The Pens beat the Devils down 6-1
Few things define a team effort like a 6-1 that sees six different goal scorers and nine different players registering assists. Plus the defensive effort to limit the opponent to one goal and killing all four power plays allowed.
And this was against the top team in the division, although slumping losing five straight games and without one of their best forwards. Still, a win is a win is a win and the Pens came out strong after a relatively long layoff and showed no signs of rust.
- Rob Scuderi was named the FSN Pittsburgh broadcast player of the game for his effort. His stat line was unremarkable: 20:47 played, 2 hits, 2 takeaways and an impressive +4, it was a sign of the evenness of the team effort.
- Of all players, Tyler Kennedy set the tone. TK got a team high six shots on goal, and early in the game he sent a rising slapper from just beyond the blue-line that appeared to catch Martin Brodeur in the shoulder or surgically repaired bicep. Brodeur never looked comfortable after that point, which is about the only way you pop six goals past arguably the best goalie ever.
- Evgeni Malkin looked like he put it in a higher gear than everyone. Geno had three takeaways just pick pocketing the opposition and spinning around. Though he "only" had one power play goal on the night, #71 left his mark. Malkin also won 5 of 8 faceoffs, an unusual night of success in that regards.
- Sidney Crosby also left his imprint. Several great passes and then getting right in front and positioning his skate to let Kris Letang bank it in. Crosby also scored a disallowed goal when he got taken down in front and then did kick the puck in. Good to see that the captain is driving to the net with authority. Crosby's point streak since returning from injury also continues!
- Without enforcer/anchor Eric Godard in the lineup, every Penguin played more than 8:56 of ice-time. And the low man was Ruslan Fedotenko; who did well to get an assist and a +2 rating before leaving the game early with an undisclosed injury. It remains to be seen how serious the injury will be.
- Marc-Andre Fleury again stood his ground got a 24 save on 25 shot effort and totally outclassed his boyhood hero Brodeur...For this night at least.
And now the eight game homestand is over to which the boys went 6-1-1. This coming off the heels of 8 of 10 road games that saw Pittsburgh go a solid 8-1-1. Noticing a trend here? Under Dan Byslma the Penguins have not yet missed. Let's keep the roll on.
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You couldn’t ask for a team to click at a better time than right now. Awesome to see a final score like that against a quality team like the Devils, even if they are playing like headless chickens currently.
PensBurgh penalty - Lavender - 2 minutes for hijynxing.
by Lavender on Apr 1, 2009 10:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
During the first intermission of the Devils Rangers game last week, the Versus commentators were asked to answer the following question: Which team would you least like to see in the first round? Keith Jones suggested the Pittsburgh Penguins, whereby Brian Engblom suggested the Devils. I wonder if Engblom will sway that opinion come playoff time.
Great win that not only secured two crucial points but also exemplified this team’s depth.
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by FrankD on Apr 1, 2009 11:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
-What a spanking. Brodeur is clearly immune to frustration his in game memory must be similar to a goldfish to not want to be yanked.
-Total team effort. rolling 4 lines lower average ice times and more intense shifts, using their speed relentlessly to overwelm the opposition.
-Adams is more effective then Godard on the 4th line. I’d play him come playoff time except for against teams like the Flyers and Caps who have fighters that can also play 10 plus mins.
-Guerin dropped the gloves earning some respect to go with his goal.
-Crosby and Malkin played like Crosby and Malkin
Phili B
by ColeHarbour on Apr 2, 2009 1:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for helping our cause. Now Marty is going to be fuming heading into their game with Carolina, and it might lock up our division, all thanks to the Pens spanking of the Devils.
Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.
by CapitalsKremlin on Apr 2, 2009 2:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
nm it's the Rags on Thursday...
but still..sentiment is the same.
Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.
by CapitalsKremlin on Apr 2, 2009 2:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
MARRRR-TEEE, MARRRR-TEEE
Sooo satisfying to stick it to the Devs. That’s two straight years we’ve killed them late in the season at the Mellon…last year it was 7-1 on March 22 (Geno HT).
According to Mirtle, all the Pens need is one more point/win to lock up a playoff spot, but what the hell, let’s go for 102 pts. What a story that would be if they finished with an IDENTICAL record! If they win their last five, that’s exactly what would happen.
My only problem with tonight is that Sid didn’t get No. 100 at home. If that’s the lone downer of the evening, you know it was a great game.
"It's a great day for hockey!" - "Badger" Bob Johnson
by PolishProdigy on Apr 2, 2009 8:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
EDIT
IDENTICAL record as last year, I meant.
"It's a great day for hockey!" - "Badger" Bob Johnson
by PolishProdigy on Apr 2, 2009 8:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
playoffs? you kidding me? don't talk about the playoffs! playoffs?
What’s our magic number, anyway? Ever since they added the point for OT losses it’s gotten harder to figure out. Right now, the Panthers are in 9th, 5 points behind the Pens; each team has 5 games to go. A gold star to the first blogger who can figure out the magic number for clinching.
P is for Latrobe.
by holiday park on Apr 2, 2009 9:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
HP— I think that makes the magic number 5 (as in any combination of the Pens winning points or Florida not winning). Because Florida can only get a maximum of 10 points and they’re 5 behind the Pens as it is.
So 5 points (maybe 6 with a tiebraker if you want to get real technical) guarantees playoffs mathematically.
Right now the seeding is more crucial than the magic number. Who knows if Philly can catch NJ for the 3rd seed, the Devs sure look like they’re never going to win again at this point! Carolina’s a legit threat to earn the 4th seed the Pens are jockeying for to get home ice for the first round.
by Hooks Orpik on Apr 2, 2009 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah Hooks. Its 5 or 6 depending on the tie breaker. I’m hoping for a small miracle and seeing the Pens grab that 3 seed from the devils.
by PensFan024 on Apr 2, 2009 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That would be incredible. Home ice AND the playoffs seemed unrealistic three months ago.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com
by FrankD on Apr 2, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i was just looking at the games remaining for Pitts and it looks realistic that they can win all remaining. The biggest challenge will be the canes on saturday.
by lambofgad on Apr 2, 2009 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for clearing that up for me. Right now I think Boston and the Caps will go 1-2 in the conference, with Jersey probably hanging onto the 3 spot. Either Carolina or Pittsburgh will move into 4th. I actually think the Flyers will slide a bit; they close their season with 3 straight against the Rangers, who are playing pretty well and will be in do-or-die mode for those games. Would not be surprised to see the Pens pass Philly by.
P is for Latrobe.
by holiday park on Apr 2, 2009 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I remember when the magic number was always printed on the front page of the sports section this time of year.
by PensFan024 on Apr 2, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
























