Some people call me Maurice: Pens win, Crosby clinches share of the Richard
by Hooks Orpik on Apr 11, 2010 8:37 PM EDT
in Game Recaps
Email
Print
Game 82 of 82, with everything locked up in terms of playoff positioning this game didn't mean too much. The Pittsburgh Penguins were in for the 4th seed, the New York Islanders are about to have an almost six month off-season. To the players though much was at stake: the Isles were a hungry group looking to put good play on tape for jobs next season. And the Pens of course wanted to see Sidney Crosby get the Maurice Richard Trophy (most goals) and as close as possible to the Art Ross (most points).
As usual, Sidney Crosby did not disappoint. 2 goals and 5 total points in the game, so he'll fall a little short of Henrik Sedin for the Ross, but he wins a share of the Maurice Richard along with Steven Stamkos of Tampa Bay. Crosby was skating like an absolute maniac out there, dishing passes, spinning defensemen like tops, drilling shots. True MVP form.
For the game itself, the Pens jumped up to a quick 5-2 lead and eventually let it flutter away as Kyle Okposo, Mark Streit and John Tavares made plays and put the puck past Brent Johnson. Then in OT Jordan Leopold scored his second extra-time goal in a little more than a week to end the Isles season and start the real season for the Pens.
- Evgeni Malkin had two goals, two assists and a game high 7 shots on goal. But he also took 3 minor penalties. Geno needs to buckle down and be more disciplined, but playing mainly wing on a line with Crosby he looked fresh and dangerous all night long.
- The Pens defensemen combined to record 5 hits on the evening. In related news, Brooks Orpik sat this one out for a leg laceration (he'll be back for Game 1).
- Only five forwards skated more than Eric Tangradi in his NHL debut. The big guy showed some hands and promise down low in his first ever taste in the show. It might not be too long before he gets the chance to play in the NHL very soon.
- Eric Godard gets his first goal of the season!
- In case you thought that last bullet was a typo: Eric Godard gets his first goal of the season! (But it still only buys him 4:32 of ice-time). Like the Islanders, we'll see Big E next October.
- Trevor Gillies goes -2 in just 5:58 of work. He knows the Masters are in Georgia, right?
We've long been looking for the Pens to "flip the switch". They were sloppy and a little too singularly focused on getting Crosby to the puck and not too intent on playing some D. But the team you saw tonight will not be the team that shows up for game one: Orpik will be back, two top six forwards are likely to be back (Chris Kunitz and Alexei Ponikarovsky), Matt Cooke perhaps and Marc-Andre Fleury will be back.
More importantly, the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions need no one to tell them what's now on the line or how they're going to have to play from here on out.
50 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Here comes the playoff beard!
Wait.
I can’t grow a beard :/
The Pens can do it.
I have faith!
FAITH!
Playoffs are no fun without a beard. Sadly, I cannot either. My adviser has already made comments about keeping facial hair under control.
Pirates, Vikings, Hokies. I'm used to heartbreak. At least I have the Penguins....
"When I put on my uniform, I feel I am the proudest man on earth."
-The Great One
by blackjackfishtaco on Apr 11, 2010 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Theoretically, I could grow a beard. It’s not against the dress code here to have one. The problem is that it’s against the dress code to be stubbly, so I’d have to take like a week off of work to get some decent growth in and then come back.
That, and while my beard is better than Sid’s, it’s not exactly Talbot- or Guerin-esque.
Woo
Congrats Sid!! I really don’t mind him having to share it, but I hate that Stamkos got 51 on an EN…at least Sid beat a goaltender 50 out of 51 times..and now we know, there are hockey gods! They made it up to Sid after he made the classy move and to the officials know about Billy’s goal and after OV’s EN with .2 sec left after Sid had worked his butt off for 60 minutes.
Some more good news, Geno looks ready for the playoffs. He just HAS to lay of all the penalties.
Question: Would you guys be disappointed to see Sid concentrate more on passing next year? I personally hope he finds a happy medium somewhere, but he may have to keep shooting with the linemates he has.
I've told [a 9 months pregnant] Nathalie that she can't have the baby on a game night. I'm not missing a playoff game. -Mario Lemieux in 1993
Sid was tied for 12th in the league in shooting percentage. His 17.1% ranks 3rd among the top 30 goal scoreres. As you mentioned, he better be passing to guys who can bury the puck, otherwise if he shifts his focus away from goal scoring it might hurt the team.
16 wins to go
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 11, 2010 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I cant possibly hate that Sid has to share it with a twenty year, stand up guy, in only his second season and who plays on a really crappy team.
I hope Sid gets to play on a consistent line next season. One that has two wingers that can drive the net and one that doesn’t change every night like this season.
Not so fast…Ottawa was tough on us this year. Sid and Geno seem to struggle against them too.
The one Eastern Conference series I’m excited to see is the Canadiens-Caps…The Habs gave the Caps all they could handle in almost every game this year. I think they’re 3-1 against the Caps too, so it’ll be interesting. I think the Caps will win, but I think the Habs will push them pretty hard.
I've told [a 9 months pregnant] Nathalie that she can't have the baby on a game night. I'm not missing a playoff game. -Mario Lemieux in 1993
I like the Montreal matchup too. They have two decent goalies (one with playoff experience, I believe) that should keep the scoring to a minimum (I hope). As long as they don’t get into a high scoring series, they should be fine. Maybe grind out a win in the series?
Pirates, Vikings, Hokies. I'm used to heartbreak. At least I have the Penguins....
"When I put on my uniform, I feel I am the proudest man on earth."
-The Great One
by blackjackfishtaco on Apr 11, 2010 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions
stop with your logic.
we are murdering them.
done. =)
also, i liked your old avatar better just because i was at the game that picture was taken at, haha.
STAAL FOR SELKE. SIDNEY FOR EVERY OTHER ONE.
by katielynn906 on Apr 11, 2010 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Wish I had your enthusiasm. This year, if anyone’s prime for a first round upset, it’s us. We have a weird team this year, I feel either we’ll go all the way, or stumble right out of the gate, either losing to the Sens, or barely sneaking by and getting hammered by Jersey or Green Semenvetchstrom. It depends on whether we get 09-10 Malkin or 08-09 Malkin.
by Hatt the Moople on Apr 12, 2010 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Ohh btw
I changed my icon to the pic above.
I don’t know if I like it though. Because it’s so small, it almost looks like Sid is crying or is really angry.
I've told [a 9 months pregnant] Nathalie that she can't have the baby on a game night. I'm not missing a playoff game. -Mario Lemieux in 1993
Speaking of that pic
It really is too bad that Sid doesn’t play with any passion.
16 wins to go
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 11, 2010 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I know, right. And he totally falls apart when there’s something on the line.
We should trade him.
For Phil Kessel.
Leafs fan living large in the Pitt and pretending like the drought is over. Go Pens!
NEWS ON THE HOMEFRONT:
from the pens’ twitter: pens to open at home on wednesday and friday against ottawa.
IT BEGINS MY, FRIENDS.
STAAL FOR SELKE. SIDNEY FOR EVERY OTHER ONE.
comma fail.
STAAL FOR SELKE. SIDNEY FOR EVERY OTHER ONE.
by katielynn906 on Apr 11, 2010 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Pens first round schedule.
Wednesday, April 14 at Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m.
Friday, April 16 at Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 18 at Ottawa, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 20 at Ottawa, 7:00 p.m.
*Thursday, April 22 at Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m.
*Saturday, April 24 at Ottawa, 7:00 p.m.
*Tuesday, April 27 at Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m.
16 wins to go
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 11, 2010 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Woo exciting!
just had to post that in bold.
I've told [a 9 months pregnant] Nathalie that she can't have the baby on a game night. I'm not missing a playoff game. -Mario Lemieux in 1993
by PensFan8725 on Apr 11, 2010 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I know our Baby Pens are in the playoffs too, and they most likely need him, but I really liked what I saw from ET out there. Enough to make the claim that if they need another forward during the playoffs they could turn to him? He looked very comfortable and like he could gel very easily in to the system. And velvet hands and good skating skills. Man crush! What?
"Half the game is mental, the other half is being mental." - Jim McKenny
We can give you and ET a little alone time, if you want.
16 wins to go
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 11, 2010 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions
you have to pick between tangradi and pechurskiy.
who do you pick?
STAAL FOR SELKE. SIDNEY FOR EVERY OTHER ONE.
by katielynn906 on Apr 11, 2010 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions
If he has to pick then so do you: Staal or Sid?
Leafs fan living large in the Pitt and pretending like the drought is over. Go Pens!
to quote lucille bluth from arrested development: “i don’t understand the question and i won’t respond to it.” but since alex was gracious and actually did answer, i’ll…pick…sid.
OH FORGIVE ME J-STAAL.
STAAL FOR SELKE. SIDNEY FOR EVERY OTHER ONE.
by katielynn906 on Apr 12, 2010 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Tangradi, easily, because he’s about a lock to be in Pittsburgh next season. (But wait because I’m sure he’ll switch numbers).
I love what Pechruskiy did, but he’s got a long road to go.
"Don't matter who did what to who at this point. Fact is, we went to war and there ain't no turnin' back. I mean, s---, it's what war is, you know? Once you in it, you in it. If it's a lie, then we fight on that lie. But we gotta fight."
by Hooks Orpik on Apr 11, 2010 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions
I liked that Tangradi almost looked like a Staal clone out there (in size at least). ET still has some work on his first few steps and getting used to the speed of the NHL game, but for a first dip into NHL waters I think he did very well.
"Don't matter who did what to who at this point. Fact is, we went to war and there ain't no turnin' back. I mean, s---, it's what war is, you know? Once you in it, you in it. If it's a lie, then we fight on that lie. But we gotta fight."
by Hooks Orpik on Apr 11, 2010 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions
but for a first dip into NHL waters
Do the Islanders qualify?
16 wins to go
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 12, 2010 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions
At least it wasn’t Edmonton…
Pensburgh.com
I like it. Bill Guerin’s uppercut is so awesome it wins fights he’s not even in.
- OlenWhitaker
by Hockey Beard in SLC on Apr 12, 2010 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah. The Islanders actually have some good players on their team. I can think of only one on Edmonton.
by SlayerGhaleon on Apr 12, 2010 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions
I was pretty impressed with Tangradis first game. Him and Staal together was a lot of size to deal with out there, for any team. He seemed like he had some good touch around the net. Had a few real good chances and he wasnt afraid to shoot.
For a big guy I thought he skated pretty well. His first few steps could be a little quicker, but he seemed to skate well once he got going. 1 game doesnt really give you a good feel for the progression of a prospect. I i think its possible he could make the jump next year, and depending on the Pens cap situation, they might need him too.
by genomachine-O on Apr 12, 2010 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Absolutely man!
"Don't matter who did what to who at this point. Fact is, we went to war and there ain't no turnin' back. I mean, s---, it's what war is, you know? Once you in it, you in it. If it's a lie, then we fight on that lie. But we gotta fight."
by Hooks Orpik on Apr 11, 2010 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions
It is getting late, i should go to bed! typing s instead of d’s! lol! Looks like the 2nd game is on friday.
I’m still waiting on the profile pic with the lipstick!
"Don't matter who did what to who at this point. Fact is, we went to war and there ain't no turnin' back. I mean, s---, it's what war is, you know? Once you in it, you in it. If it's a lie, then we fight on that lie. But we gotta fight."
by Hooks Orpik on Apr 12, 2010 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Another historic performance by Sid, which will be remembered for a long time. It would have been fantastic if he had beaten Sedin.However he got the RR trophy shared with another good young player (Stamkos). More importantly Ovie is looking up right now. Hopefully the switch will turn on for the playoffs, and will play better defense, shot blocking, and lees stupid penalties in the offensive zone (eh, Geno). Johnson didn’t play too bad, but the defense hanged him out to dry specially on deflections in front of the net. Thank you Sid for another great performance and let’s get ready to go to the hockey marathon.
Unrelated
If anyone watched the Flyers Rangers game yesterday, saw how Kerry Frazer (Mr. Philadelphia) decided the game giving the Flyers a PP on a terrible call that he would have never made against the Flyers. Granted the Flyers dominated play, but the fact of the matter is they couldn’t score. Frazer lives in Philly and has been there for many years, and evvery Pen fan, remembers his notorious non calls when Mario was playing, specially against the Flyers, how he was assigned this game I don’t know, maybe because it was his last one and they wanted his kids to be there. I don’t like either of this teams, but I thought that was a bad call in a game like that with 5 minutes remaining. Of course it allowed Jokinen to choke.
By the way has anyone else noticed how much of a difference Leopold has been making over the last few games. I really hope he is just as clutch in the post season. If he keeps going and Fleury starts to focus a bit more on stopping soft goals in the first period….we may just be okay.
by Hockey'syoungergun on Apr 12, 2010 2:42 PM EDT reply actions
Leopold is definitely a bright spot. But I am still worried about the defense core. In particular, I think Goligoski, McKee & Gonchar need to step up their game. And the team as a whole has to maintain more defensive responsibility (back-checking and whatnot).
Leafs fan living large in the Pitt and pretending like the drought is over. Go Pens!
jordan “best decision we made all year” leopold.
STAAL FOR SELKE. SIDNEY FOR EVERY OTHER ONE.
by katielynn906 on Apr 12, 2010 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Tuesday’s Three Stars: 4-spots for Kovalchuk, Spezza; who throws a strawberry on the ice?
- Henrik Lundqvist survives Zdeno Chara shot to back of head for save of year candidate (VIDEO)
- Red Wings set NHL record with 21 straight home wins; Steve Ott: ‘That’s a phenomenal feat’
- Puck Previews: Red Wings go for wins record; Brian Boyle hates Bruins; Ruutu out 3 weeks
- Blindside assault leads to brawl, suspensions in Austrian Hockey League (VIDEO)
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Thunderbirds end seven-game home losing streak with 4-3 SO win over Rockets
- Nabokov makes 37 saves, Parenteau scores winner as Islanders beat Jets 3-1
- Ellis' third-period goal for Predators sends Blackhawks to 9th straight loss
- Matt Needham scores in final minute as Blazers edge Oil KIngs 3-2
- Bruins-Habs on NBCSN highlights Wednesday's action
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
