Penguins drop third straight in 4-2 loss to Bruins

by FrankD on Jan 1, 2009 9:54 PM EST in Game Recaps Comment 20 comments

Bah, Happy New Year. What's so happy about it? The Penguins kicked off 2009 with another disappointing loss, taking their overall record to 19-15-4. That alone stands so close to a barely above .500 record that it makes me sick.

The Boston Bruins won their 14th consecutive home game, a feat that no doubt stands out as formidable at the least. Here I sit just hoping the Penguins can win two in a row. I don't care whose ice they do it on either.

Despite Boston's ability to look like they controlled and manhandled every facet of the game, Pittsburgh hung in their strong tonight. Shots on goal were in favor of the Pens, but Boston's Manny Fernandez pushed all but two of the 32 shots aside for his thirteenth win of the year. Not bad for a backup.

As for the Pens, I guess that players-only meeting following Tuesday's loss didn't have much an immediate impact as the players would have liked. Sidney Crosby was held pointless, Malkin tallied a single assist and Jordan Staal was rocked at center ice by Boston's Vladamir Sobotka.

In the face of a loss you'd like to try and find something redeemable to carry over to the next game. Maybe it's something like finding a line combination that works or perhaps a defensive pairing that shuts down the opposition. After two or three straight losses, these things become harder and harder to find. Coming from a fan who watched the Penguins completely bomb in 2005, I can find an excuse for anything - trust me. But even then the term "rebuilding" can only be masked so many times in so many different ways before you just have to accept the fact that your team sucks.

Thankfully this team does not suck. The current status of the team may lead one to think otherwise, but they do not suck. Case in point - Pittsburgh has to start winning. I can't decide right now if I'd like to see a streak start now and halt at the break or whether I'd like to see it kick off in February and carry them through the standings over the last few months of the season. But at this point I'd like to see the Pens win a single game and build from there.

The good: Dustin Jeffrey picked up his first career NHL goal. Congrats. Now do it more often.

The bad: Crosby and Malkin just can't get it going out there.

The ugly: As of late, the 2008/09 Pittsburgh Penguins.

Next game: Saturday. 1:00. Florida Panthers. Must win? Yes, I'd say so.

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Yes, still here, and still lamenting. I guess, in a time like this, I shall thank you for understanding the pain and being there with me through these difficult times. It is always trying and the best anyone can do is to remember the good times and the highlights of such grandeur. It may be a fools hope, but there is hope, none the less. Holiday exhaustion has taken the heart of me, so maybe it has taken the hearts of our men as well. Back to life, all too soon, the Pens will do so as well.

by AngelaMc on Jan 1, 2009 11:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Points to anyone who can place the words that have been stolen, lightly modified. ; )

by AngelaMc on Jan 2, 2009 12:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Siege of Gondor

“Tell me,” he said, “is there any hope? For Frodo, I mean; or at least mostly for Frodo.”

Gandalf put his hand on Pippin’s head. “There never was much hope,” he answered. “Just a fool’s hope, as I have been told.”

(Weird being a Caps fan on a Pens blog, but I thought I’d at least point out the quote. )

by Wisper on Jan 2, 2009 10:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well thanks for chiming in because I had no clue where it was from. You’re always welcome to stop by and provide some of that hidden Hollywood knowledge. Or maybe it’s not hidden and I’m just oblivious, but whatever…

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Jan 2, 2009 10:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

They were simply outplayed. The Bruins looked like they were skating circles around the Pens. I was shocked when I saw the Pens ahead on the shot totals – watching the game, I wouldn’t have guessed.

Let's go Pens!

by JDunman on Jan 2, 2009 7:43 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

As good as Boston looks, I still can’t allow myself to think they could be Stanley Cup contenders. I don’t know why. All the evidence is there, obviously. I don’t know – I’m not a believer despite their outstanding record.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Jan 2, 2009 9:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I feel the same way Frank….But it’s hard to argue at this point the Bruins are not the most confident team displaying their skill and doing all the right things offensively and defensively. As we all know, they don’t hand the Cup out in January, so we’ll see how they go down the stretch.

All things considered, I feel like last night’s game was the best the Penguins have played in a while. At times they got back into the groove with puck possession and they were playing with desire for a change.

by Hooks Orpik on Jan 2, 2009 10:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey no better example of that then 2006. Remember Detroit’s upset loss to the Oilers? Granted the Oil went on to lose, but they did make it all the way to the finals.

I agree with regards to the Pens. Even Fedotenko’s goal was a textbook example of how you follow up your shots. i just think the team’s in need of a confidence win. I don’t know if beating the Panthers will give them the confidence they need overall but it definitely helps. After dropping three in a row I’m sure it’ll take two or three wins to get them going again.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Jan 2, 2009 11:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It isn’t until Feb., but I think playing, hopefully beating, San Jose will be a good measuring stick for the team. Not to say that anything is for sure and/or easy but the next few weeks have us playing, us-like I am really on the ice, some ‘lesser’ in the nicest way, teams. Rangers 3X, I think the tough of this month.

by AngelaMc on Jan 2, 2009 11:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

five big division games this month. The Pens really need to make those ones count. Can’t afford to let the Rangers and Flyers open up the lead in front of them.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Jan 2, 2009 11:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Can’t let the Flyers do anything but lose…and perhaps meet some Godard punches in the process.

Let's go Pens!

by JDunman on Jan 2, 2009 12:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Their power play is killing me though. I can’t bear to watch it.

Let's go Pens!

by JDunman on Jan 2, 2009 12:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And Trib is back on the ’it’s Sid’s team’ thing, I thought we had that all cleared up!
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/penguins/s_605396.html?source=rss&feed=8

by AngelaMc on Jan 2, 2009 11:40 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Sigh. And from Rob Rossi no less. That pains me

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Jan 2, 2009 11:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I can’t fathom how he manages to still go on about that when it’s been discussed practically everywhere (except amongst Wings fans, who cannot read or write) what he actually said.

Let's go Pens!

by JDunman on Jan 2, 2009 12:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good news, Gonchar skating again, I hope he comes back sooner than later. Although remember with Whitney it was like first skate and happy excitement but it was still forever before he was back.

by AngelaMc on Jan 2, 2009 12:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I’m eagerly awaiting Gonchar’s return as well. We could use him.

Let's go Pens!

by JDunman on Jan 2, 2009 12:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Gonch will hardly be coming back under pressure! Struggling, painful, unsuccessful, broken, wrong, "can’t bear to watch’ power play. Welcome back Gonch, now get out there and fix it.

by AngelaMc on Jan 2, 2009 12:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs