Stanley Cup Finals Game #6

Detroit Red Wings (1) at Pittsburgh Penguins (2)

Detroit leads series 3-2.

This is the last game of the season at the Igloo. Let's take a moment to reflect on that.

The first game at the Igloo in the 07-08 season was against the Ducks, who had just won the Stanley Cup. The Pens won that game 5-4. They had a fantastic run at the end of the season at home, and it carried over into the playoffs.

The team has only one loss in the playoffs on home ice, and by most accounts, they have been a different team when playing in the friendly confines.

Just take a second to be grateful for all we've been privileged to see on the home ice this year.

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All done?

That's good, because there's one more game to be played and it's easily the biggest of the year!

The Pens got a huge lift with their OT win on Monday night in Detroit. The Wings had to be stunned by that, as they were just 35 seconds from winning the Cup. They also couldn't beat Fleury in any of the OT sessions.

I see a chance for a trend to form with this game. If Fleury can continue his strong play, he can lead the Pens to victory in Game 6.

The Pens cannot afford to come out flat. They must press the issue and work with the same desire and intensity they showed in the previous three games.

Most people will say that the Red Wings are the "better team". However, in winning two of the previous three games, the Pens have shown that they can be the better team. The better team is defined as the one with more goals than their opponent when the game ends.

It doesn't matter how many faceoffs you win.

It doesn't matter how many hits you have.

It doesn't matter how many shots you take.

It only matters how many goals are on the board.

This is what the Pens have been telling themselves, and it has been working.

Here's what I'm telling the team if I'm the coach:

• Keep the Wings off of the power play.
• Stay strong along the boards.
• Show the relentless desire that you demonstrated both in taking the lead in Game 5 and in getting the tying and winning goals (especially the Talbot goal, when all of the Wings faithful in Joe Louis were against you).
• Protect your goalie.
• Be opportunistic.

Do those things, and we'll be headed back to Detroit for Game 7.

Both Malone and Gonchar are expected to play. That's great news for the Pens. They need them both.

Let's Go Pens!

Stanley Cup Finals Game #5

Pittsburgh Penguins (2) at Detroit Red Wings (1)

Detroit leads series 3-1.

So, to preview this game, I thought I'd take a look back at the last time the Pens were down 3-1 in a series and going on the road. It was last year against the Senators. Granted this is a much different team, but check out some of the stuff I wrote back then - seems a little eerie, doesn't it? (especially considering the Pens lost Game 4 on home ice last year by a score of 2-1)

The Pens need to play the same style game they did on Tuesday. They need to out hit the Sens. They need to play with the same desperate intensity. The only thing they need to improve on is simply to score more goals. If the power play isn't working, they need to find a way to get it done at even strength.

Same thing still applies - they worked hard and had chances, which they were unable to finish.

I also think that the coaching staff needs to do a great job tomorrow. Michel Therrien needs to be smart about his player utilization. He needs to do a good job matching lines. I know Therrien says he doesn't think about that too much, but you don't want Crosby to see the top combo from the Sens all night long. You want to put Sid in the best position to succeed. Isn't that the job of a coach?

Matching lines discussion anyone? Wow - this is like a broken record - Coach Therrien still says he's not worried about matching so much.

Mike Yeo also needs to have some answers for the Pens on the power play. To some extent, they're generating offense and not scoring, but the Sens also seem to have them figured out. I think it's time to have a different wrinkle available, just to give the Sens a different look. You have to keep them honest.

This one hasn't applied quite so much until the Pens were unable to find a way to score with a two man advantage. You have to put the puck in the net there.

So can the Pens change what happened last year in a Game 5 on the road with the series on the line? I sure hope so.

Holmstrom will play tomorrow. Likely no changes for the Pens, but I'd be tempted to get Letang back in there with instructions to get the puck on the net. He has the shot to do it, more so than Rob Scuderi, who appeared to hurt his shoulder a bit. I think you leave Sydor in the lineup. He has been solid, in my opinion.

Let's all say a prayer to St Lemieux, the patron saint of scoring, that Geno is able to step up in Game 5. He did register 5 shots in Game 4, so maybe that's a good sign. Getting a contribution from Malkin / Sykora / Whoever would be a HUGE boost, and boy, I'd like more reasons to use that word (HUGE, in case you missed it).

Let's Go Pens!

Stanley Cup Finals Game #4

Detroit Red Wings (1) at Pittsburgh Penguins (2)

Detroit leads series 2-1.

Well it all hinges on this one, doesn't it? If the Pens can pull out another stirring win at home, they'll be squared away with the Wings heading back to Detroit. If they can't... well, let's just say the Detroit victory parade might go off as planned.

Expect the Pens to stick with the same lineup as Game 3 (no Letang, no Laraque).

Also expect the Pens to stick with the increased confidence they showed in Game 3. They weren't afraid to dump and chase, and their defense seemed to have more time to make plays through the neutral zone.

No word yet on whether Holmstrom will play, but the Magic 8 Ball says that "signs point to yes".

If you aren't glued to the TV (or your seat in or around the Igloo) on Saturday night, there's something wrong with you.

Let's Go Pens!

Stanley Cup Finals Game #3

Detroit Red Wings (1) at Pittsburgh Penguins (2)

Detroit leads series 2-0.

So from where I'm standing, tonight is the Game of the Year for the Pens. If they win, they have a chance to go back to Detroit with the momentum and a series tied 2-2. If they lose, the series is effectively over. It's a huge swing either way.

The Igloo should be a madhouse tonight. The fans really need to get behind the Pens and support this team.

Of course, our lovely local paper, the Post-Gazette, is taking this chance to take shots at the Pens:

"Is it too late to pick the Detroit Red Wings in three games?" - Ron Cook - 5/27/08

"History suggests the Penguins have very little hope of winning the Stanley Cup this season. Reality suggests they have absolutely none, unless they can figure out how to make some radical changes during the rest of the series." - Dave Molinari - 5/27/08

"No one should be surprised by what has happened to the Penguins in the first two games of the Stanley Cup final, nor should they be astonished if it happens again tonight when they meet the Detroit Red Wings in Game 3 at Mellon Arena." - Bob Smizik - 5/28/08

Feel free to read the articles to make sure I haven't misrepresented the tenor by taking quotes out of context. As the saying goes, with friends like these...

Maybe I'm being unfair. Maybe it is the job of the beat writer (Dave Molinari) to capture the spirit of what is currently happening. There are also no rules for what a columnist can take a position on. It just seems odd that Don Cherry can say the Pens will win Game 3 while our Pittsburgh writers are busy helping to dig the graves for the Pens.

Anyway, the game itself is the story. Desperation time has set in. The Pens must win. Fleury must be stronger. The Pens must avoid mistakes at even strength. They must find a way to score on the power play.

Sydor seems likely to play. I'm not sure who you sit. I hope it's not Letang - next to Gonchar, he's one of the few that can carry the puck. He's the most likely suspect, though.

Let's Go Pens!

Stanley Cup Finals Game #2

Pittsburgh Penguins (2) at Detroit Red Wings (1)

Detroit leads series 1-0.

The Pens have not trailed in a series in the playoffs until now. In fact, they've never been tied. They won the first two games at home in each series and jumped out to a 3-0 lead overall in each. Losing the first game was tough, but they have the chance to earn the split tonight.

Is earning the split really that hard of a task? The two meaningful goals scored by Samuelsson were both a bit on the fluky side. They're certainly correctable mistakes. Ruutu could have iced the puck to live to fight another day. Fleury could have swiped the puck to the corner instead of trying to go to Malkin.

If I'm Coach Therrien, this is what I'm telling my players: Hey - when the game mattered, we made a few mental mistakes that burned us. Eliminate those and we have a good shot to win that game. We had a few great goal scoring chances that just didn't go for us. Keep pushing the offense and ramp up the intensity on the defensive end.

Gary Roberts will likely play today. George Laraque will likely sit. He played the fewest minutes of any player on Saturday, and McCarty wasn't interested in dancing with him during Game 1 either.

Lines are also changing. Malone is skating with Hossa and Crosby. Malkin and Sykora get Talbot with them. Third line is Dupuis, Kennedy and Staal. Roberts, Hall and Ruutu are on the fourth line.

I don't know if it's a panic move to shift the lines so quickly, but if you look more closely, the important pieces are intact. Crosby and Hossa are together. Same deal with Malkin and Sykora. Those are the important parts. The third line will be a bit faster with the addition of Dupuis at the expense of Ruutu. The fourth will still be able to hand out punishment.

Hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day weekend. I'm also hoping we can have a great ending to the holiday weekend.

Let's Go Pens!

Stanley Cup Finals Game #1

Pittsburgh Penguins (2) at Detroit Red Wings (1)

It's Go Time.

For the first time since the early 90s, the Penguins will play a game in the Stanley Cup Finals. There are more previews than you can shake a stick at, so I'll keep this one simple. Here are my keys to Game 1:

• Withstand the Rush - The Wings will come out and try to put these young Penguins in their place. The Pens need to hold their ground and play things tight. Focus on the simple plays early on.
• Pick on the Little Guy - Even though Coach Babcock will get the last change, the Pens need to take advantage when they pin the 3rd and 4th line of Detroit in their own zone. The Pens have a strong puck possession game in the offensive end - it's time to put that to good use.
• Protect Fleury - Marc-Andre will be asked to make more quality saves in this series than in the last three combined if the Pens are to have a chance. He'll need all the help he can get. Protect the middle of the ice. Keep the puck to the outside. When the Wings cycle, be patient, and let them keep the puck along the boards where it's hard to score from.
• Score When Given the Chance - The Pens will need to be opportunistic on the power play, especially in Detroit. The Wings will take penalties. The Pens need to take advantage. In addition, the Pens will need to use their speed to make the Wings pay on odd man rushes.

That's what I think. What do YOU think?

I'm looking for a entertaining, tightly played game. I can't think of a better way to spend a night in front of the TV.

Let's Go Pens.

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!

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!

Playoff Game #12 - at Philadelphia Flyers

Pittsburgh Penguins (2) at Philadelphia Flyers (6)

Pittsburgh leads series 2-0.

I think the same thing applies in this series as the previous series, namely that you'd love to get a split in Philly.

I think Game 3 is the most critical so far in these playoffs. If the Flyers gain momentum and win both games at home, the pressure will be squarely on the Pens coming back to Pittsburgh. If the Pens can earn the split (at a minimum), the Flyers' season would essentially be over.

Braydon Coburn is likely out for Game 3 as he required over 50 stitches to close the gash in his head. His eye was also swollen shut. Ryan Parent will likely start in his place. Parent only played 22 games this year, and wasn't heavily used when he did play. You know what that means? Get ready for another 25+ minute performance from THIS guy:

Derian Hatcher takes a minute to reflect on the importance of Game 3.

The Pens have played pretty well during the first two games of the series. They'll need to step it up if they want to win a game in Philly.

Here are the highlights from the other night. The Kennedy / Upshall smackdown is the first thing in the highlights package. If that doesn't get you fired up, I don't know what will.


Except maybe for this:


Let's Go Pens!

Playoff Game #11 - vs Philadelphia Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers (6) at Pittsburgh Penguins (2)

Pittsburgh leads series 1-0.

Derian Hatcher take a little "Me Time" after Game 1.

You know the Flyers are going to try and bring it today. They will go to the net hard, they will go to the boards hard and they'll try to throw the Pens off their game by being physical.

The Pens need to counter that by being smart and taking advantage of the chances they get.

This feels like a good game for the role players to step up. You know the Flyers are going to focus on shutting down Malkin and Crosby. A few goals from the third or fourth line guys would go a long way towards winning today. You know they're capable. Make it happen.

Talbot could be back in the lineup. If I'm Therrien, I might leave things the way they are, but they could use Talbot's speed on that fourth line. I'm not sure who you bench. Hall maybe? I think you need Laraque in case of any funny business.

Huge game. The Flyers will have all the momentum if they go back to Philly with a split. They'll be one step away from destruction if they go down 2-0.

Let's Go Pens!

Playoff Game #10 - vs Philadelphia Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers (6) at Pittsburgh Penguins (2)

Two rounds. One loss. This round won't be so easy.

The hatred has been flowing like a river pretty much everywhere. Even a step down from the pure hatred are the amazingly one-sided columns that have been showing up in mainstream outlets (for example, this one).

I may have riled a few Flyers fans with my Partisan Preview for the Times blog, but I don't consider that to be a bad thing. It shows that people are engaged.

But enough about the superfluous stuff. The real action starts on the ice Friday night, and then none of this nonsense will matter.

It should be an excellent series, and the Pens need to get off to a good start at home. One of the things that has helped them develop a stranglehold on each of the first two series was winning the first two games at home. That will be important to continue, because you don't want to let the Flyers have any momentum going back to Philadelphia.

So the keys to Game 1, in my mind, are:

• Get traffic early and often in front of Biron to throw him off his game. His numbers aren't nearly as good as Fleury's stats, which means his rep may be overblown a bit.
• Take advantage of the power play chances, because you'll get several.
• Stay disciplined - don't get called for retaliating
• Neutralize Briere, especially on the power play, and Umberger

The puck drops at 7:30.

Can't forget this!!


Let's Go Pens!

Playoff Game #9 - vs New York Rangers

New York Rangers (5) at Pittsburgh Penguins (2)

Pittsburgh leads series 3-1.

This one is huge for both teams. The Rangers, obviously, because a loss would send them home. The Pens, because they don't want to go back to New York for a Game 6.

Jagr doesn't seem to mind breaking the unspoken rules of discussing the series. It's okay to think about the next round, I guess, but to actually talk about it on the record?

"I know I'm thinking too far ahead, on the other side, how much confidence would it give you if you do it, for the next round? That would be probably huge. Then you would go to the series with a 1-0 lead already."

Probably not the smartest thing he ever said. He's right, in that you'd get a huge confidence boost, but if I'm the Pens, that quote is on the bulletin board. Jaromir seems to feel that this series is wrapped up somehow...

Talbot may or may not play today. He skated yesterday on his own. I think his absence is really felt out there. The fourth line suddenly becomes MUCH slower when it is comprised of Laraque, Hall and Roberts. That probably limits when Therrien can put them out there.

Today is a day for the big guns to step up and propel the Pens into the next round for a match up with Philly.

Let's Go Pens!

Playoff Game #8 - at New York Rangers

Pittsburgh Penguins (2) at New York Rangers (5)

Pittsburgh leads series 3-0.

How have the Pens been able to get this far? Seven straight wins in the playoffs - it's amazing and unthinkable.

They have another challenge in front of them at MSG on Thursday - put away the Rangers.

Talbot was in a walking boot today. He may have a broken foot. If you're Therrien, do you dress Scary Gary, or do you dress an extra defenseman (Sydor), given that Whitney still looks shaky from time to time?

If it's me, I dress Roberts.

The Rangers will be without Avery, so we'll see either Prucha or Colton Orr. Either way, it won't really matter that much. I do expect some funny business at some point tomorrow, especially if the Pens manage an early lead and the Rangers get desperate.

Maybe time for the brooms. Let's hope so. Don't give the Rangers any hope.

Let's Go Pens!

Playoff Game #7 - at New York Rangers

Pittsburgh Penguins (2) at New York Rangers (5)

Pittsburgh leads series 2-0.

Boy, you'd love to come out of New York with a split.

The Rangers have been saying all the right things, but who knows where their minds are? If they Pens are able to get an early goal or two in Game 3, will the Rangers curl up in the fetal position?

The Pens need to get more efficiency out of their power play, because their PK hasn't been as good on the road. You have to figure they're going to get stung by a power play goal or two by the Rangers, and you want your own power play to negate that effect. If they can use their speed to draw some penalties, and then cash in early, they can put the Rangers into a deep hole.

To be honest, this series doesn't feel like the last one. The Rangers are a better team, and I wouldn't be surprised if it went seven games, with each team winning on home ice.

Can they do it on the road? We'll find out Tuesday night.

Let's Go Pens!

Playoff Game #6 - vs New York Rangers

New York Rangers (5) at Pittsburgh Penguins (2)

Pittsburgh leads series 1-0.

Will the Pens learn from their mistakes today?

Will they find a way to get the early power play goal they could have used in Game 1?

Will Fleury bear down and find a way to stop goals like the deflection and Avery's shot?

Will they be able to stay with Jagr for the whole game, and not get beat during a situation that leads to a goal?

The Pens certainly can, and hopefully will, do all of these things.

They could learn a lesson by looking at what happened to Montreal last night. The Habs had to come from behind in dramatic fashion, aided by a late penalty, in Game 1 against the Flyers. Sound familiar? Last night, the Flyers took advantage of the situation presented to them, didn't blow the lead, and took Game 2 in Montreal. Could you see Lundqvist pulling off a Biron-like performance today? Sure... easily.

The Pens need to be wary and treat this game with desperation. The level of success at MSG was non-existent this year, so that makes games at the Igloo all the more crucial.

On the controversy end of things, the Rangers are being smart about things.

Dubinsky talks about going to the net and makes a point to say "we don't want to run the guy over", but rather to go hard and legally. You can almost respect that.

Shanahan talked about how he doesn't think Sid dives, and that everyone in the league has respect for the work ethic he brings.

Sounds like they're trying to woo the Pens to sleep with their soft lullaby...

Don't fall for it!

Let's Go Pens!

Playoff Game #5 - vs New York Rangers

New York Rangers (5) at Pittsburgh Penguins (2)

Boy, when you get to the second round of the playoffs, everyone and their brother has a preview for the series. I'm not going to bother with anything in depth. You've heard it all already (blah, blah, blah, goaltending, blah, blah, blah, Avery, blah, blah, blah, offensive firepower). Instead, here are a few fun facts to get you ready for Game 1 on Friday night:

• The Rangers allowed approximately 26 shots per game in the regular season. Against the Devils in the first round? Nearly 29.
• The Pens scored nearly half a goal more per game during the regular season against the Rangers, but both teams were effective at even strength. The Pens had a much more efficient power play.
• Shutting down the Rangers power play will be a key in this series. They clicked at over 23% in the first round.
• Should we wish for Sean Avery to be dumb enough to tick off Sid? We all know that Sid is the last person you'd want to get angry. If I'm Avery, I shift my bulls-eye onto a certain young Russian center...
• Can the Rangers have enough on the blue line to stop both of the big lines for the Pens? The Blueshirts are going to live and die with their young defensemen.
• The Rangers were one of the top teams in the NHL on faceoffs during the regular season at 52.3%. Do I need to tell you where the Pens ranked? I'll give you three guesses and the first two don't count (Answer: Last).

Only one more day to go until the start of Round 2.

Let's Go Pens!

Playoff Game #4 - at Ottawa Senators

Pittsburgh Penguins at Ottawa Senators

Pittsburgh leads series 3-0.

Will the Pens break out the brooms?

Opportunity. That's what the Pens have in front of them.

Nothing would emphasize the dramatic difference between last year and this year than being able to finish off the Sens in Game 4.

The Sens are going to try to play hard, but Brian Murray has decided that now is the time to evaluate talent for next year:

"We've got to look at the players that come to play, work hard and do everything in their power -- to their ability level, and I qualify it that way -- to help this organization be good going forward, so (Wednesday) night is an indicator of that, without a doubt."

Wow. I know some coaches play head games, but if you win you get to keep playing. I'm not sure how the coach / GM can come out and say something like that. What message is that sending the team?

If I'm the Pens, I definitely rest Gary Roberts. That's the only change I'm likely to make, however. Keep everything else the same, including the effort.

This one won't be easy, and the Pens will need to bring it. In the third period on Monday, the Sens showed they would fold. The Pens need to give them an excuse to give up.

Let's Go Pens!

Playoff Game #3 - at Ottawa Senators

Pittsburgh Penguins at Ottawa Senators

Pittsburgh leads series 2-0.

First up, Spezza might not play tonight. He has some kind of leg issue and didn't practice over the weekend.

Even if Spezza does play, Murray is shaking up his top lines again. This time, he's split up Spezza and Heatley. Here are the supposed top two lines, courtesy of the Ottawa Sun:
Heatley - Vermette - Stillman
Foligno - Spezza - Nikulin

Nikulin is a call-up from the Sens minor league team in Binghamton, and he is a curious choice to slap onto the second line. He has played in only two NHL games (one against the Pens), averaging about 5:00 of ice time. He's also a center, so the Sens are shifting him to the wing in his first NHL playoff game. Good luck.

The Pens need a split in Ottawa to put the Sens out of the series. You don't want to come back to Pittsburgh with the series tied up. This is a good chance for the Pens to show they can win on the road.

In case they need any extra motivation, the Sens had the foresight to put up that big mural showing the handshake after the playoff loss last year, right outside the Pens dressing room. Ottawa players aren't happy about it, but it's there. Congratulations to the geniuses in Ottawa.

Let's Go Pens!

Playoff Game #2 - vs Ottawa Senators

Ottawa Senators at Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh leads series 1-0.

Brian Murray wasn't happy after Game 1.

How important is the second game of this series? Ask yourself how you would feel about going back to Ottawa with the series tied 1-1. I'd be nervous, given how this team has performed away from the friendly confines of the Igloo.

There are two areas of improvement that are needed for the rest of the series, in my opinion. They are:

1. Be more disciplined and don't take dumb penalties. Know your limits in what you can / can't get away with.
2. Get some production from the power play at crunch time.

There are other things that would be nice too. Having the Crosby line produce a goal would be good, but they did exert some good pressure on Wednesday (Hossa had 7 shots) and I think the scoring will come - they're too good for it not to come.

Don't expect any lineup changes for the Pens. I can't see Therrien bringing in Hall, Taffe or Beech at this point. I'd love to have Sydor in there, but I don't know who you can remove. Whitney was a bit shaky early in Game 1, but he's too important offensively for the power play.

The Sens are moving Martin Lapointe onto the first like, replacing Randy Robitaille. Sounds like they're trying to find their own Old Man Magic (Lapointe has played in 105 playoff games).

Tough game tonight. The Pens need the W.

Let's Go Pens!

Playoff Game #1 - vs Ottawa Senators

Ottawa Senators (7) at Pittsburgh Penguins (2)

You didn't think the Flyers had the market cornered on turkeys, did you?

The Sens have been whining and crying since Sunday about how the Pens clearly wanted to play them, because the Pens clearly lost against Philly on purpose. They also put a huge poster of the handshake from the series last year outside their dressing room. Looks like Brian Murray is back to the same annoying head games. That's okay - if his team focuses on the nonsense, they'll be distracted from the main event.

The Sens will come out tomorrow and try to punch the Pens in the mouth. They'll also likely try to take away time and space on the power play. Teams have had success doing that to the Pens lately. The Pens need to stay in control and not get frustrated. They have a huge advantage at home, and this is a different team than last year.

It's time to put up for the Pens. Going to Ottawa up 2-0 would be a great first step.

The rematch is here. Time to buckle up.

Let's Go Pens!