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
Orpik’s overtime goal knocks out Isles; Pens advance
The last time the Pittsburgh Penguins met the New York Islanders in an overtime, elimination game, David Volek scored to complete an upset in Game 7 of the 1993 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals and spoiled the Pens' chances of winning a third consecutive Stanley Cup. In that game, the Penguins dominated, out shooting the Islanders 45-20 in a losing effort. This time, the tables were turned. Brooks Orpik scored his first career playoff goal in 106 games 7:49 into overtime to defeat the New ... 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
Vokoun’s shutout pushes Islanders to the brink of elimination
The last time Tomas Vokoun started in a playoff game, he was a member of the 2007 Nashville Predators that lost to the San Jose Sharks, tended by Evgeni Nabokov, in the opening round.After Vokoun's performance Thursday night, he has a chance to return the favor to Nabokov on Saturday in Long Island. Vokoun stopped all 31 shots earning his second career playoff shutout, and Sidney Crosby tallied three points as the Penguins dominated the Islanders 4-0, pushing the division rival from Long ... Read More
Message to the Pens
"Keep it simple." Is there a more overused term in the history of any sport ever created? Hockey players say it like it's a mantra and for the Pittsburgh Penguins, it should be. Since Game 2, and really last year, it has been no secret that the Penguins' biggest problem in the playoffs has been puck management in the defensive end. Allegedly, they correct that problem in the regular season. That is, until the playoffs started. Now it's back to blind passes, bad decisions, and awful ... Read More
With the series tied 2-2, it’s time for the Pens to give Fleury a break
Last Wednesday the Pittsburgh Penguins began their quest for their fourth Stanley Cup in team history, and did so in impressive fashion. The Penguins looked like the dominant force that earned them the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, disposing of the New York Islanders, who are making their first appearance in the playoffs since 2007, 5-0 in front of a crowd of 18,612 at CONSOL Energy Center. Besides the offense clicking on all cylinders, Marc-Andre Fleury flashed signs of his 2009 form ... Read More
More of the same: Isles even series 2-2
The New York Islanders will head to Pittsburgh with an even series, tied at two games a piece. While two of the last three games of this best of seven will be on the road, the eight seed from Long Island looks poised to make a move on the Eastern Conference favorite, Penguins. John Tavares scored the game winning goal 10:11 into the third period and Casey Cizikas added another late goal to route the Penguins 6-4, Tuesday night. For the Penguins, it was a carbon copy of last season's ... Read More
Islanders will be force to be reckoned with for a long time
If this opening playoff between the Penguins and the New York Islanders has not said anything about the parody in the NHL, then people must not be watching the same series. The Penguins have found themselves in a tighter battle than they might have expected but many do not seem to be surprised. The New York Islanders have been the forgotten franchise in not just the Atlantic Division but the whole New York sports scene. A franchise that has four Stanley Cups in their history and great Hall ... Read More
Vokoun over Fleury? No way
The Penguins have had a lot of trouble with the New York Islanders through the first three games in this series. What was expected to be a quick stroll through the first round of the playoffs has turned into a major struggle for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Pittsburgh's problems stem with poor puck management in their own end, undisciplined play, and lack of composure. When Douglas Murray is your best puck-moving defenseman through three games, you should be in trouble. When ... Read More
Penguins win overtime thriller to go up 2-1
The Penguins beat the New York Islanders, 5-4, in overtime today at Nassau Coliseum to take a 2-1 lead in the teams' first-round playoff series. Chris Kunitz scored off of a feed from Sidney Crosby at 9:44 of overtime for the winner. The Islanders got a quick start, getting several bats at the puck from the crease before Matt Moulson pushed it in for a 1-0 lead at 1:43 of the first period. Casey Cizikas made it 2-0 at 5:41 on a shot from the left circle. The Penguins came back thanks ... Read More