Game #39 - Winter Classic - at Buffalo Sabres

Pittsburgh Penguins (20-16-2, 42 pts) at Buffalo Sabres (19-16-2, 40 pts)

Sid needs to put on a show for the national audience.


Miller needs to stand tall if Buffalo is to stop their 3 game losing streak.

This game is a showcase of hockey for North America, or at least the part of it that is sick of college bowl games. The game is at 2:00, which will put it up against the Capital One Bowl (Michigan / Florida) and the Gator Bowl (Texas Tech / Virginia). The competition isn't too stiff, eh? Maybe they'll jump over at halftime and see some of the first period and get hooked.

The other big factor for this game, outside of the teams, is the weather.

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

It's possible the game could be delayed if there's enough snow, but I'm guessing they'll do whatever is necessary to play. The chance is there for some big snow, but that will just make for better TV viewing.

On the ice, this one should be simple for the Pens. Don't get too caught up in the hype, keep it simple, and drink some of whatever you had prior to the 2-0 win over the Sabres on Saturday. Take the play to the Sabres and stay aggressive.

The game will be on NBC at 1:00. I'll be watching. You should too. [Edit - the game is at 1:00 - I previously had said 2:00 by mistake]

Let's Go Pens!

WWGRD - Minister - Part 2

Here's another look at the life Gary Roberts might have had if he were a minister instead of a hockey player. This clip appears to be from the Daily Show. Witness the power of his coat!



Still looking for volunteers for the lightning rod...

NHL Picks - 12-31-07

Record last night: 0-1
Record this month: 25-21
Record this season: 63-55

Last night the Kings provided the latest sign of the apocalypse, winning a second consecutive game on the road, in Chicago. Can they keep it up? Probably not, but at least it's entertaining.

Eight games today on Ice Bowl Eve. I'm picking two.

Nashville at Dallas - Nashville has struggled away from home. That's not good going into Dallas. Go Stars.

St Louis at Detroit - The Red Wings are pulling away (heck, they're sprinting away) from everyone else. They're unstoppable right now. Go Wings.

Penguins 2, Sabres 0

This was a great tightly-played game. The goal scored by the Pens was pretty lucky (prior to the empty net goal at the end), but they had lots of good scoring chances. Here are the highlights (if you're reading this via RSS, you may not be able to see these - you'll have to click through onto the site). If you pause the video, you can see how the pass from Crosby to Army went just under the right skate of the Sabres defenseman, who was laid out flat on the ice.



The teams were pretty even in their effort for the evening, though I'd say the Pens had the higher quality scoring chances. Ryan Miller could easily have been one of the stars of the game.

Ty Conklin played well. He didn't have to make any spectacular saves, but he made all of the saves he should have. I think the best save of the night was made by Daryl Sydor on a puck that was trickling towards the goal line. It is in the highlights.

The fact that he didn't need acrobatics speaks volumes about the quality of the play in front of him. The Pens, as a unit, were very thorough in their defensive responsibilities. They were better than we've seen them in some time.

They were also very good on the penalty kill, though I think some of that is because they match up well with a team like the Sabres, who like to play more of a puck control, finesse type of game.

Gary Roberts broke his leg on a rather innocent collision with Connolly. He'll be out for quite a bit.

I still think teams are shooting high on Conklin on purpose. He's handling it pretty well, but he does give up some nice rebounds on those shots. So far, he's been able to cover them up...

Overall, this was a nice warm-up for the outdoor game on Tuesday. The Pens will need to continue their solid team play to win that one.

Next up: The aforementioned Winter Classic on Tuesday afternoon.

NHL Picks - 12-30-07

Record last night: 2-2
Record this month: 25-20
Record this season: 63-54

Last night, the Avs and Sens both lost at home to the Kings and Caps respectively. How bad is that? That's why picking NHL games is tough - when you have what might be the two best teams at home in the NHL lose to two teams that might be the worst in the league... ugh...

Just four games on the schedule today. I'm picking just one.

Los Angeles at Chicago - I don't think the Kings can do the road win thing twice in a row. Go Blackhawks.

NHL Picks - 12-29-07

Record last night: 0-0
Record this month: 23-18
Record this season: 61-52

No picks last night. Montreal went in and killed Florida, which is never an easy task in the Sunshine state.

Heavy schedule tonight, with 13 games on the slate.

Washington at Ottawa - I know the Caps are playing better, but the Sens won't be as bad as the Pens were on Thursday. Go Sens.

Los Angeles at Colorado - Great home team (Avs) against really bad team (Kings). Go Avs.

Edmonton at Minnesota - The Oilers are slumping, and Minnesota is great at home. Go Wild.

Detroit at Phoenix - This one makes me a bit nervous, as Bryzgalov can win the game by himself, but Detroit has been a machine lately. Go Wings.

Game #38 - vs Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo Sabres (19-15-2, 40 pts) at Pittsburgh Penguins (19-16-2, 40 pts)

The Pens and Sabres are both teams that had disappointing starts and have recovered.

The Sabres low water mark was on November 15th, when they lost to the Senators to drop to 6-10-1. Since that game, they're 13-5-1. They're still really streaky, and they've lost two in a row, so with any luck, the losing will continue tonight and Tuesday.

The Pens hit the bottom of the barrel at almost the same time. On November 21st, they were 8-11-2 after losing to Jersey. Since then, they're 11-5-0, and they've won two straight.

Both teams are involved in a four-way tie for the last four playoff spots in the East.

The Pens power play has goals in three straight games. The PK hasn't allowed one over the same span (after their amazingly bad streak of 11 goals allowed in 32 chances over the previous 5 games).

Let's Go Pens!

NHL Picks - 12-28-07

Record last night: 3-0
Record this month: 23-18
Record this season: 61-52

Wow. I'm on quite a roll. 11-2 since picking all 8 games on December 23rd. I'm a season-high 9 games over .500 (I think it's a season high, at least). Maybe I should stop now... naah! This is for fun anyway.

I am going to stop for the day, however. There are only four games on the schedule tonight, and I don't like any of them.

Penguins 4, Capitals 3 (OT)

First, here are the video highlights for the game.



Take a look especially at how wide open the net is for Gonchar on the OT game winning goal. It's because Sid was walking out in front of the net and Kolzig slid to his right with his glove on the ice. Not sure if he tripped or was just expecting Sid to shoot, but great pass by Crosby either way.

If I'm a Caps writer / blogger, I'm lamenting the fact that the Caps let the Pens off the hook tonight. They had the Pens on the ropes big time. If not for the dumb roughing penalty that Morrison took on Malkin late in the third, the Pens are probably wondering how they lost to the Caps at home tonight.

However, I'm a Pens blogger, so I'm glad they managed to get two points they really didn't deserve. They were really pretty fortunate.

The Pens took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission, and when they came back out, it was like they couldn't do anything right. They suddenly couldn't get the puck up the ice consistently. They couldn't even exit their own zone much of the time, and they were starting from a stationary breakout. It was really pretty bad.

I can't remember the last time I've seen a team successfully pressure the Pens as much as the Caps did tonight. It seemed that every time the Pens went to make that second and third pass out of their own end, there was a Caps player right there in their face.

The Caps dominated the game by shutting down the Pens from the second period until late in the third. They scored twice to take a 3-2 lead, and it was only because they're not very good or deep offensively that they weren't able to add more to their lead.

Late in the third, as I mentioned, Morrison took a totally unnecessary roughing penalty (on Malkin, I believe). Dumb play, to say the least. The Pens top power play seemed to wake up and threw everything and the kitchen sink at Kolzig. He stoned them. When they left the ice with 10 seconds left on the penalty and the second power play unit took the face off, I thought sure the game was over. However, Sydor threw a relatively harmless slap shot at the net. It appeared to deflect off of a Capital and in it went. The Igloo went nuts (myself included).

In OT, the Pens controlled the puck pretty much from the beginning until Gonchar scored the game winner. Craziness ensued.

Thanks to Hoss for the dinner at the Sonoma Grill before the game. The Wife and I had never been there. I'd recommend it.

Thanks to the Pittsburgh Pirates for continuing their losing ways and forcing me to buy tickets to a hockey game (due to losing a bet with Hoss).

Next up: the Sabres come to town Saturday night in the warm up for the Ice Bowl on New Year's Day.

NHL Picks - 12-27-07

Record last night: 2-0
Record this month: 20-18
Record this season: 58-52

Last night continued the improbable comeback in my record for the season. I'm also now over .500 for December. There has to be a way to mess this up... :)

There are 10 games scheduled tonight. I'm going with three:

Washington at Pittsburgh - I'll be at this game, so I'm picking the Pens to win. Go Pens!

Tampa Bay at Montreal - The Bolts have been El Sucko recently. They should have trouble with the Habs. Go Canadiens.

Islanders at Ottawa - It's the Sens, and they're at home. The Isles have been struggling to score. Go Sens.

Game #37 - vs Washington Capitals

Washington Capitals (14-19-4, 32 pts) at Pittsburgh Penguins (18-16-2, 38 pts)

The Pens get back to it tonight at the Igloo against the Caps. The Caps have been struggling, losing four of the past six. The only two games they won in that span were a pair of 3-2 wins against Tampa Bay. The Dolts are the only team in the east that might be worse than the Caps.

Having said that, the Caps are just 6 points out of the 8th playoff spot. The Eastern conference is a land of mediocrity this year, with only the Sens and Devils being more than 7 games over .500 (the top 5 in the West are at least 7 games over).

This is a game the Pens need. They need to get back over .500 at home. They desperately need the two points, especially since they don't seem to be able to win against anyone in their own division. They also need to get their special teams going in the right direction, and the Caps are a good opponent to do that against.

I'll be at the game tonight, hopefully with my camera.

Let's Go Pens!

Mark Eaton - Torn ACL

According to the Post-Gazette, Mark Eaton is out indefinitely with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

This will open up a spot for Brooks Orpik, and someone will likely be recalled from Wilkes-Barre. We could hope for a chance to see Golgowski or Lannon, but most likely it would be the old standby, Alain Nasreddine.

NHL Picks - 12-26-07

Record Sunday: 6-2
Record this month: 18-18
Record this season: 56-52

Wow - a 6-2 record for the day. That's pretty nice. Maybe I should pick all of the games every day... okay - probably not. Let's stick to the current formula.

There are nine games on the schedule tonight. I'm going with two:

Nashville at Chicago - The Hawks are playing well. I think that will continue tonight. Go Hawks.

San Jose at Los Angeles - The Sharks are tough, and the Kin

Penguins 4, Bruins 2

Not a great game, but a good one.

The Pens did what they had to do to win the game. They came back, despite allowing the first goal, and took a 3-1 lead with two quick goals in the second period.

The game was typified by the work turned in by the line of Roberts, Laraque and Christensen. They weren't flashy. They got the puck down low and out-worked the Bruins, maintaining possession. Then they took their chances and converted them. That was the difference in this game - the Pens converted on their chances.

A few notes:

• Eaton was hurt again on a cheap slu-foot (or is it slew-foot?) move by Marco Sturm. Someone needs to have a conversation with Mr. Sturm the next time the Pens play the Bruins.
• The Bruins were shooting high on Conklin early, and it paid off on their first goal. Ty seems to have some trouble on the high shots to his body, and he was giving up rebounds. I wonder why he doesn't catch the puck instead of letting it hit him?
• The Pens took the lead on a much-needed power play goal. Finally, a power play goal at an important time.

Next up: The Caps come to the Igloo. I'll be in attendance. Woo hoo!

NHL Picks - 12-23-07

Record last night: 1-2
Record this month: 12-16
Record this season: 50-50

Well, I hit the 50 win mark. The only downside is that I hit the 50 loss mark at the same time. Here at Igloo Dreams, the glass is half full (until I finish my Vanilla Coke, and then things are bleak).

It's a busy Sunday in the NHL, mainly because there are no games until Wednesday. I'm delivering a special Christmas gift and picking EVERY game today. Please note, this is a gift only if you're following this for entertainment value only. If you're using it for advice, I'm not sure gift is the term I'd use to describe these picks.

Boston at Pittsburgh - I have to go with the Pens, of course. They're the subject of this blog.

Nashville at Columbus - Nashville has won 10 straight over the Jackets. I think that changes today. Go Blue Jackets.

Atlanta at St Louis - yeah, the Thrashers have won four straight. They're due for a letdown, right? Go Blues.

Edmonton at Chicago - Chicago, on the other hand, will ride the momentum of a road win in Ottawa to a win over the Oilers. Go Hawks.

Ottawa at New York Rangers - The Sens have another little losing streak going. MSG is a good place to rectify that. Go Sens.

New Jersey at Calgary - The Flames have won only 7 out of 19 at home (7-7-5). Go Devils.

Montreal at Dallas - The Stars are too tough at home. Go Stars.

Vancouver at Colorado - The Canucks are good on the road, but the Avs are better at home. Go Avalanche.

There you have it. Eight games, eight picks.

Game #36 - vs Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins(18-13-4, 40 pts) at Pittsburgh Penguins(17-16-2, 36 pts)

Zdeno Chara barely fit onto this card - he's that tall


Crusher has goals in two straight games.

The Pens get a chance to prove they can beat the Bruins without being spotted a four goal lead. They also get a chance to avoid a losing streak, thanks to their home loss to the Isles on Friday night.

The Pens now have a losing record at home (7-8-2). This needs to change - the Igloo should be a place where it's tough to play for the opposition, not for the home team.

One major aspect that needs to change is their physicality. They got credit for 14 hits against the Isles on Friday, but I don't know where more than three of those happened. They weren't finishing their checks in the offensive zone. It was a poor display.

The power play also needs to get better. They are just 2-25 over the past five games, and had more than one power play goal in a game only twice since Halloween.

Let's Go Pens!

NHL Picks - 12-22-07

Record Thursday: 1-1
Record this month: 11-14
Record this season: 49-48

Just hanging over the edge of the .500 mark still. I need to get back to even for the month of December, and there's not much time left. Let's pick a few games.

Busy night tonight in the NHL - 11 games. I'm not crazy about many, but I'll pick three.

Toronto at Florida - Kitty Cats roar at home. The Leafs have been inconsistent at best this year. Go Panthers.

Los Angeles at Nashville - The Kings are my new favorite whipping boys. Go Predators.

Chicago at Ottawa - Yeah, it's the Sens. The Hawks will be hurting. Go Sens.

Islander 4, Penguins 2

Let's play the blame game, specifically about those four goals the Pens allowed last night.

I'm putting the first two squarely on the shoulders of Dany Sabourin. I know the D backed off on Satan (who wouldn't back off of the Dark Lord), but you need the goaltender to make that save. Hilbert's goal is certainly on Sabourin. I know it was a 3-on-2, but it wasn't a tap in, it was a wrister from 15-20 feet.

The third goal, though it was a bad angle, was certainly on the defense. When you have Hilbert in front of Sabourin and Comeau with a straight look at the net, something's wrong. No one got in front of the unfortunately named Blake Comeau, and no one bothered to move Hilbert. Not good.

The fourth one was dumb luck, and wasn't the fault of anyone in particular.

All of this is to say that there was no reason for the Pens to lose that game. They only managed 5 shots in the third period, which again is troubling, but they had a 2-1 lead and it was 2-2 going into the third. Ugh.

Next up: Sunday afternoon for the first time this season as those wonderful Bruins visit the Igloo.

Game #35 - vs New York Islanders

New York Islanders (15-15-2, 32 pts) at Pittsburgh Penguins (17-15-2, 36 pts)

The Pens are coming off of a road win in Boston where they were fortunate to escape with two points. The Islanders have been anything but fortunate lately.

The Isles' high water mark for the season was when they beat Ottawa on 11-28 to go to 13-8-1. Since that time, they're 2-7-1. They're still struggling to put pucks in the net. They haven't notched more than two power play goals in a game since October. They've allowed 34+ shots in five of their past six games.

All of this goes to say that the Pens should win this game. They need to win this game. They have to get some victories within the Atlantic division.

The next 7 games are critical for the Pens. They play six at home (the one that's not is the New Years Day game against the Sabres) against some weaker competition (including Washington and Florida). Time to earn some points!

Let's Go Pens!

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

I think the Pens just don't know how to play with a lead right now. They took what should have been a commanding lead, 4-0, halfway through the second period. They couldn't hold it for 30 minutes... but I'm getting ahead of myself.

First off, does anyone else think Andy Ferrence looks like Mini-Me next to Zdeno Chara?

The Pens came out with some effort in the first and it paid off. Malkin and Crosby were reunited (and it felt so good), and it paid immediate dividends with three first period goals. Conklin made the saves he needed to make and the Pens had a 3-0 lead.

During that period, Chara and Laraque got into a fight. They each threw one punch and fell to the ice. The refs were in an insulting mood and only called it Delay of Game. Not sure how it's delay of game when they both throw a punch, but whatever. They both get out of the box and go for round 2, and the same thing happens (one punch and down they go). This time, it's 5 for fighting. I guess the refs were the only ones not wanting to see round 3.

In the second, Crosby dropped the gloves for the first time in his career and fought Andrew Ferrence. He did pretty well too, making sure that Ferrence lost his helmet and throwing some rights. I'm not sure either play connected with any punches, but Sid did okay. He also threw more punches than Chara and Laraque did in both of their fights combined.

The Pens built a 4-0 lead which the Bruins had cut to 4-2 with two goal in the last 5 minutes of the period. You'd think that might inspire the Pens to ramp it back up a few notches in the third, but they were out shot 17-4. That's pretty bad. The Bruins came all the way back and tied it.

Not much happened in OT, and in the shootout, the Pens were dominant. Christensen and Letang made Thomas look like a flopping fish, with both of them going over the goalie to score (Letang's goal was especially impressive). The way these guys are handling the shootout, the Pens have a serious advantage.

Random notes:

• Crosby had the Gordie Howe hat trick (goal, assist and fight).
• Army had three assists and was +4.
• Christensen scored in the game and in the shootout, but most impressively, played over a minute on the penalty kill! Maybe he's finally turned the corner and is ready for a bigger role...

Next up: at home Friday night against the Islanders