Game #23 - at Atlanta Thrashers

Game 23
Penguins (14-8-0, 28 pts) at Thrashers (10-6-2, 22 pts)

Why does it matter?
This has a chance to be a carbon copy of Thursday night, except that the Thrashers have more firepower.

Questions to be answered

• The Thrashers give up their fair share of shots. Can the Pens take advantage? They seemed to be squeezing the sticks pretty tightly on Thursday.
• Anyone else going to get hurt now that we're starting to see guys come back?
• Can the Pens kill penalties and limit the chances of the Thrashers?
  

Keys to the game

• The Thrashers have scored at last three goals in all but two games this year. That's incredibly consistent.
• Stay out of the box - the Thrashers have power play goals in four straight.
• Kovalchuk is still a punk.
  

Senators 6, Penguins 2

So what happened?
The Pens had some key chances early and couldn't covert. The power play also was unable to come through when it mattered (the power play goal they scored was after the game was decided). Fleury didn't play very well either - he was screened on a few shots, but there were a few that had no business going in.

Who scored?
Staal (6), Malkin (5)

Any surprises?
I thought the less experienced D were exposed a bit tonight. Engelland was a -4, and the Sens were able to keep the puck in the zone for extended stretches. The surprise was that a Kovalev line was able to cycle and dominate. I didn't know that Kovie still had that much fire.

Any change in the standings?
Yep - the Devils lost in a shoot out, so:
Division: 2nd (one point behind New Jersey)
Conference: 3rd
League: 5th (tied with Los Angeles)

Who's next?
At Atlanta on Saturday night. The Thrashers have been decent so far this year.

Notes:

• The power play is becoming a serious issue for the Pens (they have just 2 power play goals in their past 10 games). Hopefully Gonchar getting used to game action again will improve that.
• Despite Gonchar returning, the Pens still were missing 4 of their top 6 guys on the blue line. That's going to take a toll, and we saw that tonight.
• These games will happen sometimes. Tomorrow is another day.
  

Game #22 - at Ottawa Senators

Game 22
Penguins (14-7-0, 28 pts) at Senators (9-6-3, 21 pts)


Scotiabank Place

Why does it matter?
The Sens would have to be considered one of the surprises of the season so far. The Pens want to continue to build on their recent success.

Questions to be answered

• Can either team generate some consistent offense? Both teams have struggled for shots. The Pens have had a rough go of that lately, while the Sens haven't been able to get it going consistently all year.
• Will Sarge be able to get back and help the power play right out of the gate?
• The Sens do not draw many penalties. Can the Pens stay out of the box?
  

Keys to the game

• Hope Spezza continues to struggle. He's a Penguin killer.
  
• Leclaire has been inconsistent. Much of the Sens success will be tied to his performance.
• Ignore Ruutu.
  

Penguins 5, Ducks 2

So what happened?
You never want to say it was an easy game, but the last time the Pens had one this easy was against the Habs before Halloween. The Ducks were anxious to self-destruct tonight with bad penalties and worse turnovers. The Pens were willing to let do it. Both teams had some great scoring chances, but the Pens had the better ones in that they finished theirs.

Who scored?
Cooke (3,4), Guerin (5), Staal (5), Skoula (1)

Any surprises?
The young defensemen from Wilkes-Barre really acquitted themselves well. Lovejoy played big minutes on the power play while Engelland and Guenin were solid. Sure is nice to confirm that the Pens have some depth.

Any change in the standings?
Yep - the Devils lost to the Flyers, so:
Division: 1st (tied with New Jersey)
Conference: 1st (tied with New Jersey and Washington)
League: 2nd (tied with New Jersey, Washington and Los Angeles)

Who's next?
On the road for three straight, starting with Ottawa on Thursday.

Notes:

• Giguere really looked bad early on, but he recovered to hold the fort for a little while until the Pens broke it open in the third.
• When your three stars are Staal, Cooke and Engelland, you know it's a good night for the role players.
• The Ducks could be pretty good if they could stay out of their own way.
• Getzlaf would drive me nutty if he played here with all of the stick infractions. There's no reason to take dumb penalties like that.
• After the early 2-0 lead, the Pens seemed to step it down a notch, allowing the shorty to Marchant and giving the Ducks some hope.
  

Game #21 - vs Anaheim Ducks

Game 21
Ducks (6-9-3, 15 pts) at Penguins (13-7-0, 26 pts)


Mellon Arena - Pittsburgh

Why does it matter?
Keep the momentum going. Geno came back from injury and the Pens got the W. The Ducks have not been very good this year. The Pens should win this game.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - Finally got some offense and a W against the Bruins. If you told me they'd allow 5 and still win, I probably would have said you're crazy, but they did.
  
• Ducks - Three straight losses on their 4 game road trip which wraps up here in Pittsburgh.
  

Questions to be answered

• Will we see any results from the power play? Ever?
  
• Can the Wilkes-Barre guys chip in? I'm thinking specifically of Letestu, who is a good goal scorer.
  
• Can the Pens get traffic in front of Hiller?
• Can the Pens lose anyone else to injury? Goligoski is out 2-3 weeks. That leaves 2 of the top 6 D in the starting lineup.
  

Keys to the game

• Establish extended possession in the offensive zone on a consistent basis.
  
• Keep the Ducks top line (Perry, Getzalf, Ryan) bottled up in their own end.
  

Penguins 6, Bruins 5 (OT)

So what happened?
This was a huge win for the Pens. They badly needed one. It took some last second magic to make it happen, but they earned two points.

Who scored?
Mckee (1), Dupuis (4,5), Crosby (10), Eaton (2)

Any surprises?
Sid and Geno both go off for three points each on Geno's return to action. Oh yeah, and the biggest goal of the year so far. Just watch this:


Any change in the standings?
Division: 2nd
Conference: 3rd
League: 5th

Who's next?
Quack, Quack. Monday night.

Notes:

• Thomas was not good when it mattered. He allowed the tying goal to Guerin and misplayed the puck on the winning score by Dupuis in OT. Boy, does he have a temper or what? I've seen goalies react before, but he was a bit over the top.
• Letetsu had a nice debut with two hits and a +1.

Game #20 - vs Boston Bruins

Game 20
Bruins (8-7-3, 19 pts) at Penguins (12-7-0, 24 pts)


Mellon Arena - Pittsburgh

Thomas was a bit confused after the 1-0 loss to Florida on Thursday, saying "We deserved two points." Last time I checked, the team that WON deserved two points, Timmy.

Why does it matter?
The Pens badly need a win. Also - something about some guy named Geno playing.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - Don't ask. Seriously. Injuries and losing have been bad lately.
  
• Bruins - They played much better on their home stand, but now they go back out on the road where things have been ugly for them.
  

Questions to be answered

• Can Geno's return spur the power play?
  
• Will it matter, given that three of the top 6 on the blue line are missing?
  
• Can the Pens get the trapping teams out of the trap? These last two games have been painful to watch.
  

Keys to the game

• Continue the solid effort from the second period of the Jersey game.
  
• Thomas has allowed one goal in his past three starts (not counting shootouts). Find a way to beat him.

Devils 4, Penguins 1

So what happened?
A few posts and cross bars. A few turnovers. A few blown chances on the power play. All that led to another loss for the Penguins.

Who scored?
Fedotenko (4)

Any surprises?
Early in the third, with the Pens on the power play, Fedotenko was going back into his own zone to play the puck. Parise knocked him down from behind, 10 feet away from the puck. No call.

Any change in the standings?
Remains to be seen at the conclusion of tonight's games. At the very least, the Pens move to second place in the division.

Who's next?
More happy times at the Igloo on Saturday against the Bruins. Maybe if they move the line for icing to the defensive blue line it would kill the trap (meaning, all you have to do is get the puck out of your own zone and you can dump it).

Notes:

• I could have been reading a book instead of watching this game (or, heck, scraping nails on a chalkboard). Blech.
  

Game #19 - vs New Jersey Devils

Game 19
Devils (12-4-0, 24 pts) at Penguins (12-6-0, 24 pts)


Mellon Arena - Pittsburgh

Parise is awsome, but who at Upper Deck comes up with these things? The FUTURE? Really?

Why does it matter?
It's a game for first place in the division. The Pens lost earlier this year to the Devils. You don't want to lose another game to a potential division contender.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - Don't ask. Seriously. Injuries and losing have been bad lately.
  
• Devils - The Devils still haven't lost on the road and are 9-1 in their past 10 games.
  

Questions to be answered

• Will the Flightless Birds score a goal?
  
• How will the defense fare with Gonchar, Letang and Orpik out? Lovejoy will get his first action of the season tonight.
  
• Can Sid find a way to break through?
  

Keys to the game

• Adjust the style of play to stop trying to make the pretty play. Keep it simple and crash the net.
  
• Score first and force the Devils to come out of their trap a bit.
  

Bruins 3, Penguins 0

So what happened?
The Pens played a good game tonight. The effort level was there. The results were not. Crosby and Staal fired wide on good scoring chances and one bounce towards the Bruins net just didn't go in for the Pens. Tim Thomas won this game for the Bruins. Marc Andre needs to do that for the Pens right now, because their offense just isn't there.

Who scored?
Nobody... again.

Any surprises?
Staal on the first line looked pretty good. That was the best line for the Pens as far as generating pressure in the offensive zone goes.

Any change in the standings?
Remains to be seen at the conclusion of tonight's games.

Who's next?
Back home (finally) to play more "Break the Trap" hockey against the Devils.

Notes:

• Orpik was hurt tonight. He left early in the first period after being shoved into the boards. The Pens cannot afford more injuries.
  
• Am I the only one that hears "Ballroom Blitz" in my head every time the announcer said "Byron Bitz"?
• As bad as things seem right now, it's not the end of the world. It's just the regular season and it's just a slump. Things will get better.
• Two shots in the first period doesn't cut it. The Pens seemed to think so too, because they had 25 over the final two.
  

Game #18 - at Boston Bruins

Game 18
Penguins (12-5-0, 24 pts) at Bruins (7-7-2, 16 pts)


TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, Massachusetts

A very talented player, Bergeron hasn't been the same since missing most of 07-08.

Why does it matter?
The Pens need to get back in the winning column. The Bruins are a good team to play to do just that.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - After splitting the first two games of the West Coast trip, it was a nightmare ending when the team was out scored 10-2 over the final two games.
  
• Bruins - The Bruins are the model of inconsistency this year. They have not yet won 2 in a row and
  

Questions to be answered

• Can the offense score goals against the Bruins trap? Despite their inconsistency, the Bruins have allowed two or fewer in the past 6 games.
  
• Can Sid find a way to get through the extra attention he's receiving with Geno out and generate some offense?
  
• It would be nice to come home with a win, wouldn't it?
  

Keys to the game

• Stay focused - every goal against the Bruins counts, given the way they play defense.
  
• Special teams are magnified - find a way to score on the power play.