March grades and the Sidney Crosby player of the month award

Goalies                           

(15 games played, 0 goals, 1 assists, -5,  6 penalty minutes)  Promoted to play with Gonchar, but he's ending up on the ice for more goals against than goals for.

(15gp, 1g, 4a, +3, 4 PIMs) Still is hesitating a little more than you'd like to see, but remember: Goose is still in his first full NHL season.  His performance should only go up from here.

(15 gp, 0g, 5a, -1, 14 PIMs) A fat contract will keep Tanger in Pittsburgh for four more seasons.  His new role playing top minutes will show if he's ready for his new payscale before he even starts collecting the new check.

(15gp, 0g, 5a, +1, 10 PIMs) The checking comes standard, the scoring is the new option: Orpik set a season high for shots on goal, has set a new career high for assists and points.

(0gp, 0g, 0a, even, 0 PIMs) The "A" is for "get your Ass out of here".

(15gp, 0g, 2a, even, 20 PIMs) "Calling it now: Craig Adams scores a goal of importance during the playoffs" March 28th.  Sticking by it.

B-

(15gp, 3g, 3a, even, 38 PIMs)  Uhh, nothing to see here.  Amid all the shenanigans, Cooke set a career high with his 15th goal, proving he's good for more than dangerous hits when he sets his mind to it.

(15gp, 5g, 11a, even, 10 PIMs) As a follow-up for scoring one of the most important goals in Canada's hockey history, Crosby puts up his highest assist month of the season and continues to pace the Penguins in every category.

(15 gp, 3g, 5a, +1, 26 PIMs) Fedotenko's a streaky point producer, but he's starting to heat up.  He hasn't had a good season (to put it nicely) but he's still got time to prove his worth when it matters most.

(1gp, 0g, 0a, 0 PIMs) Remember when you were a little kid you'd get checks or minuses before you actually got a grade?  Well, we'll give Godsy a check here for returning maybe a little quicker than normal from a groin injury to dress for the "Cooke revenge game" in Boston, even if that's the only game they asked him to play all month, and conceivably the last time he plays all season.

(12gp, 2g, 1a, -6, 11 PIMs) Fairly brutal month for "Dad", who didn't have a single even strength goal, despite a ton of minutes.  He's just pacing himself for the next 2+ months, right?

(13gp, 2g, 1a, +2, 4 PIMs) TK doesn't get the PP time, so he won't get production.  But when he does score, watch out, because probably an important one.  4 of his 11 goals this season are game-winners (as are 11 of his 36 career reg season goals).

(8gp, 3g, 2a, -4, 8 PIMs)  After a disappointing Olympics, Geno caught some friendly fire and banged up his foot.  It's been a disappointing year, but his parents will be here for the playoffs where Malkin will look to put another Conn Smythe performance.

(13gp, 2g, 7a, -2, 2 PIMs) Fitting in to his new team has been uneven for the Ukraine Pain Train.  While good, he hasn't seemed to play (or produce) up to capabilities.  Maybe next month.

(15gp, 5g, 4a, +4, 8 PIMs) In Malkin's recent absence Staal has burst on to the scene as the Penguins second best and most consistent forward. 

(12gp, 1g, 0a, -5,  6 PIMs)  Spring is when the Superstar plays best.  Something tells me he doesn't need a calendar to know it's time to get it in gear.  You gonna doubt Mr. Clutch?