Pens Beat Flyers, Sid Tweaks Groin and Notes....
The Pittsburgh Penguins are used to going several seasons without beating the Philadelphia Flyers 4 times, let alone knocking them off for a 4th consecutive time in one season! Hard to believe that the Penguins once went 15 years and 43 games without a win in Philadelphia and have won only one season series against them in the last 12 years.
The Penguins, who are dominating their divisional schedule, made it look pretty easy last night as they jumped out to a quick lead. The Flyers just couldn't get their stars aligned and ended up falling 5-3. The score is not an accurate telling of how this game actually played out. The Penguins were in control throughout.The Penguins dominated play from the earliest parts of the game and when the first period came to an end, they found themselves with a comfortable 3-0 lead.
Simon Gagne scored early in the 2nd period and it looked like the Flyers might make it a game. Sidney Crosby thought differently and worked a give and go with Ryan Whitney to make the score 4-1 less than a minute later. Sid, who finished with 2 points, would soon leave with a sore groin muscle. He will be evaluated today. Sid's comments about the injury: "It's a muscle you use a lot in hockey, so it's not the best one to be sore. If it's a groin, you don't want to keep pushing it and make it worse."
The Penguin power play served them well, though it only went 2-8. The Penguins generated many scoring chances throughout the evening on both special teams.
The team got two goals from their blue line, which had been struggling to score of late.
The most telling stat for the Penguins: Face Off %. The team won 62 % of its draws, 82 % in the third period. That is a huge step forward for these young Penguins. They have struggled mightily at times this season in the circle. Here are the Penguins face off leaders from last night:
Dominic Moore - 80% 12-15
Evgeni Malkin - 70% 7-10
Sidney Crosby - 64% 9-14
A high winning percentage in the circle usually translates to a high winning percentage in the standings. The Penguins have worked on getting better and their young centers are doing just that.
The Penguins will continue their stretch of division games, as 6 of their next 8 come against Atlantic division opponents. Though the date is just under a month off, I am sure the team has December 13th circled on their calendar. That happens to be the night they can make it 5 in a row against the Flyers at Mellon Arena.
*****
Sidney Crosby now has 23 points (13G 10A) in 12 career games against Philadelphia, including 9 (6G 3A) pts this season in the 4 games.
Crosby (30 pts) is now 2 points behind NHL leading scorer Jaromir Jagr (32 pts) and has played 2 less games. He also leads the league in points per game with a 1.58 average.
*****
Ronald Petrovicky made his Penguins debut against the New York Rangers Saturday night and has fit in very well with linemates Jarkko Ruutu and Jordan Staal. He has been exactly what Ray Shero was hoping for when he signed him. He has played a great two way game and is willing to mix it up with anyone to support and protect his teammates.
*****
The Penguins are playing to 91% of capacity through 10 home dates this season. The support is there; will a new Multi-Purpose arena be as well? The gaming license is due to be awarded in about a month and perspective new Penguins owner, Jim Balsillie, was at the latest round of hearings talking up the IOC plan to the Pennsylvania Gaming Board. Balsillie has done all the right things since signing his letter of intent to purchase the team and seems to want this team to stay and thrive in Pittsburgh. More on the gaming license as I get it....
The Penguins, who are dominating their divisional schedule, made it look pretty easy last night as they jumped out to a quick lead. The Flyers just couldn't get their stars aligned and ended up falling 5-3. The score is not an accurate telling of how this game actually played out. The Penguins were in control throughout.The Penguins dominated play from the earliest parts of the game and when the first period came to an end, they found themselves with a comfortable 3-0 lead.
Simon Gagne scored early in the 2nd period and it looked like the Flyers might make it a game. Sidney Crosby thought differently and worked a give and go with Ryan Whitney to make the score 4-1 less than a minute later. Sid, who finished with 2 points, would soon leave with a sore groin muscle. He will be evaluated today. Sid's comments about the injury: "It's a muscle you use a lot in hockey, so it's not the best one to be sore. If it's a groin, you don't want to keep pushing it and make it worse."
The Penguin power play served them well, though it only went 2-8. The Penguins generated many scoring chances throughout the evening on both special teams.
The team got two goals from their blue line, which had been struggling to score of late.
The most telling stat for the Penguins: Face Off %. The team won 62 % of its draws, 82 % in the third period. That is a huge step forward for these young Penguins. They have struggled mightily at times this season in the circle. Here are the Penguins face off leaders from last night:
Dominic Moore - 80% 12-15
Evgeni Malkin - 70% 7-10
Sidney Crosby - 64% 9-14
A high winning percentage in the circle usually translates to a high winning percentage in the standings. The Penguins have worked on getting better and their young centers are doing just that.
The Penguins will continue their stretch of division games, as 6 of their next 8 come against Atlantic division opponents. Though the date is just under a month off, I am sure the team has December 13th circled on their calendar. That happens to be the night they can make it 5 in a row against the Flyers at Mellon Arena.
*****
Sidney Crosby now has 23 points (13G 10A) in 12 career games against Philadelphia, including 9 (6G 3A) pts this season in the 4 games.
Crosby (30 pts) is now 2 points behind NHL leading scorer Jaromir Jagr (32 pts) and has played 2 less games. He also leads the league in points per game with a 1.58 average.
*****
Ronald Petrovicky made his Penguins debut against the New York Rangers Saturday night and has fit in very well with linemates Jarkko Ruutu and Jordan Staal. He has been exactly what Ray Shero was hoping for when he signed him. He has played a great two way game and is willing to mix it up with anyone to support and protect his teammates.
*****
The Penguins are playing to 91% of capacity through 10 home dates this season. The support is there; will a new Multi-Purpose arena be as well? The gaming license is due to be awarded in about a month and perspective new Penguins owner, Jim Balsillie, was at the latest round of hearings talking up the IOC plan to the Pennsylvania Gaming Board. Balsillie has done all the right things since signing his letter of intent to purchase the team and seems to want this team to stay and thrive in Pittsburgh. More on the gaming license as I get it....
posted by Bmetzer66 at 10:51 AM
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