Evgeni Malkin, MVP. Pens destroy Bolts 8-1

by LauraZ on Feb 25, 2012 3:54 PM EST in Game Recaps

PITTSBURGH, PA - FEBRUARY 25: Chris Kunitz #14 of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates Kunitz's goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first period on February 25, 2012 at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

The game following a shutout can be a disaster. Add the fact that the game is played in the afternoon after three days of no hockey and it could really get ugly.

Not this game.

Evgeni Malkin took control of the day when the Pittsburgh Penguins faced the Tampa Bay Lightning and now sits alone at the top of the scoring race (playing seven less games than 2nd place Steven Stamkos). Scoring one of the best goals of the season on top of the stellar game he played, there are no words that can describe the show Malkin is putting on. As a person of many words, it takes a lot to be speechless and Malkin has had that affect on me for weeks now.

Game started a bit slow and then it was Penguins all day. Dwayne Roloson looked nothing like he did in last year's playoffs.

More thoughts:

Jordan Staal scored his team-leading third shorthanded goal of the season. That's good for second in the NHL.
You can give an assist to linesman Jay Sharrers on Staal's shorthanded goal. He "interfered" with Viktor Hedman which granted Staal the open ice to put the Pens up by three.
Dallas, Los Angeles and Tampa Bay were the scouts in the house. Take that as you will.
Evgeni Malkin. MVP leader by a mile.
Pens now have three players who have reached the 20-goal plateau: Neal (30), Malkin (36), and Staal (21).
Pascal Dupuis had a fantastic game, especially on the penalty kill. He was well-rewarded with a goal in the final minute.
Paul Martin was +3. Solid game from him.
Brooks Orpik had five blocked shots. Those probably all came from penalty kills.

Columbus Blue Jackets come to town in five minutes. Get ready for the "Sidney Crosby and Jack Johnson are best friends" talk.

Go Pens.

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Wow Laura. That was fast; especially since you were at the game. Well done

by SuMac on Feb 25, 2012 4:00 PM EST reply actions

Haha thanks. I was writing stuff out during the game and the rest of the bloggers were going to go out for a drink right after the game so I had to finish quickly so we could leave.

"The pen's in your hand." - Disco Dan
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by LauraZ on Feb 25, 2012 10:43 PM EST up reply actions

Yes good recap Laura

I went to Raw Charge to see the recation of the game from Bolts. WOW what a bitter fanbase. Going on about how we tanked all those years to get where we are today, Malkin is a awful player and the fanbase is the most unclassiest.

Hmmmm, aren’t you supposed to improving yourself by building through the draft? Moronic to criticize a team for something you fanbase would do if you were in the same position a few years ago. I mean there mains guys on that team are Stamkos, Vinny and Hedman and they were lottery picks.

Intrestring that were the ones who are not classy when according to Laura and other on here we barely say a peep.

I can’t believe how bitter these guys are. Just wanted to share that.

Ovechkin-Leich-Semin: The greatest line in hockey..............................Tee Hee

Proud supporter of the following clubs: Pittsburgh Penguins, Erie Otters, Columbus Crew, Boston Celtics and the best football clubs in the land: Manchester United F.C.

The Manchester United Football Club: Winning countless trophies and making City fans jealous and full of envy since 1902.

by Bradley James McEachern on Feb 25, 2012 4:06 PM EST reply actions

We tanked all those years because we had no money.

by SlayerGhaleon on Feb 25, 2012 4:09 PM EST up reply actions

Exactly...

Mario and co didn’t have the funds to spend like we do now because we had no new arena and there was no cap to limit the playing field like there is now.

But try telling them that.

Ovechkin-Leich-Semin: The greatest line in hockey..............................Tee Hee

Proud supporter of the following clubs: Pittsburgh Penguins, Erie Otters, Columbus Crew, Boston Celtics and the best football clubs in the land: Manchester United F.C.

The Manchester United Football Club: Winning countless trophies and making City fans jealous and full of envy since 1902.

by Bradley James McEachern on Feb 25, 2012 4:12 PM EST up reply actions

There are always ignorant fans for every team. They will always be bitter when their team doesn’t win or isn’t playing well.

by xaryss on Feb 25, 2012 4:34 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

They will always be bitter when their team doesn’t win or isn’t playing well.

That dosen’t mean they go out and talk about shit that isn’t true. Plus it’s not our fault that there team is in the doghouse, no need to be bitter towards us. I mean we got our asses handed by the Sabres and I didn’t curse there fans/team. I was bitter towards my team because we played like absolute crap.

Yes there are ignorant fans everywhere but there are some more than othere and you just say that with them because they were all pretty ignorant.

I don’t really care what they said but I wanted to share that with all you because of how rediclous they sounded.

Ovechkin-Leich-Semin: The greatest line in hockey..............................Tee Hee

Proud supporter of the following clubs: Pittsburgh Penguins, Erie Otters, Columbus Crew, Boston Celtics and the best football clubs in the land: Manchester United F.C.

The Manchester United Football Club: Winning countless trophies and making City fans jealous and full of envy since 1902.

by Bradley James McEachern on Feb 25, 2012 4:42 PM EST up reply actions

Understandable. That crap irritates me as well. I live in Tampa and have heard my fair share of stupid and ignorant statements. Just saying that I am sure they have seen Pens fans who have said dumb stuff as well.

by xaryss on Feb 25, 2012 7:28 PM EST up reply actions

True, all fanbases have idiots...

And i’m very glad that dosen’t apply to anyone here, but when it becomes more than a couple like you see in Tampa that it becomes a problem.

Hell i’m not even pissed that they said it, I actually laugh at it because of how moronic and ignorant there comments were, and believe me there comments were ignorant. They go on about how annoying Steigy and Bibs are when in fact they have a radio is just as annoying, maybe even more (See Mishkin, Dave to see what i’m talking about).

Ovechkin-Leich-Semin: The greatest line in hockey..............................Tee Hee

The Manchester United Football Club: Winning countless trophies and making City fans jealous and full of envy since 1902.

Bill Mazeroski hit a home run, Franco Harris caught a football but Mario Lemieux saved a franchise not once, but twice. Put it in perspective.

The names of Geoff Bent, Mark Jones, Duncan Edwards, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor, Roger Byrne, Liam Whelan, David Pegg, Eddie Colman and the others who perished at Munich on 2/6/58 will never be forgotten. United 'till I die!!

by Bradley James McEachern on Feb 26, 2012 11:04 AM EST up reply actions

Last I checked, the Bolts got Stamkos and Hedman with top 3 picks, not to mention Lecavalier a few years ago first overall… so who tanked exactly?? lol

Twitter @marcy8771

by GoPenguins on Feb 25, 2012 5:10 PM EST reply actions

Right. The amazing thing is how bad the Lightning looked tonight. They have too many stars to be that bad on the ice. Even when Crosby, Malkin & Staal were injured or struggling last year, we still managed to fight through it, and the Lightning just look awful.

grain of salt

by PaulMorel on Feb 25, 2012 5:13 PM EST up reply actions

Good point

Our top guys go out (Crosby, Malkin Staal) and the teams stays competitive because of awesome goaltending by MAF and key goals by people you would never count on to score like TK and Duper.

Ovechkin-Leich-Semin: The greatest line in hockey..............................Tee Hee

The Manchester United Football Club: Winning countless trophies and making City fans jealous and full of envy since 1902.

Bill Mazeroski hit a home run, Franco Harris caught a football but Mario Lemieux saved a franchise not once, but twice. Put it in perspective.

by Bradley James McEachern on Feb 26, 2012 10:44 AM EST up reply actions

Penguins Myths

The myth about the Penguins tanking for the high draft picks is definitely out there, I’ve seen it posted by numerous fans of other teams around the NHL. It’s moronic and wrong, but the internet does have it’s share of fans with low intelligence, so even the truth won’t set them free.

Another Penguins myth which irritates me is the about attendance, and claims about a large number of bandwagon fans. Obviously, like any NHL city, the Pens have enjoyed more support when they improved in the standings. And yes, attendance was lower in those four difficult seasons in the lower 2000s. But as the organization improved, both on and off the ice, we are seeing the dividends of those efforts, such as the long streak of sellouts. I don’t even live in Pittsburgh anymore, but noticed the improved marketing efforts from what happened in the 1990s. For example, the outreach designed at the college age fan.

by SteelStealth on Feb 25, 2012 6:02 PM EST up reply actions

oh and Mario also paid off Bettman to win the Crosby lottery….I hear that especially from Caps fans who claim that THEY should have had the top pick in that draft

by NoVAPensFan on Feb 25, 2012 10:14 PM EST up reply actions

And I thought Ovechkin was clearly better.

by SlayerGhaleon on Feb 25, 2012 11:09 PM EST up reply actions

oh he is, but they still think they shouldve gotten Crosby…even though he sucks

by NoVAPensFan on Feb 26, 2012 5:15 AM EST up reply actions

Right...

And even though guys like MAF, Crosby, Malkin and Staal got us to where we are, our guys are not just lottery picks. Plus with Malkin, Pens fans were pissed when they found out they lost the lottery because they thought it was Ovie that the higher ceiling. Remember that one.

-Brooks Orpik although a 1st rounder was not a lottery guy
-Kris Letang was a 3rd rounder for chipes sake
-James Neal was acquired and was a 2nd rounder
-Chris Kunitz was acquired and was undrafted
-Zbynek Michelek was a FA and was undrafted
-Matt Cooke was a FA and was a 6th rounder

I could go on but I think I made my case. You can’t persuade people on this because with alot people perseption is reality.

I agree with you about the attendance. Yes since the team has gotten good we have enjoyed a wide range of support but not all of us are bandwagoners, there have been (young people) that have become full blown Pens fans because of it, kind of like what happened in the 80’s with Mario.

I agree marketing has helped. The team has benefited on better marketing then what happened in the 90’s because in the 90’s the economy in this city still was reeling from the steel mills packing up and people were leaving left and right. Today the economy in this city has improved from the medical and tech jobs that are available and although people are still leaving, its not en mass like how it was in the 90’s. As a result from that and the good will by the organization, there able to reach out to more fans.

I also think student rush help with the youth crowd (which makes up a good bit of our base), being able to attend games for a cheap rate was able to reach our to fans as well, espically in the lean years. I mean there’s a reason why that despite the fact we don’t need that to bring in fans that they still keep it around.

But good points steel.

Ovechkin-Leich-Semin: The greatest line in hockey..............................Tee Hee

The Manchester United Football Club: Winning countless trophies and making City fans jealous and full of envy since 1902.

Bill Mazeroski hit a home run, Franco Harris caught a football but Mario Lemieux saved a franchise not once, but twice. Put it in perspective.

by Bradley James McEachern on Feb 26, 2012 11:00 AM EST up reply actions

They're just jealous

Most of the losers crying about all that, haven’t been to the Finals 4 times and hoisted 3 Cups in the last 2 decades… Not to mention regularly watching a couple of the best players in history!
Look at the Capitals, trying so hard to keep up with the Penguins that other teams are passing them by. Ovechkin seems more interested in his rap career than his hockey career and yeah it’s certainly looking like “Dropping down” to the #2 pick with Malkin is a huge blessing. Imagine the poor chemistry with Ovechkin? Yikes.

by Dutch71 on Feb 26, 2012 10:54 PM EST up reply actions

Exactly

There core guys are lottery guys. And you know what, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Last time I checked your supposed to build up your team from the draft, that’s what we have done and that’s what they have done. Why people want to bash us for it is beyond me.

Plus you can’t tanked in leagues that have a lottery system because it dosen’t guarentee that you will get the first pick. We never tanked, we couldn’t build a winning team in the early 2000’s because the team had no new arena to get additional revenue streams and no salary cap to even the field.

Ovechkin-Leich-Semin: The greatest line in hockey..............................Tee Hee

The Manchester United Football Club: Winning countless trophies and making City fans jealous and full of envy since 1902.

Bill Mazeroski hit a home run, Franco Harris caught a football but Mario Lemieux saved a franchise not once, but twice. Put it in perspective.

by Bradley James McEachern on Feb 26, 2012 10:42 AM EST up reply actions

Sullivan, Tangradi, Martin

Sullivan continues his inspired play. He has been on fire lately, and he looked great tonight.

Tangradi also showed up. He didn’t get a point, but really maintained momentum and zone-pressure very well.

And I have to say it, because I have been very critical of Paul Martin: he had a very good game today.

If Malkin doesn’t win MVP it will be a travesty.

grain of salt

by PaulMorel on Feb 25, 2012 5:11 PM EST reply actions

gonchar was right

i remember way back before preseason started, how gooch was asked about malkins recovery, rehab, and motivation. gooch said something to the effect that geno was as motivated and working out harder then he had ever seen him. It is so awesome to see geno doing the things he is doing.

" Lord Stanley, scratch their names on your fabled cup" Mike Lange june 12, 2009

by oldtimehockey09 on Feb 25, 2012 6:01 PM EST reply actions

Opposing Goalies: Please continue to irritate Malkin. Thanks, Pens Fans.

by Jay32600 on Feb 25, 2012 6:50 PM EST reply actions

In all fairness, Roloson was just plain awful today.

Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com

by GoPens! on Feb 25, 2012 7:04 PM EST up reply actions

“In all fairness, Roloson was just plain awful ~~today~~ all year”.

Fixt just for you

Ovechkin-Leich-Semin: The greatest line in hockey..............................Tee Hee

The Manchester United Football Club: Winning countless trophies and making City fans jealous and full of envy since 1902.

Bill Mazeroski hit a home run, Franco Harris caught a football but Mario Lemieux saved a franchise not once, but twice. Put it in perspective.

by Bradley James McEachern on Feb 25, 2012 7:11 PM EST up reply actions

lol…very appropriate

"He doesn’t know whether to cry or wind his watch."..... Mike Lange

by Randy F on Feb 25, 2012 7:22 PM EST up reply actions

Really? The first three goals were fluky. He was definitely off his angle on Malkin’s first goal … but it’s hard to blame the goalie when the defense is giving up all those great chances.

grain of salt

by PaulMorel on Feb 25, 2012 7:12 PM EST up reply actions

Absolutely, I just enjoyed the stare down by Malkin.

by Jay32600 on Feb 25, 2012 8:49 PM EST up reply actions

“Only Arron Asham and Eric Tangradi weren’t on the ice for at least a goal this game.”

Watching the replays, Tangradi was on the ice for Malkin’s third goal. Didn’t touch the puck, but was right behind him driving to the net.

by biedergb on Feb 25, 2012 8:19 PM EST reply actions

Staal has got, what, 15 career shorties or so? I think the record is 50?
I hope one day to be proud to say I was at his very first one…at MSG the night both he and Tanger scored their first NHL goals…Sid scored the game winner with 3.3 seconds left…remains the greatest individual hockey game I have ever seen.

by jedmiller71 on Feb 25, 2012 11:46 PM EST via mobile reply actions