Winter Classic Moved to 8:00 pm EST

Given the seeming weather situation, the NHL has moved the Winter Classic to a start time of 8:00 p.m. EST.

I like the move - I think the game will look great under the lights and the temperatures will be much more along the lines of what the players are used to for outdoor hockey.

It should be a great game. Preview will be up later tonight or tomorrow morning.

Islanders 2, Penguins 1 (OT - SO - 3-2)

So what happened?

I missed this one. Sucks to see the point streak end for Sid, but it looks like the Pens just ran into a hot goaltender in DiPietro.

Who scored?

Conner (4)

What's their record now? Any important move in the standings?

The Pens are now 25-11-3. They have 53 points and are still on top of the standings in the NHL.

Who's next?

The Winter Classic, assuming the rain stays away, will be Saturday at 1:00.

Game #39 - at New York Islanders

Game 39

Penguins (25-11-2, 50 points) at Islanders (9-19-6, 24 points)

Why does it matter?
The Pens need some momentum going into the Winter Classic. It looks like the Isles are the perfect team to provide it.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - Some sloppy play and bad penalties didn't hurt them in the win over Atlanta.
• Islanders - They had a 4-0-1 streak going... then they were pasted by the Rangers 7-2 and traded their leading scorer (Wisniewski) for two draft picks.

Questions to be answered

• Can the Pens keep the Isles from getting into the game?
• Can the Pens put themselves into a good position with special teams? That means getting to the power play and staying out of the box. It also means killing the few chances the other team gets.
• Can Sid keep the point streak going?

Keys to the game

• Keep the intensity. It might be tough to get up for a team that had a 1-16-3 stretch (yes, you read that right).
• Don't let up even if you build a lead.
• If Roloson plays (and he's the better goalie right now), get traffic in front and be patient. He has numbers that are excellent for a goalie whose record is 5-13-1.

Penguins 6, Thrashers 3

So what happened?

The Pens dodged a bullet tonight to be sure. They put the Thrashers on the power play eight times (killing off seven of the chances), somehow escaping the first period with the game tied at 2-2. They earned a shorty in the second with a great individual effort by Matt Cooke, setting up Craig Adams. Sid pushed it out to a two goal lead just 9 second into the third, and the rout was on.

Any time you allow the opposition eight chances on the power play and still win, you're pretty lucky.

Who scored?

Crosby 2 (31,32), Adams (2), Kunitz (10), Letestu (8), Cooke (8)

The Good?

• Letestu's goal was fantastic. He took advantage of Burmistrov by muscling him off of the puck and then waited for Pavelec to make the first move, sweeping the puck past him.
• Evander Kane got knocked around a bit. I don't mind seeing that with the way he liked to throw his weight around in the first meeting.
• The penalty killers were really good when they needed it most. They also (largely) controlled Byfuglien (though Big Buff's goal was a sick slapper).
• Geno seemed to be getting some of the pick-pocket game going in a way we haven't seen from him in quite some time. If he keeps doing that, he'll start to rack up some numbers.
• The second period was particularly strong after a shaky first. The Pens out shot the Thrashers 16-5 in the second.

The Bad?

• Eight power play chances against - not good.
• More lack of discipline in taking some of those penalties. Matt Cooke specifically got called for essentially the same thing twice.

The Ugly?

• Nothing, really.

Any Surprises?

• Everyone played nearly 10 minutes and the lines were rolled all night long. We haven't seen that in a while this season.

What's their record now? Any important move in the standings?

The Pens are now 25-11-2. They have 52 points and are still on top of the standing in the NHL.

Who's next?

A trip to Long Island for tomorrow night.

Game #38 - vs Atlanta Thrashers

Game 38

Thrashers (19-13-6, 44 points) at Penguins (24-11-2, 50 points)

Why does it matter?
The Pens want to right the ship after a loss to the Sens. The Thrashers may be the right team at the right time.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - A lack of execution on special teams cost the Pens dearly in Ottawa.
• Thrashers - The Thrashers are struggling - they've lost five of their past seven games.

Questions to be answered

• Will the Pens take advantage of Atlanta's poor special teams? Lately, the Thrashers have been allowing goals on the PK. On the other side, they haven't been drawing many penalties. They're also not scoring when they do draw a call.
• Will we see the backup goalie today, even if it is John Curry? Given that you want Fleury fresh for Saturday and the Winter Classic, I think it's possible.
• Can Sid keep the point streak going?

Keys to the game

• Keep it simple. Atlanta will allow shots by the bucketful if pressed. Go north and south and get traffic in front.
• Keep your head up - Evander Kane is a big hitter.
• Get the zone time back.

Senators 3, Penguins 1

So what happened?

Taking penalties and special teams play got the Pens into trouble early, and they couldn't rally enough to get themselves out of said trouble.

The Pens were down 3-0 just 20 second after the start of the second period. Two of the goals were scored on the power play and the third was scored in a delayed penalty situation.

The Pens tried to turn it on, out shooting the Sens 39-12 over the final two periods. Unfortunately you can't always count on being able to come back. Sid hit the post / crossbar twice and Elliot was pretty sharp.

Who scored?

Crosby (30)

The Good?

• Sid's streak continues, now up to 24 games.
• Turning the tide and dominating the play over the final two periods was nice.

The Bad?

• Three goals allowed while down a skater - not good.
• A general lack of traffic in front of Elliot until later in the third period.

The Ugly?

• The refs. They were so incredibly inconsistent tonight that it was maddening. I'm thinking some more ref stat analysis might be worth some time.

Any Surprises?

• The PK allowing a multiple goal game - that hasn't happened yet this season - this was the first time.

What's their record now? Any important move in the standings?

The Pens are now 24-11-2. They have 50 points and are still on top of the standing in the NHL.

Who's next?

Atlanta comes to Consol on Tuesday night.

Game #37 - at Ottawa Senators

Game 37

Penguins (24-10-2, 50 points) at Senators (15-17-4, 34 points)

Why does it matter?
First game back after the Christmas break... and the Sens have been a competitive team lately. The Pens cannot afford to rest on their laurels.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - A great two points earned over the Caps made for a nice Christmas for the flightless birds.
• Senators - The Sens have earned points in five of their past six games.

Questions to be answered

• Can the Pens get their game going after a big emotional high of a win in Washington?
• Will Asham play since they've sent Jeffrey back down to Wilkes-Barre?
• Can Sid keep the point streak going?

Keys to the game

• Be ready for anything. The last time these two teams met, they combined for 84 shots with the Sens firing 21 shots in the first period alone.
• Standard advice when playing the Sens - ignore Ruutu and Neil.
• Keep the Sid and Geno show going. I'd like to see Geno eliminate some of the bad passes... but he's certainly contributing on the offensive end.

Penguins 3, Capitals 2 (OT - SO - 2-1)

So what happened?

The Caps came out roaring, led by Ovechkin taking a run at Geno (again). They earned an early 4-on-3 extended power play. Fleury was up to the challenge, and the Pens responded with a goal on their first shot on a nasty deflection by Sid. It was the perfect answer to all of Ovechkin's bluster (with no results to show for it, I might add).

If the Pens could have avoided the special teams situations completely, this may have been a shutout. The Caps scored on both their own power play and (late in the third) on the Pens' power play. It was slightly reminiscent of the Rangers scoring short-handed to tie the game earlier in the season.

Kudos to the Pens for hanging with the game plan and really stepping things up in the third period when they needed to most. Kudos to Pascal Dupuis on the shootout for earning the two points (and making Ovechkin have the sad, pouty face).

Who scored?

Crosby (29), Kunitz (9)

The Good?

• Flower was the biggest performer of the evening. He made every save he possibly could, including several that were of the "ten bell" variety. The stop on Mike Green was especially amazing in the OT.
• Great effort by the penalty killers. The Caps had a two man advantage several times during the game, for extended periods, and the Caps only managed one goal.
• Point streak still going for Sid.
• Mike Green had over 34 minutes of ice time. There were 5 extra minutes for OT, but that's still a big number.

The Bad?

• The Pens nearly put themselves behind the eight ball by taking too many penalties. That has to stop.
• Sid lost 17 out of 28 draws - that might be his worst showing of the season.

The Ugly?

• Matt Cooke's clearing attempt that went over the netting on the far side of the ice while on the PK was very ugly. It also put the Pens down by two men and led directly to the Caps game tying goal.

Any Surprises?

• I was surprised not to see Dustin Jeffrey after the Pens called him up.

What's their record now? Any important move in the standings?

The Pens are now 24-10-2. They have 50 points and are on top of the NHL heading into the quick Christmas break (two days off for the league).

Who's next?

A trip to Ottawa for a Sunday night match against the Sens. Gonchar is really struggling.

Game #36 - at Washington Capitals

Game 36

Penguins (23-10-2, 48 points) at Capitals (20-12-4, 44 points)

Why does it matter?
This is the appetizer for the Winter Classic. It also is the first time these teams have played each other this year. The Caps, along with the Flyers, are the biggest rivals for the Pens.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - Two straight wins after two losses - it was a nice turnaround.
• Capitals - The Caps finally won a few games, beating the Sens and Devils. No doubt they cursed their way through it.

Questions to be answered

• Can the Pens keep the emotions under control? The hype for this game is extremely high - letting your emotions get the better of you will lead to power play chances for the Caps, which is always dangerous.
• Who plays if Asham has to sit? Can the Pens afford Eric Godard in a game like this, or will they call up someone like Dustin Jeffrey to fill in for Asham?
• Which power play will show up? The Pens have alternated multi-goal games and getting blanked for the previous five. In the pattern, the multi-goal game is up next. Let's hope it shows up.

Keys to the game

• Keep Ovechkin quiet. He has just 12 goals on the season so far. You want to let him sleep as much as possible.
• Keep your head on a swivel. You know that if Ovechkin isn't scoring, he's going to look to do other things, and that probably means taking a few runs at players. He doesn't seem to care who he runs either.
• Sid and Geno - keep shooting the puck. Sid had no shots in the recent two losses. In the two wins since then? 8 shots each game.

Penguins 5, Panthers 2

So what happened?

The Pens exploded in the first period for three goals and then held on for most of the rest of the game. They needed (and got) some sharp goaltending from Johnson and Fleury (Johnson left after two periods with some lower body issues).

The Pens were playing with fire as the Panthers really carried the play for much of the latter two periods. If the Panthers had been able to score one on the power play this may have ended differently.

Certainly the Pens will need a much more consistent effort tomorrow night against the Caps.

Who scored?

Letestu (7), Crosby (28), Cooke (7), Lovejoy (1)

The Good?

• Sid extended his point streak.
• Both Johnson and Fleury were sharp after shaky starts.
• Ben Lovejoy had his first fight and first goal in the NHL. He also took a puck off of the visor / cheek area late in the third period.
• 24/7 is on soon!!

The Bad?

• Vokoun wasn't very good - he was yanked in the first period.
• Asham was missing for the later part of the second and all of the third. Hopefully he isn't hurt - I'd far rather see him against the Caps than Godard.
• Getting out shot 29-17 over the second and third isn't good.

The Ugly?

• Nothing really ugly tonight, except for the shot Lovejoy took off of his head.

Any Surprises?

• Chasing Vokoun would have to be a surprise. He has been good against the Pens recently.

What's their record now? Any important move in the standings?

The Pens are now 23-10-2. They are one point behind the Flyers for the Atlantic and NHL lead.

Who's next?

The Caps in Washington tomorrow night. Big game.

Game #35 - vs Florida Panthers

Game 35

Panthers (15-16-0, 30 points) at Penguins (22-10-2, 46 points)

Why does it matter?
The Pens got back to their winning ways on Monday and are facing the last place team from the Southeast division. No problem, right? Not so fast - the Panthers are better than they appear and the Pens could be caught looking ahead to their game tomorrow against the Caps.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - A quick return to dominating hockey, complete with great goaltending and offensive firepower from the stars.
• Panthers - They're suddenly red-hot, following up a 6-2 win over Buffalo with a 5-0 shutout of the Flyers in Philadelphia.

Questions to be answered

• Can the Pens get to Vokoun? He has a great save % against them, if not a decent record.
• Will we see Brent Johnson tonight given the Caps game tomorrow?
• Can Florida be one of the few teams since the new overtime rules to get to the midpoint of the season without an overtime loss?

Keys to the game

• Score three goals. Almost everyone who has done that against Florida has earned at least a point (15-2-2), and the Panthers have lost just once when allowing fewer than three.
• Don't look ahead. Put the Caps game on the shelf in the back of the closet - you know, the dusty one that holds all the crap you don't remember or think about.
• Lots of shots for Sid (and Geno). The Pens have a great record when Sid is shooting the puck.

Penguins 6, Coyotes 1

So what happened?

The Pens were both lucky and good while the game was close. After that, they were in cruise control.

The Pens converted on their first power play chance of the night to get the game going in the right direction. After that, they took four consecutive penalties, with the Coyotes power play doing everything right except for putting the puck in the net.

The key play of the game was Shane Doan taking a really dumb penalty during the Coyotes fourth power play in the first period. It negated the power play and put the teams at even strength (4 on 4). Two seconds later, Sid won the draw going forward, creating a two-on-one. He got the puck over to Geno, who buried it.

The Pens added some insurance markers, but they really dominated the game from that point forward.

Who scored?

Letang (6), Malkin 2 (12, 13), Crosby (27), Cooke (6), Conner (3)

The Good?

• Just about everything, but my top item worthy of praise tonight was the penalty kill. They'd allowed a goal in seven straight games but managed to (somehow) weather the storm tonight in the face of 8 chances for the Coyotes. It wasn't pretty, and they got some help from bad ice and broken sticks, but it worked.
• A five point night for Geno and three more for Sid.
• Not sure if this is "good" or not... but EVERY player for the Pens played on the penalty kill. All of them. Seriously. Even Asham and Kennedy... Rupp and Letestu... Engelland... wow.
• Great work by Flower during the first period especially to stone the Coyotes until the Pens could get things going.

The Bad?

• Taking four penalties in the first and then the extended five-on-three debacle late in the second. Fortunately it didn't hurt the Pens, but those are seven penalties you can't take, and most of them were mental mistakes.
• Hopefully Taylor Pyatt isn't hurt. Engelland hit him with a KO punch.
• Scottie Upshall is annoying to watch when he's not on your team. I remember when he and Hartnell were on the Flyers together... boy that was aggravating to see as a fan... I can't imagine what it was like to play against them.

The Ugly?

• Keith Yandle, early in the second, doesn't make the easy play to get the puck out while on the PK. He decides to try to kill some more clock and trips on his own feet behind his own net. Faster than you can say "dumb", the puck is in the back of the net courtesy of Sid and Geno. Really ugly for Yandle. I know he doesn't get a minus for that, but boy he sure should.

Any Surprises?

• The shenanigans between Shane Doan and Matt Cooke (they bumped after the game) were surprising in the sense that we don't see much of that from Cooke against teams from the East. He and Doan must not like each other from way back.

What's their record now? Any important move in the standings?

The Pens are now 22-10-2. They are three points behind the Flyers for the lead in the Atlantic division and the NHL.

Who's next?

A day off and then back-to-back games on Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday is the warm-up act as the Panthers come to Consol.

Game #34 - vs Phoenix Coyotes

Game 34

Coyotes (15-9-7, 37 points) at Penguins (21-10-2, 44 points)

Why does it matter?
Two straight losses make the winning streak seem like a distant memory. The Pens need to right the ship, and Sid needs to start getting the puck on the net again.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - There has been some time off after last Wednesday's loss to the Rangers. That gave us all time to watch 24/7 on HBO!
• Coyotes - They've had mixed success on their East Coast trip, going 1-1-1 in New Jersey and New York.

Questions to be answered

• Can the Pens take advantage of a leaky PK and a goalie not playing well? Bryzgalov is not likely to play, and LaBarbera has been average (three goals per game with a decent save percentage over the last two).
• Can the Pens plug their own leaks? The PK has allowed a goal in 7 straight games.
• Can the Pens match the work ethic of the Coyotes? This has been a problem for them in the past.

Keys to the game

• Sid shooting the puck is paramount. The ESPN preview has the stat of the year so far - when Sid has four or more shots, the Pens are 14-1-1. They're just 7-9-1 when he doesn't.
• Jump all over Yandle and Morris. Yandle was a minus player in six of his past nine, and Morris in four of the past five.
• Play 60 minutes. Zone time early on is great, but it needs to be followed up by more zone time later in the game to be effective.

Rangers 4, Penguins 1

So what happened?

The first two periods were fine. The third period? No so much.

The Pens had it all going in the first period, outshooting the Rangers 15-6 and possessing the puck in the offensive zone for much of the last 5 minutes of the period. It culminated in a great goal by Geno off of a nice pass from Sid.

After that, the Pens didn't have the same tenacity, or at least not the same level of success.

Who scored?

Malkin (11)

The Good?

• Geno scored his third goal in two games on a beautiful move to beat Lundqvist.
• Sid's point streak will continue after his assist on Geno's goal.
• Johnson was great through the first two periods.

The Bad?

• Johnson was really bad in the third. His defense didn't help him, but he seemed to be off his angle on several of the goals.
• Asham engaged Avery early in the third with the Pens holding a 1-0 lead. I don't like fighting at that point - there's nothing to gain and everything to lose. The Rangers seemed to be able to turn up the intensity and feed off of that.
• Only six shots in the third period is not enough offense.

The Ugly?

• The Pens had a goal disallowed that would have tied the game. The refs ruled that Dupuis went into Lundqvist, preventing him from having a chance to make the save. It was a HORRIBLE call, since the replay showed clearly that Rosival pushed Dupuis into King Henrik. Really, really bad.

Any Surprises?

• The lack of zone time and shots on net during the second and third period... again... were disappointing and surprising.

What's their record now? Any important move in the standings?

The Pens are now 21-10-2. Let's avoid talking about the standings until they get the ship righted, okay?

Who's next?

The Pens have some time to work on things with no games this weekend. The Coyotes come to Consol on Monday.

Game #33 - vs New York Rangers

Game 33

Rangers (18-13-1, 37 points) at Penguins (21-9-2, 44 points)

Why does it matter?
The Pens are fortunate to have a chance to rebound quickly after their winning streak was snapped last night in Philadelphia.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - 15-2-1 in their past 18 games. Even with the loss last night, those numbers look pretty good, don't they?
• Rangers - The Blueshirts have been all over the map lately in terms of consistency. Their most recent result, however, was impressive - a 7-0 pasting of the Caps.

Questions to be answered

• Will we see Brent Johnson? Fleury played really well last night, and the Pens don't play again until Monday... but my money is on Johnson.
• How will the Rangers respond to the return of Chris Drury? He has only played in one period so far this season.
• Will the tenacity and urgency be there now that the streak is over?

Keys to the game

• The power play will be key. The Rangers PK is all kinds of inconsistent. Catch them on a bad night and it is party time.
• Ignore Sean Avery - only go after him if he does something stupid (which should be about once per period).
• Get back to your game - focus on offensive zone time and getting the puck deep. That, more than anything, will be key to earning two points again.

Flyers 3, Penguins 2

So what happened?

The Flyers were the better team tonight. If not for the blasts by Geno on the power play, this would have been a serious exercise in futility. The Pens could not mount any sustained attack or offensive zone presence. They also couldn't make the Flyers pay for a completely idiotic penalty taken by Powe with just over two minutes left (seriously - why go anywhere near Fleury if you're Powe?). All in all, it was a very disappointing effort - too much time hemmed into the defensive zone and no consistent pressure when they did get the puck deep.

Who scored?

Malkin 2 (9, 10)

The Good?

• The power play managed two goals, driven entirely by Geno's shooting.
• Fleury was excellent for most of the night. Two of the three goals that went in were deflections that went up high on him - he had no chance.
• No one was injured (seriously - that's all I can come up with).

The Bad?

• 13 shots at even strength for the entire game. That isn't going to get it done.
• Kunitz was scratched. Hopefully he isn't injured too badly.
• The PK allowing the crucial goal in the third period was not good.

The Ugly?

• The last two minutes or so of the game... on the power play... over 60 seconds with Fleury pulled... you know how many shots went on net? ZERO!! At least get one to the goalie, let him freeze it, and call timeout to get your troops rested. That was the most disappointing part of the entire evening for me.

Any Surprises?

• Kunitz not playing was a surprise.

What's their record now? Any important move in the standings?

The Pens are now 21-9-2. The Flyers have vaulted over the Pens and now lead them by one point for the Atlantic (and NHL) lead.

Who's next?

A chance to bounce back quickly against the Rangers in Pittsburgh.

Game #32 - at Philadelphia Flyers

Game 32

Penguins (21-8-2, 44 points) at Flyers (19-7-5, 43 points)

Why does it matter?
Not only is this a Pittsburgh / Philly game, it is also a game between the top two teams in the NHL right now. I'd call it mandatory viewing.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - 15-1-1 in their past 17 games. Everything has been going well for the Pens, obviously.
• Flyers - 4-0-1 in their past 5 games. The Flyers have been largely staying out of trouble (except for Jody Shelley, who is suspended for two games).

Questions to be answered

• Boucher or Bobrovsky? I'm thinking the Pens can take advantage of either one with the way they're playing right now.
• Will someone do something dumb to get Sid going? "Someone" includes the crowd, with their moronic "Crosby Sucks" chant. That chant is starting to sound like music to my ears, because every time Sid hears it, he seems to kick it up another gear.
• Is this the right game to bring Geno back? Even though the Flyers have largely been on good behavior, you don't really want to go into a game with them if you're not 100%.

Keys to the game

• Special teams are key. The Pens have been leaky on the PK and quiet on the power play. The Flyers have largely stayed out of the box. The teams that converts on their chances will win this game.
• Initiate, don't retaliate.
• Be tenacious around your own net with boxing out the Flyers after a shot. Protect Fleury (who I assume will start tonight).

Penguins 5, Sabres 2

So what happened?

This was a team game with some great play between the pipes by Marc-Andre Fleury. Just look at the list of goal scorers... Asham, Rupp and Jeffrey? That kind of effort is why the Pens are on a big time winning streak.

Who scored?

Jeffrey (1), Asham (4), Goligoski (6), Rupp (3), Cooke (5)

The Good?

• Dustin Jeffrey had a great debut performance (for this season) with 10 minutes of ice time, a goal when he won an individual battle to get to the right position in front of the net, and a nice pass from the boards to Mike Rupp to set up the fourth goal.
• The level of intensity was high for much of this game and the Pens didn't back down from the challenge.
• Flower was excellent, especially early when he had to make several key saves. His save on Mike Grier (I think), kicking out the left leg to stop a puck along the ice was especially nice.

The Bad?

• The Sabres seemed to be gripping the stick a bit too tightly. They had several chances where they didn't manage to get a shot on net.
• Watching Mike Weber take liberties with Sid and then refuse to drop the gloves with anyone (Asham and Rupp both tried to get him to go) was poor.
• The Sabres as a team seemed perfectly happy to run guys and get chippy, but refused to drop the gloves when the time came (see Jason Pominville hugging Matt Cooke like he's a long-lost brother). I'm not sure if that's smart or cheap... but at least they were left with no points earned at the end of the night.
• Another off night for the special teams - one goal allowed by the PK and none scored by the PP. If they keep winning, you can't complain, but at some point they'll need a big lift from the special teams.

The Ugly?

• Pominville wins my Ugly Award for the night. He had the previously mentioned bear hug with Cooke (where he was basically hanging on for dear life) and a cheap hit on Talbot where he appeared to target the head, despite the fact that Talbot was already down near the ice.

Any Surprises?

• I was surprised by the level of physicality in this one. The Sabres aren't usually this kind of team, and the Pens are normally content to play a good skating game.

What's their record now? Any important move in the standings?

The Pens are now 21-8-2. The Flyer won last night to keep pace, so the Pens have a one point lead on the Atlantic and the rest of the NHL.

Who's next?

A HUGE Tuesday night match with the Flyers in Philly.

Game #31 - at Buffalo Sabres

Game 31

Penguins (20-8-2, 42 points) at Sabres (12-13-4, 28 points)

Why does it matter?
Because as hot as the Pens have been, the Flyers are right there with them in the standings. Earning two points against a team that has struggled so far is a must.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - 14-1-1 in their past 16 games. The good news is that it seems the team is never comfortable with their position. As long as they keep working to get better, they'll be fine.
• Sabres - 4-1-1 in their past six games. They've been much better lately.

Questions to be answered

• Will the Pens be ready for Ryan Miller? He was out for the 1-0 win before Thanksgiving.
• Can the Pens clean things up on special teams? Eventually the trend of not scoring on the power play while allowing a goal on the PK every game is going to catch up with them.
• Will Geno play?

Keys to the game

• Just keep going. Like Sid said: "As a group, we just want to keep going".
• Stay physical and disciplined. The Sabres have earned just four power plays in the past three games. You know they'll be looking to change that.
• Have the legs ready. These are both puck-possession teams.

Penguins 5, Maple Leafs 2

So what happened?

The Pens jumped out to a 4-0 lead after two periods and almost let the Leafs crawl back into the game. Even in victory, the third period was very disappointing. There was some sloppy play with the puck and an ill-timed penalty taken by Matt Cooke. Fortunately the PK was able to kill it off, because the Leafs would have cut the lead to one if they had scored on that third period power play.

The Leafs effort in the third should not have been a surprise to the Pens. You know the coaches were telling them after the second period that the Leafs have two straight third period comebacks. Hopefully this will serve as a painless wake-up call.

At any rate, the Pens were firing on all cylinders for the first two periods and managed to get the two points, and that's all that matters.

Who scored?

Crosby 2 (25,26), Dupuis (7), Letestu 2 (5,6)

The Good?

• Grabovski was impressive for the Leafs. He showed some spirit and had a nasty wrist shot to score Toronto's second goal.
• Sid nearly had the hat trick. He just couldn't get his stick on a puck that he had put behind the Monster.
• Dan Bylsma is psychic. He sensed trouble early in the third and had the foresight to put Godard out there with Crosby and Kunitz. When Rosehill tried to take some liberties, Godard was able to step in and handle the heavy lifting. He took a game misconduct in doing so, but there was no more nonsense.

The Bad?

• The Pens were out shot 15-2 in the third period. That's both bad and ugly.
• Special teams didn't fare any better tonight. The PK let one in and the power play failed to score.

The Ugly?

• Rosehill's gash on the forehead that was opened by Eric Godard, seemingly after Rosehill was on the ice. That isn't something you ever want to see, but you can't feel too bad for Rosehill - he hit both Sid and Paul Martin on that shift in a questionable manner.

Any Surprises?

• Letestu with the first two-goal game of his NHL career! I hope he gets back in the scoring knack - his line has been generating offense for a few games now.

What's their record now? Any important move in the standings?

The Pens are now 20-8-2. They have a three point lead on the rest of the NHL and have an NHL-best +27 goal differential. This is really amazing to watch right now. Enjoy it while it lasts!

Who's next?

A trip to Buffalo on Saturday night.

Game #30 - vs Toronto Maple Leafs

Game 30

Maple Leafs (10-12-4, 24 points) at Penguins (19-8-2, 40 points)

Why does it matter?
The Leafs are a tough match up for the Pens, due both to their history in Pittsburgh, as well as their recent play.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - 13-1-1 in their past 15 games. Sid just keeps going at a clip of just over two points per game.
• Maple Leafs - They had a great third period rally against the Caps on Monday night.

Questions to be answered

• Will the Pens be ready? The Leafs won't quit, especially considering their rally on Monday and their victory over the Pens earlier this season.
• Can the Pens clean up the PK, which has been on the leaky side the past three games?
• Will Geno play?

Keys to the game

• The Leafs don't take many penalties, so dig in an earn the calls by keeping the legs going.
• Take advantage of the chances you do get with the man-advantage.
• Dictate the pace. The Leafs have been all over the board recently as far as shots taken / shots allowed. They seem to be susceptible to a strong team imposing their will (tell that to Washington, eh?)

Penguins 2, Devils 1

So what happened?

The Pens played a mostly boring game against the Devils, who were content to play (and lose) a neutral zone trap game.

The Pens took advantage of their chances, with Kunitz scoring off of the rush and Sid scoring on a rebound when they generated some good pressure in the offensive zone. They managed some good offense on the power play, but were unable to score.

The team defense was great, with Flower in place to make the saves when he needed to.

How long can they keep things going?

Who scored?

Kunitz (8), Crosby (24)

The Good?

• Hedberg was very good, especially in the first period when the Pens threw 16 shots at him.
• Sid's amazing reception of the pass with his back skate entering the Devil's zone to set up Kunitz's goal to tie the game at 1-1. He now has a 16 game scoring streak.
• The PK came up with some big kills in the third period.
• Craig Adams never quits. He made all the little plays tonight at several key times.

The Bad?

• The PK has allowed a goal in three straight games now.
• The power play was unable to score in 6 chances tonight. The generated good pressure, but Hedberg had just enough rebound control to keep the puck out.

The Ugly?

• The hit by Rolston on Paul Martin was ugly and reckless. I know it wasn't intentional, but you can't cross-check a guy in the back when he's just five feet from the boards.

Any Surprises?

• Bill Guerin is going to Hawaii!!

What's their record now? Any important move in the standings?

The Pens are now 19-8-2. With the Caps third period collapse tonight against the Leafs, the Pens are in the #1 spot in the NHL, with a one point lead over the Caps.

Who's next?

The Leafs visit Consol on Wednesday night.

Game #29 - vs New Jersey Devils

Game 29

Devils (8-16-2, 18 points) at Penguins (18-8-2, 38 points)

Why does it matter?
This is a trap game. The Devils have been really bad. The Pens can't take them for granted.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - 12-1-1 in their past 14 games. If anything, they're improving their play as they go along.
• Devils - Just when things were looking up, with three wins in four games, they go out and allow 5 goals in two straight games, losing both contests.

Questions to be answered

• Can the Pens keep the offense going without Geno? Historically, they've struggled without Malkin in the lineup.
• Will the Pens be up for this one? The Devils have been really, really bad.
• Can Sid keep up the goal scoring pace?

Keys to the game

• Keep it simple. Get the puck deep and go to work. Take nothing for granted.
• Be smart about the dump-ins. Both goalies for the Devils are good at handling the puck and can short-circuit the forecheck.
• Make the Devils play your style. The Pens are at their best with the up-tempo zone control game with lots of hitting. Don't get sucked into the trap.

Penguins 7, Blue Jackets 2

So what happened?

This is getting embarrassing. The Pens smeared the Blue Jackets tonight. At the end of the first period, the score was 4-0, Steve Mason had been chased, and the shots were 16-2 in favor of the Pens. This isn't a case of the statistics lying either - it was clearly that one-sided.

Who scored?

Martin 2 (2,3), Rupp (2), Crosby 2 (22, 23), Kennedy (5), Engelland (2)

The Good?

• What wasn't good?
• Fleury made some key saves when the game was marginally in doubt (though any time you face just two shots in a period, you have a good chance to win).
• The power play scored three times, which was good to see considering Geno was out with a knee injury.
• There was no funny business. I fully expected to see someone get a little too over-zealous, but there really wasn't anything. The only fight was a direct result of some stick-slapping during a faceoff.

The Bad?

• Nothing. Really.

The Ugly?

• I can't come up with anything. Maybe the Blue Jackets first goal. It was a deflection by Pahlsson, who was standing alone in front of Fleury. The reason Pahlsson was all alone? He had cross-checked Michalek in the back and right out of the play.

Any Surprises?

• Geno missing the game was a surprise.

What's their record now? Any important move in the standings?

The Pens are now 18-8-2. They are tied for the NHL lead in points with the Caps. They lead the Flyers in the Atlantic by two points.

Who's next?

The Devils come to Consol on Monday night.

Game #28 - at Columbus Blue Jackets

Game 28

Penguins (17-8-2, 36 points) at Blue Jackets (14-9-1, 29 points)

Why does it matter?
The Blue Jackets are one of the surprise stories in the NHL this year, despite recent struggles. This is a also good chance to continue the development of a regional rivalry.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - 11-1-1 in their past 13 games. You know they're going to lose eventually, but the way they're playing right now, it sure doesn't feel like it.
• Blue Jackets - The Jackets have lost four straight and are playing for the third time in four nights.

Questions to be answered

• Based on their recent schedule and results, you know the Blue Jackets will come out with a fire lit under them. Will the Pens be ready to go?
• Can the Pens stop Rick Nash? He had 10 goals in 11 games during November.
• Do the Jackets have an answer for Sid?

Keys to the game

• Roll four lines all night long. The Jackets are deep, especially down the middle with Umberger, Vermette and Brassard. Only Jared Boll averages less than 10 minutes per game.
• Some of our wingers need to play better on the road. Kennedy is a -3 with one goal on the road, and Chris Kunitz doesn't shoot the puck as much on the road for some reason.
• If the game is tight, the faceoff battle between Sid and Vermette will be key. Vermette is very good on faceoffs.

Penguins 3, Thrashers 2

So what happened?

The score should be: Crosby 3, Thrashers 2. He was great tonight, netting the hat trick. He didn't do it alone, however. Flower made several great saves, and the team defense made the victory look relatively easy.

Is it me, or is the defense making these games look easy?

Who scored?

Crosby 3 (19,20,21)

The Good?

• Sid's hat trick was a natural, which means that he scored all three at even strength (in case you didn't know).
• The Pens allowed just 22 shots to the Thrashers, including just 5 in the third period when Atlanta was trying to come back from a one-goal deficit.
• As noted above, Flower was excellent again.
• The third line was generating some consistent offense. They have the speed to take on other teams, despite their lack of size. Conner shows a remarkable ability to win battles along the wall, again despite his lack of size.
• The Pens were able to roll four lines. Geno only played 16:26, largely due to the lack of power play chances by the Pens.

The Bad?

• The PK allowed a goal, but that's not really bad - they had gone 30-some chances without allowing one.

The Ugly?

• Nope - this was pretty low-key and clean.

Any Surprises?

• Max Talbot was credited with 7 hits. He's making the most of his chances on the second line.

What's their record now? Any important move in the standings?

The Pens are now 17-8-2. They lead the Atlantic division over the Flyers by two points. The Flyers have lost three in a row.

Who's next?

Saturday night in Columbus to play the Blue Jackets.

Game #27 - vs Atlanta Thrashers

Game 27

Thrashers (13-9-3, 29 points) at Penguins (16-8-2, 34 points)

Why does it matter?
The Thrashers are almost as hot as the Pens are. This will be a good litmus test, as the Pens have been beating up teams that are struggling.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - 10-1-1 in their past 12 games. All good things must end, but let's hope the Pens' streak doesn't end tonight.
• Thrashers - 6 straight wins, 5 goals against. That says it all.

Questions to be answered

• Which Pavelec will show up? The one that struggles against the Pens or the one that is red hot recently?
• Do the Pens have an answer for Byfuglien? He's big, physical and scores big goals.
• Can Geno step it up and have a big game?

Keys to the game

• Execute on special teams. The Thrashers don't take many penalties or draw many, but their PP is good for the chances they get.
• Play the match-up game. Get Sid and Geno out there against the likes of Antropov up front and Bogosian on the blue line.
• Keep the wings alert in the defensive zone. Byfuglien has more shots this season than Sid does (!!!). The forwards will need to make sure not to give him time and space to crank it up (and watch for him sneaking in the back door).

Penguins 3, Rangers 1

So what happened?

The Pens had a relatively easy win tonight over the Rangers, who didn't look ready to play during the first two periods of the game. They were lucky to be down by only two when the third period started. By the time they turned it on, it was too late, because the Pens were up to the challenge of stopping them.

Top to bottom, this was an excellent road win. Tight play, great penalty killing, great work ethic and great goaltending.

Who scored?

Talbot (5), Letang (5), Conner (2)

The Good?

• The PK gets the gold star of the night with two HUGE kills during the third period.
• Flower was excellent again, allowing only a laser beam by Gaborik to beat him.
• The defense was solid around Fleury, clearing several pucks out of harm's way.
• The third line of Conner, Letestu and Kennedy has been excellent. They're not really playing the typical "shutdown" role that we're used to seeing when it was Staal and Cooke out there, but they're generating offensive pressure consistently.
• Sid was 14-5 on faceoffs. That's an incredible number, just like the last time these two teams met.
• Kennedy answered the bell with Sean Avery after Avery took a few liberties with Sid and Geno. That's one of the things that TK does really well.

The Bad?

• Steigerwald - "I Wear My Sunglasses at Night" - sung on live TV. That is about as bad as it gets.
• The ice was tilting against the Pens in the third. Ideally, you'd like to see them be able to keep the intensity and push back a little bit... but they didn't allow a goal, so you can't really complain too much.

The Ugly?

• The Rangers on Talbot's goal. It was like the Keystone Cops - Girardi caught the puck and dropped it towards his own net, not seeing Marc Staal. Staal stepped over the puck, cutting off Girardi, allowing Talbot to wrist it past an unprepared Lundqvist. Pretty ugly.

Any Surprises?

• The Pens lost the overall faceoff battle, despite Sid's amazing numbers (28-26)

What's their record now? Any important move in the standings?

The Pens are now 16-8-2. They are tied with the Flyers for the Atlantic division lead, and just two points behind the Caps for the NHL lead.

Who's next?

A few days off until the Thrashers come to town on Thursday.

Game #26 - at New York Rangers

Game 26

Penguins (15-8-2, 32 points) at Rangers (14-10-1, 29 points)

Why does it matter?
The last loss the Pens suffered this season was at the hands of the Rangers two weeks ago. This is a chance to avenge that loss, as well as earn two points in a divisional match up.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - 9-1-1 in their past 11 games. Things have been going great for the Pens, led by Sid and Fleury.
• Rangers - They've won four out of five, and Lundqvist is in a zone. He has stopped 69 of the previous 70 shots he has faced.

Questions to be answered

• Can Flower get back into the swing of things after getting a game off?
• Can the Pens beat on Lundqvist? They've had some decent success against him recently (he has won just 2 of the previous 9 against the Pens).
• Can the Pens exploit the Rangers' PK like Tampa did last Wednesday when they lit the lamp three times with the man-advantage?

Keys to the game

• Ignore Sean Avery.
• Keep the effort level high. Players like Dubinsky and Staal don't quit... ever.
• Be disciplined in your own zone. The Rangers have speed and like to forecheck. Make sure to do the simple things and get the puck out.

Penguins 4, Flames 1

So what happened?

Missed another one. The holidays wreak havoc on the viewing schedule.

Nice to see Sid with the hat trick and Johnson with a solid performance in net.

Also nice to see the Pens throw another 40+ shots at the opposition.

Who scored?

Asham (3), Crosby 3 (16,17,18)

What's their record now? Any important move in the standings?

The Pens are now 15-8-2. With the Flyers' loss last night, the Pens are now just two points out of first place in the Atlantic

Who's next?

A trip to MSG with a chance to avenge one of the worst losses of the year on Monday night.

Game #25 - vs Calgary Flames

Game 25

Penguins (14-8-2, 30 points) at Flames (9-11-2, 20 points)

Why does it matter?
The Flames are another team that has been pretty bad so far this season. Since a 6-3 start, they are 3-8-2. The Pens have another golden chance at two points against what looks to be an inferior opponent. Make hay while the sun shines - the schedule won't be as favorable later in the season.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - 8-1-1 in their past 9 games. Yesterday saw a nice win over the Sens, with some great goaltending all around.
• Flames - Just three wins in the month of November, but one of those was yesterday in Philly. Beating the Flyers was something we can be thankful for to the Flames.

Questions to be answered

• Does Johnson play today?
• How can the Flames be this bad? They have a great goaltender and lots of offense in their lineup.
• Can we keep Olli bottled up? He always seems to play well against the Pens, and he's struggling so far this year.

Keys to the game

• Draw penalties and get onto the power play. That's the best recipe for beating Kiprusoff, and the PK of the Flames can be had.
• Match up well. The Flames can load up a top line better than most opponents, with Iginla leading the way. Expect a healthy dose of Michalek against Iginla.
• Let Iginla sleep. He has had a slow start to the season. Don't provoke him.

Penguins 2, Senators 1

So what happened?

Who saw this coming? The Pens and Sens combined for 84 shots (44 by the Pens) and the goaltenders stood up to the challenge. The Pens prevailed on the strength of two power play goals.

Who scored?

Malkin (8), Goligoski (5)

The Good?

• Two goals on the power play is a big plus.
• Flower was terrific. He was in good position and made a few ten-bell saves.
• The effort level the Pens showed when the Sens were desperately trying to tie the game was excellent. In other games recently, they seemed to not rise to the challenge. Today was a completely different story.
• Geno was 5-2 on faceoffs.

The Bad?

• Asham and Rupp played about 6 minutes each, including just one shift in the third period. You'd like to get at least three shifts out of those guys to help keep the top guys a bit more fresh.
• The Pens allowed 21 shots in the first period.

The Ugly?

• Nothing really. This was a pretty exciting hockey game to watch.

Any Surprises?

• All the offense was very surprising.

What's their record now? Any important move in the standings?

The Pens are now 13-8-2.

Who's next?

A very short break until they play the Flames tomorrow afternoon at 1:00.

Game #24 - vs Ottawa Senators

Game 24

Penguins (13-8-2, 28 points) at Sabres (10-11-1, 21 points)

Why does it matter?
First off, I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. I know I did.

This one should be two points. It is the kind of game the Pens need to win if they want to earn one of the top seeds in the East and keep improving as a team.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - 7-1-1 in their past 9 games. They gutted out a win over the Sabres on Wednesday night.
• Senators - Other than a hot streak that saw them win 8 out of 11, the Senators have been really bad. They have managed less than 20 shots per game over their last three games.

Questions to be answered

• This is the kind of game where the Pens need to knock down the Sens and not let them up. Will they be able to do it?
• It feels like the Pens have struggled with early starts. Can they get the legs going for the 1:00 drop of the puck?
• Can Sid keep his point streak going?

Keys to the game

• Dictate the pace of play. The Sens are not doing much offensively right now.
• Keep the PK strong. The one way I think the Sens can steal this game is with their power play.
• Attack Gonchar and Phillips - both are a team-worst -12.

Penguins 1, Sabres 0

So what happened?

I missed this one. Chalk it up to travelling for Thanksgiving.

Nice to see the rare Fleury shutout. He has the "A Game" going right now.

The Pens are on a serious hot streak now. The key will be to not slip into a losing streak like late October when they won 5 out of 6 followed directly by losing 5 out of 6.

Who scored?

Dupuis (6)

What's their record now? Any important move in the standings?

The Pens are now 13-8-2. They are in second place in the Atlantic, four points behind the streaking Flyers. They're also fourth place in the conference, tied with Tampa Bay.

Who's next?

An early start on Friday to shake off the turkey. The Sens come to Consol at 1:00.

Game #23 - at Buffalo Sabres

Game 23

Penguins (12-8-2, 26 points) at Sabres (8-11-3, 19 points)

Why does it matter?
This is a chance for the Pens to keep the momentum going, especially against an opponent that is missing a few key players (Miller and Connolly).

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - 6-1-1 in their past 8 games. They didn't fold on Monday against the Panthers and it earned them two points.
• Sabres - A recent hot streak has turned them from horrendous to just plain bad.

Questions to be answered

• Will we see Patrick Lalime? He has played well enough to lose every decision, but three of them were one goal games. If it isn't Lalime, it will be Enroth.
• How can Jordan Leopold go from a #5 or #6 defensemen on the Pens last year to a #1 on the Sabres? Were the Pens wrong? Is it the system in Buffalo?
• Special teams are on fire right now for the Pens. Can they keep the results consistent (especially on the power play)?

Keys to the game

• Make the most of your chances. The Sabres don't allow too many shots, and the Pens seem to be content to take what the opposition gives them. When you play that way, you need to convert when you have the chance.
• The power play for the Sabres can be dangerous. Watch out for Vanek and Roy.
• Play the match-up game as best you can. Tyler Myers is a -9. Steve Montador is a +14. Get Sid and Geno out there against Myers as much as possible.

Penguins 3, Panthers 2

So what happened?

The Pens played an amazing first period and were only up by one coming out of it. They played an average second period and the game was tied after that.

It all came down to a great effort goal by the combination of Letestu and Conner (a great example of the mythical "secondary scoring") and a great PK effort with less than 4 minutes remaining.

The Pens pulled out the close one in Florida.

Who scored?

Letang (4), Crosby (15), Conner (1)

The Good?

• Flower was great again. He made some big saves when he needed to.
• The power play had two tonight, and they couldn't have been more different. Letang took an early shot from the point while Kunitz blocked the vision of Vokoun. Goligoski made a great pass to a cutting Crosby, who took the pass on his backhand, shifted it to the forehand, and deposited it past a sprawling Vokoun (who was going the wrong way).
• The PK was great all night long, especially when Kennedy took a bad penalty with 4:37 left in the third (dumb, dumb penalty). They killed it off for him and that essentially sealed the win.

The Bad?

• Max Talbot, on the second line ostensibly to take faceoffs, did his best Geno impression and won just one of eleven faceoffs. The team as a whole lost 34 out of 54 (Sid was 13-9).
• The play leveled off after a hot start. You'd like to see the Pens keep it a bit more consistent in the second. If the puck isn't following you, then make sure you're doing the little things right.

The Ugly?

• Booth slew-footed Sid as time expired in the third. It was an especially cheap move considering they were both heading towards the boards. Booth should know what it feels like to be the victim of a dangerous play.

Any Surprises?

• Rupp and Engelland scratched? In the middle of a winning streak? Maybe because they want to get everyone into a game while the Dads are in the building? Thank goodness they won...

What's their record now? Any important move in the standings?

The Pens are now 12-8-2. They are in second place in the Atlantic, four points behind the Flyers (who beat the Caps over the weekend and the Habs earlier tonight).

Who's next?

The Pens have the weekend off until they go to Florida on Monday to play the Panthers.

Game #22 - at Florida Panthers

Game 22

Penguins (11-8-2, 24 points) at Panthers (9-9-0, 18 points)

Why does it matter?
The Panthers have played pretty well at home recently, and Florida can be a tough state for the Pens historically.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - 5-1-1 in their past 7 games. Friday was ugly, but it was worth two points.
• Panthers - They're just returning from a four game road trip, but they've won three in a row at home and 5 out of 8 overall.

Questions to be answered

• Assuming he plays, will the Pens be able to solve Vokoun? He has a save percentage of 93% and 94% against them in the last two seasons respectively.
• Can the Pens stay consistent and sharp against a team that doesn't have a clear scoring threat? Booth and Weiss are good, but neither has set the world on fire so far this year.
• Will Geno react to Errey's comments on NHL Live by turning it up a notch?

Keys to the game

• Shots. Lots of shots. The Pens have peppered Vokoun over the past two seasons and managed to win several games as a direct result (including three in OT last year).
• Watch out for offense from the blue line. Wideman and McCabe are good offensively and can contribute.
• Score three and you'll probably win. When Vokoun plays, the Panthers have won just once when allowing more than two goals.

Penguins 5, Hurricanes 4 (OT - SO - 2-0)

So what happened?

The Pens played a wild one with the Canes. There were periods of good defensive hockey and periods of... not so good defensive hockey. The good news is that the Pens were able to do enough to escape with two points.

The play of the night was made by the replay boys in Toronto. The Pens took the lead in the third on a highly controversial goal. Kunitz shot the puck from point blank range and the whistle blew just as the puck dropped in behind the line and into the net. Everyone watching on TV (and Steigy and Errey) expected it to be "no goal". It probably should have been - it was clear the ref had lost sight of the puck and you could hear the whistle. For some unknown reason, the review reversed the call on the ice.

The Canes tied the game late in the third, but in a distinct departure from the Rangers game, the Pens were able to get the points.

Who scored?

Kunitz 2 (6,7), Kennedy (4), Crosby (14)

The Good?

• Fleury was good when he needed to be. He was hung out to dry on more than one of the goals that went in, and he made more than one key save on deflections in the OT.
• Lots of even-strength play tonight from two teams that like to skate. It was nice to not have a game bogged down by special teams.
• Crosby had a four point night and was clearly the player of the game.
• Kunitz also had a great game. He scored twice, delivered several big hits and established a new record on the high jump when he snagged the puck out of the air with both skates off of the ice.
• Geno had three points tonight and played good hockey at both ends (barring one bad turnover late in the game trying to go out of his zone in front of his own goalie).

The Bad?

• Allowing another third period lead to disappear late is bad. They have to find a way to win those games in regulation.

The Ugly?

• Third period faceoffs. The Canes dominated the Pens. It was 16-3 at one point. That's really ugly.

Any Surprises?

• I was surprised that Peters got the start in goal for the Canes. He hasn't been very good this year.

What's their record now? Any important move in the standings?

The Pens are now 11-8-2. They are in second place in the Atlantic, just two points behind the Flyers.

Who's next?

The Pens have the weekend off until they go to Florida on Monday to play the Panthers.

Game #21 - vs Carolina Hurricanes

Game 21

Hurricanes (9-9-0, 18 points) at Penguins (10-8-2, 22 points)

Why does it matter?
The Pens want to close out their home stand on a positive note. They'd also like to solve Cam Ward, who has played really well against them the past three years.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - The Pens are hot, with 7 points in their past 4 games, capped by a great win over the Canucks. Fleury has been the biggest reason for this, I think.
• Hurricanes - In the past four games, the winning team has scored 7 or 8 goals and the losers just 1 or 2. The funny thing is that the Canes have split these games. Talk about hot and cold!

Questions to be answered

• Which Canes team will show up? The one that scores 7 or allows 7?
• Can the Pens exploit the Canes PK, which has not only sprung a leak in the dam, but is in danger of flooding the village?
• Can the Pens play the same competent, complete game they showed against the Canucks?

Keys to the game

• Control Staal. He has four multi-point games in his past five, including a five point effort (and hat trick) on Wednesday.
• Stay away from the dumb penalties - there were too many undisciplined trips to the box against the Canucks. Also - the Canes have been very good on the power play lately.
• Score three to win - the Canes haven't lost a game yet where they've allowed fewer than three goals.

Penguins 3, Canucks 1

So what happened?

The team defense won the game for the Pens. That started with Flower, but also included both the blue liners and the forwards who back-checked relentlessly all night long.

Fleury made several key saves and the Pens took advantage of some gaffes by the Canucks while on the power play to build a lead.

The Pens never relinquished that lead.

Who scored?

Crosby (13), Talbot (4), Asham (2)

The Good?

• Flower. Again. Really good.
• The hard work, especially from the forwards, paid off big time, both at even strength and...
• On the PK, when Talbot and Cooke's extra effort led directly to the Pens' second goal.
• On Asham's goal, Geno was going hard to the net. He seemed to be in the "this puck is going in one way or another" mindset. He went towards the post hard enough that he fell and knocked it off the moorings after the puck was batted in by Asham.
• By building a lead, the Pens were able to roll their lines while the Canucks largely skated with just three lines for much of the evening. That paid off big time as the Canucks were unable to muster a serious threat in the later part of the third period.
• The PK shut down one of the best power play units in the NHL.

The Bad?

• Geno and faceoffs just are not good buddies right now. Malkin lost all 8 draws that he took. This is one area he really needs to improve on (or quit taking them).

The Ugly?

• I don't have anything. There was nothing tonight that I'd classify as "ugly".

Any Surprises?

• Dupuis and Cooke both had more ice time than Malkin. Geno can't be 100% healthy right now.

What's their record now? Any important move in the standings?

The Pens are now 10-8-2. They are in second place in the Atlantic, four points behind the Flyers.

Who's next?

The three game home stand ends on Friday against Carolina.

Game #20 - vs Vancouver Canucks

Game 20

Canucks (10-4-3, 23 points) at Penguins (9-8-2, 17 points)

Why does it matter?
The Canucks are a tough foe from the Western Conference. It's a game where the Pens can let it all hang out without fear of giving points to an opponent in their division or conference.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - Just coming off of improved play, but a miserable loss on Monday to the Rangers.
• Canucks - The fellows from Vancouver are wrapping up a five game road trip against the Eastern Conference.

Questions to be answered

• Can the Pens slow down the Canucks high-powered offense? If the Canucks score 3 or more, their record is 9-1-1. If they score less than three, they are 1-3-2.
• Can the Pens slow down the Canucks power play? They have SEVEN multi-goal games on the PP so far this year. That's an amazing number.
• Do the Canucks have an Achilles Heel? This might be the best team the Pens have played so far.

Keys to the game

• Keep them under three goals.
• Get traffic around Luongo. He's used to seeing a fair number of shots. The Pens have been doing a good job of getting bodies in front lately. That will have to continue.
• Score first. You don't want to get behind to this team and have to start pressing.
• Stay out of the box! The Canucks are over 30% on the power play over their last 10 games.

Rangers 3, Penguins 2 (OT)

So what happened?

This one felt like a punch to the gut.

The Pens battled all night to get one past Lundqvist. The Rangers held a 1-0 lead until the Pens got a power play chance late in the third. Kunitz redeemed an earlier play when he couldn't get the puck up over Lundqvist by beating him to tie the game. Just 38 seconds later, Matt Cooke gave the Pens the lead with just 1:53 remaining in the game.

How often does that happen?

Here's where it gets better: Lundquist breaks his stick in frustration after the Cooke goal. As he's skating over to the Ranger's bench, he throws it across the ice. That's an automatic penalty, putting the Pens on the power play and hopefully icing the game.

Not so fast my friend, as Lee Corso says.

The Pens allow a shortie to Marc Staal when Dubinsky makes an incredible pass out of the corner to Staal, who is standing not more than 8 feet from Fleury. He roofs the shot on the backhand. This was a complete breakdown on the part of the power play. Even if Dubinsky is able to get that pass across, there's no way Staal should have the time and space to shoot it.

Simply put, the Pens were not ready to match the determination of the Rangers.

In OT, Michalek blew a tire and the Rangers scored off of a 2-on-1.

Blech.

Who scored?

Kunitz (5), Cooke (4)

The Good?

• Great job to keep battling back to tie the game and take the lead.
• Fleury was excellent for most of the night. The goal late in regulation probably wasn't his fault and the OT goal certainly wasn't (he was facing a 2-on-none after Martin unsuccessfully tried to stop the pass across and took himself out of the play.

The Bad?

• Not matching the determination and effort of the Rangers in allowing them to tie the game while short-handed.

The Ugly?

• See "The Bad?" above.

Any Surprises?

• Blech. That's all I have.

What's their record now? Any important move in the standings?

The Pens are now 9-8-2. They are in third place in the Atlantic, one point behind the Rangers.

Who's next?

The next game is Wednesday night at home against the Canucks.