The Penguins fell behind early 2-0, but stormed back to tie it twice. Gary Roberts, Michel Ouellet and Erik Christensen sparked the comeback. Roberts had a goal and an assist, while Christensen had two goals in regulation and added a third in the shootout. Fleury stopped the first two Philly shooters, and Sidney Crosby scored on his attempt to end it. The 2 points lowered the Pens magic number to 25 points with 34 possible points left for the Pens to gain on their own.
In other scores, Boston won at New Jersey, 4-1, keeping New Jersey only 8 points ahead of the Pens in the Atlantic Division race. 8th place Carolina also lost, improving the Pens lead on the 8th spot to 6 points, and to 7 points on Montreal.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Magic number remains 27
The results of Saturday show the magic number still 27 for the Pens. Toronto, Tampa and Montreal all lost in regulation, meaning the magic number for the 7th seed is also 27.
Max Points
Sunday's eastern conference games are:
Max Points
- Buffalo 127
- New Jersey 121
- Ottawa 114
- Pittsburgh 113
- New York Islanders 109
- Tampa Bay 108
- Atlanta 108
- Carolina 103
- Toronto 103
- New York Rangers 103
- Boston 103
- Montreal 100
- Florida 99
- Washington 92
- Philadelphia 80
Sunday's eastern conference games are:
- Carolina @ Atlanta
- Ottawa @ Chicago
- Boston @ New Jersey
- Philadelphia @ Pittsburgh
Friday, March 02, 2007
Pens blow chance to gain ground on 9th
The Pens had a chance to put 8 points between themselves and 9th place Carolina tonight, but blew an early 1-0 lead, fell behind, tied it at 2-2, and allowed a goal midway through the third after several failed clearing attempts.
Sidney Crosby broke his goal drought with his 27th of the season, and his 200th point of his career, becoming the youngest player to that mark, besting Wayne Gretzky by near 5 months (140 days - 19 207 vs 19 347) with his 1st period goal, the assists coming from Jordan Staal and Robert Scuderi. The goal also broke the Pens 5-on-5 drought of 260+ minutes.
The Magic number remained at 28 with the loss, but a later result of Montreal losing pushed the Magic number down to 27, with the 9th most max points now being NYR, BOS & CAR at 103.
Next up: The Flyers visit Mellon Arena on Sunday for their 8th and final matchup with the Pens this year. The Pens are 7-0-0 this season, and have a chance to sweep the season series for the first time.
Sidney Crosby broke his goal drought with his 27th of the season, and his 200th point of his career, becoming the youngest player to that mark, besting Wayne Gretzky by near 5 months (140 days - 19 207 vs 19 347) with his 1st period goal, the assists coming from Jordan Staal and Robert Scuderi. The goal also broke the Pens 5-on-5 drought of 260+ minutes.
The Magic number remained at 28 with the loss, but a later result of Montreal losing pushed the Magic number down to 27, with the 9th most max points now being NYR, BOS & CAR at 103.
Next up: The Flyers visit Mellon Arena on Sunday for their 8th and final matchup with the Pens this year. The Pens are 7-0-0 this season, and have a chance to sweep the season series for the first time.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Pens earn hard-fought SO win @ NYR
The Pens lost defenceman Mark Eaton very early in the 1st period to a knee injury, but kept the Rangers off the board until late in the 2nd, allowing two goals late to trail 2-0 after 2. But the Pens stormed back to a tie on two shorthanded goals by Jordan Staal and Colby Armstrong in the first four minutes of the third. Pens went down again 3-2 on the same PP that Armstrong had scored during. It would be until the 14 minute mark when Sergei Gonchar would tie the game on a 7 second powerplay - he scored with 1 second remaining.
Overtime saw chances either way, with both goaltenders keeping it tied 3-3, sending it to a shootout. The Rangers went first, with Nylander, Jagr and Prucha their three shooters. Marc-Andre Fluery stopped them all. The Pens sent out Erik Christensen, Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby. Henrik Lundqvist stopped EC and Geno, but could not stop Crosby.
Crosby was named #1 star, even though he was kept off the regular scoresheet. The Rangers kept Crosby from getting his 200th career point, but the Pens play at Carolina tomorrow night. Jordan Staal was named third star, his goal being his 26th on the season and 6th shorthanded, tying the league record for rookies in a season.
The two points reduces the magic number from 30 to 28.
Overtime saw chances either way, with both goaltenders keeping it tied 3-3, sending it to a shootout. The Rangers went first, with Nylander, Jagr and Prucha their three shooters. Marc-Andre Fluery stopped them all. The Pens sent out Erik Christensen, Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby. Henrik Lundqvist stopped EC and Geno, but could not stop Crosby.
Crosby was named #1 star, even though he was kept off the regular scoresheet. The Rangers kept Crosby from getting his 200th career point, but the Pens play at Carolina tomorrow night. Jordan Staal was named third star, his goal being his 26th on the season and 6th shorthanded, tying the league record for rookies in a season.
The two points reduces the magic number from 30 to 28.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Dale Jr, Truex in early holes
Last Sunday's blown motors for DEI drivers Martin Truex Jr and Dale Earnhardt Jr leave them in a points hole, with finishes of 42 and 40, respectively, on top of 30s-level finishes due to a late crash at Daytona. Both had strong machines before their engines blew, so there was hope for DEI to break its recent struggles at California.
Next up is Las Vegas - which is a wild card this year. Since the race there last March, the track was completely dug-up, and rebuilt with much higher banking, new pit road and new facilities. There have been NASCAR sanctioned tests at the track but it will still be a crapshoot.
Dale Jr is 40th in the standings, already 225 points behind the leader, Mark Martin. He lost 10 spots at California. Truex is 38th, having lost 11 spots at California, 217 points back of the lead. If there is any consolation, the current 12th place driver (Last transfer spot for the Chase this year) is 103 back of the leader, so the two of them are 122 and 114 points behind 12th, respectively.
Next up is Las Vegas - which is a wild card this year. Since the race there last March, the track was completely dug-up, and rebuilt with much higher banking, new pit road and new facilities. There have been NASCAR sanctioned tests at the track but it will still be a crapshoot.
Dale Jr is 40th in the standings, already 225 points behind the leader, Mark Martin. He lost 10 spots at California. Truex is 38th, having lost 11 spots at California, 217 points back of the lead. If there is any consolation, the current 12th place driver (Last transfer spot for the Chase this year) is 103 back of the leader, so the two of them are 122 and 114 points behind 12th, respectively.
Magic number now 30
Ottawa beat Carolina tonight, reducing the Hurricanes max number of points possible to 103. Montreal, New York Rangers & Boston remain at max 104. Subtracting the Pens current point total, 75, from 104 yields 29, and add one to assure all tiebreakers, leaves a magic number of 30. The Pens have 20 more games, or 40 possible points, left on the table. A record of 15-5 will clinch them a playoff spot no matter what the 9th place team does.
As the ninth place max points becomes less, due to teams failing to gain max points, the magic number is reduced accordingly. Likewise, when the Pens get points, the magic number decreases by that much as well.
As the ninth place max points becomes less, due to teams failing to gain max points, the magic number is reduced accordingly. Likewise, when the Pens get points, the magic number decreases by that much as well.
Thoughts on the Pens' Trade-day moves
The Pens made a few moves yesterday, highlighted by the acquisition of LW Gary Roberts from the Florida Panthers and F Georges Laraque from the Phoenix Coyotes.
For Roberts, the Pens gave up their 2nd round pick in 2001, Defenseman Noah Welch. Welch was promising in his first callup in 2004, recording 4 points in 5 games, but disappointed in his development since then. He was expected to be an offensive defenseman, but inconsistency kept him on the bus between the NHL and the WBS Penguins of the AHL. He was on the AHL roster when traded.
I don't know how I feel about giving up on Welch after only 27 NHL games played, but it really doesn't matter what I think. I do see positives in his game, observed in recent seasons when he was with Toronto and Carolina and Florida. He gave the Pens fits, and his game is something the Pens didn't have previously. For an older comparison, he seems to have a lot of Kevin Stevens in him, but he seems to have retained his skills and speed better than most other players his age.
As for Laraque, we gave up AHLer Daniel Carcillo and a 2008 third round pick. For the presence he will bring, he came very cheap. He had 5 goals and 17 assists on the season, more than Dominic Moore, who was sent to Minnesota for a 2007 third round pick, and ought to fit well with Jarkko Ruutu.
For Roberts, the Pens gave up their 2nd round pick in 2001, Defenseman Noah Welch. Welch was promising in his first callup in 2004, recording 4 points in 5 games, but disappointed in his development since then. He was expected to be an offensive defenseman, but inconsistency kept him on the bus between the NHL and the WBS Penguins of the AHL. He was on the AHL roster when traded.
I don't know how I feel about giving up on Welch after only 27 NHL games played, but it really doesn't matter what I think. I do see positives in his game, observed in recent seasons when he was with Toronto and Carolina and Florida. He gave the Pens fits, and his game is something the Pens didn't have previously. For an older comparison, he seems to have a lot of Kevin Stevens in him, but he seems to have retained his skills and speed better than most other players his age.
As for Laraque, we gave up AHLer Daniel Carcillo and a 2008 third round pick. For the presence he will bring, he came very cheap. He had 5 goals and 17 assists on the season, more than Dominic Moore, who was sent to Minnesota for a 2007 third round pick, and ought to fit well with Jarkko Ruutu.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Pens strong in 1-0 loss to Devils
The Pens first game post-trade deadline saw a strong defensive performance, allowing but a single powerplay goal to the Devils. Unfortunately for Fleury and the Pens, Martin Brodeur pitched his 12th shutout of the season, including stopping a flurry of chances on a late Pens PP.
None of the new acquisitions were available to play; Gary Roberts was in the building, and held a first intermission press conference. The Pens overall outplayed the Devils, but could not get the puck past Brodeur. The strong play was in stark contrast to recent games (5-1 and 6-5 losses to the Lightning and Islanders, and a series of 4+ goals allowed wins before that), but it left the Pens nothing to show for it in the standings. They remain at 75 points with 62 games played, 33-20-4-5, now in the 5th seed, having been passed by Ottawa.
The Magic Number is 31 on losses by Toronto, Carolina and Montreal tonight.
None of the new acquisitions were available to play; Gary Roberts was in the building, and held a first intermission press conference. The Pens overall outplayed the Devils, but could not get the puck past Brodeur. The strong play was in stark contrast to recent games (5-1 and 6-5 losses to the Lightning and Islanders, and a series of 4+ goals allowed wins before that), but it left the Pens nothing to show for it in the standings. They remain at 75 points with 62 games played, 33-20-4-5, now in the 5th seed, having been passed by Ottawa.
The Magic Number is 31 on losses by Toronto, Carolina and Montreal tonight.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Pens blow one of their games-in-hand
The Penguins blew a chance at making up ground on the Eastern conference today, falling 5-1 at Tampa. The loan Pens goal was from Gonchar, assisted by Malkin and Crosby on a 5-on-3 PP, but at the time it was scored in the 2nd, the Pens had been down 3-0.
Although the game was poorly officiated, that was not why the Pens lost. The Pens' effort was just not there, and Tampa came out like a team possessed. Thibault got the start in net for the Pens, but was pulled in favor of Fleury after the 3rd goal - though the way the Pens played in front of them, I doubt it would have made much difference. The Pens had some good chances, but the Tampa goalie was up to the task.
The Pens had beaten Florida in overtime on Thursday night, and for once their Florida trip were not on back to back nights. The Pens retain the 5th seed currently in the East, but failed to gain ground on 9th place, and their magic number to clinch a playoff spot remains 33 points. (They have 42 possible points to gain, so they control their own destiny) The max number of points the Pens can gain now are 117, still 3rd most in the east, while the 9th place max points is 107 (Carolina) 107-75 = 32 + 1 = 33.
Although the game was poorly officiated, that was not why the Pens lost. The Pens' effort was just not there, and Tampa came out like a team possessed. Thibault got the start in net for the Pens, but was pulled in favor of Fleury after the 3rd goal - though the way the Pens played in front of them, I doubt it would have made much difference. The Pens had some good chances, but the Tampa goalie was up to the task.
The Pens had beaten Florida in overtime on Thursday night, and for once their Florida trip were not on back to back nights. The Pens retain the 5th seed currently in the East, but failed to gain ground on 9th place, and their magic number to clinch a playoff spot remains 33 points. (They have 42 possible points to gain, so they control their own destiny) The max number of points the Pens can gain now are 117, still 3rd most in the east, while the 9th place max points is 107 (Carolina) 107-75 = 32 + 1 = 33.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Caps doing Pens a favor
The Washington Capitals are doing the Pens a favor in the Atlantic Division race, beating up on Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils 4-2 in New Jersey. The Pens are 7 points back with 2 games in hand and three games head-to-head remaining.
Mikey gets bounced by his own cars
Michael Waltrip, already mired in 61st in owner points at -27 thanks his 100 point penalty at Daytona, failed to make the Auto Club 500 in California tomorrow, being bounced out by his other two Michael Waltrip Racing Entries, the #00 of David Reutimann and the #44 UPS of Dale Jarrett. Reutimann was the last car to get in on time of the go-or-go-homers, bumping the #55 NAPA car of Waltrip, and Jarrett was too slow on speed, and had to fall back on a past-champion's provisional for the 2nd straight week.
The good news for Waltrip? His being the fastest that failed to qualify will give him +4 owner points after California, but he will still be -27 in Driver points. It is a shame to see him struggle, which this year and last have been ever since he left DEI at the end of 2005. He is a great personality, but much like Kenny Wallace, has struggled in anything but the top equipment. (Both had their best finishes in DEI Equipment - Wallace finshed 2nd while subbing for Steve Park at Rockingham in late 2001, having started on the pole and led 101 laps; and Waltrip won 4 times for DEI, all on plate tracks including two Daytona 500s)
The good news for Waltrip? His being the fastest that failed to qualify will give him +4 owner points after California, but he will still be -27 in Driver points. It is a shame to see him struggle, which this year and last have been ever since he left DEI at the end of 2005. He is a great personality, but much like Kenny Wallace, has struggled in anything but the top equipment. (Both had their best finishes in DEI Equipment - Wallace finshed 2nd while subbing for Steve Park at Rockingham in late 2001, having started on the pole and led 101 laps; and Waltrip won 4 times for DEI, all on plate tracks including two Daytona 500s)
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Thoughts as the trade deadline approaches
There are five days left until the NHL trade deadline for the 2006-2007 season, with all deals having to be done by 3pm on Tuesday, February 27, 2007.
So far, the only major shoe to drop was the Flyers moving F Peter Forsberg to Nashville.
Speculation is rampant over which teams will be sellers and which will be buyers. The tight playoff races in the East leave more uncertainty over which teams are which. About the only thing certain is the Philadelphia Flyers are out of it - they have 40 points with 22 games remaining, and could only secure 84 points if they won out. Their elimination number is 18 - either points failed to be gained, or points gained by the 8th place team.
Washington is in a rough spot at 5 games under .500 with 21 games left, having 56 points, but they do have a max possible of98, so at least they have a mathematical chance at that 95 points, even if improbable, as they have lost 5 straight and are 2-5-3 in their last 10. Florida is at 58, Boston 62 and the Rangers 63. At 66 in 9th and 10th are Toronto and the Islanders, with Carolina holding down the 8th spot with 67 points. The race is so tight that 4th seed right now (Pittsburgh & Ottawa) have 73 points, only 7 up on 9th, even though they have more points than the SE division leader. Pittsburgh is 7 points back of NJ for the divison lead, likely an unreachable goal, but the playoffs are in their own hands.
Over in the west, the LA Kings are 20 points out of 8th with 21 to go, Columbus 18 out with 22 to go, and Chicago and Phoenix are 17 out each with 22 to go. Very unlikely for them to make up that gap. In 11th-9th are St Louis (9 back with 21 to go) and Edmonton/Colorado (8 back each with 22 to go). Their gaps are more reasonable, but it will be tough for them.
So far, the only major shoe to drop was the Flyers moving F Peter Forsberg to Nashville.
Speculation is rampant over which teams will be sellers and which will be buyers. The tight playoff races in the East leave more uncertainty over which teams are which. About the only thing certain is the Philadelphia Flyers are out of it - they have 40 points with 22 games remaining, and could only secure 84 points if they won out. Their elimination number is 18 - either points failed to be gained, or points gained by the 8th place team.
Washington is in a rough spot at 5 games under .500 with 21 games left, having 56 points, but they do have a max possible of98, so at least they have a mathematical chance at that 95 points, even if improbable, as they have lost 5 straight and are 2-5-3 in their last 10. Florida is at 58, Boston 62 and the Rangers 63. At 66 in 9th and 10th are Toronto and the Islanders, with Carolina holding down the 8th spot with 67 points. The race is so tight that 4th seed right now (Pittsburgh & Ottawa) have 73 points, only 7 up on 9th, even though they have more points than the SE division leader. Pittsburgh is 7 points back of NJ for the divison lead, likely an unreachable goal, but the playoffs are in their own hands.
Over in the west, the LA Kings are 20 points out of 8th with 21 to go, Columbus 18 out with 22 to go, and Chicago and Phoenix are 17 out each with 22 to go. Very unlikely for them to make up that gap. In 11th-9th are St Louis (9 back with 21 to go) and Edmonton/Colorado (8 back each with 22 to go). Their gaps are more reasonable, but it will be tough for them.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Inexcuseable
Now more than a day later, the NHL still has not corrected the final stat sheet from Yesterday's 6-5 loss at the Islanders. While the on-ice player numbers have finally been added to the game summary, the Event summary shows the plus/minus without the Pens 5th goal taken into account, as the Game summary had shown "data pending" well into today, finally being shifted over past noon.
All of the major outlets for hockey stats, ESPN, tsn.ca, sportsnet.ca, Fox, HockeyDB, Canoe and others published their stats based on the errant score sheet from yesterday. Only the NHL has finally cared to correct their stats late this afternoon, as evidenced by Sidney Crosby showing as +14, where he was +15 going into the game yesterday. The other media have him as +13.
The sheer math of the game - on for 3 Even strength goals for, on for 4 even strength goals against equals -1, not -2. Yet the event summary still shows -2.
What an end to an unlikely streak. 14-0-2 had to end at some point, but the irony of the Isles snapping it on a weak goal with 26.8 seconds left, after Sidney Crosby had put on a clinic in the Isles end, only to have DiPietro make the key saves, where Fluery could not. The Pens are still 4th in the east, 73 points on the strentgh of 32-18-4-5 (W-L-OTL-SOL), but the race is so close that nothing is guaranteed. The Pens need to go back on a new streak to separate themselves from the pack, and can ill-afford to let any more of these games-in-had get away from them.
All of the major outlets for hockey stats, ESPN, tsn.ca, sportsnet.ca, Fox, HockeyDB, Canoe and others published their stats based on the errant score sheet from yesterday. Only the NHL has finally cared to correct their stats late this afternoon, as evidenced by Sidney Crosby showing as +14, where he was +15 going into the game yesterday. The other media have him as +13.
The sheer math of the game - on for 3 Even strength goals for, on for 4 even strength goals against equals -1, not -2. Yet the event summary still shows -2.
What an end to an unlikely streak. 14-0-2 had to end at some point, but the irony of the Isles snapping it on a weak goal with 26.8 seconds left, after Sidney Crosby had put on a clinic in the Isles end, only to have DiPietro make the key saves, where Fluery could not. The Pens are still 4th in the east, 73 points on the strentgh of 32-18-4-5 (W-L-OTL-SOL), but the race is so close that nothing is guaranteed. The Pens need to go back on a new streak to separate themselves from the pack, and can ill-afford to let any more of these games-in-had get away from them.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
The Day Caleb would be 5
Later this evening would mark the time of day when Caleb was born 5 years ago, stillborn into this world more than a month too soon to be able to survive the delivery process. Even though the outcome was certain, a full delivery process still had to take place.
Caleb's strong beat, present right up until birth, saw him fight - not for himself, but to illustrate how to prevent his circumstance from repeating, leading to his sister's birth two and a half years ago. She is just getting to the point where she could begin to understand her brother looking over her from above - just as he did during the nine months before she was born.
The first year was tough, the 2nd not as much because we knew he was looking out for his sister in the womb, and this now the 3rd one since she was born. It is still rough dealing with that pain, that we were denied the chance to get to know him as we have been able to watch and learn as his sister has grown.
She does him proud - all that any father can expect out of a child.
Caleb's strong beat, present right up until birth, saw him fight - not for himself, but to illustrate how to prevent his circumstance from repeating, leading to his sister's birth two and a half years ago. She is just getting to the point where she could begin to understand her brother looking over her from above - just as he did during the nine months before she was born.
The first year was tough, the 2nd not as much because we knew he was looking out for his sister in the womb, and this now the 3rd one since she was born. It is still rough dealing with that pain, that we were denied the chance to get to know him as we have been able to watch and learn as his sister has grown.
She does him proud - all that any father can expect out of a child.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Pens stomp Flyers 5-3
Crosby went 1+1 over two periods as the Pens jumped out to a 3-0 lead after 1 and a 5-2 lead after 2 periods, allowing a goal with 2.1 seconds left to narrow the margin.
John LeClair returned from a healthy scratch with a vengeance - he scored the opening goal less than two minutes in against his former team.
Team stats update (19 team games - record 10 wins, 7 losses, 2 overtime losses - 9 divisional games, record 8-1-0):
(base figures courtesy of HockeyDB.com)
John LeClair returned from a healthy scratch with a vengeance - he scored the opening goal less than two minutes in against his former team.
Team stats update (19 team games - record 10 wins, 7 losses, 2 overtime losses - 9 divisional games, record 8-1-0):
| Name | Pos | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- | ||||
| Sidney Crosby | C | 19 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 24 | +9 | ||||
| Evgeni Malkin | C | 15 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 18 | +5 | ||||
| Mark Recchi | R | 19 | 4 | 12 | 16 | 10 | +8 | ||||
| Sergei Gonchar | D | 19 | 3 | 13 | 16 | 24 | E | ||||
| Ryan Whitney | D | 19 | 3 | 12 | 15 | 31 | +2 | ||||
| Michel Ouellet | R | 18 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 10 | -3 | ||||
| Nils Ekman | R | 18 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 12 | -5 | ||||
| Jordan Staal | C | 19 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 4 | +2 | ||||
| Dominic Moore | C | 19 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 24 | +1 | ||||
| John LeClair | L | 18 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 12 | -2 | ||||
| Colby Armstrong | W | 19 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 25 | +3 | ||||
| Maxime Talbot | C | 12 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 | E | ||||
| Jarkko Ruutu | L | 19 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 22 | -2 | ||||
| Josef Melichar | D | 19 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 | E | ||||
| Rob Scuderi | D | 19 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | +3 | ||||
| Kristopher Letang | D | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | -3 | ||||
| Mark Eaton | D | 11 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | +2 | ||||
| Noah Welch | D | 12 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 18 | +2 | ||||
| Chris Thorburn | C | 16 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 37 | E | ||||
| Ryan Malone | F | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 19 | -4 | ||||
| Eric Cairns | D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | E | ||||
| Ronald Petrovicky | R | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | E | ||||
| Karl Stewart | C | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -1 | ||||
| Andre Roy | L | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | E | ||||
| Jocelyn Thibault | G | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Brooks Orpik | D | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | +1 | ||||
| Marc-Andre Fleury | G | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
(base figures courtesy of HockeyDB.com)
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Pens beat Rags to improve to 7-1 in division play
The Pens scored two goals with a 5 on 3 advantage en route to a 3-1 win over the Rangers on Saturday, November 18th. Mark Recchi had two goals, and Sidney Crosby and Sergei Gonchar had two assists apiece. The other goal game from Jordan Staal, and Evgeni Malkin and Colby Armstrong each had an assist.
Stats update after 18 team games: (Team record 9w-7l-2otl-0sol for 20 points)
Crosby leads the league in points per game, and is within 3 points of the overall lead in points, with as many as 4 games in hand on the players in front of him.
Stats update after 18 team games: (Team record 9w-7l-2otl-0sol for 20 points)
| Name | Pos | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- | ||||
| Sidney Crosby | C | 18 | 9 | 19 | 28 | 24 | +7 | ||||
| Evgeni Malkin | C | 14 | 9 | 7 | 16 | 16 | +4 | ||||
| Mark Recchi | R | 18 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 10 | +7 | ||||
| Michel Ouellet | R | 18 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 10 | -3 | ||||
| Sergei Gonchar | D | 18 | 2 | 12 | 14 | 24 | -1 | ||||
| Ryan Whitney | D | 18 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 29 | E | ||||
| Nils Ekman | R | 17 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 12 | -6 | ||||
| Jordan Staal | C | 18 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 4 | +2 | ||||
| Colby Armstrong | W | 18 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 25 | +1 | ||||
| John LeClair | L | 17 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 12 | -2 | ||||
| Dominic Moore | C | 18 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 22 | -1 | ||||
| Maxime Talbot | C | 11 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 | E | ||||
| Josef Melichar | D | 18 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 | E | ||||
| Jarkko Ruutu | L | 18 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 22 | -2 | ||||
| Rob Scuderi | D | 18 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | +2 | ||||
| Kristopher Letang | D | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | -3 | ||||
| Noah Welch | D | 11 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 14 | +1 | ||||
| Mark Eaton | D | 11 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | +2 | ||||
| Chris Thorburn | C | 15 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 37 | E | ||||
| Ryan Malone | F | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 19 | -4 | ||||
| Ronald Petrovicky | R | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | E | ||||
| Eric Cairns | D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | E | ||||
| Karl Stewart | C | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -1 | ||||
| Andre Roy | L | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | E | ||||
| Jocelyn Thibault | G | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Brooks Orpik | D | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | E | ||||
| Marc-Andre Fleury | G | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Crosby leads the league in points per game, and is within 3 points of the overall lead in points, with as many as 4 games in hand on the players in front of him.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Malkin extends goal streak to 4 games over NJ
Although the Pens allowed the first goal, the Pens stormed back to tie it at 1 at the end of the 1st period. Nils Ekman scored his 2nd of season, with the loan assist going to Mark Eaton, his first point as a Penguin.
The 2nd period belonged to the Pens, featuring goals by Crosby (3rd from Malkin and Whitney) and Staal (4th, and first even-strength of his career, from Recchi and Ekman) to go into the 2nd intermission up 3-1.
NJ would crawl back into it about 8 minutes into the 3rd, to make it 3-2, but Malkin's impression of Mario Lemieux's 1991 goal in the Cup Finals vs the North Stars, a superpurb highlight-reel goal two and a half minutes later restored the two goal lead. Assists went to Crosby and Whitney.
Coach Therrien had Malkin and Crosby on the same line for almost the whole game, and it paid dividends, with the line scoring two goals. The line of Recchi-Staal-Ekman also had two goals. All four goals were at even strength, with the PK going 6 for 6. The Pens only had 3 chances on the PP, and although they looked good, just could not get their chances to go in.
Noah Welch and Maxime Talbot were called up from WBS since the Saturday game vs Columbus. Each played their first game of the season.
Tonight's win put the Pens in sole possession of 1st place in the Atlantic Division with a 5-3 record and 10 points, leapfrogging the Devils, and also extended their win streak to 3 games, their first such streak since March 2004.
Next up is a visit to the Flyers on Saturday, October 28, followed by a three game trip out to LA, SJ and Anaheim. Next home game is not until November 8.
Stats Update after 8 team games:
The 2nd period belonged to the Pens, featuring goals by Crosby (3rd from Malkin and Whitney) and Staal (4th, and first even-strength of his career, from Recchi and Ekman) to go into the 2nd intermission up 3-1.
NJ would crawl back into it about 8 minutes into the 3rd, to make it 3-2, but Malkin's impression of Mario Lemieux's 1991 goal in the Cup Finals vs the North Stars, a superpurb highlight-reel goal two and a half minutes later restored the two goal lead. Assists went to Crosby and Whitney.
Coach Therrien had Malkin and Crosby on the same line for almost the whole game, and it paid dividends, with the line scoring two goals. The line of Recchi-Staal-Ekman also had two goals. All four goals were at even strength, with the PK going 6 for 6. The Pens only had 3 chances on the PP, and although they looked good, just could not get their chances to go in.
Noah Welch and Maxime Talbot were called up from WBS since the Saturday game vs Columbus. Each played their first game of the season.
Tonight's win put the Pens in sole possession of 1st place in the Atlantic Division with a 5-3 record and 10 points, leapfrogging the Devils, and also extended their win streak to 3 games, their first such streak since March 2004.
Next up is a visit to the Flyers on Saturday, October 28, followed by a three game trip out to LA, SJ and Anaheim. Next home game is not until November 8.
Stats Update after 8 team games:
Name Pos GP G A Pts PIM +/-
Sidney Crosby C 8 3 9 12 10 +4
Michel Ouellet R 8 4 3 7 2 -3
Sergei Gonchar D 8 2 4 6 12 -1
Ryan Whitney D 8 2 6 8 10 +1
Mark Recchi R 8 0 6 6 4 +3
Evgeni Malkin C 4 4 2 6 2 +4
Nils Ekman R 8 2 4 6 10 -2
Jordan Staal C 8 4 0 4 0 +1
Colby Armstrong W 8 0 3 3 17 +3
Kristopher Letang D 7 2 0 2 4 -3
Jarkko Ruutu L 8 1 1 2 12 -1
Dominic Moore C 8 0 2 2 8 -1
Rob Scuderi D 8 0 2 2 0 E
Josef Melichar D 8 1 0 1 4 +1
Ryan Malone F 7 0 1 1 19 -4
Mark Eaton D 8 0 1 1 2 E
Jocelyn Thibault (G) G 1 0 0 0 0 0
Karl Stewart C 3 0 0 0 2 -1
Andre Roy L 3 0 0 0 7 0
Chris Thorburn C 6 0 0 0 9 -2
Marc-Andre Fleury (G) G 8 0 0 0 2 0
John LeClair L 8 0 0 0 4 -4
Noah Welch D 1 0 0 0 4 E
Maxime Talbot C 1 0 0 0 0 E
Monday, October 23, 2006
can we score at even strength please?
The Pens beat the Blue Jackets 5-3 on Saturday on the strength of three powerplay goals and two shorthanded goals. Michel Ouellet's 4th on the PP opened the scoring, deflecting a shot by Sergei Gonchar. Gonchar got right back on the board, scoring his 2nd goal in as many games midway through the period.
The Jackets got a late powerplay, and converted to pull within 2-1 at the end of the 1st. The Jackets would tie it in the 2nd period right as a Penguins penalty was expiring, counting as an even strength goal against. Fredrik Modin got his first as a Jacket on the play.
The major development at 12:51 of the 2nd was Pens forward Ryan Malone coming to Crosby's defense after a perceived cheap hit. Malone got 2, 5 & 10, while Kesla only got 5. Malone in reality got 6 weeks for the effort, as he broke his forearm on the play. While the Pens were killing Malone's extra 2, 18-year old rookie Jordan Staal scored shorthanded off of a Mark Recchi rebound with 8 seconds to go in the kill. Robert Scuderi got the 2nd assist as the Pens took a 3-2 lead into the 2nd intermission.
The Pens would get some insurance in the 3rd period on a powerplay goal by Evgeni Malkin, assisted by Crosby and Ouellet, at 7:04 of the third. 24 seconds later, John LeClair took an interference penalty, leaving the Pens shorthanded once more. 21 more seconds later, Rookie Jordan Staal was awarded a penalty shot after being brought down when he was in the clear on a shorthanded breakaway.
Staal made his run, and clanged a shot off of the post, onto the back of the goaltender, with the puck crossing the goal line. At first, the referee signaled no goal, although the home horn had sounded. The play was reviewed upstairs by the video goal judge, where a goal was awarded at 7:49 of the third, giving Staal his second shorthanded goal of the game and third of his career.
The Jackets added a 5-on-3 powerplay goal of their own to close it to 5-3, but that would be the final score. Staal would later have a chance at a shorthanded hatrick when the Jackets pulled their goalie on a pair of late powerplay opportunities, but the Pens failed to get it in the net.
After going scoreless on the powerplay in the first couple games, the Pens are now at 25% (11 for 44) on the powerplay, tied for fourth best in the league. Their PK (allowing 8 of 49) is 16th at 83% effeciency. An improvement for a team who was dead last in the PK last year, but they have had their breakdowns. The biggest stat so far is zero shorthanded goals allowed versus Staal's 3 shorthanded goals for.
Crosby and Malkin had quiet nights, with only 1 point each, giving Crosby 2+8 in 7 games, and Malkin 3+1 in 3 games. Malkin became the first player since 1995-96 to score a goal in each of his first three games. Staal's two shorthanded goals in the same game are the youngest anyone has ever done that, and it is believed that his opening 3 shorties to start a career are a record as well.
The Jackets got a late powerplay, and converted to pull within 2-1 at the end of the 1st. The Jackets would tie it in the 2nd period right as a Penguins penalty was expiring, counting as an even strength goal against. Fredrik Modin got his first as a Jacket on the play.
The major development at 12:51 of the 2nd was Pens forward Ryan Malone coming to Crosby's defense after a perceived cheap hit. Malone got 2, 5 & 10, while Kesla only got 5. Malone in reality got 6 weeks for the effort, as he broke his forearm on the play. While the Pens were killing Malone's extra 2, 18-year old rookie Jordan Staal scored shorthanded off of a Mark Recchi rebound with 8 seconds to go in the kill. Robert Scuderi got the 2nd assist as the Pens took a 3-2 lead into the 2nd intermission.
The Pens would get some insurance in the 3rd period on a powerplay goal by Evgeni Malkin, assisted by Crosby and Ouellet, at 7:04 of the third. 24 seconds later, John LeClair took an interference penalty, leaving the Pens shorthanded once more. 21 more seconds later, Rookie Jordan Staal was awarded a penalty shot after being brought down when he was in the clear on a shorthanded breakaway.
Staal made his run, and clanged a shot off of the post, onto the back of the goaltender, with the puck crossing the goal line. At first, the referee signaled no goal, although the home horn had sounded. The play was reviewed upstairs by the video goal judge, where a goal was awarded at 7:49 of the third, giving Staal his second shorthanded goal of the game and third of his career.
The Jackets added a 5-on-3 powerplay goal of their own to close it to 5-3, but that would be the final score. Staal would later have a chance at a shorthanded hatrick when the Jackets pulled their goalie on a pair of late powerplay opportunities, but the Pens failed to get it in the net.
After going scoreless on the powerplay in the first couple games, the Pens are now at 25% (11 for 44) on the powerplay, tied for fourth best in the league. Their PK (allowing 8 of 49) is 16th at 83% effeciency. An improvement for a team who was dead last in the PK last year, but they have had their breakdowns. The biggest stat so far is zero shorthanded goals allowed versus Staal's 3 shorthanded goals for.
Crosby and Malkin had quiet nights, with only 1 point each, giving Crosby 2+8 in 7 games, and Malkin 3+1 in 3 games. Malkin became the first player since 1995-96 to score a goal in each of his first three games. Staal's two shorthanded goals in the same game are the youngest anyone has ever done that, and it is believed that his opening 3 shorties to start a career are a record as well.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Pens standings/stats update, 10-13-06
Pens stats update (3 team games):
Name GP G A TP PIM +/-
Crosby 3 2 4 6 2 +2
Ouellet 3 2 2 4 0 E
Armstrong 3 0 3 3 17 +1
Whitney 3 2 0 2 4 +3
Ruutu 3 1 1 2 4 +2
Moore 3 0 2 2 2 +3
Recchi 3 0 2 2 4 E
Melichar 3 1 0 1 0 +4
Staal 3 1 0 1 0 -1
Letang 3 1 0 1 0 -1
Scuderi 3 0 1 1 0 +1
Ekman 3 0 1 1 0 E
Gonchar 3 0 1 1 6 -2
Leclair 3 0 0 0 0 -1
Malone 3 0 0 0 0 -1
Stewart 1 0 0 0 0 E
Roy 2 0 0 0 7 E
Eaton 3 0 0 0 2 -1
Thorburn 3 0 0 0 -1
Fleury 3 0 0 0 2 N/A
We may not be atop the standings very long, but things look good at the top:
Name GP G A TP PIM +/-
Crosby 3 2 4 6 2 +2
Ouellet 3 2 2 4 0 E
Armstrong 3 0 3 3 17 +1
Whitney 3 2 0 2 4 +3
Ruutu 3 1 1 2 4 +2
Moore 3 0 2 2 2 +3
Recchi 3 0 2 2 4 E
Melichar 3 1 0 1 0 +4
Staal 3 1 0 1 0 -1
Letang 3 1 0 1 0 -1
Scuderi 3 0 1 1 0 +1
Ekman 3 0 1 1 0 E
Gonchar 3 0 1 1 6 -2
Leclair 3 0 0 0 0 -1
Malone 3 0 0 0 0 -1
Stewart 1 0 0 0 0 E
Roy 2 0 0 0 7 E
Eaton 3 0 0 0 2 -1
Thorburn 3 0 0 0 -1
Fleury 3 0 0 0 2 N/A
We may not be atop the standings very long, but things look good at the top:
| Eastern Conference | |||||||||||
| ATLANTIC | GP | W | L | OT | PTS | GF | GA | HOME | AWAY | L10 | |
| PITTSBURGH | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 7 | 1-1-0 | 1-0-0 | 2-1-0 | |
| NEW JERSEY | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 9 | 1-0-0 | 1-1-0 | 2-1-0 | |
| NY RANGERS | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 17 | 16 | 1-2-0 | 1-0-0 | 2-2-0 | |
| PHILADELPHIA | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 14 | 0-1-1 | 1-1-0 | 1-2-1 | |
| NY ISLANDERS | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 16 | 0-0-0 | 1-3-0 | 1-3-0 | |
wow, what a shootout - Pens beat Rags 6-5
Sidney Crosby is on fire - coming away with 4 points, 1 goal and 3 assists, as the Pens score first, shorthanded, no less, in a game where neither team had more than a one goal lead, and Crosby's game winner came with 3.3 seconds to go in regulation, denying the Rags overtime and a guaranteed standings point. The Pens went 4-9 on the powerplay, while the Rags went 3 for 9. The Pens perfect PK is perfect no more, and its 0 for 11 powerplay coming in is now a 20% clip.
18 year old Jordan Staal had his first career goal in the 2nd period, the first of the game, while shorthanded. Later on, 19 year old rookie d-man Kris Letang would get his first career goal as well. D-man Ryan Whitney had two goals, the 2nd of which came right as a Pens penalty was expiring. It was a shorthanded rush, but credited as an even strength goal. The other goal was from Michel Ouellet. Colby Armstrong and Mark Recchi each had two asists.
After three games, the Pens are 2-1 with 4 points, tied with the rangers atop the Atlantic division with a game in hand. Rangers are 2-2 with 4 points.
18 year old Jordan Staal had his first career goal in the 2nd period, the first of the game, while shorthanded. Later on, 19 year old rookie d-man Kris Letang would get his first career goal as well. D-man Ryan Whitney had two goals, the 2nd of which came right as a Pens penalty was expiring. It was a shorthanded rush, but credited as an even strength goal. The other goal was from Michel Ouellet. Colby Armstrong and Mark Recchi each had two asists.
After three games, the Pens are 2-1 with 4 points, tied with the rangers atop the Atlantic division with a game in hand. Rangers are 2-2 with 4 points.
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