The Pittsburgh Penguins have been red hot lately. They've scored 13 goals in two games, outscoring many MLB teams for the entire week. A big part of that success has been James Neal. Last night, in the series clincher, Neal scored three of the Pens six goals on the night, outscoring the Senators by himself. Neal also added an assist for a total of four points. He took a total of five shots in the game, giving him a shooting percentage of 60 percent and a plus/minus of 2. On Wednesday night, ... Read More
Penguins Dominate Senators; Advance to Eastern Conference Finals
Daniel Alfredsson was right. There's really no other way to put it. When the Ottawa Senators captain was asked if his team could win three in a row to take the series from the Pens, he said no. It wasn't the politically correct thing to say in the situation, but he was just telling the truth. Alfredsson's words came to fruition on Friday night as the Penguins finished its series with the Senators with a 6-2 victory. Once again, Tomas Vokoun was solid in net as he brought his playoff record to ... Read More
It’s Vokoun’s Net to Lose
After Marc-Andre Fleury was pulled as the starting goaltender of the Pittsburgh Penguins against the New York Islandes, I was riding high on the Tomas Vokoun bandwagon. Ray Shero didn’t bring Vokoun in for two years at the price he did to be another Brent Johnson. Vokoun was brought to Pittsburgh in case Fleury faltered again in the playoffs. When Vokoun assisted in leading the Penguins to the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, I was okay with sticking with him until he lost a ... Read More
Penguins take Game 1 from Senators
Special teams, or lack thereof, killed the Penguins in the postseason the last two years. This year though, nothing seems to stop Pittsburgh’s special teams; as the Penguins got two power play goals from Paul Martin and Chris Kunitz along with a shorthanded goal from Pascal Dupuis to take game one over the Ottawa Senators 4-1. Tomas Vokoun also stopped 35 Ottawa shots to pick up his third consecutive victory since taking over for Marc-Andre Fleury after game four against the Islanders. The ... Read More
Crosby is the game’s best player, but he isn’t the MVP
When talking about the most valuable player award, you have to look at what the award really means. MVP means the most valuable player, not necessarily the best. When the NHL announced that Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, John Tavares of the New York Islanders and Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins were the finalists for the prestigious award, the debate ensued. First off, let me preface this with saying there is absolutely no debate as to whether or not Crosby is the ... Read More
Yinzer of the Week: Tomas Vokoun
When Tomas Vokoun took the goal on Thursday night, he had one thing in mind: a win. He came away with more than that, though. The Penguins are in a tough 7-game series with the New York Islanders in the first round of the NHL playoffs. Up 2-1, the Pens came in on Tuesday night to extend their lead, but instead came out with a loss. Marc-Andre Fleury allowed six goals on the night and the Pens lost 6-4. The next night, Fleury was benched and Vokoun stepped in. The game was Vokoun's first ... Read More
Jokinen’s spark has ignited Penguins
If you would have told me before the season that with four games left that the Penguins’ number one center would be Jussi Jokinen, I would have said you were crazy. Then again, if you would have told me he would be the most productive player that got via trade this season I would have said the same thing. Well looking at the stats and everything you can make an argument that both those statements are true. With a healthy Penguin squad, though, he becomes your third or fourth best option ... Read More
Yinzer of the Week: Brenden Morrow
With the win yesterday, the Penguins clinched home ice advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs. Despite being on the ice, the Pens have been on fire this season and have won 20 of their last 22 contests. This past week they went a perfect 3-0 and Brenden Morrow was a big part of that success. Morrow scored two goals on two different occasions this past week during the Pens three victories. Last Saturday, Morrow shot a perfect 100 percent, netting both of his shots, one of which was ... Read More
Depth could be Penguins strongest attribute
The Penguins have six games left and even with all of their injuries they have 64 points and are currently in first place in the Eastern Conference. They have made some quality moves over the last month and have one of the deepest teams in the NHL if not the deepest. The acquisitions of Brenden Morrow, Douglas Murray, Jarome Iginla, and Jussi Jokinen have added quality players to the Penguins lineup. They have a good problem to have when everybody comes back from injury, who deserves to play, ... Read More
Penguins score three power play goals, beat Lightning 6-3
On a night where Kris Letang made his return, the Pittsburgh Penguins capitalized on three power plays to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-3. The Pens scored six goals on 41 shots on the night. The first period was relatively quiet, with then Pens scoring two goals early on. At the 15:53 mark, Jussi Jokenin scored on a 14 foot wristshot from Brendan Morrow. Just two minutes later, Pascal Dupuis scored the Pens first power play goal of the night on a 20 foot shot. The Lightning added a goal ... Read More