Penguins Start Out with a Shutout: Beat Lightning 3-0
by FrankD on Apr 14, 2011 12:36 AM EDT
in Game Recaps
Email
PrintLightning Blog: Raw Charge
What a way to start a series for Marc-Andre Fleury and the Penguins as the defense stayed strong all game long and the offense hit its stride just in time for a three-goal third period. The Pens now hold an early 1-0 series lead over the Lightning in what will no doubt be an intense series.
Say what you will about the score, but it was hardly a blowout. The Lightning kept it close for two periods before Alex Kovalev and Arron Asham struck to make it 2-0. Chris Kunitz later added the empty netter in the dying seconds of the game, but the biggest hat tip has to go to Fleury and his 32 save performance.
Each of the first two goals was special in its own way, but also unified by the sheer fact that they came in back-to-back fashion. Kovalev's goal was a solid example of two things: one, how you can never rule a guy completely out of a play and two, it's all about right place, right time. It was pretty obvious to everyone watching that Kovy did not walk away from that hit well. But the Lightning made the mistake of counting him out. That came back to nip them in the pads, as James Neal set up AK72 with a solid one-timer that beat 90-year-old Dwayne Roloson glove side.
Not even 20 seconds later, Arron Asham skates in with the puck and takes the NHL11 approach to score a nifty glitch goal (video game nerds unite!). Not a bad performance from a guy who was missing for the better part of the season. If he wants to wake up at this point in the season then by all means, do it.
Who can also overlook the Brooks Orpik hit on Steve Stamkos? As many have said during and after the game, that really set the tempo right off the bat and let the Lightning know that this team is out for blood.
It's still a long series that's set to continue this Friday night, but it's nice to see the Pens take the early lead. Even though there has been no official culprit behind Sidney Crosby's season-long injury, there's no denying that Tampa Bay played a part in his status for the second-half of the regular season when Victor Hedman was hit with a boarding call back in January.
Again, you can say it was the Winter Classic that injured him for the year. You can even say that Crosby probably shouldn't have played against the Lightning if that was the case. But Tampa Bay is the team that knocked him out for the regular season as far as I'm concerned, and what better payback than to knock them out of the postseason?
In other conference news, the Rangers lost to the Capitals in overtime after Alex Ovechkin scored in regulation and Alex Semin picked up the game winner. Tomorrow's Boston-Montreal game and Philly-Buffalo matchup should be interesting ones.
Rest up. Back at it Friday.
163 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
This game essentially came down to “grind these bitches down” because that’s exactly what happened. The first period was pretty even, but the second and especially the third were all Pens because the we had worn the Lightning down.
Oh and that AHL goaltender we have was okay too.
Mario Lemieux is better than you.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
by AllieLXXXVII on Apr 14, 2011 12:38 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
My friend kept texting me saying that the Pens just “need to be patient” and it will pay off.
Wow was that true…
"Be great today" - Jason Garrett
For a team with a lot of veterans with playoff experience, the Lightning sure looked shell shocked after the 2-0 lead. They were lifeless after that. Man.
Mario Lemieux is better than you.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
by AllieLXXXVII on Apr 14, 2011 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Well you gotta admit, they went from still being in a game on the road to being down 2 goals in a blink of an eye. I’d be shell shocked too lol. Then again I don’t make millions to not be shell shocked.
"Be great today" - Jason Garrett
After the 1st period, they weren’t in it at all. On the scoreboard, yes, but on the ice? They were outplayed big time.
They have way too many experienced players to put out an effort as poor as that one after going down 2-0. This is the playoffs—at least show some desperation.
Mario Lemieux is better than you.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
by AllieLXXXVII on Apr 14, 2011 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Yea you’re right, but it’s going to be a long series. I’m betting on them not putting out an effort like this again. Especially in the next game.
Game 2 will be pivotal. Either the Pens solidify their dominance, or the Bolts show the Pens they won’t be bullied. I’m hoping for the dominance lol.
"Be great today" - Jason Garrett
You can bet Boucher will try and counter, but you know that DB will be anticipating it all.
See, if the Pens continue to be physical, I don’t know if the Lightning can last in a long series. I think the series will be long, but that’s how I see the Pens getting it done—physicality.
Mario Lemieux is better than you.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
by AllieLXXXVII on Apr 14, 2011 1:07 AM EDT up reply actions
I think they had the same problem in the regular season: The lightning were first or second (can’t exactly remember which) in goals for in the first period, but 27th in the 3rd. To me it seems if you (MAF) can hold the fort early on you get a good chance to win.
There is a knack to flying: it's learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.
by Sid the captain on Apr 14, 2011 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Also, if you can get an early lead, you’ve officially broken the 1-3-1. The TBL had to get more aggressive after the first goal.
Mario Lemieux is better than you.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
by AllieLXXXVII on Apr 14, 2011 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
What are you talking about?
Mario Lemieux is better than you.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
by AllieLXXXVII on Apr 14, 2011 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
This is what a young player gaining confidence in the playoffs looks like
This is what a huge hit looks like.
Mario Lemieux is better than you.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
by AllieLXXXVII on Apr 14, 2011 12:39 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
This is what a hilarious, Pens related (not appropriate language for Pensburgh) image looks like.
Mario Lemieux is better than you.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
by AllieLXXXVII on Apr 14, 2011 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
if they ban headshots in the NHL
then Orpik could be looking at a suspension for this hit..
Just sayin.. it was a great hit and should never be a bannable offense, but this is why the league should not across the board ban head shots.
There's an 87% chance this post is sarcasm...
his elbow was all head..
Let me be clear, this is not a bad hit.. just making the point that if the NHL banned all head shots, this could be a banned hit.
There's an 87% chance this post is sarcasm...
Watch the AGH replay. His elbow may have hit his head, but it’s not the point of contact.
When they talk about banning head shots, they mean banning the point of contact, which was not the case with this hit.
Mario Lemieux is better than you.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
by AllieLXXXVII on Apr 14, 2011 1:11 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Uhmm. This was a clean body check. He may have hit the head slightly, but it wasn’t the point of impact for sure.. It’s hard to tell from the gif, but trust me.
Mario Lemieux is better than you.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
by AllieLXXXVII on Apr 14, 2011 1:08 AM EDT up reply actions
??
Mario Lemieux is better than you.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
by AllieLXXXVII on Apr 14, 2011 1:11 AM EDT up reply actions
i think he was trying to say he didnt base his observations for your gif :)
When he retires, all Evgeni Malkin interviews should go in a museum. - PD
Because the extra room at Mario's was already taken.
Shoot everybody.
GIRLS LOVE.
absolutely agree
if there was contact to Stamkos" head, it was the front of his face. Orpiks’ elbow is never on the side of his head or behind it at any time during that hit. The brunt of that hit is from the left rib cage are of Orpik to the right rib cage/shoulder area of Stamkos as he is rising while turning. Anything else, if there was anything else, is incidental. Nothing Gillies would be proud of. And yes, I’m dizzy and nauseous from watching it so many times consecutively.
by 18-19-21 lineofthecentury on Apr 14, 2011 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Stros Bro raised a good point. When people start talking about banning all head shots, just how far will they go? I see Allie’s comment above that they would only ban shots where the head is the point of contact, but do we know that for sure? Even if they only take that first step, how long before they’d want to get rid of hits like this?
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 14, 2011 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Not sure if Stamkos will be the same after that…
I’m so glad that Asham did what he did. Shero acquired him because of his strong playoff performance with Philly last year and FINALLY he is playing again and has a fair shake at things.
"Have you ever seen such finesse?"
LOL someone said that Stan Savaran named Ray Shero the 4th star of this game. So true.
Mario Lemieux is better than you.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
by AllieLXXXVII on Apr 14, 2011 12:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Wow, that’s really insensitive =[
Mario Lemieux is better than you.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
by AllieLXXXVII on Apr 14, 2011 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
You really have to wonder if Stamkos was rattled. He lives on that shot he missed in the 3rd, when he hit the side of the net…
"Be great today" - Jason Garrett
The Pens held Stammer to 4 shots all season long. He hasn’t shown up in any game he’s played against us.
Michalek island.
Mario Lemieux is better than you.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
by AllieLXXXVII on Apr 14, 2011 12:56 AM EDT up reply actions
eh, what comes around goes around. See you soon.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com, twitter and now on the official Pensburgh Facebook page
It’s amazing how this team has come together, and how MAF has stepped up to lead this team. I can’t even comprehend what we’d do to the Eastern Conference if we had Sid and Geno…
"Be great today" - Jason Garrett
There’s a good chance we might get Sid back if we can get to the 2nd round. Well, I think there is, at least.
Mario Lemieux is better than you.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
by AllieLXXXVII on Apr 14, 2011 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions
If only Geno could come back for the finals if we made it…not totally out of the question, is it?
"Have you ever seen such finesse?"
Yeah
No way in hell plus he’d be out of shape. Crosby has been conditioning.
Completely out of the question.
Mario Lemieux is better than you.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
by AllieLXXXVII on Apr 14, 2011 1:09 AM EDT up reply actions
I thought
The second best player on the Ice after the Flower was James Neal. Played like a man possessed. Generated some good shots. Made many excellent passes including the primary assist on the GWG. And brought his hitting game. My favorite part was when a Tampa Bay player tried to finish a check on Neal at open-ice but Neal put him flat on his rear. It was awesome. Excellent play by James Neal.
yup, he also back checks like a beast!
if he plays like this all playoffs, I don’t really care if he doesn’t score a goal.
There's an 87% chance this post is sarcasm...
I agree
He looks like he has accepted that he hasn’t produced offensively but instead of pressing on the offensive end he is making a dif on the defensive end. I have always been of the school that a great defensive play is just as good as points. As long as he keeps up this pace on the backcheck and in the defensive zone I am fine with him not putting pucks in the net regularly.
by Crosby4Prez on Apr 14, 2011 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Just so long as the defense doesn’t stop WHEN the puck starts going in for him.
by The Malk-Man on Apr 14, 2011 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Fleury played a heck of a game. As well as the whole defense. If they play like that they can take this series in 5.
Kovy played a really good game today. Like someone(maybe Bylsma) said in the postgame, it goes to show how someone can turn it on come playoff time. Hopefully he can bring it with that intensity for the rest of the playoffs.
Bugsy was a force out there tonight. He’s going to be tough all series. Steve Downie was an instigator 2 weeks ago when the pens played in Florida and I couldn’t even tell he was out there tonight. I expect to see him show up and also expect to hear from Stamkos, St. Louis and Lecavlier by the end of the series.
by StripesForLife on Apr 14, 2011 12:57 AM EDT reply actions
for allie(the block quote that is)
Kovy played a really good game today. Like someone(maybe Bylsma) said in the postgame, it goes to show how someone can turn it on come playoff time. Hopefully he can bring it with that intensity for the rest of the playoffs.
I disagree, he benefited from his teammates work. He looked very slow tonight.. on his goal, had TB been able to get it out of the zone then he’s way out of position, all because he gingerly took his sweet as time to get up. Sorry, the ends don’t always justify the means.. I mean I was happy as hell that he scored, but he didn’t deserve it.. Neal did, but not Kovy.
Most of this game I was thinking about how the pens should NOT re-sign Kovy next season.. he just doesn’t fit in well.. great hands, just no hustle and I can’t name how many times Steigy or Errey pointed out that he needed to get off the ice after he long shifted.. like I tell the guys in my Beer league, its easy to skate 5 minutes when you don’t skate..
There's an 87% chance this post is sarcasm...
A lot of snipers aren’t great skaters. If the other two forwards on the line can take the bulk of the defensive responsibilities, and if your line can really bring it in the offensive zone, then you’re good to go.
That said, I’m still of mixed opinions re. Kovalev. But he is what he is, and he does know how to get the puck to the net.
Cooke for Byng. Kunitz for Prime Minister. Orpik for President.
He’s the antithesis of what Pens hockey is but, hey, we need offense.
There’s no chance of us signing him for next season anyways. I don’t know how Shero would do it.
Mario Lemieux is better than you.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
by AllieLXXXVII on Apr 14, 2011 1:15 AM EDT up reply actions
One thing I’ve learned is that Shero pulls off pure wizardry at times.
Glorious
by Presidentjlh on Apr 14, 2011 3:13 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think he can do it this time. I would be shocked.
Mario Lemieux is better than you.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
by AllieLXXXVII on Apr 14, 2011 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I disagree entirely, I thought he has been active everywhere he needs to be for the last ten or so games. He was battling with Malone in front of our net, clearing the garbage against Atlanta, backchecking pretty well, dangling like crazy, and his puck pursuit has been very good. Not going to judge him for not getting up faster after that hit given that he looked a little shaken up.
"Those goals just rip the heart right out of your stomach." - Edzo
by ipenguin67 on Apr 14, 2011 5:26 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That’s the kind of stuff I’m talking about. He got into it with Malone a couple. He was in on the forecheck (a little bit) and he was battling on the boards a good bit.
by StripesForLife on Apr 14, 2011 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Half agreed, half not.
Indeed, he needed a lot of luck to get that goal. He was busy yelling at the ref etc and was handed a perfect opportunity by his team mates. And yes, he is kind of slow. And he’s been attemping a lot of fancy Malkin-esque skate-around-everybody moves that he just can’t succeed at as often anymore.
Gotta give him some credit, though, how many current Penguin players would have fanned on the shot, tried to stop the pass before shooting, or missed the net.
I thought Kovalev played better last night, and he has typically been known for stepping it up for the playoffs. He will strike again.
But, I’m still against signing Kovalev next year. There are younger, faster options that will be easy on the wallet and will pay greater dividends in the future.
This.
Mario Lemieux is better than you.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
by AllieLXXXVII on Apr 14, 2011 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Just realized that Ben Lovejoy only got 9 mins of ice time (lowest on the team; even Nisky got 12 min). Why? I thought he played great
Mario Lemieux is better than you.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
I think his partner (Nisky) was having such a bad night that the coaches just decided to stick with the top 4 most of the time. Not his fault though…
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
Bad night or not, it’s still a heavy workload for just four guys early in a series. Hopefully if that is the case he gets his head right for G2
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com, twitter and now on the official Pensburgh Facebook page
It’s a very heavy load for sure. But the reality is he isn’t that great of a defensemen, and we’ll give up more goals than we want if he is out there too much against those top guns.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
Valid point. I guess we can both agree then that he needs to get sorted out sooner rather than later then.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com, twitter and now on the official Pensburgh Facebook page
I think so as well. We’ll basically live and die with them, because I think the coaches are smart enough to know our 3rd pairing can’t get too much time or we’ll pay.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
So why did Nisky end up with 3 extra minutes?
Mario Lemieux is better than you.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
by AllieLXXXVII on Apr 14, 2011 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Niskanen has good potential, and I’d like to see him succeed. His body positioning needs work, though. He did have a good shot early in the game, but I think I’d rather see Engelland and Lovejoy as a pairing. However, you can’t say that your defense let you down in a shutout victory.
I saw one thing that worried me about Lovejoy and Niskinan. They seemed to always be out there with the 4th line. I would be much more comfortable giving them ice time with the Staal unit or Talbot unit.
by StripesForLife on Apr 14, 2011 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
But the Staal unit matches up against the 1st or second line of the Bolts. I’m not comfortable with that at all.
Mario Lemieux is better than you.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
by AllieLXXXVII on Apr 14, 2011 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
So then I would rather see them out there with 16, 25, and 9 who spend a lot of time in the offensive zone. That keeps them as far away from Fleury as possible.
by StripesForLife on Apr 14, 2011 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Great start
Kovy got the last laugh with his goal. Nice to see Asham put in the insurance goal. He played very well for Philthy last season in the playoffs hopefully he will do the same for the good guys.
MAF was stellar as well as the D-corp. Keep getting 40+ shots on Roloson and wear him down. I believe that Stamkos is going to be looking over his shoulder for #44. Terrific check by Orpik.
Proud fan of Pittsburgh's professional sports teams and the Pirates too.
by Black&GoldTrain on Apr 14, 2011 3:22 AM EDT reply actions
Asham’s goal was exactly what he did for Philly that he’s been missing all year. In his goal highlights from 2010 you can see that he has the ability to be very patient and persistent when a scoring opportunity is approaching. He stays with the puck and puts it in calmly. I was really quite down on him for many stretches of the season. But that was one hell of a goal.
When he didn't shoot and went behind the goal
I was like, who the hell was that!!!!
he actually got the puck poked from him right before the goal and kudos to him for sticking with it.
There's an 87% chance this post is sarcasm...
Haha and Frank put it best by calling it a “glitch goal”. That had NHL ’93 written all over it. The thing is, in real life, your goalie is supposed to come back to the other side of the net. LoL.
Just watched the replay again and that fake shot was fantastic.
by illbottleya on Apr 14, 2011 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Frank's summary
Say what you will about the score, but it was hardly a blowout.
Agree. Only outstanding play by MAF kept the Penguins alive until hard work and determination finally came through for the O.
Tampa Bay is the team that knocked him out for the regular season as far as I’m concerned, and what better payback than to knock them out of the postseason?
none. payback’s a bitch, bitchez.
excellent summary. thanks.
You got it man
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com, twitter and now on the official Pensburgh Facebook page
A few things
1) Orpik was the player of the game. Fleury obviously played great, but 44’s early hit on Stamkos knocked Tampa out of this game and tilted the ice way in the penguins favor. The hit inspired our team and deflated theirs: Tampa was on their heels for the rest of the game.
2) Malone is key for Tampa in this series. Game 1 showed that he can get under our skin and cause some serious trouble in front of our own net. We survived for now, but there will be a lot more. Expect Malone to draw a few calls over the next few games.
3) Asham had a great game. I’ve liked what he has brought to this team in the few that he has played in this year. Good hands, good positioning, not afraid to block shots or drop the mitts. I think Asham is doing his best to fill in for the villainous Matt Cooke.
4) This is a war, and we’ve won the first battle. If we play again tomorrow night like we played last night, this will be a very quick series. Hits and patience are key. Fortunately for us we have been playing this type of game for the past 3 months.
Sorry, Fleury was the player of the game
He saved us multiple times… there were quite a few chances for TB last night where I wanted to cover my eyes, but Fleury stopped them all.
Orpik definitely deserves one of the stars as like you said, that hit on Stamkos tilted the ice in our favor a little bit… BUT, he also went out of his way to check someone in the 2nd period(can’t remember who it was) that led to a 2 on 1 that could have been huge for Tampa(as the score was 0-0 at that time)… Had they scored there, people here would probably be talking about that… luckily we stopped that play and no harm done.
There's an 87% chance this post is sarcasm...
Orpik was the player of the game. Fleury obviously played great, but 44’s early hit on Stamkos knocked Tampa out of this game and tilted the ice way in the penguins favor. The hit inspired our team and deflated theirs: Tampa was on their heels for the rest of the game.
Yeah, I’m not so sure about this.
Although Orps played great, his hit really only set the tone. The Pens tilted the ice with teamwork (it was a gradual thing) and Flower was the backbone of that.
2) Malone is key for Tampa in this series. Game 1 showed that he can get under our skin and cause some serious trouble in front of our own net. We survived for now, but there will be a lot more. Expect Malone to draw a few calls over the next few games.
Yeah, not really. Malone was a little too aggressive and took two penalties because of it. He definitely stood out and played an good game, but he only really only hurt his team.
Mario Lemieux is better than you.
My Thoughts on the Pens & Twitter
by AllieLXXXVII on Apr 14, 2011 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, not really. Malone was a little too aggressive and took two penalties because of it. He definitely stood out and played an good game, but he only really only hurt his team.
He did take a stupid penalty, but I think the point that Malone is going to be big for Tampa is spot on… He’s the most physical forward they have(that has talent) and if he can stay out of the box, he can be huge for Tampa. We’ll see..
But, if Lecavalier/St. Louis/Stamkos don’t do something for TB, it’s going to be a long series for TB.
There's an 87% chance this post is sarcasm...
Orpik did a great job realizing that he needs to hit the role players, like Malone, who uses his body the majority of time to set picks and screens. You eliminate the shield he provides, the Lightning got nothing.
I liked seeing Crosby up in the booth with a headset. I know he’s probably dying to get back to playing, but I think he can get just as many kicks and highs helping the team from up top. Plus he’s smart as shit, so why not use his eyes?
Keep it going Pens. Playing physical will make TB crumble. And please, someone take St. Louis out for good.
"And please, someone take St. Louis out for good."
I hope you meant, out of the playoffs.. by eliminating TB…
There's an 87% chance this post is sarcasm...
If you don’t mind me asking, what do you have against St. Louis? Admittedly I’ve always cursed the hockey gods every time he scores against the Pens, but I’ve always liked and respected him as a player.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com, twitter and now on the official Pensburgh Facebook page
I personally love St Louis
He is a good guy, a class act, the heart and soul of Tampa Bay.
What’s not to like? He is so quick—that’s why he is hard to play against
and check against—he is too damn fast.
Cheers for the Pens! Cheers for the Canucks!
Manny: get well soon. Sid: come on-- we're waitin'!
Always play with HEART: the results will follow.
Follow me on Twitter as PensFanInDenver
by PensFanInDenver on Apr 14, 2011 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions
What Frank said
St. Louis is A-OK in my book…
Even though I hate playing against him, you gotta respect what he’s done in his career and he seems like a good guy.
There's an 87% chance this post is sarcasm...
Why do I hate any of the things that I do?
I don’t know why, but he just bothers me. I think it’s because he’s like all of those other little players, like the ones with the Habs, that skate around and annoy people but never take a hit. Sure, he may be too fast, but don’t complain when you get knocked into the boards or purposely try to avoid it all of the time, as in chicken out. Man up once in a while.
Plus, I think eliminating him would break the sole of the Lightning.
Plus, I think eliminating him would break the sole of the Lightning.
Haha, I can see the story now: “St. Louis out for the series, meanwhile the Lightning are day-to-day with a lower body injury”.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 14, 2011 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I don’t normally mention typos, only when they make me laugh.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 14, 2011 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions
For some reason
I felt like St. Louis actually played pretty physical last night. I mean, he’s not Orpik, but a couple chances against the Pens I saw him taking the body and being aggressive when other players might have just tried to poke or stick check.
And I don’t consider a guy(especially a small guy) avoiding a check chickening out. St. Louis has stayed in the league this long by avoiding checks and keeping his head up… I don’t hold that against him.
There's an 87% chance this post is sarcasm...
He avoids hits because
HE’S VERY FAST!!!!!!!!!
Cheers for the Pens! Cheers for the Canucks!
Manny: get well soon. Sid: come on-- we're waitin'!
Always play with HEART: the results will follow.
Follow me on Twitter as PensFanInDenver
by PensFanInDenver on Apr 14, 2011 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions
not going to argue against that :)
he is a fast littler sucker.
I’d like to see him race Grabner.. Grabner would probably win, but it would be fun to watch
There's an 87% chance this post is sarcasm...
What you’ve got to do is cut the hamstring on the back of his leg right at the bottom. They’ll never play hockey again, because his weight displacement goes back, all his weight is on his right skate, and he’ll push everything off to the right. He’ll never come through on anything. He’ll quit the game.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 14, 2011 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I had mentioned this at the end of the night in the open thread for the game but figured I would bring it up again here as well. I noticed on Raw Charge that some people were making a really big deal of Crosby having a headset on and communicating with the bench. Do they have any reason to be upset with that for legal issues?
Legally? How could there be any legal infraction? It’s the same thing as a QB not playing and wearing a head set in football. Our last game against the Islanders Doug Waite (I really don’t care if I spelled his name wrong) was on the bench and had an earpiece on with upstairs. If you have a great player with a great mind and great eyes who can’t play, why not use him, at least just to ask if he’s seeing anything different.
Alright, that’s what I was checking on. I just had no idea why they were making such a big deal out of it.
You meant in the comments? I only read the last page of them. I got the feeling there were a few visitors from other teams’ fanbase who showed up already having some strong anti-pens feelings (aka from Detroit etc). A number of Lightning fans also seemed to have some rivalry-hatred already built up that was being exacerbated by the perceived reffing situation as well. If you didn’t notice, there were some screams of Bettman rigging the game for the Penguins yadda yadda at the end. So, I wouldn’t worry too much about what was being said.
Sweet
This win was so SWEET. Great win. Great shutout for MAF.
Keep it up Pens. Keep it up.
Cheers for the Pens! Cheers for the Canucks!
Manny: get well soon. Sid: come on-- we're waitin'!
Always play with HEART: the results will follow.
Follow me on Twitter as PensFanInDenver
by PensFanInDenver on Apr 14, 2011 10:12 AM EDT reply actions
Kovy knows he’s playing for probably 1 last contract , unless he retires to go back to mother russia & play out another season or 2 in the KHL… i’m hoping he plays well, & signs a 1 yr deal to play with GENO next yr….
Especially if he’s going to be so slow to get up from a hit like he was last night
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com, twitter and now on the official Pensburgh Facebook page
Oh, please, he was sandbagging on that play and it worked. The Lightning forgot all about him. Boom, goal.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 14, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
But even his goal celebration was indicative of some minor pain.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com, twitter and now on the official Pensburgh Facebook page
yea, he forgot to put his ben-gay on before the game
old bones hurt man
There's an 87% chance this post is sarcasm...
Neal
I Get MAF being # 1 Star he simply played great, I thought and you all know my MAF bashing, he was the number one star by far, but Neal deserved a star he was all over the ice made a nice shot/pass right to Kovy at the side of the net.
Staal the number 3 star? I like Jordan and know he’s a good hockey player but missed 3 point blank chances and was not the force Neal was. IMO
Thoughts?
"It ain't bragging if you can do it" - Dizzy Dean
Orpik deserves a Star mention too
He was one of the best players on the ice last night.
Cheers for the Pens! Cheers for the Canucks!
Manny: get well soon. Sid: come on-- we're waitin'!
Always play with HEART: the results will follow.
Follow me on Twitter as PensFanInDenver
by PensFanInDenver on Apr 14, 2011 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Agree but Neal to me was all over the ice throwing his body around creating
"It ain't bragging if you can do it" - Dizzy Dean
by slick wrister on Apr 14, 2011 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Staal is prob being credited for helping to keep their big guns off the score sheet
His line looks to be drawing primarily defensive responsibility
Understood
I understand that and I am not saying he had a bad game (despite missing the goal from right in front a couple times) his d and presence is great and don’t want to take anything away from him, I just thought neal was maybe the best player on the ice last night. IMO
"It ain't bragging if you can do it" - Dizzy Dean
by slick wrister on Apr 14, 2011 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
when Victor Hedman was hit with a boarding call back in January.
I don’t believe anything was called, on that play, at all.
I hope the next game doesn’t turn into a mirror image of the Islanders game. The Lightning might feel they have to show some brute force after last nights game, after the Stamkos hit and the stick to St Louis’ mouth etc. ok I doubt it’s going to be that ugly but they will come out hard on Friday, so the Pens better be prepared. you can be sure that Malone will be instigating like mad.
Yeah, he got two minutes for boarding. I distinctly remembering because I thought it should have been four minutes, not two. Otherwise I may have been a bit hazy on the call as well.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com, twitter and now on the official Pensburgh Facebook page
Not to nitpick, but there is no double minor for boarding. It’s either a two or a five. That would could have gone five, for sure.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 14, 2011 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Right. That one.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com, twitter and now on the official Pensburgh Facebook page
Kevin Weekes on NHL Live this morning was correct though: how are you going to complain about taking a stick to the face when your face is on the ice? Get real St. Louis.
Actually, that’s what I wanted to ask. Do you think the non-call was the correct one because St. Louis was already on the ice when he got hit by Z’s stick? NHL on the Fly said it was not a penalty but Kerry Fraser and the CBC crew last night said it should have been. Not to mention the fact that Marty had a double root canal too. Thoughts?
On a side note, I am seriously considering switching to RDS for the Pens’ games because CBC announcers annoyed me big time last night (just like last year). And Centre Ice isn’t showing the Buffalo-Philly games, which means I am close to cancelling my sports package for the season.
I think the proper term would be occupational hazard, not a penalty.
Should firemen get surprised when they see flames? The cute and adorable St. Louis shouldn’t be surprised when he gets hit in the face with a hockey stick where hockey sticks are supposed to be, on the ice.
To be fair he wasn’t upset cause he got hit in the face with a stick. He was upset because no penalty was called when there should have been. The refs just didn’t see it.
"Be great today" - Jason Garrett
You’re assuming what they’re trying to debate. The question is whether there should have been a penalty called at all.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
should have been a penalty
I’m going with the assumption that they didn’t see it, otherwise there would have been a call..
Marty was bloodied up pretty good… Errey or Steigy said it looked like he lost a tooth.. either way, I would have been pissed if it happened to me as well..
There's an 87% chance this post is sarcasm...
Please explain how it’s a penalty based on the rule:
Rule 60.1 – High Sticking: A "high stick" is one which is carried above the height of the opponent’s shoulders.The point of contact was not above shoulder height. No call was the right call.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 14, 2011 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
just because I guy isn't standing up
doesn’t give you free will to whack them in the face..
not saying that’s what happened but from seeing it called multiple times in the past, I’m going with it should have been a penalty.
There's an 87% chance this post is sarcasm...
No, I agree with you there. You don’t have free reign to go nuts on the guy, but an accidental stick to the face of someone that low to the ice shouldn’t be called, in my opinion (and that of most analysts I’ve seen, all due respect to kerry fraser, since we all know what a great official he was – cue the leafs fans).
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 14, 2011 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions
yea, I'm going purely on the past
maybe it doesn’t fit the letter of the rule, but you have to be in control of your stick at all times(and Michalek wasn’t).
Video
There's an 87% chance this post is sarcasm...
That stick is clearly below one of the opponents shoulders and above the other. I have know idea how this should be called.
Put on your dancin' shoes.
It’s definitely awkward but I don’t see how it’s a high stick. Unless the refs expect Michalek to lay his stick down to the ice when an opponent falls, I fail to see how this can be construed as a penalty. Doesn’t change the fact a guy did get a stick to the face though. Definitely a weird situation.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com, twitter and now on the official Pensburgh Facebook page
for what it's worth
60.2 Minor Penalty – Any contact made by a stick on an opponent above the shoulders is prohibited and a minor penalty shall be imposed.
So this leaves room for interpretation.
He shouldn’t be expected to lay his stick down, but he also shouldn’t be allowed to blindly swing around with his stick… He wasn’t taking care of his stick and he didn’t even know where the puck was(as apparent if you watch the video). This wasn’t a normal follow through on a shot or anything like that.
There's an 87% chance this post is sarcasm...
Upon video review I think this should have been a penalty. As Stros Bro says this a case of the stick being used as part of a hockey play. ZM was clearly not in control of his stick there. I once go accused of that at a strip club.
Put on your dancin' shoes.
hiyoooooooooooo
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com, twitter and now on the official Pensburgh Facebook page
Being a meanie-pants (2 minutes + say you’re sorry)
Honestly, who knows if they can call a high stick or not. The way the rule is written, you could call a high stick even if the receiving player is army crawling his way around the ice on his elbows, because it didn’t look like they specified who’s shoulders and in what position they have to be.
Ah, true, but it does specify shoulders, plural.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Apr 15, 2011 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions
yea, the new blindside rule states
“cannot hit a player from the blindside above the shoulders”
;)
There's an 87% chance this post is sarcasm...
Nice start to the series
Like the solid team effort and great to see MAF play rock solid. Absolutely no doubt this TEAM is much better than the one that was on the ice last season, blue line much improved and with it Fleury’s confidence and play.
Seemed TB got a bit rattled after the Kovy goal, which at first I thought was cherry picking but on review was a very intelligent play. Kubina made a major gaffe playing the puck w/o a stick and then getting himself way out of position. Great play by James Neal to keep the puck in and then feed it to a wide open Kovy. Loved Neal’s play for some time now, him putting pucks in the net will come.
MAF made some game saving stops and will need to remain rock solid. Really like the Pens chances if they can parlay last night’s effort into a 2-0 lead tomorrow.
Go Pens Go!
him putting pucks in the net will come.
Especially with Sid feeding him passes, even if we have to wait till next season to see it.
"Be great today" - Jason Garrett
statistics
icetime
For the Penguins the top four players with the most ice time last night were: Letang, Michalek, Martin and Orpik. Letang led the pack with a whopping 27 minutes of ice time. Once the pens ease into this series I’d like to see the third pairing used a little more. (read: Use Lovejoy more)
For the Lightning, only two players logged upwards of 20 minutes: Hedman and Brewer, both defensemen. Tampa had only one player log fewer than 10 minutes while the Pens had three. Looks like Tampa is spreading the wealth a little bit when it comes to ice time.
+/-
Letang and Orpik led the penguins with +2’s for the evening. 11 other players registered +1’s.
Tampa was obviously full of -‘s, with -2’s going to Kubina, Lecavalier, St. Louis and Brewer. 8 other players registered -1’s.
These stats seem to indicate that although the penguins are relying more heavily on certain players than Tampa is, the Pittsburgh players are accomplishing more with their ice time.
keep it up!
RE: Stats
Mid 20s for ice time for a D-Man isn’t that big of a deal, add to that the Pens have an excellent first two pairings then a drop off to the 3rd line pair. Niskanen and Lovejoy have done a fine job but they are well below Martin-Michalek, Orpik-Letang to be sure. Good news is they’re not Gonchar either…Sorry Sarge can’t get that G7 Matador move you allowed out of my mind.
Also some of TBs forwards logged less ice time than usual given 6 trips to the Penalty Box.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts 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
