Top Five Playoff Goals - #2

Top 5 Playoff Goals, Rounds 1 - 3

I'm running a series on the top five goals scored by the Pens in the playoffs so far. These goals aren't the prettiest, but the ones that had the most impact and made the biggest statement.

#2 - "Wrap-Around"

Ryan Malone vs Senators, Game 2

Game 2 was a tight affair in the third period. The Pens had blown a 3-0 lead at home and things were getting a little worrisome. Martin Lapointe was nice enough to put the Pens on the power play late in the third. This is what happened next.

Top Five Playoff Goals - #3

Top 5 Playoff Goals, Rounds 1 - 3

I'm running a series on the top five goals scored by the Pens in the playoffs so far. These goals aren't the prettiest, but the ones that had the most impact and made the biggest statement.

#3 - "Announce my Presence with Authority"

Gary Roberts vs Senators, Game 1

Everyone was nervous at the start of the playoffs. Would this year be different from last year? Were these guys ready for the challenge? We shouldn't have worried. Gary Roberts took matters into his own hands, establishing that the Pens were for real in the 2008 playoffs.

Top Five Playoff Goals - #4

Top 5 Playoff Goals, Rounds 1 - 3

I'm running a series on the top five goals scored by the Pens in the playoffs so far. These goals aren't the prettiest, but the ones that had the most impact and made the biggest statement.

#4 - "This is Our Series"

Sidney Crosby vs Senators, Game 3

Game 3 with the Sens was 1-1 going into the third. We hadn't seen the Pens on the road in the playoffs yet, and we knew from the regular season that it was sometimes trouble for them. If this period went poorly, it could be the start of a long series. Sid did his magic off of the opening faceoff and things were off and rolling. The Sens were done.

Top Five Playoff Goals - #5

Top 5 Playoff Goals, Rounds 1 - 3

I'm running a series on the top five goals scored by the Pens in the playoffs so far. These goals aren't the prettiest, but the ones that had the most impact and made the biggest statement. The countdown will show a new goal each day until we get to #1.

#5 - "Eat It!"

Evgeni Malkin vs Flyers, Game 1

Malkin was knocked around in Game 1 against the Flyers, and the biggest hit delivered was at the beginning of this video. The Pens were short-handed, and Geno was plastered. He got up slowly while the puck went back up the ice... watch the video for the rest.

Penguins 6, Flyers 0

The Penguins are going to the Stanley Cup Finals. Just let that sink in.

What can you really say about this game? It was complete domination. There was balance in every facet of their game:

• Two power play goals
• Two penalty kills when the game was still up for grabs
• Balanced scoring from five different players.
• Everyone was a plus player except for Ruutu and Kennedy (another indication of balanced scoring)
• Timely goaltending, with a shutout for Fleury
• Perhaps the most important, putting the Flyers away and not letting them off the mat.

The Flyers picked a bad game to struggle, especially Biron, who wasn't very good at all.

You have to give the Flyers credit in that they could have started some shenanigans in the third period, but they really didn't do anything. They're still cheap thugs when things count, but they acted with some class when things were decided. That was refreshing to see. Maybe Mike Richards is wearing off on some of the other guys.

First period:

The Pens got the scoring started early after Talbot drew a penalty on Knuble, which is the first time I remember mentioning Knuble's name during this series. Anyway, Malone directed in a shot from the right point by Crosby. 1-0 Pens.

Later in the period, Malkin took advantage of Biron, who was without his stick, coming out from behind the net and stuffing the puck between the pads of the goalie. Biron didn't seem to know where the puck was until it was behind him. 2-0 Pens.

After the second goal, Scott Hartnell took an absolutely STUPID penalty, tripping Fleury behind the net. You have to wonder what he's thinking sometimes.

The Pens couldn't score on the ensuing power play, but they did kill off a penalty taken by Whitney to close out the period.

As time was expiring, Ryan Malone was assessed a high-sticking call, which would put the Flyers on the power play to start the second.

Second period:

The Flyers had been handed a gift with a power play on clean ice and a chance to get back into the game. Sadly, this wasn't their day, and they only managed a single shot from the point.

Later in the second, Crosby did his best Hossa impression and swiped the puck with a great back-check on Mike Richards. He took the puck the other way, and eventually it wound up on the stick of Hossa, who blasted it past Biron. Another bad goal for Biron to allow. 3-0 Pens.

If I'm Philly, I think about pulling Biron right then and there. They didn't, and it only got worse.

After a tripping call on Carter, Gonchar flung a puck towards the net that Malone was able to deflect. It went behind Biron. 4-0 Pens.

That goal was probably the back-breaker. The Flyers didn't seem to have much left in the tank after that.

Staal made sure to kick them when they're down by flipping a rebound / loose puck behind Biron with just 58 seconds remaining in the second period. 5-0 Pens.

Any life the Flyers may have had was stripped when an apparent goal was waved off. Thoresen had barreled his way to the net, but the Zebras ruled he had interfered with Fleury's opportunity to play the puck. The NHL is getting more sensitive about protected the goalies. This was probably a good call.

Third period:

The formality: Dupuis has a Hossa shot deflect off of his leg behind Biron. 6-0 Pens.

The fun stuff included listening to chants of "Go Home Flyers!" and "Flyers Suck!" Add that to singing the Goodbye song, and it was a pretty fun time to watch, which is good, because the hockey actually became kind of boring. I'll take that boring anytime if it means the Pens are moving on.

Next up: The Cup Finals will start a few days after the conclusion of the Detroit / Dallas series.

Playoff Game #14 - vs Philadelphia Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers (6) at Pittsburgh Penguins (2)

Pittsburgh leads series 3-1.

The Flyers hold a team meeting after practice on Saturday.


Still sad, Derian?

The Pens put their perfect home playoff record on the line today in a effort to close out the Eastern Conference Finals.

Do you think this one feels different than two weeks ago when the Pens were in the identical situation with the Rangers? I think the Flyers could be more dangerous, but they also don't have the defense and goaltending that the Rangers did.

Gary Roberts may play today. He practiced yesterday in his customary spot on the fourth line.

Both Timonen and Coburn could play today. It wouldn't surprise me if both were out there. The Pens need to take advantage of Timonen if he's on the ice. His foot will be hurting. Make him try to skate with you. Take slapshots that he ordinarily would try to block. Do what you can to throw him off his game.

Both Malkin and Syokra are sick, but both will be on the ice today according to all published reports.

This one won't be easy, but the reward for winning is huge.

Hopefully the last time this year for this video:


Let's Go Pens!

Flyers 4, Penguins 2

Yeah, the Flyers pulled one out. Good for them. In pick-up basketball, we call this the "feel good" game. We didn't really need a feel good game in this series, but we got one anyway.

The Flyers wanted it more during the first period, and the Pens weren't able to respond until it was too late. Even with that, they were still able to pull within one goal. That was the biggest encouraging sign to take from this game - the Pens never quit.

Let's recap!

First period:

Flower had a huge save early on Scott Hartnell. The Flyers were applying the pressure early.

Richards took a cheap shot by hitting Sarge after a touch-up for icing.

There were a few times that a trip could have been called in the first five minutes. Seems like the zebras have decided to keep up their wonderful consistency and put the whistles away.

Finally we got the tripping call, and it was on the Flyers.

On the power play, there was nothing doing until the Pens spent too much time getting cute with the puck. Richards took off on a breakaway. He missed the net, and it sprung Hossa immediately on his own semi-break. He couldn't score either, though he got a shot on net.

After the power play ended, Lupul entered the zone along the right boards and put an innocent looking shot on net. Unfortunately, that innocence was lost when the puck deflected off of Whitney's stick and over the left shoulder of Fleury. Not much Flower can do on the deflections. Bad luck for the Pens, but all the momentum was going to the Flyers early. 1-0 Flyers.

Gonchar was called for touching the arm of Briere (called "holding" by the Zebras), putting the Flyers on the power play. You had the feeling that this PK might give us an idea of how the evening was going to go.

With just three seconds left in the penalty, Briere stepped out from behind the net as a shot was coming from the point. He shouldered Fleury and knocked the rebound into the net. Gill needs to flatten Briere in that situation, if only so we never have to hear the Versus announcers letting everyone know their intention to make out with Danny Briere at the earliest opportunity. 2-0 Flyers.

Letang took a penalty for clipping, putting the Flyers back on the power play. If the Flyers scored here, I'd be tempted to say "game over".

During the power play, Richards, Hartnell, Talbot and Gonchar all took roughing penalties. Things were getting pretty chippy. You have to like that.

The penalty expired without incident, so maybe there would be some life in the Pens after all.

With about three minutes remaining in the period, more post-whistle shenanigans would go against the Pens. Thoresen applied the cross-check to the lower back area of Orpik. Brooks took exception to that and was sent to the box for his efforts. That was not a good call, but you can't retaliate. Better for the Pens to learn that now when they're up 3-0 in the series.

The Flyers scored again on the ensuing power play. They did things the same way, but getting the puck to the net and creating havoc. At this point, the Pens had to hope they could get out of the first period without allowing another goal. 3-0 Flyers.

At the end of the period, the lovely (dumb) Versus announcers were still busy making sweet verbal love to Briere, declaring how wonderful it is when a player responds to being challenged. If it were me, I'd be asking where little Danny was during the first three games. Not as hard to respond after it appears to be too late, eh?

The Pens got their collective butts kicked in the first. The Flyers simply wanted it more, and they took it.

Second period:

Really not much happening early in the second until about 5 minutes in when Sykora and Upshall take minors. On the four-on-four, Fleury showed his head was still in the game by making an astounding save on Briere.

The Pens were applying some more and better pressure, but they were also getting sloppy with the puck in their own end. You could feel Therrien's blood pressure rising through the television.

Really, this was a pretty slow period. The Pens drew a penalty when Carter tripped Malkin. Of course, the fans whined.

The Pens couldn't do anything with their power play. They had a few decent shots, but nothing serious.

The Flyers earned the power play late in the period when Sykora slashed Briere. They didn't score in the first part of the man advantage, but they still had 35 seconds left when the third period started.

Third period:

Nothing doing for the Flyers on the remainder of the power play.

You had the feeling if the Pens could get one early, they could get back into the game.

The Pens managed to muck and grind for a goal on an innocent looking poke by Staal that got past Biron. There was also a great look at the jokes in the stands giving the finger to the Pens. Dumb, Philly fans, just dumb. 3-1 Flyers.

As the third wore on, both Malkin and Crosby were able to setup their teammates beautifully. Crosby setup Dupuis and Malkin setup Letang. Neither could seal the deal and pull the Pens closer, but there was no doubt the Pens were looking like a better team than during the first two periods.

Later in the period, with under six minutes remaining, the Pens third line gains possession of the puck in the offensive zone. Staal took a pass in the slot from Kennedy and ripped it short side on Biron. Probably a bad goal for Biron to allow. Everyone in Philly is thinking about the highest building they know of. 3-2 Flyers.

Time ticked down and the Flyers clamped down. The Pens couldn't muster any serious threat and the Flyers added an empty net goal. 4-2 Flyers.

There was some funny business at the end of the game involving most everyone on the ice more than once. Sunday should be good.

Next up: The Flyers come to Pittsburgh for Game 5 on Sunday.

Playoff Game #13 - at Philadelphia Flyers

Pittsburgh Penguins (2) at Philadelphia Flyers (6)

Pittsburgh leads series 3-0.

So will the brooms come out tonight? Would anything be better than celebrating in front of those lovely people in Philadelphia? Okay, maybe celebrating in front of 17.132 crazy fans in Pittsburgh... but the Philly thing would still be nice.

Coburn practiced and could play tonight. Will it help? Maybe if he actually WAS Lidstrom...

PFC Downie, the Pens best player the past two games, will likely not be on the ice tonight. He really burned Stevens by messing up again in Game 3 after Stevens brought him back in a show of faith.

Not much has gone well for the Flyers in this series. Let's hope that trend continues.

Let's Go Pens!

Penguins 4, Flyers 1

Tonight we had the on-ice answer to the question on the shirts of the Flyers faithful: Why Not Us! Although they wrote it with an exclamation point, I like to think it's really a deep seeded insecurity that is really a question. Heck, it even sounds whiny when phrased as a question.

Why Not Us? I'll tell you why:
You're a bunch of crybaby fans (see the first penalty to Hatcher) who cheer for a team that think that Vengeance Now is a great slogan. Here's a hint - that slogan belongs in the Indoor Lacrosse League, not the NHL. The Broad Street Bullies were good 35 years ago. They're not coming back. The game isn't about rough and tumble clutching and grabbing anymore. As long as you employ bruisers like Hatcher, Hartnell, Cote and Downie, and play a style that resembles rugby, you'll never be successful.

On the ice, the Flyers simply haven't been good enough to beat the Pens. The Philly guys played a decent Game 2 and weren't bad for much of Game 3. It just isn't enough right now. The Pens are playing too well. Hopefully the Pens can keep things that way (I really believe it's up to the Pens - the Flyers just don't seem to have it).

Anyway, let's enjoy the win and hope the Pens can finish it in four. I don't want to see the Flyers have any life with a victory.

Recap ahead!

First period:

Both teams were noticeably tight as the game opened. The other way to say that is they were trying to measure out the other team and not over commit.

Fortunately for the Pens, Derian Hatcher decided he'd had enough of this reserved nonsense and hooked Malkin from behind, putting the Pens on the power play.

Before I get to the power play, however, I have to say something about the fans in Philly: I've never seen so many people cry so loudly over the first penalty of the game, and it wasn't even a questionable call. Holy cow - if they could have collected all the tears that were shed, they could have solved any drought conditions in the United States.

The Pens decided to try to drown those lovely people from Philly in their own tears by scoring on the very same power play. It was another lucky bounce off of a defensemen, with Biron cheating off of the post when he couldn't see the puck. It's not the first time that's happened. Part of it is a bad bounce, and part of it is a goaltender that doesn't stay at home long enough - he's trying to cheat over to the next shot. 1-0 Pens.

Just a little more than two minutes later, Marian Hossa showed us all why we traded for him. He took the puck from his own blue line all the way through a few Flyers into the offensive zone, where he ripped off a nasty shot along the ice that beat Biron. Great move, and it really got Hossa charged up. 2-0 Pens.

Umberger scored just after a power play for Philly had expired. Prospal went in wide behind the net and dumped it out in front. Malkin didn't tie up RJ and he was able to elevate the puck over a downed Fleury. 2-1 Pens.

Second period:

There really wasn't much to write about for the second, and I mean that in the best possible way for the Pens. They held the Flyers to THREE shots for the period. It wasn't even their shutdown mode - it was just solid two-way play. They were still able to generate some offense. They had some chances. They were also able to keep Philly from seriously threatening.

The only thing missing from the first two periods was a bigger lead. The Pens had several chances to get that third goal but just couldn't do it. Hopefully that wouldn't cost them heading to the third.

Third period:

The third was yet another compliment to the Pens. The Flyers managed 10 shots, but there wasn't really anything serious.

The biggest threat, I thought, came when Fleury played the puck from behind the net straight to Lupul at the half boards. I think if Joffrey had shot the puck right away, he may have beat Flower, who was still struggling to get back in front of the cage. Palindrome didn't do it, either because he didn't see that Fleury was still out of the play, or because the puck was bouncing on him. Either way, threat neutralized.

The Pens were able to add to their lead when everyone's favorite whipping boy, Steve Downie, turned the puck over just inside the offensive zone. Malkin took it the other way. It pinballed around until it wound up on the stick of Sykora, who passed / shot it on the backhand where it wound up on the stick of Ryan Malone, who beat Biron. Ouch. 3-1 Pens.

That goal was scored with 10 minutes left. Then it was time for shutdown mode. From the 11:00 mark to the end of the period, the Flyers managed only one shot on goal closer than 40 feet from the net. They had ZERO shots in the last 150 seconds of playing time (after the missed shot by Briere). The Pens have really done an excellent job of shutting teams down when protecting a lead.

Hossa managed his second goal of the game on an empty netter to give the Flyers fans an early jump on the exits. Pretty considerate of Marian. 4-1 Pens.