Pens WIN Stanley Cup Final Rematch

Verizon's SOUNDS OF THE GAME

SHOTS ON GOAL:
Wings - 6; Pens - 16

The crowd sounds electric from the get-go. Pens spending alot of time in the Red Wings end which is a good way to start off the game. Nice try for Letang on his knees - looking like his captain there. First penalty of the game against Detroit giving the Pens a man-advantage. The power play is looking a little lacking, but thats really nothing new. A few good chances, but nothing comes out of the Pens first power play.

More than halfway through the period, the Pens get another chance at the power play. Lots of good tries, but again, they come out of the man-advantage empty-handed. Detroit gets their chance towards the end of the period with a man-advantage - the Pens kill it even with Staalsy getting an opportunity for a "shortie." We head into the intermission scoreless.

Commercial of the first intermission (TIE): I'm not a big fan of the Craps, the Cryers, Ovi, or Greenie, but the Verizon and new Geico commercials - LOVE them!!

SHOTS ON GOAL:
Wings - 5; Pens - 13
Lots of action ... penalty taken by the Pens (even though the bridge of Staal's nose is bleeding) and Detroit will be the first to have a man-advantage of the period whihc the Pens kill again will a few short-handed opportunites.

Detroit gets another power play opportunity. No luck for the Wings, but GOAL for Sid shortly after they kill the penalty - SWEET (1-0, Pens)!!!

The Pens go into the third period leading with 1 and the momentum (and Orpik having ENOUGH taking it out on Zetterberg's face!)!!!

My thoughts for the period: the kid is good (Howard); MUCH better than Osgood!!

SHOTS ON GOAL:
Wings - 10; Pens - 16

The Wings are on a power play a few minutes after the period starts ... Fleury made a few great saves and the first stop in play, the Red Wings get a penalty for a 4-on-4 to en Detroit's man-advantage then a little over a minute man-advantage for the Pens.

Midway through the period, Detroit scores a goal to tie it up.

We go to overtime.

SHOTS ON GOAL:
Wings - 3; Pens - 2
NICE save by Fleury, but it ends in a penalty by Gonchar for a Detroit power play to end overtime with one-man advantage. But it'll be decided by a SHOOTOUT!!

PENGUINS (Letang): no goal
WINGS (Datsyuk): misses net
PENGUINS (Crosby): GOAL (up top!)!!!!! Sweet!!!
WINGS (Williams): DENIED by Fleury!!!
PENGUINS (Malkin): sneaky, sneaky GOAL for the "W"

NICE WAY to end this game with a win!!! YEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!

SIDNEY CROSBY


JIMMY HOWARD


MARC-ANDRE FLEURY

More Baby Pens Recalled

However, its a different combo this time ... the Pens announced earlier this afternoon that they recalled forwards Nick Johnson and Mark Letestu from their affiliate WB / S Baby Pens.

Pens 'Stache Tracker 2010 - FEBRUARY

Not only are the Pens motivating players at the beginning of every month with they newly employed "Moustache Shootout" competition, but it has also turned into a big point of interest among us fans!!

Today, fans PACKED the Iceoplex in Southpointe to witness which player would be the next to grow the newly fashionable players stache

Since this is a monthly occurrence and one that fans are so interested in, Ive decided to create a "Stache Watch" to announce the "loser" as well as to keep an eye on how the facial hair is coming along throughout the month ... ENJOY!!!

But FIRST, let's take a moment of silence as the outgoing stache man shaves off his moustache ... R.I.P - Billy G's "Up-and-Coming Porn Star" Stache or, simply, "The Guerin" (photo courtesy of Lexie H.).


FEBRUARY'S "LOSER" - Ruslan Fedotenko ("BEFOREstache")

"LOSER" QUOTE - "I already did it once so it’s easy," Fedotenko said. "On me you probably won’t even be able to tell until the last week."

MY THOUGHTS - SWEET ... the invisible stache (aka ... "The Fedotenko") ... can't wait to see this one!!!

AND BE SURE TO JOIN OUR NEW "Pens 'Stache Tracker 2010" FACEBOOK GROUP!!!

Here We Go Again ... Conner, Johnson Re-Assigned

The Penguins announced earlier this morning that they re-assigned Chris Conner and Nick Johnson back to the WB / S Baby Pens.

Although THANKS to a really kind fan who posted a comment in my last "rant" about the poor AHL guys going back and forth so much ... I understand a little more why this goes on (and makes more sense to me now).

Just in case some of you aren't aware of the reasoning, like I wasn't and didn't catch the comment ... I'll post the kind commentors explanation for you here (THANKS "cjb1640!!"):

They cannot keep the AHL players up at the NHL level for periods longer than necessary due to salary cap restrictions. The longer the young guys are up here the more pay they collect at the NHL level and that counts against the cap. So if we send them down for 2 days we save a fraction of the $500,000 league minimum salary. Those pennies add up!

Makes complete sense now, right?!! And like Pompeani joked last night on "KDKA Sports Call" ... "hope they have EZPass!" Bob also mentioned about just having them play for the Wheeling Nailers (since it's closer for them to go back and forth) because hockey is hockey no matter where you play. Not a bad idea ... I mean, if you knew you were going to called up with the big dogs again, wouldn't you play / hang around Wheeling for a game or two?!!!

Pens Sluggishly Lose to Sens

CONGRATULATIONS TO
Fedotenko - 300th CAREER POINT
Eaton - 500th CAREER GAME
Staal - 300th CAREER GAME

SHOTS ON GOAL:
Sens - 13; Pens - 11

Right off the bat, Malkin shoots a bullet to the net from a sweet pass by Nick Johnson that makes it past Elliott for a goal (1-0, Pens); coincidentally, Malkin scored the goal as Steigy and Bob were talking about him and his contributing his scoring to skating better. THAT'S the magic of Malkin right there!!! Is it me or does Nick Johnson look like he came "NHL-ready?" Fedotenko records his 300th career point assisting in Malkin's goal.

Fleury couldn't make a second save on Mike Fisher who finds the back of the net around the halfway mark of the period (tied 1-1). Shortly after, the Sens get a man-advantage. Fleury makes a few good saves to help the Pens kill the penalty without a Sens goal. Staal attempts a "shortie" just second before the Sens power play is over, but is denied by Elliott. But the Sens come back to make the score 2-1 with a rebound off of a shot made by Ruutu.

The Sens finish the period with another power play opportunity, but Kovy ruins their chances with a penalty of his on making it a 4-on-4 for the rest of the first period.


SHOTS ON GOAL:
Sens - 11; Pens - 10

The Pens start off the period with a power play after Kovy interferes with Letang, but Elliott makes nice saves and it ends without the Pens cashing in. Then Crosby gets a penalty, but still no goal with a Sens' man-advantage.

Not a very productive period (I was a little bored, but meh!). Although that last play woke me up, but it would've been nice if it resulted in a goal! : (

My "I LOVE Bob" quote: "he has more good looks than anybody!" (Bob talking about Letang's chances); however some girls would agree with that statement, Bob!!

SHOTS ON GOAL:
Sens - 4; Pens - 8

The Pens have a lot of good chances, but just to have the bounces going their way. Mark Eaton get plowed into the boards by Neil but is OK ... Rupp tries to engage Neil, but he doesn't want to rock the boat with his team leading. Shortly after, Sens score another goal (3-1, Sens).

Elliott became the Pens enemy early in the game, but time beomes one as well ... trailing by two points, the window of opportunity gets narrower as the clock counts down. Elliott looking the sharpest in the third.

The Pens pulled Fleury for the last minutes of the game allowing the Sens to cash in on a empty-net goal making the final score 4-1. THAT SUCKS (what more can you say?!)!!

JASON SPEZZA


BRIAN ELLIOTT


EVGENI MALKIN

Godard out 4-6 Weeks

The Penguins just reported that Eric Godard suffered a groin injury last Monday playing against the NY Rangers and will be out of the lineup 4-6 weeks.

[UPDATE] Pre-Game Notes (Pittsburgh VS Ottawa) - Altered Lines

[UPDATE] LINEUP CHANGE
Dupuis-Crosby-Guerin
Johnson-Malkin-Fedotenko
Cooke-Staal-Adams
Rupp-Talbot-Conner

[UPDATE]JOHNSON RECALLED
the Pens have recalled Nick Johnson

[UPDATE] INJURED PLAYERS
Kennedy and Goligosky look to be out of tonight's lineup ("will not be available for tonight's game" according to Bylsma) while Talbot and Guerin (Bylsma said, "he'll play") are likely to play (Godard will be out for 4-6 weeks with a groin injury) and Kunitz is hoping to return to the lineup in about a week, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

TK, Go-go, and Godard did not participate in this morning's skate; TK and Go-go worked on the ice with strength and conditioning coach, Mike Kadar, prior to the team's practice (it looks like none of those three will be in the lineup tonight against the Senators); its been confirmed that Talbot will play tonight while things aren't certain about Guerin and he'll likely be a gametime decision

CHRIS KUNITZ
only a day after skating prior to the team's practice yesterday, Kunitz participated in drills for the morning skate today but will remain out of the lineup for now and it's likely that they will recall another AHL player (I have no idea why they just didn't keep both Conner and Johnson up here); Johnson has just been recalled

LINE COMBINATIONS (projected from the morning skate)
Dupuis-Crosby-Guerin
Conner-Malkin-Fedotenko
Cooke-Staal-Adams
Rupp-Talbot-[Kunitz - will be replaced]

Orpik-Gonchar
McKee-Skoula
Eaton-Letang

Fleury in goal

OTTAWA INJURY / LINE INFO
Pascal Leclaire (G), concussion - out indefinitely
Jesse Winchester (F), right knee - out until mid-February

Penguins Extend Contract of WB / S Rookie

The Penguins just announced that they signed rookie forward Joe Vitale to a two-year extension during his first season playing with the WB / S Baby Pens.

The Penguins originally drafted Vitale in the 7th round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft (195th overall). He leads all WB / S rookies with 19 points this season (4G, 15A).

UP NEXT: OTTAWA SENATORS
(29-21-4, 62 points)
In net tonight: Brian Elliott (projected)

Ottawa Senators webpage
PREVIEW (01/27/2010)

Check back for updates throughout the day!!

Conner Recalled Again

I didn't get a chance to post this (old news), but late yesterday afternoon, the Penguins announced that they recalled Chris Conner from the WB / S Baby Pens. It looks like someone isn't going to be in the lineup as expected when they re-assigned him earlier this week. Which player he'll be replacing has yet to be confirmed (it could be one of four - Talbot, who was expected to play in tonight's game against Ottawa; Guerin, TK, or Godard).

Sykora to Become Free Agent

I've been following this story since it started becoming an "ordeal" around the time the Pittsburgh Penguins played the Minnesota Wild about two weeks ago.

It started with the typical Sykora drama of not being played and his complaining (via his agent on Twitter) followed by his being placed on waivers January 19th. Yesterday, the Minnesota Star Tribune's "Russo's Rants" blog reported that he was officiall assigned to the Wild's AHL affiliate, the Houston Aeros, and it looks like he'll soon become a free agent.

However, Sykora has officially declined to report. The two sides have mutually agreed to terminate his contract, and once approved by the NHL in the next day or two, Sykora will immediately become an unrestricted free agent.

Also according to the blog, "it's believed" Sykora was close to being traded last week but the deal fell through. It's thought that something may come about after the Olympic break sometime in March.

[UPDATE] Off-Day Notes - Kunitz Back on the Ice

[UPDATE] Injuries and Statuses
GOLIGOSKI (undisclosed injury) - will not be in tomorrow's lineup against the Senators
TALBOT (lower-body) - expected to be in tomorrow's lineup
GUERIN (undisclosed injury) - status will be determined tomorrow morning
TK (undisclosed injury) - status will be determined tomorrow morning
GODARD (undisclosed injury) - no status

"Alex (Goligoski) probably won't be on the ice tomorrow (Thursday). Max (Talbot) we expect to return tomorrow, He was better today and ready to go. Billy Guerin is day-to-day still still. We'll wait until tomorrow to see what the situation is. TK (Kennedy) is in the same situation as Billy Guerin. We'll find out about those guys tomorrow morning."

• the Penguins had the day off yesterday after two back-to-back games (WINS) on Saturday and Sunday
• the team is back on the ice this afternoon except for Eric Godard, TK, and Alex Goligoski
• Bill Guerin is back on the ice, but in a baby blue [instead of the typical red] jersey for "no contact" (because the team will be wearing their alternate jerseys on Thursday against he Ottawa Senators); Max Talbot also practiced
• Chris Kunitz made his first appearance on the ice since having surgery to skate prior to the team's practice; he also did some work with Mike Kadar for strength and conditioning
  
  

Youngstown Phantoms Hockey and the Pens / MLF

I keep forgetting to post this, so while I'm thinking about it right now, I'm posting it!!

Before this Friday's Phantoms game (January 29th), MEET TYLER KENNEDY at the Covelli Centre for an exclusive "meet-and-greet" presented by FSN - Pittsburgh. Gates will open one hour earlier than usual for this event (5:00 PM) and will run from 5:00 - 7:00 (TK will be signing autographs and taking pictures with the fans).

The Phantoms ask that fans bring no more than one item to be signed in consideration of all who would like to meet Kennedy. Anyone who wishes to participate must purchase a ticket to the evening’s game, which is part of USA Hockey’s Hockey Across America Weekend, the third-annual nationwide celebration of the sport.

In conjunction with Hockey Across America Weekend, the Phantoms are offering half-price admission to anyone wearing hockey apparel to Covelli Centre for the Jan. 29 game.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE

The Phantoms are also teaming up with the Mario Lemieux Foundation in February!

On February 20th, the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL will host Mario Lemieux Foundation Night for the second consecutive year.

The Phantoms will hold an in-game auction and collect donations in support of the Lemieux Foundation's cancer research projects and Austin's Playroom Project. A portion of the gate sales will also be donated to the MLF. Tickets are $9.50 each and $3 from every ticket sold will benefit the Lemieux Foundation.

Please call 330-747-PUCK or visit http://www.youngstownphantoms.com/ for more information.

AHL Players Re-Assigned

Early this morning, the Penguins announced that they re-assigned forwards Chris Conner and Nick Johnson back down to the Baby Pens ... expect Talbot and Guerin to be back in action on Thursday unless they call others back up in the meantime (but I wouldn't think they'd do that unless they hit another snag since both Conner and Johnson were both working out well up here).

Pens
(33-20-1, 67 points)

Pens - 4, Rangers - 2
New York Rangers webpage
GAME CENTER (01/25/2010)

[UPDATE] Pre-Game Notes (Pittsburgh VS New York) - Conner Recalled

[UPDATE] GUERIN and GOLIGOSKI OUT
Bylsma announced that Guerin and Goligoski will be out of tonight's lineup against the Rangers - neither participated in this morning's skate (injuries / statuses are unknown at this time); it looks likely that Skoula is set to step into the spot left by Goligoski and ...

[UPDATE] FORWARD RECALLED
the Pens recently announced their recall of forward Chris Conner from their AHL affiliate WB / S to replace the space left by Guerin.

STARTING GOALIE
Fleury's return to the ice as the starting goaltender for the Pens is slated for tonight against the NY Rangers

[UPDATE] LINE COMBINATIONS
most of the lines were kept the same except for spots left by Guerin and Goligoski (although things could change because I'm not sure that Conner will be put up on the first line with Crosby) ...

Dupuis-Crosby-Guerin
Fedotenko-Malkin-Johnson
Cooke-Staal-Kennedy
Rupp-Adams-Godard

Gonchar-Orpik
McKee-Goligoski Skoula
Eaton-Letang

Fleury in goal

lines weren't changed during this morning's skate; they're the same as they were for yesterday's game against the Flyers.

NEW YORK INJURY / LINE INFO
the Rangers are healthy and no player is out of the lineup due to injury (they have only lost 51 man games to injury all season).

UP NEXT: NEW YORK RANGERS
(24-21-7, 55 points)
In net tonight: Henrik Lundqvist (projected)

New York Rangers webpage
PREVIEW (01/24/2010)
GAME NOTES (01/24/2010)

New York Daily News
New York Rangers take a day off to try and spark struggling offense (01/25/2010)

The New York Post
Rangers rookie Anisimov needs a re-charge (01/25/2010)

Check back for updates throughout the day!!

What's Better Than Hockey? MORE Hockey!!!

TONS OF THANKS to GhostWalker40 for uploading the new Penguins Verizon commercial to youtube featuring Sid, Max, Gonch, and Geno ... GOOD STUFF (LOVE this)!!! This was the first time I've seen this one, so I'm assuming it premiered during yesterday's game (there's another one with the Caps (Ovi) and the Flyers (Richards, Hartnell) at the airport which is actually pretty cool too even though it features a bunch of douchebags!)!!

"They're not leaving."

Honestly, I'd camp out at the Igloo if I could!!!

Sid V Max V the Dryer - Round 2

To see how round #2 turns out (you do have to become a fan of "Reebok Hockey" on Facebook first),

CLICK HERE!!!
(Sid vs. Max vs. Dryer B-roll)

"I'm not surprised you're trying to chirp right now!"

BITE ME!! One Good Finger Turn Deserves Another!!

So it's the Cryers turn now. Philadelphia Flyers forward Arron Asham is accusing Matt Cooke of biting him (according to Courier Post Online's blog, Flyer Files):

There was a scrum, I grabbed him. There were two guys on Harts and my glove got tangled in his mouth and he bit me, so I lost it.

It’s not bad, but he’s a gutless guy. I have no respect for him at all. I lined up against him and asked him to fight and he didn’t want to. If you go and bite someone … I just have no use for him.

He does his job well. He’s an agitator. He’s garbage to me and I have no respect for him at all.

You should have a little more honor than that. Usually if you bite somebody you stick up for yourself and you fight the guy. Not this guy, he’s chicken and I have no respect for him. He plays the game hard and I respect him for that, but he yaps, he’s a dirty player. At least a guy like (Sean) Avery fights. This guy is just chicken (bleep) and I hate him.

It would have been better if he dropped the gloves with me, but he’s got no stones.

Well that's quite believeable especially since Asham is such an upstanding player himself!! This is just incredibly ridiculous (I wouldn't be surprised if he fabricated the whole thing as a big joke)!! And here's Cooke's response according to The Daily Times,

Afterwards, Cooke and teammate Craig Adams joked that if Scott Hartnell didn't bite Kris Letang earlier this season (remember that?) than Cooke didn't bite Asham.

I SERIOUSLY think it was Hartnell ... he's STILL the culprit (seriously -- take a look at the video ... he's picking his teeth after it's all said and done!)!!! Courtesy of GhostWalker40

Pens Win Even Though They Waited Until the Last Seconds!!

Verizon's SOUNDS OF THE GAME

SHOTS ON GOAL:
Flyers - 10; Pens - 5

PIM: Flyers - 13 ; Pens - 17 (30 total PIM)
9 power plays (it's really been a "free-for-all")
LOTS of action from the start, but the action is mostly penalties which isn't allowing the Pens to play their game. The game is like a tennis match of penalties - not good.

Carter scores early for Philly and it's followed shortly after with a Philly power play; Hartnell runs into Brent Johnson and gets a penalty as the fans cry "asshole!" whatever ... Pens come up empty-handed which leaves a few seconds left on the Flyers power play, but Staal decides the Pens should do more penalty-killing so he skates off into the box leaving the Flyers with 40 seconds of 5-on-3 [rolls eyes] ... Flyers felt that was just too generous of the Pens, so they get another penalty for a little over a minute of 4-on-4.

Goal scored by Richards is called off (THANK YOU, JESUS) due to a penalty prior to the goal (Gagne can't help himself anymore and just pulls Malkin into a full embrace, but Malkin isn't havin' it). Pens end up getting a man-advantage and only trailing by one (not 2) out of that little display of affection.

Gonchar scores on the power play to tie the score at 1, but it's been too long since one of the boys has been in the box, so Cooke decides to start yappin' at Carcillo who hasn't been having much of his 'goon tendencies' lately, so Cooke gets escorted to the box.

[COOL COMMERCIAL from Verizon!!! What's better than hockey? MORE HOCKEY (you know it!)!!! SEE POST TOMORROW (COURTESY OF GHOSTWALKER40)]

Letang can't take the BS of Guerin and a few other team mates taking hits anymore and starts a fight with Powe!

Quote of the game: "too cute" - FEE-FEE McGuire (WTF??!!!!!); is it possible I could hate him more than Steigy --- YES!!!
My thoughts: I still HATE afternoon games AND un-goon-like Philly team!!!
Pens passing up opportunities.

SHOTS ON GOAL:
Flyers -5; Pens -11
PIM: Flyers - 2; Pens - 2 (much more disciplined this period)
Nothing much in the first few minutes of this period - pretty quick moving between both ends. Johnson has a nice save. The Pens had a few opportunities, but didn't cash in - still not playing too badly.

Gagne takes a penalty giving the Pens a power play opportunity, but without goal --- the last seconds of the period tick down until Rupp gets a penalty for his hit on Richards (elbow). A power play heading into the third on fresh ice - not good -- COME ON, Pens!!

FUN FACT of the period: Bylsma likes Crosby-Richards matchup (which surprises McGuire) Sounds of the game (Carcillo LOVES Billy G's stache!): LISTEN HERE

SHOTS ON GOAL:
Flyers - 13; Pens - 6
Pens kill the penalty but decide they want to do it again and Go-go takes one for his hit on Briere. Luckily they killed that one too (at least they're increasing their penalty-killing percentage).

Hartnell puts a hard hit on Malkin which causes each team to converge to make a huge pile of flying fists and Hartnell's hair ... ends up even (Hartnell gets away with nothing and Malkin ends up sitting in the box with Cooke; Asham and Powe for the Flyers) - 4-on-4. Nothing for either team.

Nice pad save by Johnson; Crosby has a nice opportunity and takes a shot while the whistle blows calling him off-sides -- BS!! Johnson stops Richards again on a 2-on-1 opportunity with a pass from Hartnell, but another freaking penalty is called on the Pens. Soon after, refs call an "even-up" penalty on the Flyers - still no goals scored.

The Pens get another chance with a man-advantage with Timonen taking a penalty -- lots of nice chances and a few loose pucks down to the Pens end ... Gonchar finally shoots the puck which appears to be tipped in by Cooke's stick between Emery's legs - NICE!!! SUCK IT, Timonen / Flyers Pens leading with a little over 90 seconds to go in the game.

The game doesn't end without ANOTHER penalty being called on the Pens. Flyers have two-man advantage after pulling their goalie for the power play, but end the game without scoring --- PENS WIN, BITCHES!!!

Observations of the game: this wasn't even a game ... they couldn't play with all the penalties being called (mostly on the Pens). But a win is a win no matter what!! Oh, and I guess "Crosby sucks!" ; P

SERGEI GONCHAR


JEFF CARTER


BRENT JOHNSON

N. Johnson Back Up Again!!

The Penguins announced that they've recalled forward Nick Johnson once again ... only a day after being sent back down to the Baby Pens. I guess either Talbot or Dupuis isn't ready to get back on the ice as planned (quick turn-around for Nick!)!!

Off-Day Notes

• the Penguins announced after this morning's practice that they re-assigned John Curry back to WB / S Baby Pens (which means that it's likely that Fleury will return to the ice tomorrow afternoon against the Philadelphia Flyers whether it be as starting goaltender or back-up remains to be seen)


• Fleury, Talbot, and Dupuis participated in their first practice since sitting out with injuries; Talbot is still "day-to-day" with a lower-body injury and Fleury has is using a new catching glove with extra padding
  

  “I feel pretty good,” he said. “I have the new plastic piece on my finger that helps it out. Sometimes it hurts a little bit, but it’s not that bad.”

• today begins the Penguins fourth-annual "Dads Trip." The players', coaches', staff's fathers will accompany them on the Pens road trip against Philadelphia and New York (today through Tuesday night). The trip began with a tour through the new Consol Energy Center.

Jeffrey and Johnson Re-Assigned

The Penguins announced earlier this morning that they've re-assigned Dustin Jeffrey and Nick Johnson back to WB / S.

They played really well last night especially with Johnson scoring his first goal in the NHL; our depth continues to get stronger (the silver lining to all the injuries this season is the experience of our AHL players!)!! We'll be seeing you guys again, I'm sure.

AND ... this can only mean one thing!!! I'm hoping to see Dupuis and Talbot playing Saturday!!!

Pens Lose Their Spark in the Third

SHOTS ON GOAL:
Caps - 15; Pens - 13

Pretty quick back-and-forth action from the very beginning of the game.

Capitals' goalie, Jose Theodore, makes a dumb pass to one of his players in front of the net ... Fedotenko makes a play for it, but a Caps player stops it from going in, then Crosby makes sure it hits the back of the net for the first goal of the game in the first few minutes - his 32nd of the season (SUCK IT, OVECHKIN!).

Malkin has a nice pass to Nick Johnson for a prime scoring opportunity, but he doesn't score and draws a penalty instead. The Pens don't do anything with it.

Knuble scores to tie the game at 1 heading into the last five minutes of the period.

The Penguins finish the period on a power play with several good chances, but come up with nothing.

My thoughts: Brent Johnson is looking pretty sharp so far tonight.

Bob Errey is just itching for a fight while he's between the benches ... kept mentioning Cooke and Ovechkin running into each other on their way to the locker room (I caught it and saw Ovechkin smile at Cooke like it was nothing ... an accident - and Bob's makin somethin outta nothin')!!

I love, love, LOVE the new Penguins "fans" commercial and how Crosby stakes claim to us ... "OUR fans" ...

... have I said 'SUCK IT OVECHKIN' recently?!!

SHOTS ON GOAL:
Caps - 9; Pens - 12

The Caps score within the opening minutes of the period, but Pens answer quickly (only 28 seconds later) with Nick Johnson's first goal of his NHL career - NICE!! No loss in momentum for the Pens!!

Orpik has a really nice check on Ovechkin -- DAMN, RIGHT!!! Then Orpik skates over to visit a ref and show him his bloody nose and ask why a penalty wasn't called on Knuble ... "hey, HEY ... hi, see the blood - none of you caught that?"

Eventually the Pens get a power play again with a lot of nice chances and Letang finally fires it into the back of the net - just missing the PP goal - to take the lead (3-2, Pens).

Letang gets a penalty and unfortunately Ovechkin makes him pay tying the score again (SUCK IT, Ovechkin!).

LOTS of chirping at the end of the period ... I'm getting itchy like Bob ... I wanna see a fight!!

Quote of the period: Bob Errey, "Mike Johnson!" Uh, it's Nick, Bob!! ; P

My observation: is it me or does Nick Johnson look like Fedotenko's "mini-me" (or maybe it's the other way around ... Johnson looks like a pretty big boy!)?!!
FUN FACT of the period: Dupuis received 37 stitches

SHOTS ON GOAL:
Caps - 10; Pens - 13

The period is slow to start, but Caps manage to get a goal early in the period to regain the lead (3-4, Caps).

The Pens take a penalty on an Ovechkin dive and score another goal (3-5, Caps). Theodore has come up solid with key saves from a few prime Penguins shot opportunities.

Its the Pens turn for a power play halfway through the period - no dice!!

Nothing special happens for the rest of the period ... Johnson is pulled for the last seconds of the game and douchebag Ovechkin scores an EN goal making the final score 6-3 (the Pens definitely lost their spark in this period and the outcome illustrates that pretty well).

And the award for the team with the prettiest passing plays WHILE FAILING TO SCORE goes to ... the Pittsburgh Penguins (awarded by my husband John!)!!

My "I LOVE Bob" moment: "Look how small that "C" is ... you could buy that at the 7-11!" Bob talking about Ovechkin's "C" on his jersey. As far as I'm concerned, Ovi deserves a "small 'C'!" SUCK IT, OVECHKIN (I don't care if you did win) ... you're an arrogant shit!!

Alexander Ovechkin



Tomas Fleischmann

Evgeni Malkin