The end of a season.

This past season had its ups and downs and yesterday, in game 6, was the big decline to end it all.
This season we dealt with injuries and Sidney Crosby's concussion symptoms then his neck injury, though we also saw Matt Cooke change the way he approached playing and he was not suspended and had a great year. We went through some losing slumps, but also saw what James Neal could really do alongside Evgeni Malkin and Chris Kunitz. We had our winning streaks and we had a MVP-caliber season from Evgeni Malkin (until the playoffs anyway). There were other highs and lows to this season and we were along for the ride no matter what.

A loss in the first round series of the playoffs though was the lowest part by far. Being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Philadelphia Flyers will leave a sour taste in our mouths for a long time. On paper, the Pens looked nearly unstoppable. The Pens were favored to win the Stanley Cup by so many. Those are predictions though and paper can go up in flames in seconds.
The first 3 games of this past series I am sure the Pens wish they could have back and try again. The Flyers' power play was great and the Pens came up short in the 4 losses they endured. I'm heartroken that the Pens are already out of the playoffs. To be honest, I do not believe that it has hit me quite yet. This postseason offered so much potential and hope for the Pens and to see it end the way it did has left some questions and pondering.
After the first few losses in this series, I had wished the Pens would have won those games against the New York Islanders and the Pens would have been higher in the Eastern Conference, possibly first, and the Pens would perhaps have played against a different team, a team that we would have eliminated. I had wished a lot of things while I believed. I did believe that this Pens team was capable of coming back and winning this series and they were. I believed between the second and third period in yesterday's Game 6 that the Pens could come out strong and make it a game and win. It just did not happen. No matter how much I wanted it to happen, the Pens did not win yesterday's game 6 and their season is over.

There are things that most definitely could have been better, we talked about these factors incessantly after each loss and highlighted the way we executed them after each win. The fact of the matter is that this is yet again another early exit from the playoffs for the Pens. 2010: out the second round at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens. 2011: A dismal powerplay had us eliminated the first round by the Tampa Bay Lightning and now 2012: Another first round exit at the hands of the Flyers.
Change is coming. Who knows how big or small these changes will be, but there will be changes to this team. No matter what takes place after the regular season ends, whether a team wins the Stanley Cup or if they get swept in the first round of the playoffs or didn't happen to make the playoffs at all, a team is bound to change somewhat in the offseason. Our shortcomings in this past series will surely be addressed this offseason in some shape or form.

I am a Pens fan through and through, but that doesn't make this end any easier to take, in ways it makes it worse. I will continue to watch the playoffs, I am a hockey fan after all. I am not sure who I am rooting for now. I know it is not for the Flyers, needless to say. Sometimes I do not mind seeing the team that eliminated the Pens make it to the finals because it shows that the Pens were eliminated by a great team but this is different. I don't want the Flyers to make it out of the next round.

As always, I will be eagerly awaiting a new Pens season all summer. I just wish I would not have to look to the next season so soon. I was really hoping to be looking forward to a new season sometime in June.

This past season was an exciting one and was surely one hell of a ride and while the end seemed like a crash that featured swerving and flips and even a roll or two, it's time to move on and continue to watch the best sport in great fashion. After all, playoff hockey still is the most exciting sporting event there is, no matter who is playing.

As the Pens' season is done, I will be posting less and less. I will still be here to post any new developments or news, but this is my sign-off at the end of a season. Enjoy the playoffs!

Game 6

The Pens have brought this series to a game 6 with a focus on each game. They have been focusing on the task in hand, the one game directly ahead of them, and have not thought of the rest of the series. This focus and better goaltending and defense work have brought us to today, Game 6. The Pens need to remain focused on today's game and continue to improve as well. They need to stay disciplined as the Flyers continue to capitalize on their power play regularly. We can not afford to take stupid penalties or allow the Flyers to drag us into making choices that will cost us. Therefore, the Pens will need to be smart and careful. With the better defense and fabulous goaltending from Marc Andre Fleury, the Pens can stifle the Flyers again.

In game 5, our star players were not exactly the stars and other players have been stepping up. Tyler Kennedy had a strong game and Jordan Staal has been strong this entire series and with continued hard work from these players and our star players, the Pens can have a strong game. Over and over again, it has been said that the Pens are focusing on each game, each period, each shift. This is exactly what they need to be doing and it has been working. They need to continue with that process today. Another great game from Fleury would be another great boost for the team and though he won't have the Pens fans behind him today in Philly, he knows we will be cheering for him from home. We know that the Flyer fans are somewhat (or downright) hostile, but we also know that the Pens can win in that arena and the fans can sometimes just fuel our team's fire to win.

Remain focused, stay out of the box by being disciplined, take a lot of shots and block a lot of shots. These are key factors going into today's Game 6. The Pens are well aware of the fact that laying off their game could be detrimental and their season could end. Therefore, the Pens will give everything they have, just like they have been the past few games. They will be doing their best to bring this series back to Pittsburgh. Let's Go Pens!

Game 5

The Pens have brought it back home for a Game 5. Now is the time to show who believes. I want Consol Energy Center to be so loud that I have trouble hearing Bob Errey and Paul Steigerwald, seriously, please.

The Pens need to concentrate on tonight's game right now and nothing but tonight's game. Like they said for game 4, their focus needs to be on one game, one period, one shift at a time. With strong defense and strong goaltending from Marc Andre Fleury, this team has a great chance to take it back to Philly for Game 6. With the same offense we have been getting in this series and some discipline to not take so many penalties, the Pens could have a strong game.

It became apparent in Game 4 that the officials were going to be cracking down and calling anything they see so that this series does not get out of hand. Therefore, the Pens need to remain disciplined and stay out of the box, especially since the Flyers have been lethal on the power play. Limiting their chances will help and shooting often in tonight's game will be big factors for the Pens.
Also, I hope to see a strong performance from Fleury. I believe he got a boost from the victory in Game 4 and he needs to show that he is the better goaltender.

With focus and strong defense and goaltending, this game can surely go in the Pens' favor. Flyers defenseman Nicklas Grossman was injured in Game 4 and is listed as day-to-day and will not be in the lineup tonight.
The Pens will be without Paul Martin again tonight. Craig Adams and James Neal will be back after serving their one game suspensions, while Arron Asham will sit out his second game of a 4 game suspension.

Coach Dan Bylsma had a great quote for what is needed for tonight's game: "...We need to be at our best. The building needs to be at its best. The fans need to be at their best. The people outside watching need to be at their best. We have to have everybody at their best for the start of this game..." I agree, let's show how much we believe in this Pens team and make sure that we have no voices tomorrow. I believe. Let's Go Pens!

Pens remain in series in high-scoring style.

The Penguins needed one win to stay alive in this series and they did just that, in great fashion. The Pens did not just win the game last night, they blew the Flyers away. The Pens scored 10 goals in a 10-3 victory over the Flyers to make the series 3-1. This series is like no other playoff series currently and is extremely rare in playoff hockey history. The amount of goals these teams are racking up are rare in a regular season game and in the playoffs, when hockey is known to be tighter and lower scores are expected, this Pens- Flyers series is throwing away all conceptions of playoff hockey. I must say that I prefer being on the more goals, winning side of things. Last night's win felt great. I knew the Pens were more than capable of winning in this series and last night proved what the Pens can do, even down a few suspended players. Now, the series moves back to Pittsburgh for Game 5 Friday night. I expect fans to be the loudest they possibly can be and I hope that everyone catches the believing spirit.

Now, while the Pens and Flyers have been featuring high-scoring games to go against the norm in the playoffs, another way the Pens hope to stray from what is expected is coming back from a 3-0 deficit. Last night was the first step. The series is now 3-1 and if the Pens continue to take each game one game at a time, one period at a time and come out with a game like last night's game, this series is bound to get interesting. While it will be difficult, this Pens team is capable of many things, as we witnessed last night.

Craig Adams and James Neal will be available for Game 5 Firday night after serving their one game suspensions last night, while Arron Asham still has 3 more games to serve, whether those come in this series or next season. The Pens need to remain focused on each game and playing each period. Last night it worked to their benefit and the Flyers lost their composure with several players taking cross-checks and hits against players. I expect some players will be having talkes with Brendan Shanahan about some of last night's activities.
The Pens need to keep moving on, taking one game at a time, one period at a time, one shift a time; continue to play their game, let the Flyers lose their composure and we can remain in this series. Last night's game proved that the officials are cracking down in this series and they don't want a repeat of Game 3 as they were calling nearly everything possible early on and throughout the game. Therefore, the Pens will need to be disciplined and strong defensively and scoring a lot of goals helps also. Seeinf Evgeni Malkin get some goals last night was a good thing to see as he has been quiet in this series. He will need to be present if we want this series to continue. Jordan Staal got a hat trick last night to lift the Pens and he has been strong in this series. We will need strong efforts from every player in the lineup to ensure this series goes past Game 5. We knew we were capable of beating the Flyers, but one game will not be good enough, we need to keep moving on and winning. We need one more win before we can focus on anything else. Let's focus on that next win Friday night.

Game 4

News: Pens recall defenseman Simon Despres from the Baby Pens.

We need to focus on tonight, one game, one period at a time. The Pens surely know what is on the line and they guarantee their best hockey will be on display tonight in Game 4 in Philadelphia. Being down 3-0 in the series, their best hockey will be necessary to ensure that their season does not end tonight.
Some fans have abandoned their team, losing all hope. Sidney Crosby says this is a time when the Pens need their fans the most and this is a time when players lean on their fans. Sure, the odds are stacked against us and we have suspensions to go along with our troubles - James Neal got a one-game suspension, Arron Asham has been suspended 4 games along with Craig Adams' one game suspension, but we are not out yet. The Pens promise their best hockey tonight because they know if they do not play their best, their season is over. No one in that locker room wants the season to end tonight, so you better believe they are going to do everything in their power to keep it going.
I believe in this team. It will not be easy, but when this team is playing their best, there is no telling what they can or can not accomplish. Some might find it hard to believe this team can win this series or even a game or a few because they haven't shown where they can beat the Flyers in any certain area. Well, the Pens have not been playing their best. We know we can beat the Flyers, we have just a short time ago in the regular season. Now is the time to prove what the Pens can do, now is the time to show the best Pens hockey. It's now or never (or until next season).

Chris Kunitz knows that a full game will be needed tonight: “There is no tomorrow. We will leave it all out there. It doesn’t matter if you’re down by a goal with 30 seconds to go or up by two with 30 seconds to go. We have to play right through to the end on both ends.”

Crosby also said that in a dire situation like the Pens are in, this is when everybody's best comes out: “We’ve got to find a way to win a hockey game. When there’s adversity, that’s when you see guys’ true colors. I think we’ll show that. We’re going to leave it all out there and give ourselves a chance to try and get back in this series.”
That's all we can ask.
The Pens need to play their best, they need to leave everything out there on the ice. There is no saying they can't do this. We know they can. The Pens need their fans. I will be there for them every step of the way, every minute of tonight's game and beyond. I may sound like a broken record, but I believe in this team, I really do. Game 4 tonight- all or nothing. Let's Go Pens!

It's not over yet.

Yesterday it was announced that the automatic one-game suspension for Craig Adams for his actions would still stand and Coach Dan Bylsma was fined $10,000. Craig Admas will not be available for Game 4 tomorrow night and it is expected we may be down some more as well. James Neal talked to the league earlier this morning but no decision has been made yet. It is expected to come soon. Arron Asham has a meeting tonight to discuss his antics from game 3.

Yes, having players suspended will make the situation at hand even tougher. But the Flyers have not won 4 games yet, there is still that sliver of possibility. As long as there is even a tiny bit of hope, I will believe in my team. As a fan, that's my job and the Pens need us to stand behind them right now. Here is what Sidney Crosby had to say about fans being embarrassed about Game 3:
"You know what, I think the tough part is that if they’re in this room, they’d see how much every guy cared. It’s more than one team that’s doing that stuff out there. They should have nothing to be embarrassed about. They should be pretty proud of the guys they have here. It’s a terrible situation to be in, being down 3-0. But that’s when you need your fans the most. We’re not going to sit here and make excuses. We can’t fix the fact that we’re down 3-0. But I think we all believe we can come back and I think this is when you lean on your fans the most."

If they need me to lean on, you better believe I will be there. Through thick and thin, I am a Penguins fan. Just refer back to my post on how I am choosing to believe in this Pens team. Who knows what this team can accomplish when they finally get their game together and play the best they can play and leave everything out there on the ice.

Jame Neal knows the reality of the situation as well but knows there's still a chance:
"We need to do a lot of things to make the series go on here. Our backs are against the wall. We have to go into Philly and play one period at a time and take one shot at a time. Anything can happen. We know in this dressing room, we still believe in our team and the way we play."

As long as there is that little bit of hope, I'll be there supporting the Pens. I choose to believe. Let's Go Pens!

- Quotes from pittsburghpenguins.com

Choosing to believe.

To think, that just a week ago, I was extremely excited for the playoffs to begin. Now, a week later and the first round is like a nightmare; one I just can not awake from. A series like the one the Pens are in now would be a nightmare against any opponent, but the fact that we are down 0-3 to the Philadelphia Flyers makes it much more troubling.

The first game was not what the Pens wanted to happen, giving up a 3 goal lead to lose in overtime, 4-3. That is not how we wanted the series to start and Game 1 was just like a light rain fall to begin this storm of a series so far. Then, game 2 brought the thunder and lightning with the back and forth scoring and then the end result of an 8-5 loss. 8-5 loss in the playoffs. To the Flyers. Then came yesterday's game 3- a game with desperate hope for the Pens to turn this series around. What we got instead was a horrible part of the storm, the worst yet. It came with the worst elements: hail, wind, rain, thunder and lightning. Or, fights, ejections from the game, another collapse in play, and another horrible loss. Hopefully you took shelter. The Pens looked more like the Flyers yesterday towards the end of the 8-4 loss. Fights took precedent over playing and it ended with a horrible defeat and the Pens being down 0-3 in this series. A part of me was happy to see some fights (some more than others), I'll admit. Maybe I just wanted to win something yesterday. Though, I knew it would not win us the game and seeing stars and players fighting and being ejected made me uncomfortable. However, I was angry and frustrated, just like the players were.

This series has been difficult to watch, mostly because we know how well this team can play. Those skills have apparently gone away. The defense must have forgotten what to do and some offensive players have neglected their regular top player style of play. While it hasn't all been Fleury's fault as some have been suggesting, there certainly have been goals scored against Fleury that should have been stopped. However, these losses have been a team effort.

Where is the team that was confident and determined to make it all the way? What happened to the team that knew how to play a solid game? Granted, at times, this team struggled with that during the regular season, but never this mightily. Where have the Penguins gone?

I of course am still a Pens fan- that will NEVER change. Though, I am disappointed in the Pens and even embarrassed. I'm frustrated and upset also. The Pens need to play better in nearly every aspect of the game. I'm not in the locker room, I'm not a member of the organization. There is nothing I can do but watch and hope the Pens play better.
Game 4 is Wednesday night in Philadelphia again. The list of teams who have come back from being down 0-3 in a series, winning the last 4 games to come out as winners, is a short list. I would feel more confident in the Pens' chances of accomplishing this feat if they were playing better.

On the other hand, the Pens seem to have enough doubters, ones who have lost all hope. Perhaps I need to be an optimistic person, one who continues to believe in the Pens.
Therefore, I will put the first 3 games behind me and hope and pray the Pens recover and discover how to win. I will choose to continue to believe in my team and believe a miracle could happen. Perhaps it's because right now, I can't handle the thought of being eliminated in the first round by the Philadelphia Flyers, when so many believed we would be bringing the Stanley Cup back to Pittsburgh a fourth time. Though, I will stand behind my team and believe and hope for a miracle and believe that the Pens can figure things out and pull it together and win 4 straight games.

I'm well aware of the situation. I understand the circumstances and predicament the Pens are in. I know the odds against us as well. But what else can I do? Be devestated of our current situation and sulk? Or, could I stand behind my team and believe that they can come together and win 4 straight games, making one of the greatest comebacks in NHL playoff history against an opponent that is beating us in nearly every aspect of the game?
Since so many people seem to be on board with the first option, I opt to go with the latter. I choose to believe. Let's Go Pens!

Game 2

First, The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed forward Beau Bennett, their 2010 first-round draft pick, to a three-year entry-level contract that will begin next season.

Now, on to tonight...
The Penguins will look to correct their mistakes from game 1 in game 2 tonight. The retuned power play (refer to yesterday's blog entry for power play adjustments) will be featured tonight and will hopefully bring the success it had during the regular season.
The Pens need to be sure to stick with their game tonight. They started game 1 off right, but just did not see it through the rest of the game. Therefore, coming out strong and maintaining their play will be critical for tonight and throughout the remainder of the playoffs.

I am looking forward to tonight's game and know the Pens want to get back on track for tonight's game. It is sure to be an exciting game as most playoff games are.

After tonight's game, the Pens will be going into Philadelphia to take on the Flyers for two games. Game 3 will be a 3:00 start Sunday afternoon.

Focusing on game 2.

The Pens did not start off the series against the Philadelphia Flyers like they wanted to and that is why it is great that a series is best of seven moves on. The Flyers took game one with a 4-3 victory in overtime. The Pens had a 3-0 lead in the game and let it slip away and the Pens were also 0-for-3 with the man advantage in last night's game. That is why the Pens' power play had some different looks in practice today. Steve Sullivan returned to his spot on the point, where he was for much of the season, alongside Kris Letang. Evgeni Malkin was on the halfwall and Chris Kunitz remained in his net-front position. During the beginning of drills, James Neal and Sidney Crosby swapped spots.
The Pens are also considering having 2 top power play units and splitting the time between the two units to one minute each.
The Pens were successful on the power play during the regular season and they will need to find that success again and stick with it to help them in this series.

Now, on to the missed offside call that resulted in Daniel Briere scoring the first goal for the Flyers last night. Mistakes happen and refs are certainly human; they're going to make bad calls and miss some others. It is unfortunate that it resulted in their first goal, but it is not what made us lose the game last night. We could have easily made up for that goal with a goal on our power play. Colin Campbell, the NHL's senior executive vice-president of hockey operations, says that they are just about as upset as the Pittsburgh Penguins are about the missed call. The goal gave the Flyers some life in the game, but it was still not the reason we lost and the Pens are well aware of that and were good-spirited at practice today making sure to go over and practice what they need to do better in Friday night's game.

I hate losing in the playoffs, but I am still confident in this team and last night was just game 1. In fact, the past 4 playoff series the Pens have won, they have lost game 1. This is a good team that has a goal in mind, they know what they could have done better last night and they will work to correct it tomorrow night for game 2. Game 1 is done and in the books, now it is time to look forward to the next game and hopefully the Pens will be that bear in the woods.

Game 1 tonight.

Finally, playoff hockey gets underway tonight. The Pens will be taking on the Flyers at Consol Energy Center at 7:30 tonight.
Daniel Briere and Nicklas Grossman will be in for the Flyers tonight after missing some time due to injuries.
Ben Lovejoy may return to the lineup for the Pens tonight. Matt Niskanen was not in practice today.

The Pens are facing an opponent that is pretty close in range for statistics in some facets of the game with the Flyers. Some may even say that the two teams are similar in a lot of ways. Not to mention the fact that the two teams have quite a volatile relationship and this is quite a playoff series. However, I don't care if we were opening the playoffs against the Florida Panthers; playoff hockey is taking the game to the next level and every mistake could be the one that leads to the end of a season. Every goal or amazing play could be the one to lead a team to victory. For instance, look at the fight former Pens' player Max Talbot had with Daniel Carcillo of the Flyers in the series against the Flyers a couple of years ago. Yes, it got the fans more into the game, but while it was happening, we did not know what would result from it. That fight is now credited for pumping up the fans and players and the Pens never looked back.
Therefore, the Pens need to be strong in every aspect of the game and not allow the Flyers' antics to result in taking stupid penalties. Special teams need to be strong. During the season, a team can win a lot of games and still not have the best special teams at times. Though, in the playoffs, special teams play a much larger role in the way a series unfolds. We know all too well with our dismal power play and penalty kill from last season's first round exit courtesy of the Tampa Bay Lightning. We have had good numbers on special teams during the season and the Pens need to be sure to remain strong in special team play.
The Pens know what is at stake and are focused and determined to reach their goal of making it all the way, to raise Lord Stanley's Cup once again. Now all they have to do is play a strong game, stay focused and show the Flyers who the better team is.

It's Playoff Time.

I am back from my trip and it is time for the playoffs. Round 1 against the Philadelphia Flyers begins tomorrow night at Consol Energy Center for the Pens at 7:30 p.m. Just a little over 24 hours from now.
There is nothing quite like hockey playoffs, it is easily one of my favorite times of year. I saw a quote a few weeks ago that said, "Life will be postponed due to hockey playoffs until further notice." This may have been meant as a joke, but to me it is the truth. Nothing gets in the way of me and my playoff hockey. Really, the regular season is just the same as well though. I rarely ever miss a Pens game, ever. Though, if friends choose a night that interferes with some Pens playoff hockey, they will hear from me that another night needs to be chosen.

Playoff hockey is thrilling and exciting. I know people who only watch playoff hockey because of the excitement and energy. Every game, mostly, is intense and when you get to a game 7 situation, I don't know what could be more exciting and/or nerve-racking. The games that go into multiple overtimes keep you on the edge of your seat no matter what overtime it is because you can't miss any of it. Players giving it their all because this is it; the playoffs are where teams make it all the way or their season ends abruptly in a series. The stakes are higher and so is the intensity. While I will admit, at times games do make me nervous, it is the nerves and excitment that make playoff hockey one of the best things in the world. No exaggeration, playoff hockey is that great!

Playoff hockey is exciting no matter who the opponent, but the Pens' first round opponents are quite familiar and quite hated: the Philadelphia Flyers. Regular season games between these teams usually get pretty heated and this series will surely not lack in the physical aspect of the game and will offer an exciting show for sure. The animosity between these two teams has never been hidden and this series is sure to be can't miss hockey.

The Pens finished #1 overall in the league in scoring and the Flyers finished 2nd overall. Therefore, we may see some high-scoring games, or we may see some hot goaltending. One just never knows in the playoffs. Both teams feature some of the best offensive players in the league and both teams also have good powerplay systems. The Pens will need to be sure to be consistent on the power play though. The Pens' penalty-kill was ranked higher than the Flyers' and the penalty kill will need to be strong against the Flyers and limit their opportunities.
Fleury will need to be strong in net and come up with those huge saves like he has in the past in the playoffs. The Pens are determined to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals this season and they believe with their lineup that it is possible. We, as fans, know what this team is capable of. They need to be strong defensively and on special teams as well as in net and also show just how potent the team can be offensively as well. Consistency will also be a huge part to focus on for the Pens.

I doubt the Pens will need to work on their motivation. This is a determined team that is well aware of what it takes to raise Lord Stanley's Cup. I don't think they will have any trouble getting fired up for their first round opponents either and vice versa. This is sure to be an exciting series. There are plenty of storylines to discuss between these two teams, but none of the trash talk or former players of ours on their team currently matter now. All that matters is sticking to our game, playing our best and beating the Philadelphia Flyers to advance to the second round. I know I am ready for some playoff hockey and I am sure the Pens are fired up for their opponents. Let's hope emotions don't get the best of the Pens and result in bad penalties, let's hope for the emotions to drive the Pens that much harder to complete their task: eliminating the Philadelphia Flyers from the playoffs. Let's get these playoffs started.

Moving on to the Bruins.

After an eventful game Sunday against the Philadelphia Flyers, Monday was not that much more tame. Mike Milbury, an NBC hockey analyst and former player and coach, was on a Philadelphia radio station and had some rather careless statements geared towards the Pens, mainly Head Coach Dan Bylsma and Sidney Crosby. I don't think I need to repeat them; they were discussed everywhere. Today he issued an apology. Well, he was told to make an apology. Clearly, it was not sincere and he most likely still means what he says. Ray Shero responded to Milbury's comments today saying that Milbury should know better. My favorite response to the comments were from Dan Bylsma. In regard to Milbury saying that Bylsma should have "taken off his skirt" and gone over the bench to argue and fight, Dan Bylsma responded with, "I wasn't wearing a skirt. [I was wearing] a blue suit." Goes to show that the comments had no effect on the team or Bylsma and why would they? They were from Mike Milbury and have no merit. Now it is time to drop the antics and focus on tonight's game against the Boston Bruins.

The Bruins are on a roll and just as they did last season, they are ending on a high note. The Bruins have been 7-1-1 in their past nine games. They are first in the Northeast Division and second overall in the Eastern Conference. The Bruins are a high scoring team so the Pens' defense will need to be strong in tonight's matchup. Tim Thomas has been getting the majority of the workload as of late, but tonight, Marty Turco will be in for the Bruins. Brent Johnson will be in tonight for the Pens.
The Pens have lost 4 of the past 6 games and have not been playing as well as they are capable of. The Pens will look to correct that tonight and throughout the remaining games up until the playoffs where I hope the Pens will return to the consistent team that we know they are capable of being. Let's hope the consistency and strong defense come into play tonight and stick around.

Also, I would like to add that this may be my last post for about a week. I am leaving on a short trip tomorrow, but I will be back before you know it! Let's Go Pens!

Pens-Flyers post game thoughts and reflections.

Yesterday's game provided plenty of subjects and things to discuss. Though, one thing that deserves attention before even yesterday's game occurred is the subject of the blame game. After a loss, it is expected to hear some people upset and reflect on what could have been done better. That's great, because after a loss there are most definitely things to improve on for the next game and it is like that after most wins as well. However, because it's a win, no one wants to criticize so they don't. Well, those things are fine, but it is the blaming of players that gets to be too much at times after losses. I don't look for one scapegoat or even a few after a loss. After all, it is not my job to evaluate each player's game and report on it. I leave that up to the coaches and members of the team and the Penguins organization. I am not in a position that allows me to know every detail of events that lead up to, transpire during or after the game. Therefore, I feel that I have no right to blame certain players and pick certain ones out and blame them for a loss. Sure, as fans, we may notice certain mistakes and we realize some things that could be done better, but to me that does not mean I can blame that one player who may have had a bad game or a few. I see things that the team as a whole could do better, this is a team sport after all. Rather than finding someone to blame these recent losses on, let's hope the Pens are focusing on fixing the things that have been going wrong and correcting them and we'll cheer and believe in our team. After all, a fan's main job, I believe, is to cheer for their team and believe in their team. And that is exactly what I will do for the Pittsburgh Penguins.


Yesterday's loss to the Flyers was a tough one. As I have said before, what loss to the Flyers is not a tough one? Perhaps it was just a cruel April Fools Joke?
The Pens had a 2 goal advantage and it slipped away from them. Granted the Flyers are a good team, but the Pens are a better team and we did not show them that yesterday. After a clean hit, the Flyers seemed to have a problem with the line Dan Bylsma chose to put on the ice that delievered the hit and fights ensued after that. Not just on the ice either; on the benches as well between the two coaching staffs. I have a very strong dislike for the Flyers and my temper can flare as well during those games, therefore I completely understand how the coaches and players can lose their tempers as well. Though, I hope to see a determined Pens team this Saturday when we face the Philadelphia Flyers for our last regular season home game of the season. Not necessarily a team deteremined to fight and take a lot of penalties. A team determined to show the Flyers how great of a team we are and beat them in the areas of the game that we failed to show this past weekend. Yesterday's game will surely make for an exciting matchup this weekend, but I hope for a different outcome: A Pens' win to show the Flyers just who they are dealing with.

And to make it better, Cy Clark- aka Malkamania, there in the same seat he was in yesterday to show the Flyers just who they are dealing with as well.