Thursday, April 30, 2009

Lunch with a Legend


1250 ESPN is holding their monthly “Lunch with a Legend” on Wednesday, May 13th at Morton’s The Steakhouse downtown Pittsburgh. The May guests are ESPN’s Barry Melrose and Steve Levy.

WHAT:
Lunch with a Legend
WHO (Guests): Barry Melrose and Steve Levy (from ESPN)
WHEN: Wednesday, May 13th
WHERE: Morton's The Steakhouse, 625 Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh

The cost for this event is $40 (inclusive of tax and gratuity). For more information or to make a reservation, contact Cassidi Kim at 412-261-7141 or visit the 1250 ESPN webpage.

"Lunch with a Legend" is held each month as Stan Savran and Guy Junker broadcast live from 10 AM - 1 PM at Morton's The Steakhouse. For more information about this months lunch as well as additional information, please visit the 1250 ESPN "Lunch with a Legend" webpage.

That's So MAF (the musings of a Penguins goalie)!

Do you want some inside info on why Fleury "hates" Crosby (and Sykora and Dupuis sometimes) and what Staal means when he says Fleury "likes it back door?"

Well, that's the kind of stuff you'll find out during this video brought to you by Score.com and a personality from the site known as "Cabbie." In case you're not familiar with him, he's known for conducting pretty "off-point / off-beat" and "laid back" interviews with sports stars. This series is called "Journey to the Cup" and the particular video I'm talking about is from his interviewing several different NHL goalies.

I'm certain you'll find it as amusing as I did (THANKS to Molly for sending me the link and the screen-cap below!)!!

And if you like this one, check out his video on NHL Hockey Sticks where he interviews Sid and gets him to talk about his "knob!" Really funny stuff!!

Penguins "2-Headed Monster" Promotion!!

The Penguins webpage has announced a new giveaway featuring the "2-headed monster" which is the name given to the dynamic duo of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin (I believe by either Bob Errey or Paul Steigerwald).

By entering, you get a chance to win two autographed pucks (signed by Sid and Geno), and 2 tickets to Round 2, Home Game 2 scheduled for Friday, May 8, 2009. Keeping with the theme of "2," two winners will be selected on Wednesday, May 6, 2009.

In addition to entering to win, you will automatically be signed up to receive weekly Penguins e-News Service alerts featuring in-depth coverage of the team, game highlights, special offers and more!


AWESOME graphic featured here is courtesy of the Penguins webpage!!

Penguin Point Grand Opening

Pittsburgh Penguins GM Ray Shero and his wife Karen are part of the National Aviary's new exhibit called "Penguin Point." The Grand Opening of this exhibit is set for Friday, May 22, 2009 at 6:30 PM.

The general public is invited to take part in the celebration of this new exhibit during the Grand Opening.

You'll have the chance to meet the National Aviary's new team of penguins and enjoy wonderful food, a hosted bar with tasty cocktails and great entertainment, including a concert by Tom Watt, Pittsburgh's very own Buffett Man.
For more information and / or to RSVP (by May 8th), visit the National Aviary's site or call (412) 323-7235, ext. 213. Tickets are $125 per person.

CLICK HERE to read the press release.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Hart Trophy Finalists Announced Today

No surprises with the NHL's announcing the three finalists for the 2008-2009 Hart Memorial Trophy today -- Pavel Datsyuk (Detroit Redwings) who is a first-time finalist, Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins), and Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals).

Interesting to note that all three finalists are Russians which is a first in the 85-season history of this award (as pointed out by the Penguins webpage).

The Professional Hockey Writers' Association "submitted ballots for the Hart Memorial Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists," so the winner has already been determined and will be announced at the 2009 NHL Awards on Thursday, June 18th.

Just by what a few hockey writers from around the Pittsburgh area have been saying when asked about who is most deserving, it would appear that Ovechkin has won it yet again (but that doesn't come as much of a surprise, does it?!).

ALSO interesting is the fact that the below image (which may be a bit too small to make out) was a recently screen-capped image of the Penguins webpage of this announcement which shows their version of "alphabetical order" listing Evgeni Malkin FIRST (could this be a Freudian slip?) -- but we ARE a little biased though after all, aren't we Pens fans?!!!


Round 2 Schedule Released

Round 2 of the SC Playoffs will begin on Saturday for the Penguins when they play the Washington Capital at the Verizon Center in Washington at 1:00 PM. This game will be nationally televised on NBC.

This is, of course, is later than we previously expected, but it looks like I'll be attending a Friday evening game which will be AWESOME (yes -- I was lucky enough to get tickets for this round too!)!!!

Here's the series schedule:
Saturday, May 2nd @ 1:00 PM at Washington (NBC)
Monday, May 4th @ 7:00 PM at Washington (Versus)
Wednesday, May 6th @ 7:00 PM, PITTSBURGH (Versus)
Friday, May 8th @ 7:00 PM, PITTSBURGH (FSN - Pittsburgh)
Saturday, May 9th @ 7:00 PM at Washington (FSN - Pittsburgh)*
Monday, May 11th - TBD, PITTSBURGH (FSN - Pittsburgh)*
Wednesday, May 13th @ 7:00 PM at Washington (FSN - Pittsburgh)*

* if necessary

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

It's the Craps!!!

Yes -- I mean that in most every sense!!

The Capitals beat the Rangers tonight and the Canes beat the Devils which means that the Penguins will face the Washington Capitals in the second round of the SC Playoffs. Its not exactly what I wanted, but it will be fun shoving it in Ovi's face when we win this round and make him realize that there was no point in his moving past the first round!!! This will be a pretty interesting series seeing a few of the top players in the NHL play head-to-head in the playoffs as well as the fact that the Caps' goalie is young and unfamiliar to the playoffs / Crosby & Malkin which may very well intimidate him AND Brashear is suspended for 5 games (a total of 6 sitting out Game 7 tonight) after pre-game "initiating contact" with Colton Orr and a dirty hit on Blair Betts in Game 6 -- this should be a good round, but I believe the Penguins will win it and move on to Round 3.

Although the NHL will officially release dates / times of these matchups, I just heard Bob Pompeani report that the Mellon Arena already has Tuesday and Thursday booked with other events (ECW Smackdown & Dane Cook), so it looks probable that the Pens will start Round 2 on Thursday leaving them to play at home on Monday and Wednesday.

And that leaves the Canes to face the Bruins.

In other interesting news, the Ducks (#8) won their series over the Sharks (#1) -- I guess my prediction of a SJS / Pens SC Final just bit the dust, but it just goes to show you how anything is possible in the playoffs at anytime - it could change in an instant with one simple play or turn of events!! Could we possibly see Whitney in the Final??

We shall see!

Bylsma No Longer "Interim"

The Penguins announced today that they have formally named Dan Bylsma as THE head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins. You just knew that was coming sooner or later!!!

Both sides agreed to the multi-year contract last night and the team was told before practice this morning (I haven't been able to get anymore specifics than that).

“Dan has done such an impressive job with our team, both on and off the ice, that we didn’t see the need to wait any longer to announce our decision,” said Ray Shero, the Penguins’ executive vice president and general manager. “He is the man we want to lead the Pittsburgh Penguins as our head coach.”

“Dan has impressed us all with his knowledge of the game, his relentless work ethic, his communication skills, and his ability to relate to the players and staff,” Shero said. “When Badger Bob Johnson was the coach of the Penguins, he said every day was a great day for hockey. Dan approaches the game with that same type of enthusiasm. He accepted the challenge of being our interim head coach in February and made this a very easy decision for our ownership and management.”

I honestly have grown to like Bylsma over these last few weeks and I must admit that I was trying hard not to only because I liked Therrien so much and it was such a shock when they fired him; however, I realize that Bylsma is one of the reasons that the Penguins turned their season around and are now in the Playoffs. Its hard not to like a guy like Bylsma who seems to be a good fit for this young team. He puts you in mind of Mike Tomlin in the fact that he's very well-spoken and seems to want to do what's best for the team and puts guys in positions he knows they'll excel in which is something that makes any system (not just in hockey) work better in the long run for the "whole."

I also get the feeling that we will be raising the Cup during Bylsma's tenure as the head coach (perhaps this year??? wouldn't that be an accomplishment?!)!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO Head Coach DAN BYLSMA!!!
“I want to thank Ray Shero and our ownership for giving me this tremendous opportunity to be the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins,” Bylsma said. “I’m humbled. I’m excited. And I look forward to continuing to lead our hockey
team.”

“We’ve got a great group of players and a great staff. We’ve got phenomenal fans and a state-of-the-art arena going up across the street. The future is bright for hockey in Pittsburgh, and my family and I are happy to be a part of it.”

On the Spot with Dan Bylsma


Tommy Nast of LAKings.com conducted a telephone interview with Dan Bylsma after the Pens beat the LA Kings (4-1) on March 20th. Bylsma is a former King (1995 - 2000) who also played hockey for Bowling Green (1988 - 1992).

The interview is about 10 minutes and was around the time Bylsma was hired as the Penguins interim Head Coach, so it's a pretty interesting look back at one of the pivotal factors that turned around the Pens season to get them where they are today.

Visit LAKings.com for a link to the podcast
(including an overview of his playing / coaching career)

Monday, April 27, 2009

Who Will the Pens Face in Round 2?

There are still four possibilities as to which team the Penguins will face in Round 2 at this point. Here are my personal thoughts and views on each of the four:

BOSTON -- this is the only team that really frightens me out of all of the teams Pittsburgh could face. Its not that the Pens can't beat the Bruins (they've already done that), but they'll have had more than enough time to rest and that could be dangerous just as it could also be a good thing. It would definitely be an interesting series. They're a good team who have had their share of rough patches similar to the Pens

CAROLINA -- the Penguins would have an advantage over the Canes in that they will have more of a rest than Carolina will since they forced a Game 7. Eric Staal is on fire and seems to feed off of his team's need to win (when their backs are against the wall) -- he's their big weapon; and Staal vs. Staal in the playoffs would make for an interesting series!

NEW JERSEY -- again, the Penguins would have the advantage of playing them having a rest while the Devils would just be finishing a series and may be slightly worn out. Even though Brodeur looked good at the start of the playoffs - moreso than he had at the end of the regular season, the Canes seem to be giving him a run for his money and I think the Pens can (have done) the same!

WASHINGTON - not much to say about this other than I HATE Ovechkin and I don't want to see him get past the first round, so I'm pulling for the Rags!!! Get your ass together NYR, especially you Tortorella -- let Avery do his thing.

The Maxime Effect


Yes, Talbot got his ass handed to him - there's no arguing that, but it wasn't all that bad (it could've been much worse). The thing is the fight had opposite effects for each team - Carcillo didn't do Philly any favors and Talbot succeeded in lighting a spark under the Pens bench.

Talbot is not typically a player who drops the gloves, but he was willing to step up for the team (take a beating) so the momentum could possibly change (and what was there to lose? they were already down 3-0!) and the team didn't want to waste the opportunity.

I realize that alot of fans / writers / announcers do not want to fully credit this fight with the positive effect it had and I understand that; however, the players / team themselves said it was a turning point, so how can you argue with that? There's no denying that it was a contributing factor to that important Pens win.

"It's no little thing," right wing Bill Guerin said. "It's a big thing."

Added captain Sidney Crosby: "Anytime a guy puts himself on the line like that, you want to follow that up."

"It was one of those moments where (we were like), 'Whoa, what just happened?'" Briere said. "All of a sudden it gave them life."

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Pens - 5, Cryers Flyers - 3
Pens end series 4-2


Philadelphia Flyers webpage
RECAP: Penguins 5, Flyers 3 (04/25/2009)

Philadelphia Daily News
Flyers' season ends with Game 6 loss (04/25/2009)

Broad Street Bull blog
Penguins steal series from Flyers; what's next? (04/25/2009)

On this Date in Pittsburgh Penguins History

2001
Johan Hedberg stopped 25 shots as Pittsburgh defeated the Buffalo Sabres, 3-0, in the opening game of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.


1997
Mario Lemieux plays his last NHL game as a Penguin.


1996
Dave Burrows, Edward J. DeBartolo, and Elaine Heufelder are named to the Penguins Hall of Fame.

1993
The Pens defeated the New Jersey Devils, 5-3, to win the Patrick Division Seminfinals in five games.


1975

The Penguins were shutout by the New York Islanders, 1-0, and lost game seven in the Quarterfinals.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Pens Win Series (4-2) with Today's 5-3 Win Over the Cryers!!

along with Philly's hopes!!
(Crosby sucks, right? Well at least he's heading to Round 2!!)!!
SUCK IT Cryers fans
Pens lead series 3-2
In net tonight: Marty Biron

Philadelphia Flyers webpage
Brimming with Confidence
(04/24/2009)
Flyers Still Have Hart for Game Six (04/24/2009)
FAN ZONE: Lupul Blog (04/24/2009)

The Philadelphia Inquirer
Flyers goalie Biron meets challenge (04/24/2009)

phillyBurbs.com

On this Date in PIttsburgh Penguins History

April 25, 1991

The Penguins win their first Patrick Division playoff championship with a 4-1 victory over Washington.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Pens - 0, Cryers Flyers - 3
Pens lead series 3-2


On this Date in Pittsburgh Penguins History

April 24, 1996

Petr Nedved scores in fourth overtime to give Penguins a 3-2 win over the Washington Capitals in Game Four of Division semi-finals.

AND ALSO -- today is Kris Letang's birthday (thanks for pointing that out, KD -- who also says, "Bonne Fête, Kris!")

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Pre-Game News

[UPDATE]
at this morning's practice, Satan skated with Malkin and Fedotenko, but Bylsma said that the lines will more than likely be shuffled around like they were during last game:
"Like our last game, you'll see different looks from our lines on different occasions throughout the game," Bylsma said. "You'll see Miro (with Malkin and Fedotenko) a little bit, but you'll also see different combinations with Evgeni."
PETR SYKORA / MIROSLAV SATAN
Penguins webpage is reporting that Satan will replace Sykora in tonight's lineup against the Flyers for Game #5 (this is a shocker to me -- and it sounds like it was to Sykie too - see quote below!)

"I"m not playing," he said. "I'm surprised. He told me right before practice that I'm not playing."

And Bylsma on his decision to make the Sykora-Satan switch:"It's a decision the coach gets to make. We feel like this will give us a better chance in certain circumstances, to get a different look. Miro is going to get that opportunity tonight to go in there and play some meaningful minutes for us."

KRIS LETANG
Letang suffered an injury late in Game #4 and will be a game-time decision tonight (is anyone else surprised by this too? I didn't realize he was injured); if he's unable to play, Philippe Boucher will take his place.
Pens lead series 3-1
In net tonight: Marty Biron (projected)

Philadelphia Flyers webpage
Flyers-Penguins
Preview (04/23/2009)

Philadelphia Daily News
Sam Donnellon: Crash course on NHL rules (04/23/2009)


The Philadelphia Inquirer
For Flyers, standing still is falling behind (04/23/2009)
Flyers have more than Fleury to blame (04/23/2009)
Flyers fall to Penguins, face elimination (04/22/2009)

On this Date in Pittsburgh Penguins History

April 23, 1997

Mario Lemieux scores on his final shot at the Civic Arena against the Flyers in the playoffs. The crowd began chanting for Lemieux with 5 minutes remaining and came to its feet with 2:09 to play after a Lemieux video montage was shown on the jumbotron scoreboard. With a little over a minute to go, Lemieux broke in alone on Garth Snow and scored his final goal.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Game 5 Whiteout!!

The Penguins webpage announced this morning that the Penguins are calling for a "Whiteout" for tomorrow's playoff game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Fans will get a white t-shirt courtesy of StarKist company and white rally towels courtesy of Trib Total Media.
Pens - 3, Flyers - 1
Pens lead series 3-1


Philadelphia Flyers webpage
RECAP: Penguins 3, Flyers 1 (04/21/2009)
FlyersTV Online: Reaction to Game 4 (04/21/2009)

The Philadelphia Inquirer
Penguins shove Flyers to brink (04/21/2009)

Philadelphia Daily News
Sammy Say-So blog

Fans Confidence in Sid is Reciprocated

If there was ever a doubt in any Pens' fans minds what Sid thought about them and their ability to be a 6th man on the ice during home games, think no more. Yesterday he was asked about playing on the road against Philly at the Wachovia Center and here's what he had to say:

"I’ve played here a lot personally," he said. "As a team, you always expect on the road in the playoffs for it to be more challenging. You expect the other team to have energy. It’s nothing new. It’s always a little more difficult on the road anyway. I don’t think it’s any more challenging because it is here."

When he was asked if Penguins fans will respond to the Flyers in the same manner at Mellon Arena, Crosby replied:"I’m sure they’ll answer it, yeah. I’m not worried about that."
And I'll be one of those fans who get to respond as I was lucky enough to get Game #5 tickets yesterday (YEA!!!) and I WON'T be letting Sid down!!

LET'S GO PENS!!!!!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Pens lead series 2-1
In net tonight: Marty Biron (projected)

Philadelphia Flyers webpage
Penguins-
Flyers Preview (04/21/2009)

In the Room blog
Jerkish to the Max (04/20/2009)

You Stay Classy Philadelphia!!

I know there weren't many of you who didn't catch the Flyers fan behind the glass where Crosby was standing during one point in Sunday's game. You couldn't miss him standing there as plain as day flipping Crosby the bird for all the nation to see -- I'm sure he made his mother so very proud at that moment - illustrating THE CLASSIC FLYERS FAN (mean, nasty, and vulgar)!! Way to represent the "city of brotherly love!"

All I can say is that there's NO WAY that they would be so willing to give Crosby such a hard time if he was on their team not to mention the fact, as one of my fellow hockey-loving friends Christine pointed out, that any TRUE hockey fan would realize Crosby is an elite player and leave it at that (no need to be immature about it).

The Flyers fans aren't that far off from the makeup of the team that they cheer for - dirty and goonish - which is why they won't be cheering their team on past this round let alone see the day when they win the Stanley Cup!!

Picture courtesy of Deadspin.

The Big Screen Returns!!

The Penguins will once again provide the big screen outside Mellon Arena for Games 4 and 5 since the games will be broadcast locally by FSN - Pittsburgh (who are obviously not concerned about the money they will be losing by fans not staying at home to watch it on their station as was the case with NBC!)!!

Game 5 Tickets on Sale this Morning!!

Playoff tickets for Game #5 to be played at home in the Mellon Arena go on sale at 10 AM this morning.

The game will be on Thursday, April 23rd @ 7:00 PM and tickets can be purchased online, by phone, a ticketmaster outlet, or at the Mellon Arena. Again, only about 2,000 tickets will be released to the general public, so they'll go fast!!!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Team Update

The Penguins held an optional practice this afternoon at the Wachovia Center and it doesn't appear that alot were there. The webpage lists the following players as "not participating:"

Sykora, Fedotenko, Cooke, Malkin, Guein, Gill, Orpik, Eaton, Gonchar, and Fleury.

I haven't seen anything on Orpik, but would like to find an update on that hit he took yesterday. If anyone else has heard anything, please let me know!!

Yesterday's Loss Got You Down?


Well then, just listen to "Flyer Scum - 2009 (We'll Kick Your Arse)" and all will be right with the world!!

THANKS to the LGP.com poster!!!



Pens - 3, Flyers - 6
Pens lead series 2-1


Philadelphia Flyers webpage
RECAP: Flyers 6, Penguins 3 (04/19/2009)

Philadelphia Daily News
Sammy Say-So blog

Biron the better goalie so far (04/19/2009)

Philadelphia Inquirer
Feisty Flyers come alive, beat Pens (04/19/2009)
Flyers’ Giroux plays like a vet (04/19/2009)

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Pens lead series 2-0
In net tonight: Marty Biron (projected)

What a Save -- That's So MAF (the musings of a Penguins goalie)!!

Fleury on his miraculous save during Game 2:

“I was a little far from the inside post – it wasn’t the best spot,” Fleury sheepishly admitted. “I just tried to get my pad over there and it hit my toe, so it worked out well.”

"I saw it on the TV today. It was OK. I was a little bit lucky because he still had some net to shoot at. I’m just happy it didn’t go in."



Penguins Players Playoff Shirts (say THAT three times fast!)

I knew that the Penguins had a playoff shirt last year that they wore in the dressing room and for post-game interviews; however, I never realized until now that every team creates one of these playoff shirts every year.

Philly's shirts have the Stanley Cup on the back with the phrase "32 Teams, 16 Left, 1 Dream."

I caught a glimpse of this year's Pens one without realizing it during the post-game interview with Crosby and Staal when I noticed this neat shirt Jordan had on -- the Pens logo on one sleeve and a skull on the other.

The skull is from the comic book character, the Punisher and their motto this year is "Are ya hungry?" which is on the back of the shirt.

Talbot Not Taking Media's Bait

Thursday, a reporter tried to get Talbot to start talking "smack" about the hit he took from Carcillo at the end of Game 1 -- the results are just amusing (and completely Talbot!)!

Reporter: What did you think of the one-game suspension?
Talbot: Nothing.
Reporter: Would you have deserved a one-game suspension if you had been guilty of that act?Talbot: Yeah. If the game was 4-1 for the other team I think so. That was boring TV, eh? Reporter: Did you think the judment was fair?
Talbot: It's OK.
Reporter: You know exactly what to say.
Talbot: Yeah, I know (grinning).

On this Date in Pittsburgh Penguins History

April 19, 1998

Jaromir Jagr wins his second NHL scoring title with 102 points (35 goals, 67 assists).

Friday, April 17, 2009

GAME 2: Pens - 3, Flyers - 2 (OT)

Pre-Game News

ERIC GODARD / CRAIG ADAMS
Godard and Adams were switched back and forth on the 4th line at practice this morning and it's not certain whether or not Godard will be on the ice tonight to patrol the Flyer bullies, so I guess we'll know that right before gametime.

LINE COMBINATIONS (from this morning's skate)
"I think that we can be pretty confident for the rest of the playoffs that those will be game-time decisions." - D. Bylsma
Kunitz-Crosby-Guerin
Fedotenko-Malkin-Sykora
Cooke-Staal-Kennedy
Satan/Dupuis-Talbot-Godard/Adams

The defensemen operated their normal seven-man rotation.

PHILLY NEWS
  • DANIEL CARCILLO - out of tonight's lineup due to one-game suspension for the hit on Talbot 7 seconds before the end of the Game 1; Flyers rookie, Luca Sbisa will replace him
  • the team held an optional skate that only 11 players attended (doesn't sound good for the team either way -- whether they just decided not to go or just to take the day to rest any injuries / bumps & bruises)
  • centermen worked extensively on faceoffs
  • JONES / TIMONEN - were not on the ice and are fighting through injuries; HC Stevens expects them to ready for game time:
    "Timonen’s getting a day of rest there and I think he will be fine. He’s feeling better today and I expect him to be a player that plays in all of the situations that he normally does.I just spoke with Randy before I came here. He just went to the hotel and he is going to get some rest and he said he is ready to go."
Pens lead series 1-0
In net tonight: Marty Biron (projected)

Philadelphia Flyers webpage
Flyers-Penguins Preview (04/17/2009)
Flyers Ponder Fewer Minutes for Richards, Carter (04/16/2009)
FAN ZONE (04/16/2009)

Flyers Report Broad Street Bull
Flyers in Denial; Carcillo suspended (04/15/2009)

Philadelphia Inquirer
Flyers’ Carcillo suspended for Game 2 (04/16/2009)

Carcillo Suspended, HC Stevens Fined




With only 7 seconds left in the third period of the first playoff game between the Pens and Flyers, DAniel Carcillo took a cheap shot at Max Talbot during the final faceoff. It appeared that Carcillo hit Talbot in the face / head with the butt-end of his stick. Even with the ref standing there to witness the entire incident, no penalty was called and we all thought that was the end of it.

Not so - it turns out that prior to the beginning of the playoffs, the NHL conducted a conference call with the GMs and coaches of all the playoff teams and "told them explicitly we would not tolerate attempts by clubs to 'send a message' late in a game when the outcome had been determined."

The result - the NHL sent a message of their own by handing Carcillo a one-game suspension and fining HC John Stevens $10,000 for his actions.

"I didn't hit him with my stick at all," Carcillo said, following the Flyers practice and before the hearing. "I know I hit him with my hand. My hand was over my stick and I know I didn't hit him with my stick."

Talbot said "I don't know what he tried to do" because he didn't watch the replay. "The important thing is to get the win and don't worry about what they do," Talbot said. "They're trying to send a message."

On this Date in Pittsburgh Penguins History

April 17, 1999

Jaromir Jagr wins his second consecutive and third overall NHL scoring title with 127 points.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

"It's a Great Day for Playoff Hockey" - Pens Blog!

It's a Great Day for Playoff Hockey will be tracking the Penguins' Stanley Cup quest with constant updates throughout the postseason.

If you get a chance, you should visit the Pens webpage to read their playoff blog -- it's pretty cool how it keeps you "aprised" of the daily happenings with the team during the playoffs. I'll try to keep a link here for easy access and to give an "overview" of the entries.

Today it mentions a few articles and the team's "semi-regular post-practice shootout" today and it came down to Orpik and Scuderi. Orpik got the puck past Garon, but Fleury denied Scuderi who had to serve his teammates Gatorade!

CLICK HERE FOR YESTERDAY'S ENTRY (April 15th - gameday)!!

Interesting tidbit: the blog mentions an article written by Sam Donnellon of the Philadelphia Daily News and says, "Mike Richards looks frustrated and exhausted." GOOD GRIEF!!

What a Game!!

That was such an exciting game last night - from beginning to end!! The Penguins are finally in sync, on target, and playoff-ready.

Tyler Kennedy may have scored the game-winning goal, but I think credit should also be given to Sid for scoring the first goal of the first game in the first round of the playoffs. It truly gave them the momentum throughout the game and, more importantly, for the series! A great way to start it off (I think it got the whole team going) and another great example of how Crosby leads as a Captain by example. All the Pens were playing great hockey, but another player who stood out to me and came to play was Jordan Staal. Staal always seems to step it up during playoffs, but this kid was on fire last night hitting everything that moved -- no kidding!! It's nice to see him finally play the kind of hockey we knew he could!!

Alot of writers / announcers / analysts are predicting the Penguins win this in 5 or 6, but after tonight, I think they'll sweep the Flyers in 4 if they continue to play like they are (whether or not the Flyers decide to show up)!!!

I'll let you in on a little secret too -- something I've been saying since the team's turn-around from the start of the "Bylsma Era" -- they're taking it all the way and winning the Cup this year (I believe that whole-heartedly!)!!! The reason? The Pens just started playing their best when alot of the other good teams in the playoffs have been playing at their best since the beginning of the season which will tire them out by the end of the playoffs. The Pens are just getting started and no one is expecting them to be as good as they are (as good as they'll become as they move on to each round). And it's not going to be a rematch of last year with Detroit -- I don't even believe that Detroit will make it to the Final (no, seriously!)!! I think it will be against another team - maybe SJS, but I'm not certain on the team yet.

I'm so sure of it that I actually bet on it with my Judge buddy at work (who hails from Michigan) and even up'd him one and threw in Detroit not making it to the Final. I'll be sure to let you know who buys who lunch [in June!]!!!

LET'S GO PENS!!!!!!!