Now the Work Begins for the Pens
by LauraZ on Nov 22, 2011 1:28 PM EST
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Yesterday, the sports world witnessed an unforgettable moment. For Pittsburgh Penguins fans, we could only sit back and smile, knowing nothing is outside the realm of Sidney Crosby's potential.
Each season, the Pens are perennial contenders for the Stanley Cup but there was recently a shred of doubt without the likes of Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal for extended periods of time. Those three, together, were the reason the Pens brought the Silver Chalice back to the Burgh. With the three now reunited and an overwhelmingly dominant performance under their belts, many analysts have announced the Pens as Cup favorites.
ESPN's Matt Barnaby changed his Eastern Conference pick from the Philadelphia Flyers to the Pens last night on SportsCenter.
This comes from a recent piece by ESPN's Scott Burnside:
The Penguins are a better squad now than they were when they won the Stanley Cup in 2009. Their defense is better and with Jordan Staal, Evgeni Malkin and Crosby all healthy for the first time in almost a year, no team in the NHL boasts as much talent and size down the middle. Throw in Neal and Steve Sullivan, who stands to benefit from Crosby’s return on the power play even if they don’t end up playing on the same line, and an already imposing defensive team can now light it up with any team in the league and jumps to the head of the queue in the “who’s your favorite to win the Cup” debate.
At the start of the season, I had no doubt in my mind that the Pens would be Cup contenders, especially with Crosby's return in sight and I'm happy to see so many analysts jump on board with the idea that the Pens are now heavily favored to win the Cup.
But as much as I want to believe it, I can't help but remember it's November. We're barely two months into the season with a ton of hockey left. The Pens have more difficult teams to face and undoubtedly some difficult times ahead, just like any other team. I will always expect the best from the Pens, but I think it's important to keep things in perspective as well.
Remember this familiar post from Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis? Now, in no way am I trying to infer that our reactions have demonstrated we believe the Pens "have arrived" because of one game against the struggling New York Islanders. In fact, I've seen none of that behavior from any Pens fans.
So what am I trying to say? Buckle up.
The first hurdle is over, but the race has only just begun. Everyone seems to be "all in" for the Pens, but at this point, the Pens have a lot to prove in order to turn the predictions into a Stanley Cup banner.
Celebrate this, cherish it, Pens fans. We have earned the right to do so. But keep in mind the work is only beginning. Tomorrow, it's back to work.
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We are always Cup contenders, but everyone always thinks the big bad Flyers are too, until the last month or so of the season/ leading up to the Playoffs when everyone realizes, as has been the scenario the past few years, their goalie situation is a huge question mark.
As for the Caps, they will never win a Cup period. The only chance they would have is getting rid of that fat tub of goo who stands behind the bench and yells constantly. The reason is because after beating the Penguins in the Winter Classic last year, he told George McPhee, “It’s not winning the Stanley Cup but it’s good enough,” as seen and heard on HBO’s 24/7. Really? Winning a glorified regular season game is as good as winning the Stanley Cup?
I’m sure fans of other teams are tired of always hearing about the Pens being Cup front runners, just as I am tired of always hearing about the Flyers and Caps being at the top of the list. The difference is the Penguins finish, the Caps and Flyers choke. That’s why I know we’re going all the way this year.
I fully agree.
I would compare the Capitals with the Baltimore Ravens. Both are very good teams in their respective sports, but each seem to expend every bit of energy they have toward beating their rivals in Pittsburgh. The Ravens might beat the Steelers in the regular season, and to them it might feel like winning the Super Bowl, but on the other hand, to the Steelers winning the Super Bowl is like winning the Super Bowl. The same could be said about the Caps and the Stanley Cup.
As a Steelers and Penguins fan who lives in Baltimore – and listens intently to coworkers each time the Ravens beat the Steelers – this is all very, very, very true. So many times I hear “THIS IS LIKE OUR SUPER BOWL!”
Hilarious and pathetic.
Beat us all you want in the regular season. We really, truly don’t care. We know we’ll beat you when it counts.
by Zuhbeenick Mickhawlick on Nov 22, 2011 4:17 PM EST up reply actions
You’re insulting the Ravens. They’ve at least won a championship.
by SlayerGhaleon on Nov 22, 2011 7:01 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed
The Caps have “talent”. Problem is they lack discpline. When you have a jag like Semin floating around the ice like he dosen’t care (while carrying an albatross of a contract) and Ovie partying 24/7 while doing nothing to improve his game, your not going to get very far. That’s why I laugh when people say the Caps will win it this year, espically after getting Vokoun. Facts are, that team will win nothing as long as they lack the discpline and intensity a team needs to win it all.
As for the Flyers yeah they went out and got a goalie, but one who can’t succeed under pressure (i.e the playoffs). It gets worse for him since he went to a city that crucfies players when they start to screw up.
Pittsburgh Sports: Creating sports history and legends since 1887.
by Bradley James McEachern on Nov 22, 2011 2:47 PM EST up reply actions
I’d say a bigger reason is that BB has no idea how to coach a team to play effective offense and defense at the same time. Either they’re a goal scoring juggernaut that sucks defensively, or they’re really good defensively, but suck at scoring.
by SlayerGhaleon on Nov 22, 2011 7:06 PM EST up reply actions
The Blues play at home tonite vs. LA on versus. They are playing well under Hitchcock so we better have the skates laced tight tomorrow. They will be amped to start the 2nd of back-to-back games. So long as its close after 2 look to the pens to have more energy in the 3rd. That has been a recurring theme this year and we have to keep it up.
I'm not worried at all Laura
Yes we play better teams coming up. The facts are even with all of our top guys out, this teams has shown time and time again that with their skill, determination and depth they can beat teams on any given hockey game. What do you think will happen when you mix all that with all of our top guns back? A very scary team.
Pittsburgh Sports: Creating sports history and legends since 1887.
by Bradley James McEachern on Nov 22, 2011 2:49 PM EST reply actions
Not trying to voice concern at all. Even without a healthy lineup, we were a scary team and I’m not not trying to draw away from that. I’m just trying to keep the amount of hockey left in perspective. Pens have a lot of work ahead of them.
"The pen's in your hand." - Disco Dan
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nice write up
agree with the points you make, Laura… there’s a whole lot of hockey left and lots of games that need to be won…
but… no one can take away what happened last night – it was an unbelievable night… we just need to build on it!
You have to see it for yourself...
Not trying to be a buzzkill but I still think that maybe Sid’s first game was fueled by his excitement by getting back. He might not do as well in the next couple of games, by golly, when he does get back up to speed…
With a little luck, we’d all stay healthy and take our rightful place as cup contenders,
If Hell freezes over, I'll play hockey there too.
by Alighieri on Nov 22, 2011 6:45 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions
Doubt it
When Crosby is in the lineup, he always tries to take his game to another level, a good example is how he was playing before the concussion. I don’t think it was just because he came back after a long injury.
Pittsburgh Sports: Creating sports history and legends since 1887.
by Bradley James McEachern on Nov 23, 2011 3:07 AM EST up reply actions
the key is can they keep everyone healthy??
"He doesn’t know whether to cry or wind his watch."..... Mike Lange
All depends on can they stay healthy
The one silver lining of all the Pens injury issues was the depth that was developed and the players fully buying into Dan Bylsma’s system. Now that the fire power is back and on very brief evidence firing on all cylinders, the Pens vault from a good team to a great team.
Big question mark is health. Pens have been plagued with injury problems for some time, last season was one of the worst for any team in any sport. As long as they stay mostly healthy and get 50+ games with Sid and Malkin in the lineup together from this point out there is no reason to not expect great things.
Go Pens Go!
Even though Neal and Sullivan may not play on the same line with Crosby, they should benefit at even strength because of the trickle down effect. Now that Crosby is back, his line will more than likely draw the top pair defense that the Neal/Malkin/Sullivan line was going up against. As few teams have 4 top tier d-men(as the Pens do), this should bode well for our 1b line.
Line numbers obsolete conept for DB
If anyone was listening to HCDB after the game against the Islanders. The concept of number 1 line or number 2 line and so on, doesnt exist . He looks at his lines as options. And that in my opinion is what make him a great coach. He knows that he has guys that could be first line players on any NHL team, as well as have been for the Pens.Starting with the centers Crosby, Malkin and Staal, he can push multiple buttons and multiple line combinations against most teams without loosing a step. Sort of what Scotty Bowman use to do with Montreal in their glory days, and with the Pens. If everyone is healthy, I do not see any other team in the NHL having that kind of lineup. Add to that a great goaltender, which is what MAF has become without getting the acolades of (what have you won in the NHL)Luongo or King Henrik not to mention the Russian guy who wanted out of the desert and has a Luongo like contract with the Flyers) I leave the Caps out because there problem is compounded by a pseudo leader, that refuses to improve his game, and a coach that is unable to get the best out of what he has. It’s more complex than that, but I’ll leave at that.
The Hockey Dr.
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