Final: Blues 4 - Pens 1
The Penguins probably played their worst game of the season tonight. No offense to the St. Louis Blues, but coming off of 11 straight losses, this is a game that the Penguins should have won.
There did not seem to be a sense of urgency and the team looked very flat. Actually, I don't think that either team played particularly well, but the Blues were able to finish a handful of their chances.
The power play was a disgrace again, going 0-8 on the night. Special teams could have made a big difference, unfortunately they did, for the Blues.
St. Louis also scored a short-handed goal, something that is becoming common place for the Penguins. That is something that they need to get control of right away. I believe that they have allowed a shorty in their last 5 or 6 games.
Michel Therrien was not pleased with his team's performance and made it known. "Unacceptable, as far as I am concerned we have some loyal fans, building is full, our fans support the team," Therrien said. "To come and have a performance like this is unacceptable."
He referred to the squad as a "not mature team."
"We were behind the 8 ball right from the start," Therrien said. "They were not too quality scoring chances, but the puck is in the net."
Therrien also said that the play of Marc Andre Fleury "has got to be better."
The team has to be careful that they do not go into one of the tailspins that afflicted them earlier in the season. At one point they won 5 games in a row, only to go on and lose 5. They had a bit of a winning streak going over the last week and now have lost 2 in a row.
The schedule doesn't get any easier for them as they go on the road for two tough games against Atlanta and New Jersey. The Thrashers are no doubt going to be looking for revenge after losing to the Penguins in overtime in their last meeting and Marty and the Devils are never a walk in the park.
Michel Therrien will most likely work this team very hard in practice to get them ready for Thursday night. Hopefully it will snap them out of their current holiday funk.
****
I will be standing by to get you guys the Slots decision as soon as possible tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed for the Isle of Capri.
The Mellon Arena fans just started an Isle of Capri chant, making it known who they want to win the slots license.
******
Sidney Crosby just fed a seeing eye pass across to Evgeni Malkin, who made no mistake firing the puck into an empty net.
Unfortunately, there must have been a law passed making it illegal to hit Bill Guerin, as he was left alone in the face off dot to score the 4th St. Louis goal.
*****
Jocelyn Thibault is in the game after Marc Andre Fleury surrendered a short handed goal to make it 3-0. Unfortunately, the comes after Evgeni Malkin missed on a mini break away the other way.
****
When the Blues scored at the :44 second mark to open the scoring, it marked the 5th occasion this season that they had cashed in during the opening minute of play.
*****
The Penguins have now taken the lead in shots, but were not able to cash in on a 4:00 minute power play opportunity. Alain Nasreddine took a high stick to draw the penalty. He had to head into the locker room for some stitch work.
Period 1 in the books...
*****
The Penguins received the ever popular mock cheer when they notched their first shot at the at the 9:41 mark.
*****
At the 6:35 mark of the first period, the Penguins do not have a shot and are down 2-0.
They are having trouble getting anything going offensively and are making the Blues look great.
Let the line shuffling begin??
****
Reporting live from Mellon Arena as the teams get ready to take ice for warm up.
The Penguins have made a minor trade with the Boston Bruins, acquiring defenseman Wade Brookbank for future considerations. The 6-4, 225 pound Brookbank was assigned to Wilkes Barre-Scranton.
Brookbank has played 68 NHL games with the Bruins, Canucks, and Nashville Predators.
*****
Marc Andre Fleury will start in net.
There did not seem to be a sense of urgency and the team looked very flat. Actually, I don't think that either team played particularly well, but the Blues were able to finish a handful of their chances.
The power play was a disgrace again, going 0-8 on the night. Special teams could have made a big difference, unfortunately they did, for the Blues.
St. Louis also scored a short-handed goal, something that is becoming common place for the Penguins. That is something that they need to get control of right away. I believe that they have allowed a shorty in their last 5 or 6 games.
Michel Therrien was not pleased with his team's performance and made it known. "Unacceptable, as far as I am concerned we have some loyal fans, building is full, our fans support the team," Therrien said. "To come and have a performance like this is unacceptable."
He referred to the squad as a "not mature team."
"We were behind the 8 ball right from the start," Therrien said. "They were not too quality scoring chances, but the puck is in the net."
Therrien also said that the play of Marc Andre Fleury "has got to be better."
The team has to be careful that they do not go into one of the tailspins that afflicted them earlier in the season. At one point they won 5 games in a row, only to go on and lose 5. They had a bit of a winning streak going over the last week and now have lost 2 in a row.
The schedule doesn't get any easier for them as they go on the road for two tough games against Atlanta and New Jersey. The Thrashers are no doubt going to be looking for revenge after losing to the Penguins in overtime in their last meeting and Marty and the Devils are never a walk in the park.
Michel Therrien will most likely work this team very hard in practice to get them ready for Thursday night. Hopefully it will snap them out of their current holiday funk.
****
I will be standing by to get you guys the Slots decision as soon as possible tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed for the Isle of Capri.
The Mellon Arena fans just started an Isle of Capri chant, making it known who they want to win the slots license.
******
Sidney Crosby just fed a seeing eye pass across to Evgeni Malkin, who made no mistake firing the puck into an empty net.
Unfortunately, there must have been a law passed making it illegal to hit Bill Guerin, as he was left alone in the face off dot to score the 4th St. Louis goal.
*****
Jocelyn Thibault is in the game after Marc Andre Fleury surrendered a short handed goal to make it 3-0. Unfortunately, the comes after Evgeni Malkin missed on a mini break away the other way.
****
When the Blues scored at the :44 second mark to open the scoring, it marked the 5th occasion this season that they had cashed in during the opening minute of play.
*****
The Penguins have now taken the lead in shots, but were not able to cash in on a 4:00 minute power play opportunity. Alain Nasreddine took a high stick to draw the penalty. He had to head into the locker room for some stitch work.
Period 1 in the books...
*****
The Penguins received the ever popular mock cheer when they notched their first shot at the at the 9:41 mark.
*****
At the 6:35 mark of the first period, the Penguins do not have a shot and are down 2-0.
They are having trouble getting anything going offensively and are making the Blues look great.
Let the line shuffling begin??
****
Reporting live from Mellon Arena as the teams get ready to take ice for warm up.
The Penguins have made a minor trade with the Boston Bruins, acquiring defenseman Wade Brookbank for future considerations. The 6-4, 225 pound Brookbank was assigned to Wilkes Barre-Scranton.
Brookbank has played 68 NHL games with the Bruins, Canucks, and Nashville Predators.
*****
Marc Andre Fleury will start in net.
posted by Bmetzer66 at 10:55 PM
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