Game #46 - at Boston Bruins

Game 46

Penguins (27-14-4, 58 points) at Bruins (24-12-7, 55 points)

Why does it matter?
The Pens will play a fifth straight game without Sid. They'll also have a second straight shot at revenge after beating the Canadiens on Wednesday.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - A nice win in Montreal has hopefully turned the momentum for the Pens.
• Bruins - Points in 10 of their past 11 games and they're winning several different ways. Thursday was an unlikely offensive explosion in a 7-5 win over Philly.

Questions to be answered

• The Bruins may have to play without Lucic, Ferrence and Stuart. Can the Pens take advantage, especially against a depleted defense?
• Can Geno pick up the scoring? I have a good feeling about today...
• Which power play will show up, the one that has is 5-12 in the past two games or the one that went 3-32 in the nine games before that?

Keys to the game

• Stay focused on playing 60 minutes. The Pens have lost three times when leading going into the third period this year. Two of those are to the Bruins.
• Be ready for the early start. Get the legs (and heads) ready to go.
• Get the shots on net, especially from the point or above the slot. Given the system the Bruins play, it's hard enough to get the pucks deep. Don't miss wide and give them a free breakout pass.

Penguins 5, Canadiens 2

So what happened?

The Pens extracted a measure of revenge from the Habs after their loss last week.

It didn't look good for a little while in the second period.

The Pens scored first on a blistering shot by Alex Goligoski. He put the puck in top corner over Price's glove hand.

The Habs scored the next two (the equalizer was just 18 seconds later) and that sinking feeling was starting to set in. Fortunately the Habs started "The Bennie and Wisi Show" in the penalty box, as Pouliot and Wisniewski combined for five separate minor penalties. Throw in one other one (Too Many Men) and you have six power play chances over the final two periods for the Pens. They scored on three of them and that was the deciding factor.

The Habs had the #1 PK in the NHL coming into the game. I can't imagine they will any longer.

My favorite part was watching Fleury imitate Price's pose from last week after the final horn sounded.

Who scored?

Goligoski 2 (8,9), Kennedy (7), Staal (1), Kunitz (14)

The Good?

• This was a complete effort. There was no letdown in the later stages of the third. The Pens out shot the Canadiens 13-7 in the third period despite having a lead.
• Staal had a breakout game with three points and six hits. He was the #1 star.
• Goligoki was good and bad. He had three points, but he also took two penalties and his man (Desharnais) scored in the second period (though to be fair, it was a deflection, and there wasn't much Goose could have done shy of knocking him down).
• Geno had seven shots and seemed to play a solid game.

The Bad?

• Not much. Two penalties in the first period could have been disastrous for the Pens had their PK not bailed them out.

The Ugly?

• On the line changes, several Montreal players would sit on the wall of the bench prior to the change. One of the Pens was checked into the player sitting on the wall. That has serious potential for disaster and needs to stop immediately. Stay in the bench until you hop over to change.

Any Surprises?

• The power play breaking through for three goals, and none of them involved Geno! That's a double surprise.

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

The Pens are now 27-14-4. They are one point behind Philly for the lead in the Atlantic, though the Pens have played three more games than the Flyers.

Who's next?

More revenge on Saturday as the Pens play a matinée against the Bruins.

Game #45 - at Montreal Canadiens

Game 45

Penguins (26-14-4, 56 points) at Canadiens (24-16-3, 51 points)

Why does it matter?
The Pens are flailing right now. They need someone to step up and lead the way. The Habs will generally give them the chance to play a better style than we've seen against the Wild and Bruins.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - Five losses in their past six games, including a heart breaker against the Bruins.
• Canadiens - With points in five straight games (4-0-1), the Habs are playing well right now.

Questions to be answered

• Last time the Pens allowed a comeback against the Bruins, they began their longest streak of good play of the season. Can they start another one?
• Geno? Are you there? We need you to score. This one is staying here until he steps up.
• Will the team be able to cut down on the dumb penalties? The high-sticking call on Matt Cooke stands out as one that really shouldn't have happened against the Bruins.

Keys to the game

• Get someone in front of Price (or Auld). Sid was scoring tons of goals from the front of the net area, but no one seems to be camped there now.
• Play 60 minutes.
• Win the special teams battle. That means no dumb penalties. It also means finding a way to get the puck in the net on the power play.

Bruins 4, Penguins 2

So what happened?

This was a kick in the nuts. The Bruins were the recipients of a seeing-eye one-timer from Zdeno Chara at the very end of a power play late in the third period. It cut the deficit to 2-1 and the Bruins were energized. At that point, they wanted it more than the Penguins did. Before you could blink, the score was tied and after a questionable call against Jordan Staal, the penalty kill betrayed the Pens a second time in less than three minutes, allowing the Bruins to take the lead for good.

This is a troubling trend - we've seen at least three third period collapses so far this season. Does this team have the will to win when it counts?

Who scored?

Rupp (4), Letang (7)

The Good?

• The effort for almost 57:00 was great, and Fleury was spectacular during the first 57 minutes.

The Bad?

• The last three minutes and change. You can't let another team steal the game away like that. At least get it to overtime.
• Too many penalties. Again. At crucial times. Late in the third.

The Ugly?

• The Pens were out shot 13-2 in the third period. You have to be able to get more than two pucks on net in a period, especially when the game is close, much less the DTGL (Dreaded Two Goal Lead).

Any Surprises?

• The defensive breakdowns late in the third. On the PK is somewhat understandable, but on the even strength goal that tied the score? If you're a forward, don't get beat going back towards your own net.

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

The Pens are now 26-14-4. They have lost five of the past six games.

Who's next?

A quick chance for revenge from last Thursday when the Pens go back to Montreal on Wednesday night.

Game #44 - vs Boston Bruins

Game 44

Bruins (21-12-7, 49 points) at Penguins (26-12-4, 56 points)

Why does it matter?
Another tough match-up for the Pens, who are struggling offensively without Sidney Crosby.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - Losses in four of the past five games.
• Bruins - Same thing here - losses in four out of five.

Questions to be answered

• Can the Pens avoid the outcome from their last meeting when the Bruins scored five times in the third period?
• Geno? Are you there? We need you to score.
• Can the Pens "get to their game" (as HCDB and ACTG like to say)? They seem to struggle against defensively oriented teams.

Keys to the game

• Blah blah blah... Marc Savard... blah blah blah... Matt Cooke... blah blah blah... first meeting since "The Hit". I'll laugh my butt off if Savard tries to fight Cooke (though I'd probably have some respect for the guy if he tried it).
• Not really a key, but watch Kunitz try to hit Chara. He might come up to his elbow, but he keeps trying to plaster him.
• Be ready - the Bruins are physical and have some balanced scoring on the wings. Milan Lucic is a runaway freight train who can send you into next week if you're not paying attention.

Wild 4, Penguins 0

So what happened?

Yeah, this was about as exciting as the score would make you think. The Pens hit the post twice, but it really was a butt-kicking for most of the game.

Who scored?

No one.

The Good?

• Um... Michalek hit the post?
• No one got hurt?

The Bad?

• Everything else was bad. The Pens didn't get to their game until the third period, and then it was only for the first part of the period. That ended when there was a no-call on the Wild for tying up Mike Rupp and Cal Clutterbuck put the Wild up 3-0 right afterwards.
• Too many penalties. The self-discipline is there some nights and strangely missing other nights.

The Ugly?

• Getting out shot 27-16 in the second and third period when already down 2-0.

Any Surprises?

• I can't come up with one. This is exactly what most Pens fans were afraid of.

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

The Pens are now 26-13-4. They have 56 points and are one point behind Philly for the lead in the Atlantic.

Who's next?

Boston comes to Consol on Monday night.

Game #43 - vs Minnesota Wild

Game 43

Wild (20-15-5, 45 points) at Penguins (26-12-4, 56 points)

Why does it matter?
This will be a difficult game for the Pens. They need to find some offense without Sid in the lineup, but the Wild have been playing extremely well on the road lately. Having Jose Theodore in net against them doesn't help either - he usually tortures the Pens.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - Not enough offense and a few breakdowns cost them the game against the Habs.
• Wild - Three straight wins, including a nice victory over the Bruins in Boston on Thursday.

Questions to be answered

• Will Dupuis rise to the occasion facing his former team? He had four points in two games last year, and the Pens need the help.
• Can Geno put this team on his back like he did a few seasons ago when Sid was out?
• Can Fleury pitch the shutout tonight? If there was ever a time for one, it's now.

Keys to the game

• Score three goals. The Wild have won just three games when they allow three or more.
• Score first - it will keep them from sitting back.
• Watch out for Brent Burns. He has 12 goals on the season from the blue line. He's not the physical force the Byfuglien is, but he's just as big (6'5").

New article at Hockey Indepenent

I have a new article up over at Hockey Independent called "The Kids Are Alright". It's about the four rookies in the lineup and the impact they've had on the team.

Give it a look!

Canadiens 2, Penguins 1 (OT - SO - 1-0)

So what happened?

No Sid, no Cooke, no pucks in the net. The Pens used a rebound to get their only goal of the night on a shot from the point by Lovejoy. Asham banged the rebound past Price.

Other than that, the game was entertaining enough, except for the part about losing.

The Pens killed off an extended 5-on-3 in the third period (which they earned after they put the puck over the glass twice in succession while already on the PK).

I wanted to see someone else (Geno, maybe?) step up tonight with Sid not playing, but Carey Price was up to the challenges.

Who scored?

Asham (5)

The Good?

• The PK was awesome. The MVP of the kills in the third was Craig Adams, who put himself in front of two bombs from Wisniewski.
• The Pens tried everything tonight - the defense activated to some extent, and they did out shoot the Habs by a margin of 32-23. It felt like the playoffs last year all over again.
• Johnson was sharp and did everything you could have asked him to.

The Bad?

• Nothing really bad... just not enough quality scoring chances.

The Ugly?

• Gionta using his stick to kick Geno's leg out and trip him. It was borderline dirty (like much of the stuff that Mighty Mouse does), and left me wondering if we'll be without Sid and Geno on Saturday.

Any Surprises?

• Dupuis in the first three in the shootout? I know he scored against the Caps, but he doesn't have the puck handling skill set that you like to see from a guy in the shootout.

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

The Pens are now 26-12-4. They have 56 points and hold a one point lead over Philly in the Atlantic division. They're one point behind Vancouver for the NHL lead.

Who's next?

The Wild come to Consol on Saturday. If Sid and Geno can't play, get ready for a complete snooze-fest with the way the Wild like to sit back and trap.

Game #42 - at Montreal Canadiens

Game 42

Penguins (26-12-3, 55 points) at Canadiens (21-16-3, 45 points)

Why does it matter?
Montreal has been a tough team for the Pens recently, but several of the Pens love going there to play (like Talbot and Fleury, just to name a few).

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - Everything they threw at the net was going in last night.
• Canadiens - The Habs are 3-8-1 in their past 12 games, but have thrown 48 and 50 shots at the opposition in their previous two (both went to OT, with one win and one loss).

Questions to be answered

• Can Steigy and Errey please not call out any Habs in the third period this time? In the first meeting this season, they talked about how Gomez had been invisible... he scored the game winner about a minute later.
• Can the PK rise to the challenge? The Habs have two straight multi-goal games on their power play.
• Will the Pens have the legs to either lock down the Habs or get into a shootout with them? I think we're looking at an up-tempo game either way. I hope they slept well.

Keys to the game

• Stay out of the box entirely. The Habs have four goals in just seven chances over the past two games.
• Stick with Cammalleri around the net. He has been a Penguins killer lately.
• Watch out for offense from the blue line. Wisniewski has been hot since he was acquired from the Isles (he must feel like he used a Get Out of Jail Free card or something).

Penguins 8, Lightning 1

So what happened?

Geno scored 7 seconds into the game when he made a great read off of the opening draw and stuck with the play long enough to flip the puck past a down-and-out Dwayne Roloson. They could have stopped the game right there, because it didn't get any closer.

It was 5-0 by the end of the first period, which rendered the Stamkos penalty shot a moot point early in the second (Stamkos blew a tire on the way to the net and never got to shoot the puck).

The Pens out shot the Bolts 36-15 through two periods. They never took their foot off of the throttle until the third period. It was one of the few true laughers we've seen in recent years since most games are at least competitive.

Who scored?

Malkin (15), Conner (5), Kennedy (6), Kunitz 3 (11,12,13), Letestu (9), Goligoski (7)

The Good?

• This was a blowout from the very beginning of the game. The Pens came out like a huge weight had been lifted from their shoulders, and it was great to watch.
• Kunitz had a hat trick, with the second two goals being nice deflections of Goligoski shots on the power play. It was the second hat trick of Kunitz's career.
• Letestu had a sick move on his goal, showing great patience and quick hands in front of Roloson.
• The Pens watched the Bolts change the goalie three times (Roloson --> Ellis --> Roloson --> Ellis).
• No one should be worn out since the turnaround is quick for tomorrow night's game.
• How do you know you had a great game? When Lovejoy plays more minutes than Brooks Orpik (no offense to Ben).
• If you could give a star to the opposition when they lose 8-1 on the road, I'd give one to Adam Hall, who never quit playing. He scored the only goal for the Bolts on a nice deflection.

The Bad?

• Nothing, really.

The Ugly?

• No, and that leads into the surprise...

Any Surprises?

• The Lightning didn't try anything stupid while the game was still in reach. No fights, and only one questionable hit (and that was later after everything was decided). You could be kind and say they were classy or, be a disgruntled Tampa fan and say they didn't care.

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

The Pens are now 26-12-3. They have 55 points and are currently tied with Detroit and Vancouver for the NHL lead, but the Canucks are just getting underway tonight.

Who's next?

A trip to Montreal to play tomorrow night. Get ready for those silly Canadiens (and the opposition on the ice won't be bad either).

Game #41 - vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Game 41 - vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning (24-11-5, 53 points) at Penguins (25-12-3, 53 points)

Why does it matter?
This game might be more difficult than the Winter Classic. The Lightning have been red hot, going 9-2 over their past 11.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - Forget the Winter Classic - the Pens have lost three of their past four games.
• Lightning - In addition to their hot streak, the Lighting just finished off the Caps in Washington tonight.

Questions to be answered

• Will the Bolts stick with Roloson after his shutout? Isn't he too old to play back-to-back?
• Which team will score 5? The winning team has scored five in each of the first two games between these teams this year (they split, by the way).
• Will Conner continue to sit with Staal returning? Who else would you sit instead of Conner? If it were me, I'd think about Rupp or Asham... depending on the opponent.

Keys to the game

• Focus on the details - four of the past five wins for the Lighting have come in OT. That tells me they're both lucky and good right now.
• Play the PK like you would if Ovechkin is out there... except that Stamkos is the one to watch, and he's more dangerous than Ovechkin is right now. Get ready for his one-timer.
• Don't let St. Louis beat you. He never stops, especially when killing penalties.

Capitals 3, Penguins 1

So what happened?

The Caps rode a hot goaltender along with a few key plays to a win over the Pens. Both teams had spurts where they turned up the pressure, but Washington was able to capitalize on the chances they received.

The Pens were unable to score on four power play chances. That was the single biggest disappointment. They also allowed a power play goal to the Caps.

Flower was solid, making several key saves, but his miscue when trying to play the puck behind the net gave a wide open net to Eric Fehr on what would be the game winning goal.

It's hard to view this as just another regular season game. It felt like more than that. In the end, however, it is worth the same two points to the Caps, and will be just another loss for the Pens when the season comes to a close.

Who scored?

Malkin (14)

The Good?

• The effort and intensity was there.
• Staal was able to return. He was very effective on faceoffs and had some visibility early on.

The Bad?

• The ice conditions were bad. If that game is on a regular rink, Fleury doesn't misplay the puck.
• The hit Sid took at the end of the second was nasty and should have been a penalty. You don't really want your superstar getting blindsided on a national TV showcase.

The Ugly?

• The TV broadcast was the worst part. They were nowhere near close enough to the ice surface. The result was the worst viewing experience I've had since all of the games went to HD.

Any Surprises?

• Staal's return would be a surprise. Asham playing less than 5 minutes would be another one.

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

The Pens are now 25-12-3. They have 53 points and are still on top of the standings in the NHL (though they are tied with Detroit).

Who's next?

It doesn't get any easier, as Tampa Bay is coming to Consol on Wednesday.

Game #40 - The Winter Classic

Game 40 - The Winter Classic

Capitals (22-12-5, 49 points) at Penguins (25-11-3, 53 points)

Why does it matter?
You won't get a better hockey spectacle than this game. Everything about the event will be special and something to savor.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - The Pens have been plagued by a bit of inconsistency lately, with the power play, the PK and the final scores all over the map.
• Capitals - The Caps not only have ended their losing streak, they have points in 5 straight games (4-0-1) and are playing well.

Questions to be answered

• Will the teams be too juiced up to start the game?
• Did someone outfit Geno with the rear view and side view mirrors so he can see Ovechkin coming this time?
• How will Staal's return impact the second line? Will HCDB put Staal right back up there, or will he work Jordan into a more familiar role on the third line until he gets his legs back?

Keys to the game

• Watch Ovechkin, especially early. He's sure to try to run someone in the name of "excitement".
• Win at even-strength. The Caps and Pens have both been inconsistent at best on the power play lately.
• Roll four lines and stay out of the box. Given the importance of even-strength play, you want to let the guys get into the flow of the game (especially with Staal returning).

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).