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

Trades and games

We know the trade deadline is fast approaching and while it has mostly been quiet so far, yesterday there was a trade involving Hal Gill and he is not coming back to the Pens as some reports were saying could happen. The Nashville Predators landed Gill and a conditional 2013 draft pick from Montreal in exchange for forwards Blake Geoffrion and Robert Slaney, plus a 2012 second-round pick.
Gill will bring some experience and size to the Predator's blueline and he will be an unrestricted free agent if not signed before July 1st this summer.

Oh, and those Detroit Red Wings won another home game, they are keeping that NHL record and adding to it. 22 home wins in a row.

Now, Hockey Weekend Across America is a great one for Pens because it includes a game against the Flyers today in Philadelphia. Philadelphia has not been on such a hot streak lately but they beat the Sabres 7-2 on Thursday and moved ahead of the Pens in the standings.

They have some offensive power, obviously with a 7-2 win, but some have been critical of their defensive work. That might explain why the Flyers acquired defenseman Nicklas Grossman from Dallas in exchange for a second and third round pick. Grossman is expected to make his debut in a Flyers uniform today against the Pens. Now, Daniel Briere left the game Thursday against Buffalo and practiced yesterday with a no-contact jersey so he is expected to be out of the lineup.
While the Flyers are down some players due to injuries, the Pens will have Arron Asham back in the lineup today after missing the past 14 games with concussion-like symptoms.

The Pens are 0-2 against the Flyers this season and they look to change that this afternoon. There is no need to say that this game will be an exciting one. It's a Pens-Flyers game, its already implied. I hope to see the Pens ready to take on the Flyers at full force this afternoon and we hope to get the offense clicking after a low scoring game on Wednesday. While offense is important, our defense needs to be strong as well against the Flyers. Max Talbot scored twice against the Sabres the other night, let's not let him do that against us.
Basically, the Pens will need to play a strong, consistent game and not let the Flyers reel us in for too many penalties. Let's hope this Hockey Weekend Across America goes like last weekend!

Pens host Ducks tonight.

The Anaheim Ducks are in town tonight in the middle of a long sretch of road games for the team to take on our Pens. The Ducks have 8 games in 15 days on this road trip and tonight will be their 4th stop. They played last night in Minnesota.

After having a bad start to the season, the Ducks fired their coach, Randy Carlyle, and hired a very familiar face, a little more familiar with barbecue sauce around the mouth, in Bruce Boudreau, the former coach of the Washington Capitals. Since the coach change, the Ducks have slowly been becoming a better team and were one of the best teams in January with a 9-2-1 record.

The Ducks have plenty of talent in the lineup and we must be up to the challenge. Going down 2-0 has not been detrimental to us very recently, but making a pattern of it surely is not on the list of things to do for the Pens. Not to mention that although the Ducks goaltender, Jonas Hiller, had a rough start to the season, he has been making up for it. In the past 17 games, the netminder has a .927% save percentage and has a 1.86 GAA. The Pens will have to be in control and look to start out better tonight and not give the 2-0 advantage to the other team. Our top line has been consistently strong as of late and some secondary scoring has been adding an extra bonus and has been a welcome sight. The Pens need to continue to be a strong team in every facet of the game and good things can continue.

Speaking of good things, Arron Asham skated with his teammates for the first time yesterday, with no contact. He says he hopes to play as soon as this weekend for the Pens.

Pens are in New York to take on Rangers.

The Pens are carrying a 3-game win streak into Madison Square Garden tonight for their game against the New York Rangers. They want to leave with that number at 4. We all know... 4 is better than 3.

The Pens face a tough opponent in the Rangers. They currently are 10 points ahead of us as they lead our division and are on the top of the league standings with 62 points. The Rangers lost Sunday, but rebounded last night with a 4-0 win over the Nashville Predators. They will be looking to continue their winning efforts tonight for sure.

As for some good news for the Pens, Kris Letang will be returning in tonight's game from his broken nose and concussion. Though, with the good news usually comes some bad news. Arron Asham will be out of the lineup again due to illness AND concussion-like symptoms. Something Pens fans and many other teams' fans are becoming quite familiar with.

Having Kris Letang back in the lineup will be a great addition physically and defensively and we are happy to see him return. The Pens will need to be physical and defensively responsible tonight against the Rangers. The Rangers have plenty of members of the team who can contribute with goals and Henrik Lundqvist, their goaltender, has been doing extremely well this season.

All in all, tonight will be a tough test for the Pens and they have to give a complete, 60-minute effort tonight to get another win. The Pens have not being doing well this season against teams in our division. We have some talented teams in our division, but we can not forget that we are one of those talented teams and can contend with any of the others.