It's Been A Good Ride

Well everyone it's been a good ride, but I'm working with a few other writers to created a new and groundbreaking project. Look for it in a few days or so.

http://interskate76.blogspot.com/

Thanks

CONSOL Needs to Become Our Home

Until two seasons ago, many of us made the journey to one familiar building for numerous events. Whether it was for a WWE show, Sesame Street Live, one of the many musicians who've played there, every time you entered that building it felt like home. It felt like you belonged. If felt like you would defend its walls with whatever means were necessary. It was a building that saw legends skate up and down its ice sheet. It was where Mario Lemieux and then Sidney Crosby dazzled 17,000 fans. It was where you saw your first circus, your first concert, and most importantly your first hockey game. The Civic Arena, and then Mellon Arena, and its silver-domed roof was as a major part of your life as your life was a major part of it. Our old friend may be a pile of rubble, but we haven't changed. We are still the same people who've watched playoff hockey inside of a building that felt like our second home. 

We've Reached an New Low

Being down three games to none in a first round series to your most hated rivals in the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs brings out the worst in all of us from the players, to the management, and to the fans. It's expected, and to a point is perfectly reasonable. Meltdowns happen in sports, and it's a part of life. However, the way some of us fans have acted getting to this point has been a complete and utter disgrace to the game of hockey.

Keep The Faith: Pens-Flyers Game 2

On Wednesday night, we were all sent down to the deepest level of depression that we've been in a while. That feeling no doubt carried over into Thursday as you woke up for work or whatever you had to do. It was feeling very similar to that of losing your dog. Kind of felt like you've had your heart ripped out. Welcome to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  Guess what? That was only game one, and it's better than happening in game two.

The Pens came out looking like the best team in hockey for twenty minutes.  They looked as if there wasn't a team on the planet that could beat them in a seven game series.

What happened next give every Pens fan the right to be pissed, the right to question this teams heart, and the right to expect more.

They didn't lose because they got beat while playing their best hockey.  No, they lost because they thought they had the game won after 20 minutes of playing.  They let the lead go to their heads, and it cost them.

Turnovers, lackadaisical passing, and a sense of privilege cost them game 1. Paul Martin begin afraid to take a hit to make a play, pinching deep in the offensive zone and not getting back to position, killed them. The defense not moving the puck up and out, killed them. The forwards no tracking back to the net on the back check, killed them.

That is not Pittsburgh Penguins hockey, and that has to anger everyone, at least a little bit.

This Philadelphia Flyers team is not better than the Penguins. They are a team that has jumped on every mistake every team has made this year, and they did it Wednesday night.

Thankfully it was game one. Thankfully they get a second chance. Now they just have to take it.

Structurally the Pens were awful in the last forty minutes of play, and the matchup game cost them. Dan Bylsma has got to stop being afraid to put Sidney Crosby on the ice against the Flyers top line. He's done this in the past few years during the playoffs, and it's cost them games. We may not have had the two best players in the lineup, but we've had a line up that is hungry for a win if he lets them play.

This is a must win for the Penguins tonight. Can't say it any other way. Would be tough for them to take four of six from a team that they have struggled with all year.

Say Your Prayers

Hail Mario, full of goals, 

The Pens fans are with Thee,

Please bless us now with good bounces and goals,

And lead the Penguins to victory.

The Commonwealth Cold War: Pens vs. Flyers

Come April there are playoff series, and then there are wars. These wars take fans to the deepest pits of hate known to mankind. When the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers square off in the Eastern Conference Quarter Finals, both camps will have this level of hate. These series will make you question your purpose in life and possibly make you despise even the closest people in your life. During the next two weeks expect to become filled with hate, expect to become very unpleasant, and expect the unexpected. This series has it all. It's between arguably the most heated rivalry going in the NHL, it has high caliber star-talent, and it has a story line that began on July 1, 2011. Both teams have a legitimate shot to represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals, must survive this first round battle in order to do so.

Welcome to the Commonwealth Cold War

Game 1: At Pittsburgh April 11 7:30PM EDT-ROOT Sports, NBCSN

Game 2: At Pittsburgh April 13 7:30PM EDT-ROOT Sports, NBCSN

Game 3: At Philadelphia April 15 3:00PM EDT-NBC

Game 4: At Philadelphia Apri 18 7:30PM EDT-ROOT Sports, NBCSN

Game 5: At Pittsburgh April 20 7:30PM EDT-ROOT Sports, NBCSN

*Game 6: At Philadelphia TBD

*Game 7: At Pittsburgh TBD

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Preview: Florida Panthers vs. New Jersey Devils

The Florida Panthers enter the postseason as the winners of the Southeast Division and the New Jersey Devils are the sixth seed. Could the rats make a return?

#3 Florida Panthers vs. #6 New Jersey Devils

Game 1: At Florida April 13 7:00PM EDT-NHLN

Game 2: At Florida April 15 7:30PN EDT-NBCSN

Game 3: At New Jersey April 17 7:00PM EDT-NHLN

Game 4: At New Jersey April 19 7:00PM EDT-NHLN

*Game 5: At Florida April 21 6:30PM EDT-NHLN

*Game 6: At NJD-TBD

*Game 7: At Florida-TBD

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Preview: Boston Bruins vs. Washington Capitals

The Defending Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins will open their title defense against the Washington Capitals. In a regular year, this matchup would excite many, but this year, the Capitals were lucky to just make the playoffs.  

#2 Boston Bruins vs. #7 Washington Capitals

Game 1: At Boston April 12 7:30PM EDT-NBCSN

Game 2: At Boston April 14 3:00PM EDT-NBC

Game 3: At Washington April 16 7:30PM EDT-NBCSN

Game 4: At Washington April 19th 7:30PM EDT-NBCSN

*Game 5: At Boston April 21 3:00PM EDT-NBC

*Game 6: At Washington TBD

*Game 7: At Boston TBD

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Preview: New York Rangers vs. Ottawa Senators

The regular season Eastern Conference Champions will open their series against the eight seeded Ottawa Senators. The Rangers have been known for a very slow start to the playoffs and look to avoid that fate. The Senators have often been a thorn in any teams side during the playoffs with their scrappy play. 

 

Game 1: At New York April 12 7:00PM EDT-NHLN

Game 2: At New York April 14 7:00PM EDT-NBCSN

Game 3: At Ottawa April 16 7:30PM EDT-CNBC

Game 4: At Ottawa April 18 7:30PM EDT-CNBC

*Game 5: At New York 7:00PM EDT-NBCSN

*Game 6: At Ottawa TBD-

*Game 7: At New York TBD

Western Conference Quarter Finals Preview: Predators vs. Red Wings

If you haven't followed the NHL all season you would think that this series is a given that Detroit would waltz right out of the first round with no problem. However, this is not your father's Nashville Predators hockey team.

#4 Nashville Predators vs. #5 Detroit Redwings

Game 1: At Nashville April 13 7:30PM EDT-CNBC

Game 2: At Nashville April 15 12:00PM EDT-CNBC

Game 3: At Detroit April 17 7:30PM EDT-NBC

Game 4: At Detroit April 20 8:00PM EDT-NBCSN

* Game 5: At Nashville 8:00PM EDT-CNBC

*Game 6: At Detroit TBD

*Game 7: At Nashville TBD

Western Conference Quarter Finals Preview: Phoenix Coyotes vs. Chicago Blackhawks

This may be one of the weirdest looking series we will see in the first round. Yes, that is not a typo, the Coyotes, who have seemed to be playing for a city that no longer wants them, have won the Pacific Division title, and will host the Chicago Blackhawks.

#3 Phoenix Coyotes 42-27-17, 97 PTS vs. #6 Chicago Blackhawks 45-26-11, 101 Points.

Game 1: At Phoenix 10:00PM EDT-

Game 2: At Phoenix 10:00PM EDT-

Game 3: At Chicago 9:00PM EDT-

Game 4: At Chicago 8:00PM EDT-

*Game 5: At Phoenix 10:00PM EDT-

*Game 6: At Chicago TBD

*Game 7: At Phoenix TBD

Western Conference Quarter Finals Preview: Blues vs. Sharks

The St. Louis Blues had a season that their fans will remember and the've become relevant again by winning the central division and securing the number two seed all while flirting with the President's trophy, with Ken Hitchcock at the helm. On the other hand we have the San Jose Sharks who seemed to underachieve all year and needed a late season push to secure a spot.

#2 St. Louis Blues (49-22-11, 109PTS) vs. San Jose Sharks 43-29-10, 96PTS)

Game 1: April 12 At St. Louis 7:30PM EDT-CNBC

Game 2: At St. Louis 7:30PM EDT-CNBC

Game 3: At San Jose 10:00PM EDT-NBCSN

Game 4: At San Jose 10:30PM EDT-NBCSN

*Game 5: At St. Louis 7:30PM EDT-CNBC

*Game 6: At San Jose TBD

*Game 7: At San Jose TBD

Western Conference Quarterfinals Preview: Vancouver Canucks vs. LA Kings

POFA's Western Conference Quarterfinals preview begins with the matchup between the Vancouver Canucks and the Los Angeles Kings. The Canucks are the NHL President Trophy winners and are looking to begin their road back to the Stanley Cup Finals in hopes of a better fate than last year's cup run. The Los Angeles Kings are looking to pull a huge upset after acquiring key players during the offseason and right before the trade deadline.

#1 Vancouver Canucks 51-22-9, 111pts vs. #8 Los Angeles Kings 40-27-15, 95pts

Game 1:April 11 At Vancouver 10:30pm EDT-NBCSN

Game 2: April 13 At Vancouver 10:00pm EDT-NBCSN

Game 3: April 15 At Los Angeles 10:30pm EDT-NBCSN

Game 4: April 18At Los Angeles 10:00pm EDT-NBCSN

*Game 5: At Vancouver TBD

*Game 6: At Los Angeles TBD

*Game 7: At Vancouver TBD

Welcome to the War

And on this day of April fifth in the year two thousand and twelve, eastern Pennsylvania and western Pennsylvania have declared war. The troops from their respective sides of the state will report to battle at some point next week.  


With the Penguins 4-2 win over the New York Rangers, they were not only rewarded with the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, but they also get the opportunity to end the Flyers Stanley Cup dreams once again. 


This series is what the playoffs are all about. Two heated rivals playing for the right to move on to continue their climb to be engraved into eternity. 


If you haven't been looking forward to this from July 1st, then you have no pulse. This series will have everything. Buckle up. 


Don't even care about the stats in this game. More important things ahead. 


We'll have a Pens-Flyers preview as well as the other series.  Say your Hail Marios. 

Toughen Up: The Playoffs are Coming

Here we are with two games left it the regular season and in a week or less a war will break out between two hated hockey games and there won't be anything pretty taken from it. Baring a collapse by the Flyers combined with the Devils winning both of their games, the Pens will meet the Flyers in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Quite frankly some of us fans aren't ready, aren't prepared and we've gotten a bit soft.  

Game #81 Pens vs. Rangers

The New York Rangers stroll into CONSOl Energy Center for the final meeting of the regular season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and basically have little to play for having locked up the number 1 seed for the Eastern Conference Playoffs. 

Pittsburgh Penguins (49-25-6, 104pts 4th Eastern Conference) vs. New York Rangers (51-22-7, 109 points, 1st Eastern Conference)

CONSOL Energy Center, Pittsburgh, PA

7:30 PM--ROOT Sports, NBCSN, Penguins 24/7, 105.9 FM

Pens Win, Move in on Fourth Seed

At times it wasn't pretty for the Penguins last night but they got the job done, on the road against a legitimate contender to represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup finals. Wins don't have to be pretty during this time of year, they just need to happen.

Ray Shero Rips Mike Milbury

After the trade deadline came and went, Penguins General Manager Ray Shero said he believed in his team, and he's shown exactly how much he's willing to go to back that statement up.  Mike Milbury made himself look like an idiot by going on a Philadelphia radio station poking fun at Sidney Crosby and his concussion problems. Well Ray Shero took it very personal and fired right back.

Get Your Bulletin Board Ready

We are more than a week away and it is almost certain that fate will make the inevitable Stanley Cup Playoff first round matchup with the Flyers a certainty. At this point it would be a let down if it didn't happen. Too much fuel has been added to the fire of this hated rivalry. After Sunday's game, and with one regular season matchup remaining between the two squads, the drama is only going to keep being added.

Pens v Bruins Game #80

POFA will preview the last three games of the season, but mainly to focus on analysis of what the Pens must do to get their playoff swagger back, which has been missing not only for the past two weeks, but last post season as well. They will get three big tests from teams that are legitimate contenders to win the East and it starts tonight against the Boston Bruins.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Boston Bruins

7:30PM TD Garden

TV: Root Sports

Listen: Penguins Radio 24/7, 105.9 FM

Buckle Up, We're in for a Wild Ride

It feels good to be back after a long hiatus, filled with 79 games of a roller coaster season.  Right now we are about to be to the top of the Phantom's Revenge and getting ready for a wild decent into what we know as the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  As of right now, the Pens sit 5 points out of first place in the division and the Eastern Conference, behind the New York Rangers and both teams only have three games to play.  It is likely that Pens will not catch the Rangers meaning a battle with our good friends, the Philadelphia Flyers, awaits us in the first round, which given Sunday's matchup, provides arguably the most drama contained first round series in the league.  We'll look at to how the Pens had gotten to this point, and what adjustments the may need to make in order to survive the war that is looming. 

BUCKLE UP

Allow me to reintroduce myself.

After a long hiatus due to some change in my life, I've finally found the time to get back in the saddle.

Needless to say while I was gone it has been a roller coaster of a year for the Pens and their fans.

The season is winding down and That healthy hate is growing inside of use all.

Not really sure where this blog is going to go. Of course it will contain my opinion. I like to read everything I can about the Pens and add to the conversation.

I'll be here through the playoff run and into next season for sure.

Look for a few new posts coming soon. With three games left in the year, up first will be some thoughts on the season as a whole an what the Pens must do to contend.

Buckle up and get ready because this Pens team is going to war