248 days boils down to tonight
by Hooks Orpik on Jun 9, 2009 9:34 AM EDT
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Print248 days ago the Penguins began their regular season on a different continent with a different coach and five players in the lineup that won't be there tonight.
It was 105 games ago that Pittsburgh and Ottawa played in Sweden. Fall turned to winter, then eventually the snow yielded to spring and now the humidity of summer is creeping in.
Everything is coming full circle, as it always tends to do given enough time. One way or another; tonight will be the last game at Mellon Arena's second to last season. Whether it'll be the last game of the Penguins season is another matter.
James Mirtle has a great piece showing just how few players get their names on the Cup. Opportunities like the Penguins have had in the past two years really are rare. The players know this. Even though the franchise is in great position over the next decade to make many long playoff runs, it takes a certain mix of skill, coaching and the luck to get the bounces and stay healthy to make it this far. And it won't happen every year, so you have to make the most of it as players and as fans.
By now we've all read what Pittsburgh needs to do; Sidney Crosby has to break free from Henrik Zetterberg and create offense; Evgeni Malkin has to produce, Bill Guerin and Chris Kunitz have to convert; Jordan Staal has to play big and Marc-Andre Fleury needs to be the best player on the ice for either team. Talk is cheap in the lead up to the game and while all those points have some truth in them, it's just words.
The Penguins just need to come out and play. They were totally outclassed the last time out and they know it. But there's no time to roll over and die. The boys in that room don't believe this thing is decided yet, and neither should you. There's no doubt the Red Wings are coming back to celebrate on Pittsburgh ice for the second year in a row.....How about not this time, boys, not tonight, not this year..
All bets are off in a Game 7, but Pittsburgh has to get it there. They have to step up and get it done. It's going to come down to Crosby and Malkin making some magic and a total team defensive effort lead by Fleury.
It's been 248 days since this whole ride began, so what's three more.
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undefeated
The Penguins are undefeated in the playoffs on Tuesday and Friday games. Let’s keep that going! woooo GO PENS
I love fun facts like that…I don’t love how this is on NBC though. Anyone know what the consequences would be if Mario said eff NBC i’m showing the game on my TV outside…what would they do sue him?
Jason, not sure of the exact punishment, but it would likely be very harsh. As Puck Daddy pointed out, Bettman has the teams tied down through fear of fines. I would imagine possibly that NBC could take litigation against the league too, since showing the game would probably violate the terms of the broadcasting agreement the parties signed.
But I’m no lawyer so who knows. Bottom line is there’s no way the Penguins will stray from the decision not to show the game. Too costly.
I heard 20k viewers equals about 1 rating point so they aren’t letting the 10k fans outside over a half of rating point, ratings they are whining about already. From what i heard NBC is dropping the NHL next year…who the hell are they, NHL should be dropping them next year and go straight Versus…
I’m not sure, but I think Versus is owned by NBC…
"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." - George Washington
by Hockey Beard in SLC on Jun 9, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
ah…thanks for clearing that up.
"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." - George Washington
by Hockey Beard in SLC on Jun 9, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah.
I thought it was NBC too. whoops!
-David
sixminutecynic.blogspot.com
www.piratesmix.com.
by pascaldupweevil on Jun 9, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions
what if . . .
local business (ie WDVE) decided to host a Pens rally (with a nomimal charity donation for attendees) and provides a generator accessible to anyone who want to bring their own electronic device, whether it’s an XM Satellite radio, playstation, laptop or phone recharger, or whatever. Could NBC enforce an ‘impromptu’ gathering where everyone just happened to watch a broadcast televised Pens game?
Not likely, but it’s just a thought.
I am so damn excited for tonight’s game. I’m ready….got my Crosby jersey on. It’s the first time I’ve warn it this series….maybe me wearing it will send some good vibes to him down in da Burgh and get him scoring tonight.
Not paying attention, I, for some reason, thought that Game 7 was on Thursday (talk about major brain fart) and I was pissed that I’d miss it so that I could go and take my damn 5 hour course for my license here in NY. Only I just realized that the game is Friday! doing a big happy dance I won’t miss Game 7 afterall!!!!!
I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.
All women are created equal, then some become firefighters.
Pens in 7 if...
and only if Malkin and Crosby live up to their billing, period!
scoring comes from top 4 wingers (Kunitz, Guerrin, Talbot, Tenks, or hopefully Sykora)
stay out of the penalty box
Fluery is the best player on the ice
Thought about not watching this game knowing if the Pens lose I have to stomach watching the damn Wings skate with Lord Stanley on our ice again, but I just can’t contain myself.
Its my 2 years aniversary today and you want to know how awesome my wife is, she is watching her first game of the season today with a Pens jersey on. She never, EVER, watches hockey.
Life is about one simple choice, get busy living or get busy dying
PENS ON NBC
Last year, up until game 4 of the Finals, the Pens were undefeated on NBC games. I haven’t kept track this year, but I know it’s almost the exact opposite. They seem to really suck on NBC this year.
You can check the numbers from last year, I am correct. I have no life, lol
Also, they have not won on a Sunday in the playoffs (0-2).
Calling it
Hossa has 2 Goals including the game winner in OT
opinion noted… It would make me sick to see him proven right with a Wings victory tonight. Lets face it though Pens fans, if the Wings win tonight, Hossa was right.
Then Hossa gets to spend the rest of his career cashing big checks in a city where either hockey doesn’t matter (L.A.) or in a place where he will never have a shot at winning the Cup again (Edmonton).
Life is about one simple choice, get busy living or get busy dying
Prediction
Hossa penalty in OT leads to the Pens scoring the game winning goal.
It would have to be a really obvious penalty if you expect the refs to call something on Hossa in OT. Look how many calls have gone off the record for both teams during regulation.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
Great article, Hooks.
-David
sixminutecynic.blogspot.com
www.piratesmix.com.
how weird is it that there's been no OT this series?
Are we jinxing this by mentioning it?
You have a 2 minute minor for jinxing looming overhead. Be careful.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
I'll sit the 2 but
Our last SCF OT went just fine, no?
This is true. but the guy who stepped up for us isn’t there to call his shot.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
LOL
OK, so it does rule, but I posted this in the wrong browser tab. HA! So, I apologize for the complete randomness.
-David
sixminutecynic.blogspot.com
www.piratesmix.com.
by pascaldupweevil on Jun 9, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I think you should get the award for ‘The Most Off-Topic Post of the Year’…hands down.
"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." - George Washington
by Hockey Beard in SLC on Jun 9, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions
You’re officially the Max Talbot of Pensburgh. You keep things weird and loose around the comment threads so no one has to focus on nerves. I commend your efforts.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
Oh, so now we’re giving people titles on PensBurgh based on the current roster? Please, please don’t give me ‘Miro Satan’…
Hmmm No one said it had to be the current roster.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
Barry Melrose...:(
PIcked the Wings to carry the cup in the Mellon tonight…
bastage…
Barry Melrose also picked the Caps to come out of the East this year. I wouldn’t worry about what he thinks — if anything, I’d be encouraged.
by Knee high to a duck on Jun 9, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
He also was picked to coach the Lightning this year…that worked out well didn’t it?
"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." - George Washington
by Hockey Beard in SLC on Jun 9, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Things that may seem like how a story would be written
Just like the run of the Steelers in 2005, everyone counted us out, we were the 6th seed, we had to go into cincy, denver and indy to win, the Bus was on his last wheel and the Super Bowl was in his home town Detroit…now that’s a good story.
Now this year with the Pens, rematch, no Hossa which the media loves to point out, us FACING Hossa and can he hoist the cup on the same ice he watched his new team do it one year earlier. Game 5 breakdown, no one gives us a chance, everyone assumes a Detroit win tonight. How about we finish this story great, we take game 6…and anything can happen in game 7, Detroit finally loses on hom ice against us in this series…not sure what the playoffs record is but i’m sure it’s pretty good…sounds like a nice ending…not to mention i will be up there next week to join the parade, sounds like how it should work out.
Talk is cheap in the lead up to the game and while all those points have some truth in them, it’s just words….There’s no doubt the Red Wings are coming back to celebrate on Pittsburgh ice for the second year in a row…..How about not this time, boys, not tonight, not this year.
Word
"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." - George Washington
by Hockey Beard in SLC on Jun 9, 2009 5:25 PM EDT reply actions
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