Penguins Impressive in Weekend Sweep
The Penguins played what could arguably be their two best games of the season over the weekend. They won consecutive games for only the 4th time this season, but did so in very convincing fashion, against two very tough opponents.
The Flightless Bird came out flying on Saturday night against the New Jersey Devils and jumped to a quick 1-0 lead 42 seconds into the game on a goal by Sidney Crosby. Sidney was flying and his line controlled the play all night. Sid the Kid seems to be much more relaxed on the ice since the trade deadline. I am not going to speculate about the collective relief that seems to be felt around Mellon Arena these days, but everyone seems a little more at ease since number 8 made an exit. I will leave it at that, but local media seems to have noticed the same thing. Sid had taken a leadership role early in the season, but he now seems to have claimed the Penguins as his own. It was obvious as he directed traffic on the power play, and lead by example by busting his tail throughout both weekend games. The Pens continued to pressure the Devils and went on to win the game 6-3, chasing Marty Brodeur in the process. That in itself is a success.
Sidney finished the night with 2G and 1A. The Penguins also got immediate results out of Andy Hilbert, claimed on waivers from the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday, who cashed in with 1G and 1A. Marc Andre Fleury shined in stopping 38 shots!
Sunday the boys took the ice against the hated Philly Flyers. The game was tightly contested, but the Penguins got a goal from Colby Armstrong, who has been on fire, to make it 1-0. Marc Andre Fleury finally got a couple breaks as the goal posts help him out on 4 different occasions. Colby went on to score another goal and the Pens had a late 2-0 lead. That is when Andre Roy (understatement alert) lost his cool and pummeled Denis Gauthier, who he felt had elbowed him. Gauthier turtled and the Pens found themselves short handed for 7 minutes! This could have been the turning point in the game. Well, it was......for the Penguins that is. They held Philly to 1 shot during the entire power play! This was one of the most unbelievable things I have ever been a witness too! MA Fleury went on to post his first shut out of the season and Sidney Crosby picked up assists on both Armstrong goals.
Hopefully this past weekend is a sign of things to come. The team played great hockey. Their team defense was solid, they got great goaltending, and everyone contributed to the cause. They will face a New Jersey team Thursday night who is looking for revenge.
Rookie Watch
Sidney Crosby, who has 13 pts (5G 8A) in his last 10 games, trails league leader Alexander Ovechkin by 8 pts. Sidney has been picking up points at a torrid pace lately and is in striking distance of AO. Ovechkin is approaching a tough point in the Washington schedule which could help Sidney catch him. Time will tell, but I am not counting #87 out of this race just yet. Let the experts award the Calder right now, there are still 19 games. May the best man win!
Will Patrick be GM Next Season??
No one knows if General Manager Craig Patrick will be back next season, and no is talking about it either. CEO Ken Sawyer had no comment this week when asked about the status of Craig Patrick. He stated that it was a private matter and it would not be handled in the media. I have the sneaking feeling that this is Patrick's last go round. He seems to have grown stale in Pittsburgh and both he and the organization could use a change.
The Flightless Bird came out flying on Saturday night against the New Jersey Devils and jumped to a quick 1-0 lead 42 seconds into the game on a goal by Sidney Crosby. Sidney was flying and his line controlled the play all night. Sid the Kid seems to be much more relaxed on the ice since the trade deadline. I am not going to speculate about the collective relief that seems to be felt around Mellon Arena these days, but everyone seems a little more at ease since number 8 made an exit. I will leave it at that, but local media seems to have noticed the same thing. Sid had taken a leadership role early in the season, but he now seems to have claimed the Penguins as his own. It was obvious as he directed traffic on the power play, and lead by example by busting his tail throughout both weekend games. The Pens continued to pressure the Devils and went on to win the game 6-3, chasing Marty Brodeur in the process. That in itself is a success.
Sidney finished the night with 2G and 1A. The Penguins also got immediate results out of Andy Hilbert, claimed on waivers from the Chicago Blackhawks Thursday, who cashed in with 1G and 1A. Marc Andre Fleury shined in stopping 38 shots!
Sunday the boys took the ice against the hated Philly Flyers. The game was tightly contested, but the Penguins got a goal from Colby Armstrong, who has been on fire, to make it 1-0. Marc Andre Fleury finally got a couple breaks as the goal posts help him out on 4 different occasions. Colby went on to score another goal and the Pens had a late 2-0 lead. That is when Andre Roy (understatement alert) lost his cool and pummeled Denis Gauthier, who he felt had elbowed him. Gauthier turtled and the Pens found themselves short handed for 7 minutes! This could have been the turning point in the game. Well, it was......for the Penguins that is. They held Philly to 1 shot during the entire power play! This was one of the most unbelievable things I have ever been a witness too! MA Fleury went on to post his first shut out of the season and Sidney Crosby picked up assists on both Armstrong goals.
Hopefully this past weekend is a sign of things to come. The team played great hockey. Their team defense was solid, they got great goaltending, and everyone contributed to the cause. They will face a New Jersey team Thursday night who is looking for revenge.
Rookie Watch
Sidney Crosby, who has 13 pts (5G 8A) in his last 10 games, trails league leader Alexander Ovechkin by 8 pts. Sidney has been picking up points at a torrid pace lately and is in striking distance of AO. Ovechkin is approaching a tough point in the Washington schedule which could help Sidney catch him. Time will tell, but I am not counting #87 out of this race just yet. Let the experts award the Calder right now, there are still 19 games. May the best man win!
Will Patrick be GM Next Season??
No one knows if General Manager Craig Patrick will be back next season, and no is talking about it either. CEO Ken Sawyer had no comment this week when asked about the status of Craig Patrick. He stated that it was a private matter and it would not be handled in the media. I have the sneaking feeling that this is Patrick's last go round. He seems to have grown stale in Pittsburgh and both he and the organization could use a change.
posted by Bmetzer66 at 11:45 PM
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