The Pens have concluded their season-opening road trip and earned 5 out of a possible 6 points. That's not too bad and I will take it. Yes, it would have been nice to see the Pens win in the shootout last night against the Oilers, but they got a point. Last night, the Pens were without Evgeni Malkin. He left the game against Calgary the night before early and sat out last night's game.
Brent Johnson looked sharp most of the game in net and then stumbled a bit in the shootout, but he played better than most back-up goalies out there.
The Pens had some chances on the power play last night that just came up short and could have been a difference maker in the game, including a 5-minute major where the Pens failed to capitalize on.
However, I am still pleased with many things from this road trip and can not wait for the Pens to be back home and have their home opener tomorrow night against the Florida Panthers. It will finally be a hockey night IN Pittsburgh tomorrow.
Short and sweet blog post, just what my best friend and blog reader asked for!
Showing posts with label Edmonton Oilers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Edmonton Oilers. Show all posts
Monday, October 10, 2011
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Pens headed to the Stanley Cup Finals again.
The Pens became the first team since the 1984 Edmonton Oilers to make it back to the Stanley Cup Finals after losing in the finals a year before, with their completion of the sweep against the Hurricanes.
Most fans knew the Pens could do it. However, when they thought that, it was either right after the final or the beginning of this season. The Pens faced a number of struggles to get to this point. The Pens looked like they would not make the Playoffs for a time this season, they fired their coach and brought in a new one and turned the season around and worked hard to earn their #4 seed in the Eastern Conference, coming up from the 10th spot. Then most people said the Pens were lucky to make the playoffs and would not make it far into the playoffs. Well, to be honest, I never really believed those people. I knew that the group of players on the Pens team were determined to change the outcome of last year's run. I knew that the Pens knew what it took to make it far into the playoffs and the hard work and sacrifice that is needed. Yes, I was nervous before each round, and I would be nervous during times in each round (Ok, not so much against the Hurricanes), but I never lost hope in my Pens and I did believe they could come out of each round and make it once again to the Finals. Sure, it's easy to say that now, once it's guaranteed with their sweep last night of the Canes, but I never would have said it earlier out loud because I am superstitious and I would not want to say one thing that can be a jinx.
The Pens overcame adversity this season: a coaching change, injuries, falling behind and a late push to make it to where they are today, and these challenges, among others, helped them achieve their current success. Yes, the Pens last season had gone through some adversity, but now this year's Pens can add some extra motivation to the list going into the Finals: The Pens never want to be in the situation they were in last season's Finals again. Just like the commercial shown earlier this season where Crosby said he never wanted to be in that picture again, a picture from last year's Finals against Detroit, the entire Pens team does not want to be in that situation. We will see if that motivation is enough to achieve their ultimate goal- raising Lord Stanley's Cup.
Most fans knew the Pens could do it. However, when they thought that, it was either right after the final or the beginning of this season. The Pens faced a number of struggles to get to this point. The Pens looked like they would not make the Playoffs for a time this season, they fired their coach and brought in a new one and turned the season around and worked hard to earn their #4 seed in the Eastern Conference, coming up from the 10th spot. Then most people said the Pens were lucky to make the playoffs and would not make it far into the playoffs. Well, to be honest, I never really believed those people. I knew that the group of players on the Pens team were determined to change the outcome of last year's run. I knew that the Pens knew what it took to make it far into the playoffs and the hard work and sacrifice that is needed. Yes, I was nervous before each round, and I would be nervous during times in each round (Ok, not so much against the Hurricanes), but I never lost hope in my Pens and I did believe they could come out of each round and make it once again to the Finals. Sure, it's easy to say that now, once it's guaranteed with their sweep last night of the Canes, but I never would have said it earlier out loud because I am superstitious and I would not want to say one thing that can be a jinx.
The Pens overcame adversity this season: a coaching change, injuries, falling behind and a late push to make it to where they are today, and these challenges, among others, helped them achieve their current success. Yes, the Pens last season had gone through some adversity, but now this year's Pens can add some extra motivation to the list going into the Finals: The Pens never want to be in the situation they were in last season's Finals again. Just like the commercial shown earlier this season where Crosby said he never wanted to be in that picture again, a picture from last year's Finals against Detroit, the entire Pens team does not want to be in that situation. We will see if that motivation is enough to achieve their ultimate goal- raising Lord Stanley's Cup.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Pens face Carolina tonight.
After a great win over the Rangers on Sunday, a 3-0 victory, the Pens will be looking to keep the balance with a game against the Hurricanes tonight. The Pens need to maintain the passion they played with against the Rangers.
Chris Minard got his first goal of the season on Sunday. Maybe number 14 is lucky for Minard. It was his first game wearing the number. He switched from his original number 32 so that newly acquired goaltender Mathieu Garon from Edmonton could wear it. The Pens traded Sabourin, Baby Pens player Ryan Stone and a draft pick in 2011 to get Garon. Garon is a veteran with more experience than Sabourin and is looking forward to his first start, whenever it may be, to get in a good game and show that he may deserve some playing time.
Talbot looks to return the first game after the All-Star break.
Dupuis will most likely return that game as well.
Orpik will not be playing tonight, missing another game.
Chris Minard got his first goal of the season on Sunday. Maybe number 14 is lucky for Minard. It was his first game wearing the number. He switched from his original number 32 so that newly acquired goaltender Mathieu Garon from Edmonton could wear it. The Pens traded Sabourin, Baby Pens player Ryan Stone and a draft pick in 2011 to get Garon. Garon is a veteran with more experience than Sabourin and is looking forward to his first start, whenever it may be, to get in a good game and show that he may deserve some playing time.
Talbot looks to return the first game after the All-Star break.
Dupuis will most likely return that game as well.
Orpik will not be playing tonight, missing another game.
Monday, November 10, 2008
"We Won, but..."
The Pens have been giving up leads a lot this season but none after building a 5-0 advantage. Though it came close to happening Thursday night against the Oilers. The Pens built a 5-0 lead and it looked like smooth sailing ahead. However, the Pens possibly got a little too comfortable with that much of a lead because the Oilers fought back with 4 goals.
Luckily, the Pens were able to hold the Oilers off from getting that 5th tying goal, but the Pens learned once again this season the lesson of protecting a lead by sticking to what you were previously doing. Who knows how many more times the Pens will let leads slip by this season, but they sure have had enough games to learn from their mistakes.
Luckily, the Pens were able to hold the Oilers off from getting that 5th tying goal, but the Pens learned once again this season the lesson of protecting a lead by sticking to what you were previously doing. Who knows how many more times the Pens will let leads slip by this season, but they sure have had enough games to learn from their mistakes.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Pens vs. Oilers.
Dupuis will be back in the lineup tonight and is expected to be on the second line along with Malkin and Sykora.
The game starts at 7 tonight.
The Oilers have been struggling on the Penalty kill this season and the Pens should try to take advantage of that. However, Edmonton knows they have been doing poorly and have been working on it!
Michel Therrien had a response to the comments Washington Capital Alexander Semin made about Sidney Crosby last week. You know, the comments that started with "What's so special about him [Crosby]?"
"Is he talking about the youngest guy to get 100 points in the history of the National Hockey League? Is he talking about the youngest guy to win the Hart Trophy and lead the league in scoring? Is he talking about the youngest captain in the National Hockey League to bring his team to the Stanley Cup Final? That’s all I have to say.”
Well said Therrien!
The game starts at 7 tonight.
The Oilers have been struggling on the Penalty kill this season and the Pens should try to take advantage of that. However, Edmonton knows they have been doing poorly and have been working on it!
Michel Therrien had a response to the comments Washington Capital Alexander Semin made about Sidney Crosby last week. You know, the comments that started with "What's so special about him [Crosby]?"
"Is he talking about the youngest guy to get 100 points in the history of the National Hockey League? Is he talking about the youngest guy to win the Hart Trophy and lead the league in scoring? Is he talking about the youngest captain in the National Hockey League to bring his team to the Stanley Cup Final? That’s all I have to say.”
Well said Therrien!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Pens win in St. Louis!
The Pens' road trip ended on a high note with a 6-3 win over the St. Louis Blues. The road trip all together, however, was not a high note for the Pens. With 3 straight losses and all coming in bad fashion with letting go of leads, poor offense, and low shot totals, the Pens needed a pick-me-up. They got one with a high scoring exciting game against the St. Louis Blues.
Jordan Staal got his first goal of the season, an empty-netter. All thanks to Malkin. Maybe we can see an outburst of scoring from Staal now that he remembers what it feels like!
Hopefully, this winning trend for the Pens will continue even with a 4 day break. The next game is home against the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.
Jordan Staal got his first goal of the season, an empty-netter. All thanks to Malkin. Maybe we can see an outburst of scoring from Staal now that he remembers what it feels like!
Hopefully, this winning trend for the Pens will continue even with a 4 day break. The next game is home against the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.
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