I thought about titling this post "Sidney Crosby Comeback Photos" just to lure everyone in since, quite understandably, our healing Captain is foremost in our thoughts.  But alas, all I have to offer are photos from this past weekend's games against the best (not counting Vancouver, of course) and worst that Canada has to offer.  Check them out after the jump.

Consol Energy Center, early morning gameday.

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

Already having flashbacks to game 7.

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

Warm-ups:

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

First shots of the new guy.

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

Brent Johnson got loose in his usual fashion, catching pucks behind his back:

Brent Johnson plays catch with Dan Potash (via PensAreYourDaddy)

Anthem:

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

Let's get it on!

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

The game got a little chippy.  Talbot danced with Mara:

Max Talbot vs Paul Mara - Pittsburgh Penguins vs Montreal Canadiens 3/12/2011 (via PensAreYourDaddy)

But Weber wanted no part of Cookie.

Cooke and Weber - Pittsburgh Penguins vs Montreal Canadiens 3/12/2011 (via PensAreYourDaddy)

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

Unfortunately, the Price was right on today.

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

Tough day all around.  Even the Malkamaniac couldn't get the team going.

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

Bummer.

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

Things started looking up later that night when we bumped into TK after dinner at Hyde Park.  We agreed to let him get his picture taken with the lucky sock.  Worked out pretty well for him the next day, I'd say.

From 2011-03-12 Pens vs Habs

Sunday was a new day, with a much more beatable opponent.

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

Dustin Jeffrey, major puck hog.

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

Staal, sporting a new look courtesy of an errant stick in Saturday's game.

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

Anthems:

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

Are you ready?

Are You Ready? Pens intro, St Patrick's Day version (via PensAreYourDaddy)

Let's get it on!

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

Most of the activity early on centered around the Pens bench.

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

Closing minutes of the first period, Kovy goes to the box:

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

and then Martin...

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

Good time to break out the sign to celebrate Pensburgh's birthday...you know... the one that happened back in December.  I'm holding it too low or you'd see that it says hi to Frank, Hooks and all the other Pensburgh contributors and readers.  It's a really tall sign.

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

The Pens, no doubt buoyed by the return of the Pensburgh mojo to the arena, killed off the 5-on-3 and went on to take the lead before the end of the period.

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

On to the second period and Talbot shows us a glimpse of what to expect come playoff time.

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

Tanger started questioning his stick...

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

and eventually just dropped it...

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

so, Knitting Lady picked it up and now it's in our living room (thanks, Danny!!!)

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

Somehow, Neal got hurt...

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

fortunately he appeared to be okay.

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

The Genos made it up on the big screen a few times.  It's great having them around.

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

Earlier that morning I shared an elevator with Kovy.  I had four floors to tell him how great it was that he was back in Pittsburgh, how he made my first ever trip to see the Pens at the Igloo so memorable by scoring that hat trick including the OT game winner against the Devils, how I thought he could be an important piece in a deep playoff run.  What I managed to say was "good luck today".  He smiled and said "thanks".  ***Note to self:  Always take the camera with you, even if you're just going down to get a luggage cart.

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

Coming out for the third, Coach had something up his sleeve.  He was looking for someone, anyone to listen to him.

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He finally got the attention of a linesman and went on to draw up something pretty impressive on the whiteboard.

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Apparently Cookie picked up his 300th point helping set up Staal's second period goal.  Awesome!

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Kunitz struck again late in the third to extend the Pens' lead.  Damn, it's good to have you back, Kuni!

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"See, James, that's how you score two goals in one game.  Be the puck."

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Fleury stopped 15 of 16 third period shots to secure the 5-1 win.

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From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

Kunitz, first star of the game

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

The Pens are on the road to Ottawa but return home Sunday to host the Rangers on NBC in what looks to be our final regular season game.  Let's hope it's a good one!

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

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BONUS LEAFER EDITION:   JORDAN EBERLE

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers

From 2011-03-13 Pens vs Oilers