Habs Hand Pens Sixth Shutout of Season
by FrankD on Mar 13, 2011 1:29 AM EST
in Game Recaps
Email
Print
Habs Blog: Habs Eyes on the Prize
For all intents and purposes, this game was over less than a minute into the first period. But for the sake of writing up a semi-interesting recap, we can at least agree the Pens managed two solid periods of hockey in a 3-0 loss to the Canadiens.
If anything, the Pens at least had some opportunities on hand in today's loss. Dustin Jeffrey hit the post in the first and the team managed to muster up the proverbial "buzz around the net." Unfortunately none of that transferred to goals or, in the bigger scheme of things, points on the board.
Props to Carey Price as he continues to find ways to beat the Pens, sprawling saves or not. James Neal had a prime opportunity in the second period to at least crack the goose egg, but a bouncing puck made it difficult for him to settle it down and lift it quick enough to register a goal. Price went on to stop all 26 of the Pens' shots for his eighth shutout and 33rd win of the season.
It was no doubt a rough outing for Marc-Andre Fleury, who was pulled midway through the second period after allowing three goals on 12 shots. Although Brent Johnson went on to stop all eight shots faced, the Pens' offense was unable to pad his effort and muster out - at the least - a point in today's game.
Rest assured Pittsburgh is back at it again on Sunday against the Oilers. If I had to guess I'd say Fleury will be back between the pipes for the Pens, although Johnson did at least show signs of stability in his half-game effort. Edmonton is in last place in the west and is currently on a three-game losing streak.
Puck drops at 3 ET.
33 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Oh wow. No comments yet?
This first time I ever witnessed the Penguins losing in person. And it had to be at the hands of the Canadiens. Now they’re just three points behind us in the standings. It hurt. Apparently I had just been lucky all that time. So much for my theory that I had exceptional “attendance quality”.
The crowd was ready to go wild at first, but the energy at Consol deflated slowly. It seemed like the Penguins team was following suit. Talbot’s fight was well timed and brought the house alive very briefly. Then nothing came of it and, yeah, it was obvious the win probably wasn’t happening. The Montreal fans tried to get an" Ole!" going but were drowned out with boos. During the last break in play, they showed Malkin’s parents on the screen. The crowd responded with the loudest cheer of the night and a “Geno!” chant. That was pretty awesome.
James Neal was relentless.
Kovy is even slower in person than on TV.
Subban must have really sensitive hands, eh? Dunno if FSN caught it but he did that hand-shaking pouting nonsense more than once.
Two games in one week. Oilers and Senators. Lets put them away please.
Holy daylight savings time batman! It’s late all of a sudden.
Also was very happy to see in today’s NHL highlights that the Threashers pulled a ridiculous comeback against the Flyers. Can’t let that gap between us and them get too big. Funny fact, NJ is two points behind ATL (and TOR) with one game in hand. Remember when NJ was the laughing stock of the league and ATL were on fire (think they reached 2nd place, right?).
That was one of the least enjoyable games we’ve seen all season… not only we lost, but there were plenty of mistakes, frustrating misses and untypically long periods when the Pens seemed to lack energy and hustle.
Seeing/hearing about Malkin’s parents made me kind of sad… I miss Geno.
At the end we have to stay positive so here’s to “taking it out on the Oilers” (as Errey said during yesterday’s broadcast:)
You have to see it for yourself...
Stupid Habs indeed.
Certified Crosbovski lover. GET WELL SOON, SID
The universe moves depending on where Sidney Crosby is on the ice - IHeartPenguins
"I'm glad we've got the best fans in the league." - Tomas Kaberle on Leaf fans
Hey Leafer
watched the Leafs win last night. Great game! Gritty performance for sure.
Congrats on the win.
Cheers for the Pens! Cheers for the Canucks!
Crosby for Hart.......Letang for Norris.........Keslord for Selke
I'm just addicted to hockey and wouldn't have it any other way.
Follow me on Twitter as PensFanInDenver
by PensFanInDenver on Mar 13, 2011 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Awful Performance
The Habs came to play; the Pens did not.
Let’s hope they show up against the Oilers today.
Cheers for the Pens! Cheers for the Canucks!
Crosby for Hart.......Letang for Norris.........Keslord for Selke
I'm just addicted to hockey and wouldn't have it any other way.
Follow me on Twitter as PensFanInDenver
by PensFanInDenver on Mar 13, 2011 10:04 AM EDT reply actions
This game never happened. I’m gonna wake up to watch the Pens play the Oilers. If the Pens don’t show up again… I’m gonna have words.
If Hell freezes over, I'll play hockey there too.
The Pens were lethargic. Remained that way for the rest of the game. Staal and Letang in particular had the worst game I saw in a Pens uniform. They were directly responsible for 2 of the goals. The team that we had seen play under DB was not there.
The Hockey Dr.
Martin had
The 3d turnover right in front of the net, and they scored their 3d goal because of it.
I was completely embarrassed watching this game.
Cheers for the Pens! Cheers for the Canucks!
Crosby for Hart.......Letang for Norris.........Keslord for Selke
I'm just addicted to hockey and wouldn't have it any other way.
Follow me on Twitter as PensFanInDenver
by PensFanInDenver on Mar 13, 2011 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Sixth shutout on the season but fifth since Jan 8th. Don’t know if Geno played in any of the other shutouts in Jan (I know he missed the past three)
Letang easily had his worst game of the season. Wonder if nagging injuries could be a factor but he’s unable to take a ‘maintenance’ day
by biedergb on Mar 13, 2011 11:52 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
No, I think since he has been given “free range” on his play , at times he feels he has to do everything. He needs to get back to simple play, and make the simple pass. He is still not as good as he and the media thinks he is (specially without Orpik covering his backside). So until Orpik comes back he should play conservative hockey.
The Hockey Dr.
That’s true. But I still think he is quite good. He plays solid defense, but I agree he seems to have his head forward to start the rush instead of finishing plays in the D zone. He is capable of being a top 10 defenseman in the league. He is still young — and this is good for him. He was the rookie a few years back. Then the underling to Sarge and allowed to work on his game. Now he’s thrust into the top spot and was great with Orpik, who obviously allowed him to play two way defense. Now he’s asked to carry quite a load, and will learn from this, and be better in the future (like not get in a fight unless his shirt is tied down, or banking passes off the boards in the neutral zone when he’s the only guy back). He’s shown the ability to learn from his experience and mistakes, as opposed to some young players who seem to keep doing the same thing without adjusting.
I agree with what you say, but because he is a young guy, he tries to do “everything”, and doesn’t realize that the guy that allows him to go free is not there (Orpik). That’s my point.
The Hockey Dr.
Got it
I’m wearing my rose colored glasses with him (or is that black-and-gold colored glasses)
by biedergb on Mar 13, 2011 12:54 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Hal Gill
Said it best: during the second intermission he was asked about why they were having
such success. His answer: “The Pens play one way and we just counter it.” It is
pretty simple: the Habs have the Pens number because the Pens DO THE SAME THING
AND ALWAYS PLAY THE SAME WAY, vs the Habs.
If HCDB mixed it up and altered the style of play, the Habs would at least have to
work a little harder.
Cheers for the Pens! Cheers for the Canucks!
Crosby for Hart.......Letang for Norris.........Keslord for Selke
I'm just addicted to hockey and wouldn't have it any other way.
Follow me on Twitter as PensFanInDenver
by PensFanInDenver on Mar 13, 2011 12:08 PM EDT reply actions
The issue is this: part of the benefit of Bylsma/Pens style is that there a consistant way of playing. This allows fourth liners to play with top-6 talent and for AHLers to play in the NHL when asked upon. The downside is that yes, there is a system and some teams like the Devils have a way of neutralizing it.
But while Hal Gill is right, it’s also a lot easier to play against the Pens with a 2 or 3 goal advantage. It’s always easier to play any team with a 2 or 3 goal lead. If DJ had gotten the first goal instead of the pipe. And/or Neal buries that chance in the crease, maybe its a tie game or a lead for us and then it’s not as simple as Hal makes it out to be.
Withouth Sid or Geno, we just aren’t a team that come back from 2+ goals down regularly (we did twice after the ASB but none since).
While the Pens do need to do a better job of countering the trap, it wouldn’t have mattered what system they played in this one, the team just didn’t show up.
by SlayerGhaleon on Mar 13, 2011 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Heh.
Due to hockey practice/parade day events, I didn’t catch this one. I guess I didn’t miss much?
Hey, an out is an out - unless you're Mario, in which case it's probably two outs. -UtesFan89
Hard work always beats talent if talent doesn't work hard.
ARE YOU F#$%ING KIDDING ME!!!! ADAMS!!! JESUS TAPDANCING CHRIST YOU HAD 24 SQUARE FEET AND YOU MISSED IT ALL!! - OlenWhitaker
Went away to Leafland for a day. It was nice, even though they lost. And I became a Certified Grabbo Lover.
Let’s see how the Pens fare in times shut out vs. the rest of the League.
30-29. Chicago Blackhawks/Atlanta Thrashers, 1
28-27. St. Louis Blues/Columbus Blue Jackets, 2
26-25. Tampa Bay Lightning/Detroit Red Wings, 3
24-17. Carolina Hurricanes/Dallas Stars/Vancouver Canucks/Florida Panthers/Calgary Flames/New Jersey Devils/Anaheim Ducks/NY Rangers, 4
16-13. Boston Bruins/ LA Kings/Edmonton Oilers/Buffalo Sabres, 5
12-6. Montreal Canadiens/Phoenix Coyotes/Minnesota Wild/Pittsburgh Penguins/NY Islanders/Colorado Avs/Philly Flyers, 6
5-4. San Jose Sharks/Nashville Preds, 7
3. Ottawa Senators, 8
2. Washington Capitals, 9
1. Toronto Maple Leafs, 10 (facepalm)
Flyers are the only team to not shut out a single team. Pens have had 4 shutouts
Certified Crosbovski lover. GET WELL SOON, SID
The universe moves depending on where Sidney Crosby is on the ice - IHeartPenguins
"I'm glad we've got the best fans in the league." - Tomas Kaberle on Leaf fans
Think of it this way – you guys have only been shut out one more time than the Caps. That doesn’t sounds so bad, does it? =P
Hey, an out is an out - unless you're Mario, in which case it's probably two outs. -UtesFan89
Hard work always beats talent if talent doesn't work hard.
ARE YOU F#$%ING KIDDING ME!!!! ADAMS!!! JESUS TAPDANCING CHRIST YOU HAD 24 SQUARE FEET AND YOU MISSED IT ALL!! - OlenWhitaker
Went away to Leafland for a day. It was nice, even though they lost. And I became a Certified Grabbo Lover.
sound*
D’oh.
Hey, an out is an out - unless you're Mario, in which case it's probably two outs. -UtesFan89
Hard work always beats talent if talent doesn't work hard.
ARE YOU F#$%ING KIDDING ME!!!! ADAMS!!! JESUS TAPDANCING CHRIST YOU HAD 24 SQUARE FEET AND YOU MISSED IT ALL!! - OlenWhitaker
Went away to Leafland for a day. It was nice, even though they lost. And I became a Certified Grabbo Lover.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on PensBurgh
Related FanShots on PensBurgh
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Devils look to eliminate Rangers in Game 6; Hal Gill’s broken tibia (Playoff Puck Previews)
- Conan O’Brien joins long list of LA media that don’t really know what’s going on with the Kings
- For Los Angeles Kings, when does rest become rust for Stanley Cup Final?
- Dominik Hasek wants NHL return; Tortorella on Game 6; Nash to Boston? (Puck Headlines)
- Marek Vs. Wyshynski Radio: Game Show Friday, Bobby Holik, Game 6 preview, NHL ratings debate
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Simon Gagne enjoying LA Kings' success, returns to practice after concussion absence
- Gagne back at practice, enjoying Kings' success
- First-place Knights go sight-seeing while awaiting Memorial Cup final
- NHL Network and NHL.com unveil comprehensive coverage plans for the 2012 Stanley Cup Final
- Canadiens hire Rick Dudley as assistant GM
