matt Cooke doing on the 3rd line? His first goal was simply odd and lucky as a blocked shot went off the crossbar, a Ranger, and in the net. His second was just beautiful chemistry from the line of Staal-Cooke-Kennedy. Gotta give Cooke credit, he really can adjust to any situation, defensively or offensively, to contribute to this team.

Cooke shouts as Crosby tries to cannibalize a goal from him.

The Bad:

- I will give this one time, but at first glance the powerplay isn’t going to work out when it’s built as a hero line.  All 5 players are tremendously talented and a line of Kunitz-Neal-Malkin-Crosby-Letang has more potential than any line you’ll see, but it doesn’t seem to have a leader.  The nice thing about Sullivan at the point was he took control and quarterbacked the powerplay, allowing Letang to get into a shoot first mentality and the forwards to just do their jobs.  With this set of 5, no one really takes control and it leads to many awkward and unselfish passes/questionable shots.  We shall see how it evolves though. (0 for 4 tonight)

Orpik/Michalek – I had gotten so used to putting them under The Good section, but they simply couldn’t handle the matchup against Gaborik’s line tonight.  They were frequently caught out of position and chasing that line around.  The biggest problem with that matchup was simply pure speed as Michalek and Orpik don’t have that, but Gaborik and Hagelin can skate around anyone.  It was a smart matchup for Tortorella to exploit rather than have his top line against a fleet-footed Letang.

The Ugly:

- Only one shift stuck out in my mind for this, and that was when Girardi, Boyle, and Prust all hit Malkin at various times, leading to Malkin trying to line up guys and missing.  The Rangers clearly wanted to take a page out of the playbook entitled knock Malkin off of his game.  He was solid tonight, so it didn’t work, but I hope he can be consistent with that as it will happen more and more through the playoffs.

Thoughts:

- Bylsma went nuts with the lines, basically trying every combination that was possible for 12 forwards on 4 lines.  I imagine over the next week or so, we will see even more of that as Crosby gets back up to speed and the coaches look for who gels best together.  Remember, Kunitz-Malkin-Neal and Sullivan-Staal-Dupuis are great together, but there is nothing that says another set of 3 can’t be better.  Tonight showed me that Bylsma won’t be complacent with his hot lines, but will keep trying to improve, and that’s a great sign.

Just look at them, you can't keep Sid and Kunitz apart!!!

 - Next 2 games are against a New Jersey team that is cooling down on Saturday and a red hot Flyers team on Sunday.  If Thiessen is getting a start, it will certainly be on Saturday.  I have a hard time seeing Bylsma not using Fleury in both games though.  The division is certainly in reach and I’m sure the team wants it.  As much as I worry about Fleury’s games played going into the playoffs, it’s impossible to say stop doing what is working right now.

- No Rangers really took a run at Crosby, which I was rather surprised by.  I think if Callahan had been in the lineup, he probably would have been the one to pester Sid.  New Jersey doesn’t really have a player or line that is going to rough Sid up either.  His biggest physical test will certainly be Sunday, when all of Philly tries to kill him.

- It’s a shame that the Rangers had to go without Lundqvist in this game.  The Pens look great, and are hot, but the true test would have been to go against the best goalie in the NHL right now.  I look forward to our last meeting with them to see the massive collision of talent there.  And if you aren’t quite sure where Lundqvist stacks up right now, here’s an article I did on thehockeywriters.com that includes his (and other’s) numbers: http://thehockeywriters.com/kings-quick-making-a-strong-case-for-vezina/  They are mind-numbing.

  

Pens Record: 43-21-5, 91 pts, 2^nd in the Atlantic, 4^th in the East

Next Game:  3/17 @ NJ, 1pm