Thursday, January 31, 2013

Game 7 - Pens at Rangers

The Pens return to Madison Square Garden to face the Rangers for the second time this year.  Last time, they won 6-3, back when they had a functioning powerplay.  This is the first repeat opponent for the Penguins this year.

The Pens claimed Zach Boychuk off waivers from Carolina today.  He will not play tonight.

Matt Niskanen was moved to IR today to make room for Boychuk.

Robert Bortuzzo will play tonight over Ben Lovejoy.  Thank God.

In other news, Brian Strait signed a 3 year extension with the Islanders today.  Cool asset management, bro.

Lines from Empty Netters
Pens
14 Chris Kunitz - 87 Sidney Crosby - 9 Pascal Dupuis
15 Dustin Jeffrey - 71 Evgeni Malkin - 18 James Neal
24 Matt Cooke - 16 Brandon Sutter - 48 Tyler Kennedy
10 Tanner Glass - 46 Joe Vitale - 27 Craig Adams

47 Simon Despres - 58 Kris Letang
44 Brooks Orpik - 7 Paul Martin
41 Robert Bortuzzo - 5 Deryk Engelland

92 Vokoun


Rangers

61 Rick Nash - 19 Brad Richards - 10 Marian Gaborik
62 Carl Hagelin - 21 Derek Stepan - 14 Taylor Pyatt
17 Mike Rupp - 22 Brian Boyle - 36 Benn Ferriero
41 Stu Bickel - 15 Jeff Halpern - 45 Arron Asham

27 Ryan McDonagh - 5 Dan Girardi
18 Marc Staal - 4 Michael Del Zotto
97 Matt Gilroy - 6 Anton Stralman

30 Stunnedqvist

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

What a Giant Let Down. Pens LOSE

 4
1

This game can easily be described in 2 simple GIFs.



Just a terrible overall performance last night by the Pens.  Dustin Jeffrey and Simon Despres were the best Penguins on the ice last night.  So you can bet your ass OCDB will have them in the press box on Thursday because he doen't reward good play. Malkin looks absolutely horrible right now.  Brooks Orpik probably had his worst game ever last night.  Didn't clear anyone out from in front of the net on 2 power plays the Isles scored on.  Pens would have and probably should have gotten shut out if not for a Pascal Dupuis goal during Rick Nask time...aka garbage time.

Rangers will probably score 7 tomorrow

Go Pens

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Game 6 - Islanders at Hockey Mecca

We aren't letting this Hockey Mecca thing die.

The Pens return home to the Corporate Entitlement Center to face the Islanders.  For some reason this game starts at 7:30 instead of the usual 7.  We're guessing it's because the game is on TSN.

Tough news for the Pens today as Matt Niskanen will be out 2-4 weeks with an ankle injury.  Simon Despres will play tonight, although we suspect that Robert Bortuzzo will get a chance to play at some point during this upcoming stretch of games.

Brain Strait, who was recently lost to waivers, will return to Pittsburgh tonight.  He has averaged about 17 minutes a game for the Islanders.  Fire Ray Shero.

Too lazy to do lines.  Go get them from Empty Netters

Monday, January 28, 2013

Turning Things Around. Pens WIN

 2
1

Defense and Goaltending.  That was the only reason this game went to a shootout.  That and the fact that each team had 205982 turnovers.  Both team's defense play like their balls were on the line and both goalies were standing on their heads.  This game could have been like 7-6 or some crazy score like that.  The Pens scored first on a nasty James Neal one timer in the first period.  The Sens tied it in the second.  The game would eventually go to a shootout.  All 3 Pens scored (Neal, Crosby, Malkin,) and 2 out of the 3 Sens scored to give the Pens the win.

Pens defense was outstanding.  

Matt Niskanen left the game with a lower body injury.

Eric Tangradi wasn't awful.  He drove to the net to give Malkin room to set up the James Neal goal.

Fleury was lights out.

Islolanders on Tuesday.

Go Pens

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Game 5 - Hockey Mecca on Wheels at Ottawa

Last time the Pens played in Ottawa this happened.

Let's hope for a normal anthem singer, like this guy

Either way, the Pens are looking to rebound after losing two straight games against Canadian teams.  Pens haven't won since a local columnist coined Pittsburgh as the "Hockey Mecca."  You're a fool if you don't think that is being used as bulletin board material.

Tanner Glass is a game time decision.  Dustin Jeffrey will play if he can't go.  Somehow Eric Tangradi keeps getting ice time.

Go Pens.

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Atmosphere at Pens games

Last night the Pens were in Winnipeg which is arguably the loudest arena in the NHL.  Jets fans are always into the game whether it be taunting the opposing star play or goalie, or reacting to close shots they are always making noise and being loud.  


Now lets compare that to the atmosphere to Corporate Entitlement Center....I mean Consol Energy Center. When was the last time a Pens game was this loud?  Maybe for a few minutes in the playoffs.  Its actually pretty bad when people tell you that the Black and White scrimmage was the loudest they've ever heard Consol Energy Center.  Since the Pens move to Consol Energy Center from the Civic Arena the atmosphere at Pens games has been completely different.  Remember this?
This will never happen at CEC.  Why?  Because at least 75% of the fans that go to CEC every night are rich corporate tool bags that look at the game as a social gathering rather than a sporting event.  It's no longer "Oh man I can't wait to go to the Pens game tonight" its now "Haha I have Pens tickets and you don't."  If you look at the crowd in Winnipeg last night, at least 95% of the fans there were wear a jersey or some kind of Jets apparel.  At Consol on any given night it 80% shirt and tie or business attire with spots of people wearing a jersey or other Penguins attire.  Consol will never be like a Winnipeg or a Montreal or even Philadelphia for that matter.  Yes.  We just said that the atmosphere at Flyers games is better than at Consol.  If you don't like it stop reading.  Truth hurts.  Consol will never be like any of those arenas because the rich corporate cock hats won't let it.  Just read some of these tweets I got last night about Pens games.  (There are even a couple Baby Pens tweets thrown in there)

 swear to God I'm not making this up. I went to the Outdoor Classic last weekend & some Pens fan asked me to lower my voice.

Giving it Away. Pens LOSE

 4

2

Pens got out to an early 2-0 lead thanks to Sidney Crosby's 2 goal.  But the Pens had about 457 turnovers last night and ended up losing 4-2.  

Ottawa at 5 on Sunday.

Go Pens

Friday, January 25, 2013

Nail Yakupov's Celebration

Last night Nail Yakupov had this unreal celebration after tying the game with 4.7 seconds left against the Kings.



Can't wait for some tool to complain about this celebration.  People that complain about this celebration probably thinks Crocs are cool.  Yakupov went so crazy because moments before, the Oilers had a goal disallowed.  Here's video of that if you care.



A few things about this play.
1.  If you are gonna call no goal call it no goal when the play happens not after Qucik complains and you have a discussion.
2.  If Quick doesn't complain the refs don't disallow that.
3.  Scuderi caused Gagner to be on top of Quick.  
4.  As Gagner is trying to move away Quick tries turning and gets stuck on Gagner's skates.

Scuderi and Quick caused contact with Gagner both times.  Horrible call to disallow that goal.

Gagner would have the last laugh though when he won it in OT.


Unreal pass by Ryan Nugent Hopkins

The Kings are 0-3.  LOL

Pens are in Winnipeg tonight at 8.  Its kind of cold there from what we hear.

Go Pens

Thursday, January 24, 2013

RECAP: Yikes. Pens LOSE

 
5
2

As good as the 2 wins over the weekend felt it was time to come back to Earth.  Last night was the first vomit enducing game of the season.  For some reason the Pens always have trouble against the Leafs.  Last night was no different.  Everyone sucked that wore the Black and Gold sweater last night.  Whatever.

Pens next game is Friday at 8 in Winnipeg.

Go Pens

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Game 3 - Maple LOLeafs at Pens

CEC - 7:00 PM
ROOT Sports

It's good to be home.

First game in the CEC since April.

We're betting on Sid getting his first goal of the year tonight.

Phil Kessel sucks.

Brian Burke sucks.

Lines from The Pensblog

PENS

Kunitz - Crosby - Dupuis
Tangradi - Malkin - Neal
Cooke - Sutter - Kennedy
Glass - Vitale - Adams

Niskanen - Letang
Orpik - Martin
Despres - Engelland

Fleury


LOLEAFS

MacArthur - Bozak - Kessel
van Reimsdyk - Grabovski - Kulemin
Lupul - Kadri - Komarov
Brown - McClement - Orr

Phaneuf - Kostka
Liles - Franson
Fraser - Gunnarsson

Reimer

Monday, January 21, 2013

RECAP. Rick Nash Still Sucks. Pens WIN

6
3

There are some games during an NHL season that you just look forward to.  They get your blood going before the game even starts and all you hope is that the Pens take a hot, steamy shit all over the ice and come out with a big win.  Philadelphia.  Detroit.  Washington.  At Montreal.  Last night was also one of those nights as the Pens went to MSG to play the Rangers.  MSG actually isn't lit like a bingo hall any more. That was more noticeable than anything the Rangers did last night.  

1st Period

The Pens got off to a great start when James Neal scored on the power play.  The Rangers answered shortly after on a 5 on 3.  Sutter when to the box right after Simon Despres did.  Sutter got called for some new face off infraction that was just implemented on Friday apparently.  Whatev.  The Pens killed the rest of the power play.  The game settled down and it look like it was gonna be one of those 3-1 or 2-1 snoozers.  Wrong.  The Pens got 2 quick goals to spread the lead to 3-1.  TK put in a rebound after Joe Vitale drove to the net and got a shot off.  And Matt Niskanen scored off a faceoff win by Sid.  Cooke to a dumb penalty late in the 1st.

2nd Period

Pens killed off Cooke's penalty.  The Rangers weren't even trying.  The Pens had 2 or 3 long 5 on 5 possessions in the Rangers zone during the 2nd period.  The Pens got a power play and were able to cash in.  Kunitz, Malkin, and Dupuis hooked up for a tic tac toe goal to make it 4-1 Pens.  That goal chased Lundqvist from the game.  It was all Pens all the time in the 2nd period.  Only sign of life for the Rangers in the 2nd was a shot in close by fat Rick Nash.  Vokoun was in his mouth.  Brad Richards closed his hand on the puck and some idiot shot the puck into the stands.  5 on 3 for the Pens to start the 3rd.  MSG was on Code Orange suicide watch

3rd Period

Rangers killed the 5 on 3.  Cool.  The Pens would make it 5-1 later when Manti Teo's girlfriend was playing defense on James Neal 10 feet from the goal.  Snipe cittttttyyy.  The Rangers scored to make it 5-2.  MSG acted like it was a big deal.  Surprisingly no fireworks or streamers after the Rangers scored.  The Pens got a power play but played with themselves to much.  Malkin with a turnover led to a fat Rick Nash shorty.  5-3. Yawn.  The Pens would bury the Rangers when Kris Letang scored an empty netter to make it 6-3.  Even after that Chris Kreider thought he was gonna score a natural hat trick or something until Orpik killed him.  Blue print on how to throw a clean body check.  GAAAAAAAAAAAAMEEE.

3 STARS
1. James Neal
2. Evgeni Malkin
3. Kris Letang

Pens next game is Wednesday.  Home Opener against Toronto.

Eric Tangradi is awful.  Missed the net completely on a shot from about 5-10 feet out.  

Paul Martin is playing well.

Remember when we were worried about the defense?

Go Pens
  

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Game 2 - One of the Most Arrogant Organizations in the League at Rangers

MSG
7:00 
ROOT Sports

Big win yesterday for the Pens in Philly.  The defense showed up and Paul Martin and Tyler Kennedy got points on the same play.  No rest for the Pens though, as they head into MSG tonight to face the reloaded Rangers.  Torts was a bit mad last time....

Lines via The Pensblog:
Pens:
Kunitz - Crosby - Dupuis
Tangradi - Malkin - Neal
Cooke - Sutter - Kennedy
Glass - Vitale - Adams

Niskanen - Letang
Orpik - Martin
Despres - Engelland

Vokoun

Rangers:
Hagelin - Richards - Nash
Gaborik - Stepan - Callahan
Pyatt - Boyle - Kreider
Halpern - Rupp - Segal

McDonagh - Girardi
Staal - Stralman
Del Zotto - Bickel

Lundqvist


For the Pens, Vitale is in for Jeffrey.  Tomas Vokoun makes his Pittsburgh debut.  

Let's go.

Starting Off on the Right Foot. Pens WIN.

3
1

One of the questions leading in to the Pens season opener was "how is the defense going to play?"  Well at least for yesterday the defense was as good as you can get.  After being score on 230596 times in 6 games in the playoff against the Flyers the Pens shut them down yesterday after noon.  For God's sake even Paul Martin played a great game.  He even chipped in 2 assists.  (I think).  The Pens got 2 goals in the first period from Tyler Kennedy and James Neal and Chris Kunitz added and empty netter at in the 3rd.  The Flyers only goal came from Chode Giroux.  

Pens head to MSG to play the Rangers in like 6 minutes.  That is unless fat Rick Nash ate MSG.

Go Pens

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Game 1 - Pens at Flyers

Wells Fargo Center - 3:00 p.m. on NBC


It's been too long.

Way too long.

The last game played haunts all of our memories.

But none of that matters anymore.  What happened last season happened last season.

There were a lot of highs....



...and a lot of lows.

But alas it is a new season.  The lockout took almost half of it from us. 

The Pens have a new look this year, having traded Staal and Michalek, bringing in Tanner Glass and Brandon Sutter, and bringing some of the younger guys up from WBS.  The shortened schedule renders dead the old addage "It's a marathon, not a sprint."

It's a sprint to the playoffs, and it starts today.

Lineups for today:

PENS
Chris Kunitz - Sidney Crosby - Pascal Dupuis
Eric Tangradi - Evgeni Malkin - James Neal
Matt Cooke - Brandon Sutter - Tyler Kennedy
Tanner Glass - Joe Vitale - Craig Adams

Matt Niskanen - Kris Letang
Brooks Orpik - Paul Martin
Simon Despres - Deryk Engelland

Marc Andre Fleury


FLYERS

Scott Hartnell - Claude Giroux - Brayden Schenn
Maxime Talbot - Sean Couturier - Jakub Voracek
Wayne Simmonds - Scott Laughton - Matt Read
Ruslan Fedoteno - Eric Wellwood - Zac Rinaldo

Braydon Coburn - Nicklas Grossman
Kimmo Timonen - Luke Schenn
Andrej Meszaros - Kurtis Foster

Ilya Bryzgalov

It's a great day for hockey