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!

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 host Coyotes tonight.

A month ago, the Phoenix Coyotes were out of a playoff spot, a good four spots down from the playoff cutoff in fact. Then, the month of February happened to be a great month for the Coyotes. They went on a 11-0-1 roll and rolled right into 3rd spot in the Western Conference as a result. Most recently though, they have lost their past two games with one of the losses coming from last-place Columbus. Therefore, the Coyotes are looking to get back into the winning groove and they will certainly be looking to turn things around tonight in Pittsburgh. The Pens will surely be looking to keep their current winning streak going as well, but it may not be easy against the Coyotes. When the Coyotes are playing their best hockey, they have some great offense and are strong with special play and to top it off, they are strong in net with Mike Smith also.

The Pens have been strong as of late and they need to continue to play at that pace and work together and work well on the special teams as they have been recently. Tyler Kennedy, who has been recovering from a high ankle sprain is a game-time decision for tonight's game. Deryk Engelland will be out of tonight's lineup with an upper-body injury. Brian Strait was called up from the Baby Pens to take Engelland's spot in the lineup.
There has been no official update on Kris Letang and his concussion-like symptoms. Brent Johnson continues to ail from his upper-body injury, but it is not expected to be a long-term recovery.

Injury updates and more.

Last night's win against the Dallas Stars was an exciting one, as it took 4 rounds in the shootout to determine the winner and the Pens came out victorious, 4-3. The game had some back and forth scoring as well as some fast goals and the physical component of hockey surely was not missing in last night's game. However, that win and those two points came at a price. Kris Letang and Steve Sullivan both left the game last night due to injuries.

Coach Dan Bylsma said today that Kris Letang is experiencing concussion-like symptoms after his hit with Stars' Eric Nystrom. Letang will be further evaluated back in Pittsburgh once the current road trip has wrapped up. Nystrom will not face supplemental discipline for the hit.
Steve Sullivan is reportedly day-to-day with the lower-body injury he sustained in last night's win.

Tyler Kennedy practiced with the team yesterday with some contact, but there is no timetable for his return from a high ankle sprain.

It was announced this afternoon that the Pens have signed forward Adam Payerl to a three-year entry-level contract that will begin with the 2012-13 season. Payerl, 20, is currently in his third season with the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League. Payerl is setting career highs this season: In 57 regular-season contests this year he has 20 goals and 44 points.

Matinee feature against the New Jersey Devils.

The Pens got back on a winning track yesterday with their 2-1 win over the Boston Bruins. Fleury was strong in net against the Bruins and the Pens played a strong game.

Now, we must play another strong game today against the New Jersey Devils in New Jersey. If today's game is anything like New Jersey's game yesterday against the Flyers, then we will need to be strong in net again. The Devils beat the Flyers 6-4 yesterday. The Devils were sputtering just before the All Star break but have not lost since coming back to play afterwards. In their past 11 games, they are 7-3-1. The Devils have recently put together Ilya Kovalchuk, Patrik Elias, and Zach Parise together on one line and the results have been pretty good. They are putting up some good numbers and are a line that needs to be contained best as possible.

Overall, the Pens will need to play a strong game and be responsible defensively against this offensive team as well as getting enough shots on net to get past Martin Brodeur.


Yesterday I mentioned Cal O'Reilly making his debut in the Pens' lineup and yesterday he had a promising debut on a line with Tyler Kennedy and Steve Sullivan. He had a shot on net in his nearly 14 minutes of ice time. He saw some time on the second power play unit and won 4 of 8 faceoffs, though also had one giveaway.

In yesterday's afternoon game, Brooks Orpik had a highlight reel hit against Boston's Daniel Paille, sending him flying in the air a few feet. A nice clean, good hit like that is something to see. It will surely be added to Orpik's repertoire of great hits.

Pens host Colorado tonight.

The Pens and Consol Energy Center will play host to the Colorado Avalanche tonight. The game has a 7:30 start time tonight because it's on Versus, so don't be discouraged when the game isn't starting a little after 7 and also make sure you are on the right channel! Speaking of channels, here's a little news for you...
Tyler Kennedy is a game-time decision for tonight's game and so is Steve Sullivan and we all know Crosby's status. Dustin Jeffrey has been called up from his conditioning assignment with the Baby Pens.

Colorado has the best power play in the league, so the Pens will have to bring out their top penalty-killing tonight.
If you happen to be going to the game tonight, don't forget your food items for the Score Against Hunger Food Drive, or make a cash donation.

Should be an exciting game, Let's Go Pens!

Pens host Stars tonight.

After a long break of Pens hockey, the Pens will be back at Consol Energy Center tonight hosting the Dallas Stars, the best team in the standings so far in the season.
We have been anxiously awaiting the next Pens game during this long break but we had all of the Crosby rumors of whether or not he would be returning tonight to keep us satisfied. In case you haven't heard, Crosby is not playing tonight or tomorrow night either.
It was also reported that Tyler Kennedy would be a game-time decision for tonight's game, but coach Dan Bylsma said today that Kennedy is out for tonight's game and Eric Tangradi will be in the lineup.
The Dallas Stars have had a great start to this season so far with an 11-3 start and are looking to continue a win streak. The Pens haven't had that bad of a start to the season and tonight's game will be a good test and a great game I'm sure.
Thank goodness Pens hockey is back!!

Since it's Halloween...

Happy Halloween everyone!

It was a more happy Halloween for me because I saw a picture of Geno and Sid at the Pens Halloween party and got a good laugh. If you haven't seen the picture, I am sure you can find it online pretty much anywhere by this point in time, but I am not going to post it due to various reasons. Not quite sure what Geno is from his costume, could be a few options. Sid, though, dressed as a gladiator. Good to see that he had head gear as part of the costume. We want to make sure that he is taking precautions when it comes to his concussion and we don't want any setbacks coming from a Halloween party.

As for Jordan Staal and Tyler Kennedy, they dressed as Dumb and Dumber with the blue and orange suits that are iconic from the movie. I just wonder which one was dumb and who was dumber?

Now that is a Halloween party I would really love to attend. Maybe I can work on that for next year's party. Happy Halloween!

Pens win game 6, force game 7.

The Pens knew what was on the line, knew that if they made any big mistake or small one for that matter, their season could be over. That would explain why Fleury played a spectacular game and had some assistance from Rob Scuderi who kept the puck out of the net last night as well. That would explain why Staal's line became a force last night, scoring both the goals. One from Staal and the other from Kennedy. We need the secondary scoring and we got it last night, which resulted in the 2-1 Pens win.
The Pens now move on to Detroit for game 7. The Pens have gone to a game 7 this year, in the series against the Washington Capitals, and they embarrassed the Capitals with a 6-2 victory. However, I don't think this game 7 will have the same result. No matter how much I wish it would. This is the Stanley Cup Final, game 7, where the entire prize is up for grabs. What most have waited their entire lives for, worked hard in the off season and all season long for, it comes down to this game 7. I don't think the Pens will need to be reminded of the motivation and neither does Detroit, they both know what is at stake. Should be a game to remember.

Kennedy suspended for 1 game.

Tyler Kennedy got a one game suspension for his fight against Luke Schenn in Saturday's game. Kennedy was suspended per Rule 70.2 which states: “A player who has entered the game on a legal line change... who starts an altercation may be subject to discipline ...”.

As a result of Kennedy's suspension, Luca Caputi was called up from the Baby Pens to participate in tonight's game against the Montreal Canadiens.

Pens face Nashville tonight.

Jordan Staal will be moved to wing on the top line tonight against the Nashville Predators. Staal will be with Kennedy and Crosby. Goligoski will be on the third line tonight. All these changes are of course due to injuries to Pascal Dupuis and Ruslan Fedotenko, both undisclosed injuries.
Hopefully the Pens can continue the momentum they gained from Tuesday's win into their game tonight. The Pens need to get on a better streak now that the season is already halfway over. If we complete the second half like we did the first half, the Pens will not make it to the playoffs.

Pens face Rangers tonight.

It is a recurring theme recently of the Pens, that theme is simply that the Pens need to get back on track and start winning some games! The Pens have lost the past four games. There are a number of things wrong and people are calling for drastic measures! I would just like to see a team effort, I know we are capable of winning and playing a great game and we just have to get back to those fundamentals.
There are some changes for tonight's game against the Rangers. Tyler Kennedy has been moved to the top line to join Crosby and Dupuis. Satan has moved down to the fourth line.

Pens host Sabres tonight

Coming from a frustrating loss to Ottawa, the Pens will be looking to rebound tonight against the Buffalo Sabres. The game will be on versus and air at 7:30. The Pens lost the last game against Buffalo this season, giving even more motivation to the Pens to earn a win. The last game was a comeback win for the Sabres, something the Pens have been doing quite a bit this season. However, the Pens have also been the culprit of giving up leads quite a bit as well. Something for the Pens to avoid in the future.
Hal Gill will not play tonight after suffering an undisclosed injury and Ben Lovejoy has been recalled from the Baby Pens to take his spot.
Tyler Kennedy is out 4-6 weeks and Zigomanis will not play tonight either.

Kennedy out and Zigomanis 'probable.'

Both Tyler Kennedy and Mike Zigomanis suffered undisclosed injuries in last night's game against the Rangers. It has since been determined that Kennedy will not play tonight against the Hurricanes and Zigomanis is listed as probable.
With these injuries, the Pens decided to call up Chris Minard and Janne Pesonen from the Baby Pens.

Malkin and Crosby no longer together on top unit.

http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=389299

Therrien shuffled lines in practice today following the upsetting loss to the San Jose Sharks.
Sidney Crosby will now be skating with Dupuis and Fedotenko. The second line will consist Malkin skating with Sykora and Cooke. Third line will be Tyler Kennedy-Jordan Staal-Miroslav Satan, and the fourth line :Paul Bissonnette-Mike Zigomanis-Eric Godard.
I am happy to see Malkin and Sykora back together, hopefully they can add the firepower they have had in the past. We need it!

Gill practiced with the team, but status for tomorrow night's game against the Phoenix Coyotes is still unknown.
Talbot did not practice with the team today and his status is also unknown.

Sykora to play tonight against Flyers.

Petr Sykora will be in the lineup for the first time this season tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers. He will skate on a line with Malkin and Staal.
Pascal Dupuis will rejoin Crosby on the first line, replacing Fedotenko.
With Sykora's return, Tyler Kennedy will be on the third line along with Fedotenko and Max Talbot.

Also, the Pens will debut their "classic" blue jerseys, similar to the ones worn in the Winter Classic against the Buffalo Sabres, on November 15th. A game at Mellon Arena against the Sabres. The Pens will wear the uniforms at several other home games throughout the season.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_593157.html?source=rss&feed=8

Ryan Whitney plans to start skating next month. That does not mean that his recovery is going faster than the original diagnosis. However, it may be before his worst-case scenario of not playing until January. Whitney says it is painful at the moment but looks forward to skating next month.

Pens split games in Sweden.

The first game was an exciting 4-3 overtime win that was close to a shootout. Tyler Kennedy had a great night with two goals, including the game winner in overtime. Scuderi had a great night getting a goal, and for Scuderi, that's rare.
The second game was not as exciting to watch for Pens fans, as we lost 3-1. Alex Goligoski got his first NHL goal with about a second left in the game to end Auld's bid at a shutout and it is a shame it could not have been happier for Goligoski. However, Goligoski's goal did end the Pens drought on the power play. The first two games, the Pens are just 1 for 14 on the powerplay. Now, we knew the Pens would miss Gonchar and Whitney on the power play, but I don't know if I thought it would be this bad. Is it just because we are down Gonchar and Whitney that we are doing so poorly on the power play? Well, if it is, let's hope the Pens can figure something out and work on it before the home opener this Saturday. This early in the season, I don't worry. It is the first two games, nobody expects things to be perfect. Things will get better, though we have a while before we can get this sour taste out of our mouth.

Pens win final Pre-season game against Jokerit.

The Penguins won their final pre-season game today 4-1 against Jokerit. Malkin, Fedotenko, Kennedy, and Dupuis scored for the Penguins. Dupuis had an empty-netter with 13 seconds left. Crosby added 3 assists. Jokerit's Janne Lahti scored on a penalty shot in the third after being upended by Brooks Orpik.
Fleury and Sabourin split playing time.
This means that the next game action will be Saturday, when the regular season opens against Ottawa in Sweden! I am extremely excited for this season to get underway.