NHL Realignment: Rivalries Destroyed

All over the internet Pens fans have been in an uproar with the newest proposed division realignment which apparently "has been gaining steam." We may have a grudge against the new plan because we would be seeing much less of that other team from the other side of the state. The Pens and Flyers would meet only two times each season under the new realignment plan as the teams would be split up into two separate divisions. After the jump we will take a look at the proposed format and provide some thoughts on this plan. 

GameDay Game #9: Penguins v. Canadians

The Montreal Canadians come to town tonight with the puck set to drop at 7:00 PM. The Penguins welcome back Brooks Orpik to the lineup, and it couldn't come at a better time. The Penguins have been battling injuries and a suspension through the first eight games of the season, so anyone who can be inserted back into the lineup is a welcomed addition.

Pittsburgh Penguins (4-2-2) vs. Montreal Canadians (1-3-1)

7:00 PM CONSOL Energy Center

Watch: Root Sports Pittsburgh

Listen: Penguins 24/7 Radio, 105.9 FM

This is Who We Are: Pens Win 4-2

Facing the possibility of going winless in four games, on the road, and on back-to-back nights, the Penguins pulled out a gritty performance on route to their fourth win of the season. Their backs were against the wall because of injuries and a suspension, but the Penguins did what they've been doing for the past year. They dug deep and found a way to win. 

Penguins 4 - Wild 2

GameDay Game #8: Penguins @ Wild

Before you read this post look at your calendar and notice what month it is. Yes, it is still october. A three game losing streak would not be the end of the world. The Pens are dealing with another long list of injuries and will be without Kris Letang who is suspended for two games. 

Pittsburgh Penguins (3-2-2) @ Minnesota Wild (2-1-1)

7:30 PM Xcel Energy Center

Watch: Versus, ROOT Sports

Listen: Penguins 24/7 Radio, 105.9 FM

Letang Grounded for Two Games.

Kris Letang went into Grandpa Shanahan's Corner and the verdict is that Letang will be grounded for two games with no video games.


On one side you have the fact that you want the game to be cleaner and safer, on the other hand, you want players who are about to take on contact to be a bit responsible. 


The result is fine as long as Grandpa Shanny makes these decisions consistently, which of course will not happen because this is the NHL. 


Shanny says that Letang was never playing the puck, Burmistrov's path was predictable, that he made no sudden moves, and Letang didn't minimize the impact of the check. Letang was also fined for a similar infraction before, so this verdict coming out of Shanahan's Corner means he is a repeat offender.

Penguins Lose 2-1

Jets 2 - Penguins 1

The Jets scored only seconds into the first period. Then they took a 2-0 lead before the period ended.

The Penguins struck just before the end of the second period to pull within a goal when Zbynek Michalek found the back of the net off of an offensive zone face-off.. However, they could not beat Pavelec to tie the game.

This was by far the worst game the Penguins had played all year. The Pens haven't scored a power play goal in while. This was the type of game where the power play could have helped, and it is the type of game that the Pens need the power play to help.  

Pens are injured and it is starting to feel as if this team is hitting a wall while playing with out Malkin and Crosby. 

They need to pull through that tonight, losing three games in a row is a losing streak. 

GameDay Game #7: Penguins at Jets

No we didn't just travel back to the mid-90s. It is still the year 2011 and the Pittsburgh Penguins are in Winnipeg to take on the Jets tonight. The Penguins haven't played in Winnipeg since February 16, 1996 when Jaromir Jagr scored the only goal of game, and Tom Barrasso stopped all 32 shots. The scene in Winnipeg has been great, and the Pens face a very loud crowd.

Pittsburgh Penguins (3-1-2) @ Winnipeg Jets (0-3-0)

8:30 PM MTS Centre

Watch: ROOT Sports

Listen: Penguins 24/7 Radio, 105.9 FM

Whatever: Pens lose 3-2

The first lost of the season sucks. Don't feel like blogging about it. 

Sabres 3 - Penguins 2

Sabres scored two first period goals. Luke Adam is on another planet right now. 

James Neal scored his league leading 5th goal in the second.

Sabres scored again in the third.

Staal scored and pulled the Pens within one. Pens couldn't score. Game

First loss of the season. No big deal. 

Neal is still scoring goals. That's a good thing. 

Still need more from Staal and TK. 

Wish Geno would be healthy.

Pens go to Winnipeg on Monday. 

GameDay Game #6: Pens v. Sabres

The Penguins get no breaks from the NHL schedule makers as the rejuvenated Buffalo Sabres come to town for a Saturday night matchup inside the CONSOL Energy Center. The Sabres are coming off of a 4-3 loss Friday night against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Penguins are coming off of a 3-2 overtime loss to the Capitals Thursday night. 


The Sabres are 2-1-0 on the season and sit in 6th place in the Eastern Conference.


The Penguins have swept the 2010-11 regular season and have won 6 straight against the Sabres dating back to February 1, 2010. 

Pittsburgh Penguins (3-0-2) vs. Buffalo Sabres (2-1-0)

CONSOL Energy Center 7:00 PM

Watch: ROOT Sports

Listen: Penguins 24/7 Radio, 105.9 FM

Just One of Those Games: Pens Lose 3-2 (OT)

First of all, it's still October, and Sidney Crosby and Brooks Orpik are still not in the Pens line up. Second of all, it's still October and the power play scored a huge third period goal to tie the game and secure a point. Third of all, it's still October and the Pens have yet to lose in regulation, which means they have secured a point in all five games they have played. Finally, the Pens outshot the Capitals 41-19. You can take it to the bank that if the Pens play the way they did in 4 out of 7 games of a playoff series, Alexander Ovechkin and the Capitals are on the wrong side of the handshake line once again. They didn't win last night, but they still played some good hockey. There is no need to any type of panic. 

Capitals 3 - Penguins 2 (OT)

Asham KO's Beagle

Arron Asham knocked out Jay Beagle in a third period fight in last night's tilt against the Capitals. While many have criticized Asham for this post-fight celebration, he owned up to the gesture during his post game comments. 


The criticism given to Asham is unwarranted and unjustified. Asham is not that type of player, and clearly was caught in the heat of the moment. Beagle decided to take a fight against an opponent who clearly outmatched him and paid for it after getting in a few of his own shots.


That is hockey, and fighting is part of hockey. Let's not turn the NHL into the NFL, where players can't even raise their arms after a big play or they are flagged for excessive celebration. 




The Pens need players like Asham for when other teams take runs at our stars. With Sid on the verge of returning teams need to know they will have to answer the bell when they cross the line with one of our stars.


Beagle got into it with Letang and then he had to answer the bell against Asham. That is how hockey works. He got knocked out. Capitals fans will cry all season long. 

Let the Hate Begin: GameDay Game #5: Pens v. Capitals

Just when you thought you could buckle down and get into a groove for this 2011-12 season, you wake up pull up the calendar on your phone, and notice the Washington Capitals blocked out for 7 PM. Your blood begins to boil, and you suddenly become angry. Welcome the hate, it's a good thing. The rivalry will be renewed at the CONSOL Energy Center tonight, for the first of four regular season games between the Penguins and Capitals.

Pittsburgh Penguins (3-0-1) vs. Washington Capitals (2-0-0)

7:00 PM CONSOL Energy Center

Watch: ROOT Sports, NHL Network

Listen: Penguins 24/7 Radio, 105.9

Pens & Caps Teams up to Support Lokomotiv Family Members

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals will set aside their differences at least for a few minutes before the puck drops tonight at the CONSOL Energy Center in order to raise money for surviving family members of KHL Lokomotiv Yaroslavl players who perishes in a plane crash on September 7. 


The Penguins and Capitals will wear commemorative patches on their jerseys during tonights game and the jerseys will be auctioned off on NHL.com, with all proceeds going to the Lokomotiv families.

The Penguins' wives and girlfriends will be selling remembrance bracelets at tonights game.

Evgeni Malkin as been the driving force behind this event, and it shows what type of person Geno is. 

You can donate or buy bracelets here.

Pens Extend Kunitz for 2 Years

The Penguins have extended Chris Kunitz through the 2013-14 season and will pay him an average of $3.725 million each year. 


As one of the only wingers who can consistently skate on Sidney Crosby's wing, the contract extension has to be welcomed as the Pens will retain some chemistry on their top line. 

Sidney Crosby Cleared for Contact

Penguins captain has taken the next step in his recovery from a concussion suffered nine months ago during the 2011 Winter Classic. This is a huge step in getting back on the ice for the Penguins.


Sid hasn't suffered any setbacks since participating in practices with the Pens since training camp started. 


Full contact and possibly even getting into the lineup in the near future had to be on the radar of Pens' management as Sid was placed on the injured reserve list and not the long term injured reserve list. 

Flyers Fans Support Cancer?

Just when you think Philadelphia can't go any lower, they somehow manage to do exactly that. During their home opener against the Canucks the fans inside the Wells Fargo Center booed the NHL Hockey Fights Cancer Commercial. 


Of course it was because Sidney Crosby was featured in the video. 


We understand the man-crush that Flyers fans have on Sid, and how they have to hide their true feelings by booing him, but why do it in a video that is trying to raise money for cancer?


Because it's Philadelphia, and the fans have no souls.


Here is the link from Puck Daddy

New Season Same Outcome: Pens Win 4-2

Pens fans thought we'd have some relief on the injury bug when the Pens started season, but that is not how the cards were dealt. With Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Brooks Orpik all out of the lineup, the Penguins continue to fine ways to put victories into the win column.  The Pen's moved 3-0-1 and have taken 7 of 8 possible points to start the season with their first win in a home opener at the CONSOL Energy center. 

Penguins 4-Panthers 2

The Penguins would win this game just like they did last season when their two superstars weren't in the lineup. With strong defensive play and great penalty killing effort.


The penalty killing unit is perfect through four games killing off all 16 penalties. 


Pascal Dupuis opened the scoring at 14:57 of the first period on a goal that was assisted by Joe Vitale and Kris Letang.


Matt Cooke gave the Pens a two goal cushion off a pass from Joe Vitale, who had two assists in the game, and is proving that he is a more that suitable replacement for Max Talbot.


Marcel Goc would pull the panthers back within a goal at 12:06 of the second, scored by Marcel Goc.


Richard Park would score his first goal back as a Penguin shorthanded at 15:21 of the second period. Park's first ever goal as a Penguin also came as a shorthanded tally.


The Panthers would strike early in the third to pull within a goal, when Tomas Fleischmann scored at 3:16 into the period, and it looked like the Penguins third period woes would continue.


That was until James Neal stuffed home a loose puck at 6:39 to regain the Pens' two goal lead.


The Pens would hold onto that lead until the game ended and would move to 3-0-1 on the season.


POFA's Notes
Joe Vitale has been playing some great hockey, and likely has solidified his place in the lineup for the time being. He has been the go-to guy in face-offs and has been routinely clicking near 60% on his draws.


Kris Letang is already having a whale of a season. He currently leads the league in points with 6 (1G, 5A).


Matt Cooke is currently tied for the league lead in goal scoring with 6.


POFA's Play of the Game
Marc-Andre Fleury and Ben Lovejoy combine to keep the puck out of the net as it was fluttering on the goal-line.



The Penguins take on the Washington Capitals on Thursday evening at the CONSOL Energy Center.

GameDay Game #4: Home Opener Pens v. Panthers

Finally, It's a Hockey Night in Pittsburgh. After taking 5 of 6 possible points from a season opening Western Canada road-trip, the Pens return home to the friendly confines of the CONSOL Energy Center to take on the Florida Panthers. 


The Panthers have basically a completely new team after free agency this summer. Jose Theodore has somewhat owned the pens in the past and will get the start for the Panthers this evening. The Penguins swept the four game season series last year.

Pittsburgh Penguins (2-0-1) vs. Florida Panthers (1-0-0)

7:30 PM CONSOL Energy Center

Watch: ROOT Sports

Listen: Penguins 24/7 Radio, 105.9 FM

GameDay Game #3: Penguins @ Oilers

Just a quick preview of the Pens taking on the Oilers in Edmonton today. The Pens look to sweep their season opening three game road trip before coming home and playing in their home opener against the Florida Panthers Tuesday night. The Penguins will be on the other end of another team's home opener for the third night in a row.

Pittsburgh Penguins (2-0-0) @ Edmonton Oilers (0-0-0)

10:00 PM Rexall Place

Watch: ROOT Sports 

Listen: Penguins 24/7 Radio, 105.9 FM

The only likely change to the Penguins lineup is that Brent Johnson may get the nod between the pipes. Evgeni Malkin had his ice time limited due to the score of the game, and not because of injury according to Dan Bylsma. 

Edmonton's Potential Lines

Forwards

Taylor Hall-Ryan Nugent-Ales Hemsky

Ryan Smith-Eric Belanger-Jordan eberle

Magnus Paajarvi-Shawn Horcoff-Linus Omark

Darcy Hordichuk-Anton Lander-Ryan Jones

Defensemen

Theo Peckham-Ladislav Smid

Andy Sutton-Tom Gilbert

Cam Barker-Jeff Petry

Goaltender

Devan Dubnyk

Chilled in the Second: Pens win 5-3

The Pens used 4 unanswered goals from Tyler Kennedy, Matt Niskanen, Craig Adams, and Evgeni Malkin in the second period to win their second straight game to move to 2-0 to start the season. The Pens avoided a third period collapse preserving a one goal lead until Jordan Staal scored an empty net goal with only seconds remaining giving the Pens a 5-3 victory.

POFA's Three Stars
3. Jordan Staal
2. Kris Letang
1. Matt Niskanen.

Sorry for the brief recap, but today is a Yinzer holiday. Steelers during the afternoon, and the Pens with the night-cap.

Joe Vitale was really impressive last night winning 11 out of 20 face-offs.

Matt Cooke took a hit to the head that was not penalized. It was a shoulder, but if the roles were reversed Cooke would have been having face time with the NHL.

The Pens play the Oilers tonight at 9:00 PM.

GameDay Game #2: Penguins @ Flames

Pittsburgh Penguins (1-0-0) @ Calgary Flames (0-0-0)

10:00 P.M. Scotia Bank Saddledome

Watch: Root Sports Pittsburgh

Listen: Penguins Radio 24/7, 105.9 FM

Late Night Cooke-ing: Pens Win 4-3(SO)

The first win of every season feels so great, but the first win of the the season that comes on the road in Western Canada feels even better.  The Pens saw their power play score on two out of three changes, and the goals came from two guys the Pens are hoping to have a big impact on the season. We learned that Matt Cooke made a statement that he will be a contender for the Rocket Richard Trophy. Really, Matt Cooke is leading the league in scoring.

Penguins 4--Canucks 3 (2-0 SO)

Late Night Cooke-ing: Pens Win 4-3(SO)

The first win of every season feels so great. The first win of the season on the road in Western Canada feels even better. The Pens saw their power play score on two out of three chances, and those goals came from two guys the Pens were hoping to have a big impact on the season. What we learned from this game is that Matt Cooke made a statement that he will be a contender for the Rocket Richard trophy. So that may be a stretch, but he does lead the league in goal scoring.  Just saying'.

Penguins 4--Canucks 3 (2-0 SO)

GameDay Game #1: Pens at Canucks

Pittsburgh Penguins (0-0-0) @ Vancouver Canucks (0-0-0)

10:00 P.M. Rodgers Center

TV: Versus

Radio: 105.9 The X--Also streaming live on the Pens' website.