Grind it out - Penguins 4, Blue Jackets 2

So what happened?

The Blue Jackets were intent on making this a hockey game.  They held the fort during the first period by limiting the quality of the scoring chances for the Pens, and Curtis Sanford, in his first game back from injury, didn't allow any second chances.

The strategy was working, as the Pens out shot the Jackets 15-5 during the first period, but were unable to score.  Things took a turn for the worse when Rick Nash scored on a shorthanded goal midway through the second to give the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead.

However, Geno got the Pens on the board with a power play goal late in the second, and then in the third, the cracks in the armor started to show for Sanford.  He just wasn't quite as fast or on top of his game as he had been earlier.  Shots that I think he would have stopped in the first period started to go in, and before you knew it, the Pens were up 4-1.  Vinny Prospal scored with less than 5 minutes left to make it mildly interesting, but the Jackets never really threatened after that.

Who scored?

Malkin (37), Dupuis (15), Letang (9), Vitale (4)

The Good?

• Another two power play goals - the Pens have six power play goals in just 13 chances over their past four games.  That's incredible.
• Thiessen was solid in his NHL debut.  The team insulated him well for the most part (other than the Nash breakaway while the Jackets were shorthanded).
• What more can you say about Geno?  He is the best player in the world right now.
• Faceoffs for Staal and Malkin were solid - both were over 55%.
• Great persistence for the Pens - the shots weren't going in early and they weren't getting any rebounds, but they didn't panic and just kept working.  It paid off.

The Bad?

• Letang was a -2, meaning he was on the ice for both goals against.

The Ugly?

• Nothing, really.  Just two points for the Pens.

Any Surprises?

• Again, pretty plain vanilla victory.  Nothing too surprising.

What's their record now?

The Pens are 36-21-5.

Who's next?

A quick road trip to Dallas and Colorado.  The Pens play Dallas on Wednesday night.

Game #62 - vs Columbus Blue Jackets

2011-12 Game 62

Columbus Blue Jackets (18-36-7, 43 points) at Pittsburgh Penguins (35-21-5, 75 points)

Brassard leads the Jackets in points in the month of February

Why does it matter?

The Blue Jackets are terrible.  They're the worst team in the NHL by nearly any standard.  They've just traded away much of their offense.  Why does this make them dangerous to the Pens?  Because they have a bunch of guys fighting for jobs, and money talks.  Also, they'll have Curtis Sanford back, and his numbers are pretty decent.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - Some luck early led to a laugher against the Bolts.
• Blue Jackets - They're 4-4-1 in their last nine, including some impressive wins over Anaheim, Minnesota (twice) and San Jose.

Questions to be answered

• Will the Pens be able to get up for this game?  The Blue Jackets are going to steal some points if the Pens keep having a slow start and keep going to the box.
• Will we see Brad Thiessen make his NHL debut?  Might not be a bad idea to give Flower some rest.
• What is up with Dustin Jeffrey?  He didn't seem to be playing all that poorly, but clearly there's something up since he's a healthy scratch.

Keys to the game

• Jump on them early.  The Bolts Blue Jackets have been sellers with trades, sending out Downie, Moore and Kubina Carter and Vermette.  That has to affect the morale eventually.
• Generate your own emotions.  Without some of the chippy guys on the other side, the Pens have a tendency to become cold and emotionless.  They need to find a reason to be fired up. 
• Take them seriously.  I know facing the Bolts Blue Jackets is a long way from the Rangers, but these two points are just as valuable.

Wow - it's almost like they're the same as the game against Tampa Bay...

Blue Jackets 4, Penguins 1

I managed to completely mess up this post (writing a review of the Kings / Pens game), so this is now just a place-holder for what was a review of a crappy game the Pens played against the Jackets.

Game #55 - vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Game 55

Blue Jackets (25-22-5, 55 points) at Penguins (34-16-4, 72 points)

Why does it matter?
The Pens need to figure out how to put some pucks in the net after getting shut out on Sunday. The Blue Jackets may be showing up at just the right time. Two points would get the Flightless Birds heading back in the right direction.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - Is the glass half-empty (shutout loss) or half-full (eight wins in ten games)?
• Blue Jackets - Two nice wins over the weekend against Detroit and Edmonton.

Questions to be answered

• Can the top lines generate offense on a consistent basis?
• Will Matt Cooke calm down? He seems awfully agitated lately.
• Score first, right?

Keys to the game

• Win at even strength. The Jackets are really bad with the extra man, but the Pens power play isn't exactly playing well right now either.
• Avoid the slow start. The Jackets record is okay, but their supporting numbers are mediocre. Jump on them early and don't let up.
• Nothing cute - get the puck in deep and work from below the goal line. If Kennedy breaks a good cycle to bring the puck out high, someone shoot him.

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.

Game #13 - at Columbus Blue Jackets

Game 13
Penguins (10-2-0, 20 pts) at Blue Jackets (6-5-0, 12 pts)

Nash is really good, but not as good as the two on the other card...

Why does it matter?
This game would have been more interesting two weeks ago when Columbus was 5-1. Now they're 6-5 and playing really poorly. This game is interesting if only to see how much the Hockey Gods can heap on the Pens before they crack.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - After blowing out Montreal on Wednesday to finish out their home stand, the Pens will face an additional test as Geno will miss 2-3 weeks. Good thing Sid is playing well.
  
• Blue Jackets - As noted, the Jackets have gone into the crapper and have allowed 26 goals in the last 5 games.
  

Questions to be answered

• Can the Jackets rebound? They had a miserable road trip and lost the dreaded "first game back" on Wednesday. No more excuses now.
• What will happen, especially to the power play, with no Gonchar and no Malkin?
• Speaking of the power play, the Jackets have been terrible on the PK lately. The Pens seemed to get things going against Montreal on the PP. Will it continue?
  
• Can Sid carry the load, and who will center the second line?
  

Keys to the game

• Take the Jackets out of the game early. They're used to giving up a ton of scoring, so get them early and often
  
• Stop Rick Nash.
  
• Get some offense for Brent Johnson.
  

Blue Jackets 4, Penguins 3 (OT - SO - 1-0)

The Pens had to lose a game at some point. This was as good a game as any. They didn't give the points to an Eastern Conference foe, and they were able to come back from a three goal deficit to earn a point.

That's a great comeback, and a great point to earn. It keeps the team solidly in the 6th spot. They're just three points behind Philly and one behind Montreal.

It was an exciting game to watch, at least once the Pens got rolling in the third.

Kunitz just about ended it when he hit the post behind Mason when the score was 3-3.

Fleury made an amazing save on Peca with less than 20 seconds remaining in regulation.

Letang didn't fare well in his shootout attempt - he seems to struggle against goalies that catch with their right hands - his backhand move isn't as effective going the other way.

That's all I've got for this one. I'm still miserable after watching Pitt go down to those hillbillies from WVU...

Next up: A huge chance to earn points this weekend against the Sens and Bruins. The Sens are out of the playoffs and the Bruins have been struggling. Four points sure would be nice...

Penguins 4, Blue Jackets 1

Domination. We saw domination in effect at the Igloo tonight. This is what the Pens were doing to teams late last season, and it's the most encouraging showing of the year, in my opinion.

The Jackets kept things close. Captain Alphabet stood tall between the pipes for the men from Columbus during the first. The Jackets somehow had 15 shots, but I can't remember the last time I saw so few good scoring chances come from 15 shots in a period.

The Pens turned it on in the second, beginning with their one and one power play. Letang scored the first of his two goals on the night to give the Pens a 1-0 lead. Sykora made it 2-0 and Letang's second made it 3-0.

That made the game feel like it was about 79-0, because the Pens were outplaying the Jackets in just about every aspect of the game. The two most encouraging signs were the plays along the boards (soundly won by the Pens) and the defensive shutdown after a shot by Columbus. There were few second chance opportunities, and Fleury only had to make a few great saves.

Great game to follow the great comeback on Wednesday.

Next up: This was just the warm-up. The Red Wings come to town on Sunday. National TV. NBC. The NHL sent me a promo video to use. Expect to see that on the site tomorrow.