It's time for Pens to play to their full potential.

The playoffs are usually never lacking in excitement or some surprises.
Well, some might be surprised with how the Penguins vs. Islanders series is going. If I knew nothing about it, I am not sure I would guess that it was a battle between the first seed and the eighth seed. An eighth seed that was not very good during the regular season. That's exactly what this battle is, as we well know, but the Pens are not looking like their first seed selves. Yes, we are up 2-1 in the series, but we are lucky to be there.

Sure, give some credit to the Islanders, but let's face it, at times, the Pens are making it way too easy for the Islanders. The Pens have had poor puck management their past 2 games. Yes, remember how we won the first one 5-0? Then The Pens had a poor effort in a game 2 loss and then with yesterday's overtime win the Pens were lucky to get a win. We came back after going down 2-0 but again giveaways and poor play resulted in the Islanders tying the game and sending it to overtime. The Pens were lucky to win Game 3.
I am not seeing a team that is determined to redeem themselves after last year's first round loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I have lost faith in the Pens. I know they are capable of playing better, just like they did after some losses during the regular season. Let's hope to see their best in tomorrow night's Game 4.

Some injuries aren't helping us. We could use Brooks Orpik back. It was a good sight to see him back at practice today and hopefully he is back in the lineup soon. Many also point out that it seems Jarome Iginla and Evgeni Malkin lack chemistry. It does appear that way, but some want that Dupuis, Crosby and Kunitz line together no matter what, so Iginla and Malkin will most likely stay. James Neal is still out. He was present in practice today too and when Neal comes back into the lineup some changes will be made, obviously.

Game 4 is tomorrow night. I am ready to see a better Pens team, the team we know the Pens are capable of being. I am ready to see the Pens be the dominant force that many were predicting they'd be in this series. Let's hope the Pens are ready to show us better hockey tomorrow night.

One story ends. A more thrilling one is set to begin.

Saturday brings us to the end of the regular season for the Pittsburgh Penguins. We end the regular season at home with a game against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Pens go into the game losing the past two with some poorly played hockey and will look to end the regular season on a winning note. Though, it was a short time ago that the Pens clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference, so these losses have meant nothing to our position in the standings. However, it might not be the best thing to come into the playoffs with a losing streak with games featuring some mistakes. Therefore, the Pens will look to correct their mistakes and will look for a boost in the return of James Neal and Paul Martin this Saturday.

Win or lose Saturday though and the Pens are still in the playoffs. That is a nice feeling to have and one Pens' fans as of late are used to. We haven't had to battle for the 8th spot in the Conference for some time, but that does not mean that we have had smooth sailing once in the playoffs. As we all surely know. Last year's first round loss to the Philadelphia Flyers was extremely disappointing. A first round loss, no matter the opponent, this year would be even more disappointing. A first round loss again would surely mean some changes in the organization. This team is expected to perform well and a mediocre or dismal playoff season just will not do. Making the playoffs for some teams is an accomplishment all in itself (Congratulations Toronto!). But not the Pens. For the Pens, it's just a beginning.

While some teams will pack their things this weekend and go their seperate ways, the Pens will join 15 other teams in closing the book of the regular season and begin to prepare for the story of NHL playoff hockey. Every team begins a season with the sole purpose to begin this second story, one that each team hopes will end with another book chronicling what each team member did with the Stanely Cup on their day with the sacred trophy. Only one team will prove to be the best, the toughest, the most skilled, the hardest working, the most complete, the Stanley Cup winners. It most certainly is not an easy task. Upsets will happen, good teams will fall, better teams will prevail, series sweeps will occur, overtime hockey means much more, and perhaps a game 7 or a few will go into overtime where everything will be on the line. History will be made.
Playoff hockey is another level of hockey. Teams know what they have to do to accomplish their dream of raising the Stanely Cup. Next week each of these 16 teams will begin this journey. Each of the 16 teams will be just 16 wins away from their goal. Only one team will make it through though. We won't know until June who succeeds. Of course, we have our expectations and hopes and wishes. But that's the thing about playoff hockey: It is usually impossible to predict. Playoff hockey is meant for surprises; it is meant for exciting hockey. Playoff hockey is meant to bring fans to the edge of their seat or to their feet. Playoff hockey is meant to bring tears of disappointment or tears of pure joy. Playoff hockey is meant to make you nervous, excited, sad, happy, angry and just about any other emotion one can have. Playoff hockey is like nothing else. Therefore, each story will be unique, but only one team will be able to end their story how they want: by raising the most prestigious trophy in sports, the one and only (sort of) Stanley Cup.

So, while the Pens hope to end the season on a winning note, either way the story will end and a new one will begin. One that is much more important, one that has a possibility of a much more meaningful end.

Are you ready for some playoff hockey?

Pens vs. Rangers tonight.

Ok, while trying to forget about superstitions, I also realized that recently I have not been visiting Pinterest like I had been. I mean, the past few weeks, there have been days when I did not pin one thing or even visit the site. Therefore, just in case, I made sure to vistit Pinterest.com and pin a number of things today. Just in case.

Well, silly superstitions aside, it is time to get down to business. The Pens are hosting the New York Rangers tonight. The Pens will be looking to redeem themselves against the Rangers, coming off the 6-1 loss we suffered a few days ago to the same team. Tonight there will be some new line combinations with Jussi Jokinen centering Kunitz and Dupuis. The rest of the lines are: Neal-Malkin-Iginla; Morrow-Sutter-Cooke;
Glass-Adams-Kennedy.
The second power play unit had a different look in practice today: Jokinen, Kennedy and Morrow were down low and on the points the Pens used Dupuis and a rotation of Orpik and Eaton.

We hope that the Pens will pull things together tonight and see the newest additions to the team fitting into their roles. We understand it takes time, but the past two games were just bad. Hopefully we see a much better Pens team tonight against the Rangers. If they don't improve tonight they have a longer break to figure things out before the Pens head to Carolina to face the Hurricanes on Tuesday.
Though, after an entire month of wins, 15 in a row, and now two tough losses, I'd say we are all ready to see a much better game tonight.

Finding solutions to the problems should be main focus.

Well, as it turns out, yesterday was a great day for hockey. Too bad no one told the players that they were actually supposed to play hockey though.

Judging from the fan reaction at last night's game and social media after the game, I am not the only fan that is frustrated. Boos were heard at Consol Energy Center last night during some of the Pens' power play work, or lack thereof. While I myself am not a fan of booing my team, I completely understand the frustration of other fans. The Pens did not play well last night and the Islanders did play well. That's what it came down to. The Islanders looked good on their power play, had good speed and the Pens were the complete opposite.
Social media also tells me that there are a lot of different people involved in the organization to blame for the way the Pens played, but I will not be pointing fingers. I do not own a hockey franchise, I do not coach a hockey team, I have never played ice hockey and I do not have the credentials to do any of those things either. Therefore, I am not really in the position to cast blame on people and neither are most of you. I find it pointless to find a scapegoat when it's more important to find a solution to a problem and ensure that EVERY ONE understands the problem and situation and how to fix it. Let's face it, the whole team has things that are needed to be fixed.

And apparently today, an attempt to correct a situation has been implemented. The Pens had a new look for their power play at practice today. Evgeni Malkin moved to the right point and James Neal is back to his old position down low. Kris Letang was at the left point and Sidney Crosby was on the half wall while Chris Kunitz was at the net. We will see tomorrow night in New York against the Rangers if this new configuration is the answer to the power play problem.
It wasn't just the power play that was less than satisfactory last night, however. Therefore, the Pens will need to play a more consistent game and have a stronger defense. All in all, every aspect of the game needs to be stronger. Not a perfect game, but a much better one than what was played last night.

Penguin fans are a passionate bunch. Most of us know how lucky we are to have some of the players we have on our team and that translates to a good deal of expectation. It doesn't help that before this season started a week and a half ago, most were betting on the Pens winning the Stanley Cup. I am not saying that can't happen, but if we continue to play like we did last night, I can guarantee it will not happen. Perhaps we need a dose of patience at this point and just hope that the Pens reach their potential sooner rather than later. It's not easy, but what other alternative do we have, become Chicago Blackhawk fans? Well, I am sticking with the Pens. No one said it would be easy. In fact, perhaps we should think of the common logic that anything worth having never came easily. Maybe the Pens need to struggle a little bit to end up where they want to be. It's only 6 games into the 48 game season, we can't lose hope just yet.

Hockey and the fans are back and a lot to look forward to.

After lockouts, one expects that some fans will not return and after such an embarrassing work stoppage for the NHL that officially ended this past Saturday, January 12, one may even expect the number of fans leaving the sport to be greater. It appears that is not the case in Pittsburgh. Practices during this past week during training camp have been well attended and it is expected home game sellouts at Consol Energy Center will continue.

Of course, Pittsburgh is a sports town, even more so when a team does well and has star players. We have yet to see how well the Pens will do, but we know for sure we are lucky to have some of the best talent in the game of hockey on our team. Maybe that's why there seems to be little fallout from the fans after the lockout. Or perhaps, fans have come back because of the attempts by the Penguins to show their gratitude to fans in the form of certain free concession items and 50% off merchandise for the first four home games. Or maybe it's the idea that you don't realize what you have until it is gone. Perhaps taking NHL hockey away for those months left a greater desire in most fans. I realized that I would miss NHL hockey and found ways to fill the void, but it wasn't always easy. Now, a fair amount of fans were realizing how much they missed hockey after the past Steelers' season ended and were left wondering what they would watch then. I have surely missed NHL hockey and can not wait for its return this Saturday. Maybe it's just a pure love of the game that brought many fans back.

Some may want to argue that this shortened season and the team hoisting the Stanley Cup towards the end of June will not be as impressive as if it were a full season. Quite the contrary. These 48 games will be a tad jam-packed into the next few months and while we only see opponents from our conference, there is quite a good bit of competition in our Eastern Conference. The Western Conference will be a good fight as well to the top. This season is sure to bring a lot of excitement.

Though it's the middle of January and not October, that does not change my level of excitment for a new season one bit. The endless possibilities of a new season do not change with a fewer number of games and a later start date. As Pens fans, we have a lot to be excited for:

We are all well aware of how well Sidney Crosby can play and people have been saying that he is back and better than ever from his injuries. If Crosby can get even better, and if there was one player who could keep excelling into even greater excellence, it would be him, then I am ready to see it happen.

Malkin was playing well in the KHL and should be in pretty good game shape already having played in the KHL. He also says he is determined to win the Stanley Cup.

The beginning to a new season means change. Gone is Jordan Staal and in is Brandon Sutter. We will be able to witness what Sutter can offer as a Penguin and I, myself, rather enjoy watching new players on the team show what they've got. With Crosby being back and new players, we won't be seeing the same lines as last year. For instance, for a few days, Eric Tangradi has been on a line with Malkin and James Neal and today, Beau Bennett filled Tangradi's role on that line. In the beginning of a season you see what clicks and what doesn't. The power play has had a new look in some practices with Kris Letang and Neal at the points and Chris Kunitz, Crosby, and Malkin up front.

With some new players and some old, familiar faces gone, new line combinations and special team shake-ups, comes the start of a fresh, new hockey season. While it may be a colder, later start to the season, I don't care about that any more. I'm excited for a new season to get under way and by the looks of it, so is the rest of Pittbsurgh.

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 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

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.

Lineup changes.

I'm sure you have been hearing the phrase "good problem to have" a good bit recently. That is the phrase most writers and others associated in the media have been using to describe the situation the Pens are in now with the return of Sidney Crosby. They are correct, this is this Pens' big trade deadline acquistion. Getting Crosby back in the lineup is the only "move" we needed. Now that Crosby is returning tomorrow night against the Rangers in New York City, there are going to be some changes in the lineup, obviously. These changes are the good problem the Pens had.

So about those changes...
The Chris Kunitz- Evgeni Malkin- James Neal line will remain intact as well as the Steve Sullivam- Jordan Staal- Pascal Dupuis line.
Crosby will be centering a line with Matt Cooke and Tyler Kennedy; a little different than his last return in November. Starting out, Crosby won't get as much as time as he was used to before his concussion. This is to benefit Crosby and hopefully help to keep Crosby in the lineup for a much longer period of time this time around.

Crosby will get some time on the power play though. In practice on Tuesday, the power play had Crosby featured in a different role than what he is used to - playing the point.

The top power-play unit in Tuesday’s practice had Crosby and Kris Letang at the points, Malkin on the halfwall and Kunitz and Neal down low.

These are the lines that are planned going into tomorrow's game against the Rangers but we know there are plenty of opportunities and combinations. We'll have to see how these ones pan out and what happens from there.

Pens defeat Bruins and a Cause to help.

With the Pens ninth win a row coming against the Boston Bruins yesterday afternoon, the gap between the Pens and the Rangers is getting smaller and smaller. If only the Rangers would have lost yesterday, the Pens would be within 2 points of them today, but instead the Rangers are 4 points ahead of the Pens in the standings. Though, our next game is this Thursday against the Rangers and will be a very important game if we want to overtake the Rangers for the first in the Atlantic Division and first in the Eastern Conference.

Some in the media are saying that Thursday's game against the Rangers would be a great game for the return of Sidney Crosby. He may play or he may not play against the Rangers, but one thing is sure, Crosby is close to returning and that means there are going to be some changes in the lineup. Of course, that is inevitable. Some would love to see the top line stay intact because they are one of the best lines in the NHL at the moment. Though, that may not be the case. We may see Chris Kunitz jump to Crosby's line along with Pascal Dupuis, the same line that was together when Crosby was on his way to having a career season last season. Then Malkin's line would still include James Neal and possibly Steve Sullivan. It will be tough to break apart that top line with how well they're doing and we will have to see the line combinations, but we will be getting Crosby back and that is quite the addition. The Pens are spectacular without Crosby at the moment and teams are surely aware of what the Pens can do with Crosby on the team as well. Let's hope though that Malkin doesn't let up when Crosby returns. When everyone is playing at their best, there's not much that can stop this team. That's something I love to see and something I will love to see going in the playoffs.


Now, my readers, I would like to ask you if you could just spare a moment and view this webpage. http://www.donorschoose.org/we-teach/1279173
My sister is a teacher in the Pittsburgh Public Schools and more than half of her class speak English as a second language. These families came to America looking for more opportunity and my sister is trying to make this classroom a home away from home for these children who do not have much. Supplies are not cheap and she is trying, through donorschoose.org, to raise money for some classroom supplies. This week, each donation will be doubled when the code word, BLOOM, is entered into the code box. Whatever people donate, the amount will be doubled by a generous donation. If you can not donate, please share the link through Twitter or Facebook. Thank you for your time and I am appreciative of you being a reader and my sister and I will be extremely grateful for whatever you can do to help the cause. Thank you!

Pens face off against Stars.

Happy Leap Day to you all!

An extra day of the year, and what better way to celebrate this extra day than with a Pens game?

The Pens are in Dallas tonight to take on the Stars. The team that Matt Niskanen and James Neal came from in a trade last season for Alex Goligoski. Well, the trade has payed off for both teams, but Niskanen says it will be really weird playing in Dallas for the first time since the trade and that he wants to prove to his former team what they're missing.

Niskanen, and the rest of the Pens for that matter, should be prepared to face a team that has won 4 straight games including a great game against the Vancouver Canucks a short time ago. The Stars are in the eighth place in the Western Conference, but are only a few points behind their Pacific division leader. If they reach their division leader, the Phoenix Coyotes, they could jump all the way up to one of the top spots in their Conference. They are a team on a mission, just as the Pens are and the Pens better come out tonight ready to complete their mission of reaching the Rangers and ready to battle against the Stars who will be playing their best to reach their goal.
It's the last stretch of the season and most teams are focused on reaching certain goals and the teams completely out of the playoff spots like to play spoiler, so the Pens will need to stay determined and focused and continue to play a strong team game if they want to catch up to the Rangers.
The Pens will need to fire a good amount of shots on net tonight to beat the Stars' goaltender, Kari Lehtonen, who has been playing great between the pipes as of late. The Pens should stick to their game in tonight's matchup and this can be a very good game.

Weekend News.

Happy Hockey Day in America!

Amidst the trades that are taking place before the trade deadline on February 27th, it was announced today that James Neal has signed a 6 year contract extension with the Pens. This makes Neal a Penguin through the 2017-18 season with an average price about $5 million a year. Great news with this signing as we have all seen the positive effects of having Neal in the lineup and on a line with Malkin this season. I'm happy to see that Neal will be a Penguin for a while!

In yesterday's game, Jordan Staal was assessed a boarding penalty and it was announced after the game that Staal had been fined the maximum amount allowed, $2,500, for the hit against the Flyers' Braydon Coburn.

Yesterday's game was a different game to say the least. Missed calls and penalties that were questionable. Things that do not happen all the time that were a welcome sight: Matt Cooke scoring two goals and the Pens scoring two short-handed goals, one while down two players while the Flyers were on a 5-on-3. It was a game that was filled with excitement, which is guaranteed with a Pens-Flyers game. The Pens beat the Flyers for the first time this season with a final score of 6-4.

Now we are moving on quickly from the Flyers game and are moving right into an early afternoon game in Buffalo against the Sabres.
The Sabres are desperate for a win as they have lost the past 4 games and are currently sitting in the last spot in the Eastern Conference. They are not particularly strong in any one area this season. Their offense and defense do not have much to brag about and their power play and penalty kill are not much to brag about either. While Ryan Miller is one of my favorite goalies around the league, he is not having his best season, in fact, it is his worst season statistically of his career with a 16-17-4 record and a 2.82 goals-against average and .906 save percentage.
Those numbers and statistics certainly show that the Sabres are having a tough season, but it shows that they are a desperate team and a team not to be taken lightly this afternoon. The Pens need to continue to play a strong game and make another great weekend, a great Hockey Weekend Across America.

Eventful All Star Weekend.

The Pens had three players attending the festivitites and partaking in the All Star game this past weekend, James Neal, Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin. Though, it was not any of these three players who sparked the most questions and attention this weekend. That honor went to our captain, Sidney Crosby.

It was announced this weekend that Crosby had a neck injury that went undiagnosed along with his concussion. When Crosby was in Los Angeles and seeing Dr. Robert Bray, a neurological spine specialist, he was diagnosed with a neck injury and concussion. Dr. Bray reported the neck is fully healed, however. Now, Crosby will be evaluated and the latest findings will be evaluated further by independent specialists taking place this week.

Some blame and disbelief have been cast towards the Pens' doctors for missing the injury with all the tests Crosby had gone through, but I will not speculate on the details of the story or cast blame because I am not close enough to the situation nor do I know all the details. Also, it was reported that Tom Brady, quarterback for the New England Patriots, was talking to Crosby on the phone when Brady's wife, Gisele Bundchen, also got on the phone to recommend a doctor of Brady's in Utah that Crosby should visit. What a strange thing, at least in my mind. I had no idea the two were friends, but again, who knows what the whole story is.
As long as Crosby is on the way to better health, then that is all that matters. No use really specualting on anything else.


Now, on to the All Star Game festivities from this past weekend. It's not necessarily must-watch tv for hockey fans, but it can be somewhat entertaining to watch. I always find something to laugh about and there's usually always a record being made with Zdeno Chara in attendance. He keeps breaking his own record for fastest shot and this year he had an amazing 108.8 mph shot. Wow.
As for me, I was a fan of Corey Perry's shootout antics over Patrick Kane's, but the fans voted Kane as the winner.
Team Chara won the All Star game with a score of 12-9 over Team Alfreddson, making our Malkin the victor of the game and Marion Gaborik of the New York Rangers won MVP title with his hat trick and assist.

And as for Alexander Ovechkin not being in attendance... I didn't even notice his absence.

Odds and ends.

I know it's old news and I am quite tired of hearing about it myself, but the Tim Thomas skipping the White House visit is a topic I have had varying views on.
First, I did not care that Thomas decided to skip the event and when I read Thomas' statement on why he skipped the White House visit, I still didn't have that much of an opinion on it. He's allowed to think whatever he wants about the government and express it in different forms as well. I accepted that he chose to express it by skipping the event. Would I have done the same thing? No. Now, Thomas explained his reasoning saying, "I believe the federal government has grown out of control, threatening the rights, liberties, and property of the people," Thomas wrote on his Facebook page. He continued, saying, "This was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country," he said in the statement, adding he did not plan to speak further about his decision.
Now, I may agree with Thomas' views or not, but I would have attended the event, but that is just a difference of responsibility and judgement.
I wasn't all that affected until I heard Steve Mears discussing his view on the matter, in which he felt it was wrong for Thomas to not attend and that the event was a celebration of the Bruins' Stanley Cup win. Mears also stated that he does not think every other player there, or any player who has ever visited the White House in the past, agrees or has agreed with the government, but that is not the point of the visit anyways.
I agree with Mears and think that in this case, it would have been a way to celebrate a Stanley Cup win with your team. I understand Thomas' views, but I don't think the reasons were enough to pull out of this particular event.

Next subject: I recently read a feature from Ryan Lambert on Yahoo Sports saying that people should feel sorry for any team trying to win the Eastern Conference. Well, that is the boat we are in. Lambert stated that the Western Conference has it's great teams a few good ones and maybe some mediocre ones and some really bad ones. They have some teams that are clearly going to make it into the playoffs.
On the other hand, the Eastern Conference, he says, is less clear. Yes, we have our share of bad teams and some mediocre ones, but he says we have a number of great teams and good teams that are all capable of winning the Eastern Conference. The Eastern Conference always does have an exciting battle at the end of the season to see who will make it into the playoffs and who could win the Conference as well. The West has some battling for spots up until the end as well, but the East does seem to keep fans guessing on who will make it out with the most points and tie breakers to lead the East.
This season is no different and the streaks and ups and downs of teams will surely leave many things to guessing up until the very end, probably in both conferences. That's part of what makes hockey exciting, you just never know what will happen, so stay tuned.


Now, on to the next subject: Tonight, be sure not to miss the "draft" for the All Star game this upcoming weekend. The Pens now have three players attending, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and James Neal.

Why the NHL All Star Game does NOT need Alex Ovechkin.

As a Pens fan, I have a general dislike towards Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, it seems to come naturally. Does that mean that I am one of the people who say he is a horrible player and a horrible person? No. I would say he is a horrible rapper and guest in a 'rap' video from what I have seen on Youtube, but that is a different matter entirely.

There is no doubt that Alex Ovechkin is a great talent and an asset to the NHL at most times with the skill and attention he brings to the game of hockey. However, I do not believe that the NHL needs Ovechkin to attend this weekend's All Star Game. Ryan Kennedy, of the Hockey News seems to think differently. http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/44395-Kennedy-NHL-needs-Ovechkin-at-AllStar-Game.html


When Ovechkin was handed a 3- game suspension for a hit he delivered on Zbynek Michalek in a loss to the Pens, he decided that he did not deserve to be attending the All Star Game and that his heart was not in it. To me, this sounds like a player who is upset about a suspension and is acting a little childish. His excuse of saying he does not 'deserve' to attend because he is suspended seems like a great excuse to take a little vacation and sit and lick his own wounds, that he created himself. The NHL said he was still welcome to the NHL All Star Game when he was suspended and there is no doubt about that. The NHL knows that Sidney Crosby, arguably the league's best player, is out and they think they need Ovechkin to attend to salvage some of the viewers that they struggle to maintain for the event anyways.

Though, I do not think that is necessarily true. Ovechkin also said that his decision not to attend was based on the fact that he did not want to be a distraction with his suspension. No doubt his suspension would be a topic of conversation while at the event and is that really the kind of attention we want the NHL to be getting? 'NHL's top player receives suspension for hit to the head.'
I believe the NHL has a number of other players it can work on promoting rather than Alex Ovechkin. Also, we are aware that Ovechkin is not even having that great of a season. He is on pace to amass his lowest point total of his career this season and some hits he has been delivering have been questioned. Therefore, all the more reason to promote other players who are playing better hockey than Ovechkin for the All Star Game.

Evgeni Malkin, the best player in the league right now will be attending the All Star Game and is enough to promote the game. Though, as it turns out, the league has some other great talent, besides Ovechkin, Crosby and Malkin. It is up to the league to showcase other talents. Some superb goaltenders will be attending the All Star Game as well as some potent scorers. As much as it pains me to say it, the Flyers have some players attending that are playing well, not to mention Steven Stamkos and his league-leading 32 goals. James Neal, of the Pens, who will be taking Ovechkin's spot, has been on fire playing alongside Malkin. The list can go on and on.

Ovechkin currently sits at the 41st spot in scoring in the league and is suspended and he is the player we NEED at our All Star Game? If that's the player we need at our All Star Game, then I think we have bigger problems than Ovechkin not attending. Seems like the NHL needs to do a better job of promoting other players.

The All Star Game itself is not much of a must-see event and is not great with the ratings, but I don't think Ovechkin would help all that much if he would be attending. The problem is not the players attending and not attending so much, the bigger problem might just be the event itself. That is a whole other topic and issue though.

The NHL does not need Alex Ovechkin to attend the All Star Game. The NHL may not realize its own talents and personalities present within, but I do. I will watch the 2012 All Star Game and see the talent the NHL does have without some star players in attendance. I will see great skill and amazing talent and I won't be watching Alex Ovechkin.

Game night: Pens vs. the Blues.

Before I discuss tonight's game against the St. Louis Blues, I forgot to mention some good news in my post yesterday. Dan Bylsma and Marc Andre Fleury are being recognized for their contribution to hockey and the Pens in the year of 2011 as Dapper Dan Sportsmen of the Year. They surely had a hand in making an injured team reach the playoffs last season and are still a major part of the team this season as well.

Also, soon after my blog post was written, some more good news came out of the NHL. It was announced that Alexander Ovechkin was suspended for 3 games for his hit on Pens' player Zbynek Michalek. He left the ice and targeted Michalek's head in the hit. On the other hand, Michalek, who also had a hearing with the league yesterday, was not given a punihsment from the league for his hit from the same game.
It's good to see Ovechkin get a suspension for a hit that would suspend any other player, because he did not receive a penalty for the hit during the game. This is Ovechkin's third suspension in his career and if he continues to play the way he does, it certainly won't be his last. There is no denying that Ovechkin is a talented player and when he is on his game, it is something to see most nights, but if he continues to think he can take any hit that he wants and play that style of hockey, he will surely see those suspension lengthen. At least we could hope that would be the case and that he would not receive any special treatment because of who he is. Hopefully this suspension sends a message.
It may have sparked something inside Ovechkin. It was announced today that he will not be participating in the All Star Game this upcoming weekend. Ovechkin stated that he did not feel deserving to attend the All Star game because of his suspension and that his "heart is not there." I think I know someone who should replace him, a very deserving player from the Pens lineup, goes by the last name of... Neal.


Now, on to tonight's game against the St. Louis Blues. Despite having a slow start to the season that prompted a coach change, the Blues are one of the top teams in the NHL at the moment. They have been receiving some great goaltending and have been winning a lot of hockey games. It says something that their 3-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings last night was their first regulation loss in January. They have gone 8-1-1 in this month and are a stellar 13-0-2 in their last 15 home games.
Ok, they have a lot of good stats to look at, but we won't let those numbers and facts get in the way of what we have to do. The Pens have been playing very well against some good hockey teams and they will have to approach this game with just as much effort and determination.

The Blues have a strong lineup that consists of a number of players that chip in and do their part, with no real stand-outs, well, no Evgeni Malkin at least. They have a strong group of players who play well together. While the Pens have been a one-line team most recently for scoring, we are certainly capable of having more memebers of the team chip in and we may need to see that tonight against the Blues. The Pens would love to see their win streak continue going into the All Star break tonight and we all know... 7 is better than 6.

Good news all around.

Much like the recent weather we have been experiencing, the Pens have had some ups and downs recently as well. We know of the 6-game losing streak and the injuries, but now Pens fans are smiling a lot more these days. Starting with the thrilling overtime winning game against the Washington Capitals yesterday. Are there really any other words to describe Evgeni Malkin at this point in time besides spectacular, amazing, and jaw-dropping? Pretty much any synonym for any of these words would suffice as well, of course. Malkin, it seems, is determined to change the direction and outcome of a game with each shift he takes and things have been going in his favor lately. So much so that the NHL announced today that Malkin was the NHL's first star of the past week.

The good things are not just coming from Evgeni Malkin either. His linemates, Chris Kunitz and James Neal are reaping the benefits as well. Neal is having a spectacular season playing with Malkin and Kunitz and on that line, the goals seem to be adding up for him. It's a shame he is not on the All- Star game roster, he really should be.

Though, speaking of the All-Star game roster, another name we are quite familiar with was added to the lineup it was announced today. Kris Letang was added to the roster for the All-Star game taking place this weekend in Ottawa. Letang himself has been playing well after coming back from missing some time with a concussion. In 25 games, he has 23 points with 5 goals.

With Malkin and Neal playing as well as they are and the Pens winning 6 games in a row, it's a great time to be a Pens fan, not that there isn't much of a bad time to be a Pens fan though.
After losing 6 straight, the Pens have turned it around and are beginning to make the climb through the division and therefore, the conference standings as well. Tomorrow night the Pens face the St. Louis Blues who have had some stellar goaltending this year and are a team that has surprised some with how well they are doing. We'll see tomorrow what the game brings because the truth is, you never know what to expect from a game and with the way Malkin is playing, who knows what he will come up with next to top himself. Be sure to not miss it!