Pens Come Up Short Again

The Penguins have made quite a habit of falling behind early and making a game of it late. Hmmm, sounds an awful lot like the team that they were putting on the ice in October and November. What would this season have been had they played with their 3rd period energy throughout the entire game. We will never know the answer to that, but I have to admit the games have been entertaining! Last night was no different. The Penguins found themselves down 4-1 going into the 3rd period against the defending champs. Tampa Bay had taken control and were looking to finish off another win. Well, that didn't come easily! The Penguins fought back with 3 goals, 2 from Defensemen! Josef Melichar and Ryan Whitney each picked up their 2nd of the season and Sidney Crosby tried to get his post Olympic monkey of the back by posting a 1 g and 1 a. The Flightless Bird had gotten themselves to overtime and looked to take control of the game. They probably could have won too, if anyone on the team could get a shot on net. They had numerous chances to end the game, but several broken sticks and a couple of fanned shots ended all that, and it was off to the shoot out. The Penguins have not fared so well in that regard this season, and were beaten 2-0 for a 5-4 loss.

This has been the formula in their past 3 games, all against very good opponents. They were down against the Ottawa Sens to restart the season, fought back to lose 4-3. Were getting blown out by the Carolina Hurricanes and wouldn't go away, losing 7-5, and finally the events of last night. They really didn't look out of place in any of these games, just were not getting the goaltending needed to win, but their offense has definitely come on. They are getting burned with some defensive breakdowns. I do not think conditioning is the problem that it was early in the season. Even Johnny LeClair has been flying around out there. They just need to refocus, and to occasionally get the big save.

Marc Andre Fleury has all the tools and there is no doubt that he will be one of the best, some day! The kid makes unbelievable saves on a nightly basis, but it seems that he lets in one of those "Mr smoothy soft serve" goals each game. That is something that he will need to take control of. Sebastian Caron has not been any better, it is looking more and more like his play will take him out of the organization or back to the AHL. The goaltending has got to be better. Now that the team is scoring some goals, the defense has got to limit the scoring chances. There are not many times that you are going to score 4 to 5 goals a game and lose, and that is precisely what the Pens have made a habit of doing.


The Flames have apparently denied that they are or were shopping Jordan Leopold. I guess we will see what pans out! Pittsburgh's Mark Madden is still hyping Recchi and Malone to either the Flyers or the Flames. I am very anxious for Thursday. I always get so excited for the trade deadline, even the years that we get nothing aside from Sean Pronger....It is always exciting!


The Penguins have recently changed their opening montage, the jumbotron piece that plays as they hit the ice. It previously was a "super hero in Gotham" video set to Vertigo from U2 along with game highlights. The new is very entertaining. It shows highlights of each player with a James Bond theme and music, ie. Agent 043 for Surovy, 087 for Sid etc. One of the best is Marc Andre Fleury, "the man with the golden pads." It isn't available on www.pittsburghpenguins.com yet, but if they put it up, I suggest you watch it. It is very entertaining.....


Well, by this time tomorrow we will know who is ending up where. If anything happens this evening I will post it for you!