The Penguins are in a hole and need to dig themselves out and a little home ice advantage is going to go a long way. There are three things that the Penguins need to do to win tonight:
- Be more aggressive on the power play, shoot more. Having an extra player on the ice doesn’t mean it’s time to lollygag. You have to play more intense, this means no more Gonchar taking 20 seconds off the clock every time he skates the puck up just to dump it.
- Go to the front of the net. This is a rookie goaltender, he is still wearing his minor league face mask. Crash the net, screen him and aggravate him.
- Hound Ovechkin. This has been annoying me the whole series. Ovechkin has been jumping into the scruffs after the play every time he is on the ice, the Penguins must engage him and try to goad him into a penalty for fighting, roughing or anything, even if it’s called even up, they do it if Crosby or Malkin join in. While your at it, call Ovechkin for the illegal stick he’s been using later in the game, you won’t see a goal by him the rest of the series.
- The Whiner
provided by: www.offwingphoto.com
There is only one whiny, crybaby, diver in town tonight and her name is now and here forth pronounced Princess Alexia Ovechkin. Here is what the princess said about Chris Kunitz’s bump of the Capitals goaltender: “It’s a cheap shot and Brash got six games but why not Kunitz?” (sniff, sniff) “It’s all about being fair.” Says the Princess who took a fair dive when was approached by Kunitz earlier in the game. Is the little princess scared of Kunitz? I believe so. Either way, the NHL fined Kunitz a token $2500 just to shut the little princess up.
Sports Illustrated CNN Inside the NHL with Allan Muir calls out Princess Ovechkin for diving not once, but twice and embarrassing referee Kelly Sutherland. This is a great read: (go down to the very bottom of the article) – click here: “Just In Case This Hockey Thing Doesn’t Work Out ...”
Kris Letang was injured by a check by Mike Green late in the third period of Mondays game and did not practice on Tuesday. “He’s still being evaluated, He’s much better than we initially thought. There was a possibility of it not being a great injury. He’s much better today and it’s a strength question right now.” Bylsma said. I’m betting we see Philippe Boucher tonight.
Quote ’em:
Rob Rossi – Tribune Review: “When a player can shoot the way Alex does, there’s only so much that can be natural human strength and speed, that maybe sometimes a stick can be bent a certain way to move the puck. You ever concern youself with that?”
Marc-Andre Fleury: “I’m sorry, can you repeat that?”
Rossi: “Is his stick legal?”
Fleury: “You should have said that the first time, keep it simple”
Rossi: “Is he using an illegal stick?”
Fleury: “I don’t know. Haven’t really taken a look at it. The puck kind of sticks to it pretty good, even if it’s bouncing”
Rossi: “Would you be surprised if he was?”
Fleury: “No”
The Article: click here: “Pens wonder about Ovechkin’s blade”
There is a Penguin rally being held at the outdoor screen at 5:15 today. The geniuses Dan Onorato & Mayor Luke Ravenstahl declared it “Black & Gold Day,” at noon yesterday and are encouraging fans to wear team colors black and gold to the rally. The Penguins called for a white out at 10am yesterday. Before you decide which one your going to do, the white t-shirts being handed out at the game are sponsored by Verizon Wireless, you know the place that sponsors the “Verizon Center” where the Washington Capitals play.
It’s a great googalee moogalee day for hockey.
Game time is 7PM and can be seen in high definition at both the Igloo and on VERSUS.
[PENZRGR8 says: Who is all for silencing Stealth on Monday?]
You don’t know me very well… The Pens can win the next three games and I won’t disappear from here or be silenced… Unlike some fans, I don’t disappear when my favorite team loses… Besides, if that happens, that will be my cue to board the Woo Hoo train… I come as invited guest, bringing Cincy chili and a healthy appetite for Kutdacheeseburgers and JLPens special brews… When life throws you lemons, make lemonade!!!!!
That said, Go CAPS Go!!!!! 😉
Who is all for silencing Stealth on Monday?
GO PENZ!
[Boombastic says: I could care less. I hope the Penguins dressed Godard and took Ovechkin head off. They won’t but “retribution”??? Give me a break. The whole situation comes from crashing the net. It doesn’t seem to bother Varlamov as much as it does the DIVING, WHINING Ovechkin.
Godard? I wish the Pens would dress him… He’s a joke…
BTW, there is a difference in crashing the net and crosschecking the goaltender in the side of head, and if you don’t know the difference, then you don’t know very much at all… And just because Varlamov wasn’t injured doesn’t make it OK.. Geez, you clowns are unbelievable… And any fan of the Pens and Crosby shouldn’t even mention whining and diving, whining, or crying in regards to any other player… You got the poster boy of that in Crosby… In fact, yesterday someone posted a link to an anonymous player survey on the CAPS AOL board, and Crosby was the overwhelming winner as the biggest whiner in the NHL… That’s the players talking…
[Ovechkin is a toxic loud mouth who offends his teammates.]
LMAO!! Yea, it sure looks that way every time he scores… Got a link to where any CAPS player is bad mouthng A.O.? Yea, I didn’t think so…
[So he was worried about Varlamov because they could lose the series! What did he mean by that. You see, I took that as a shot at Theodore since Ovechkin claimed he wanted Varlamov there last season. You do follow the local hockey news don’t you.]
Do you disagree with what he said? Do you think the CAPS would be up 2 to 1 or down 3 to 0 if Theodore had been playing? The man is just trying to support the CAPS starting goaltender, and you’re making an issue out it… Pitiful…
[Someday you Cap fans will understand why a player who has only played 50 games over the last two seasons and when he does he stinks wears the C on his sweater.]
Injuries happen, and Clark was voted captain by the players, and they obviously still want him in the job… The only ones who have issue with that are Pens fans… Too funny!!
[Ovechkin is the next Jagr. Watch for it.]
Never happen… A.O. has 100 times the passion for the game than Jagr ever had… Jagr had passion for big paychecks… That’s about it, which is why he’s not in the NHL any longer… Great skill, but no heart… A.O. has the great skill and the heart…
[Ovechkin doesn’t seem to be handling Crosby’s success too well either and you Cap fans have joined him like he’s the Piped Piper. Remember the Jagr reference… a really good player who’s head became screwed-off a little bit at a time.]
Well, do let me know when you think A.O.’s head is fully unscrewed… LMAO!! I don’t think Ovechkin gives a flip about Crosby one way or the other… He just goes out there each game and gives it his all… I do think this A.O. VS Crosby thing is perpetrated more by the NHL for marketing than it is the players themselves… They both just want to win, and I don’t think there is anything personal about it… That angle is NHL marketing crapola…
[PENZRGR8 says: Were you the forgotten child at your home? What is with the comments directed at everyone’s post. A lot of free time eh?]
I was invited to to check out this board by a Pens fan… I assume he wanted me to post here… It’s a message board, right? If me posting here offends your Homeristic sensibilities, then I would suggest that it’s YOU with the problem… Do I have a lot of free time? No, not really… But I do know how to manage my time well…
[Bring your friends over to help. Never mind, in four games we will be moving on to the next series and forget we even played the CAPS.]
I don’t need any help here, but thanks for the morning laugh… And the Pens could win three more games in a row… If that is to be, it’s to be, but if you’re thinking that I will disappear from this blog if that happens, you are sadly mistaken…
[Can’t wait for your fifty replies to this one Stealthy.]
Fifty replies to your post? You think your posts are worth fifty replies? Hey, thanks for another laugh…
😉
Here’s what Crosby said today on NHL.com about Ovechkins stick:
“I don’t have to change my stick in the third period or anything like that, I don’t have to worry about the curve. He’s got a big curve.”
I’m all for a good clean “Honest” game tonight also stealth!
I’m headin’ over now – LETS GO PENS!
@ Stealth
[Maybe there should be… I’m sure you would be posting how the Pens should all come out like Lady Byng candidates had a CAPS player laid the lumber to Fleury… Geez, you hypocrites are over the top… ]
I could care less. I hope the Penguins dressed Godard and took Ovechkin head off. They won’t but “retribution”??? Give me a break. The whole situation comes from crashing the net. It doesn’t seem to bother Varlamov as much as it does the DIVING, WHINING Ovechkin. If Ovechkin thought it was so bad maybe HE should have done something about it besides flap his whiny mouth about it. There’s nothing hypocritical about what I’ve posted.
[In fact, Ovechkin tries to makes fools of just about everyone. It’s for sure he’s one of the best players on the earth but this dude’s missing a few screws.]
[ Total nonsense… You see what you want to see…] Ovechkin is a toxic loud mouth who offends his teammates. Just like loudmouths in the office. So he was worried about Varlamov because they could lose the series! What did he mean by that. You see, I took that as a shot at Theodore since Ovechkin claimed he wanted Varlamov there last season. You do follow the local hockey news don’t you. Someday you Cap fans will understand why a player who has only played 50 games over the last two seasons and when he does he stinks wears the C on his sweater. Ovechkin is the next Jagr. Watch for it.
[When it becomes a habit, ala Diving Crosby, then I will worry about it… Until then, I don’t think so…]
What’s really funny is that I think all players dive some. All of them. Opposing teams (starting in Philadelphia) made a theme of it with Crosby. They built up mike Richards as better. Others picked it up because most people can’t handle success. Ovechkin doesn’t seem to be handling Crosby’s success too well either and you Cap fans have joined him like he’s the Piped Piper. Remember the Jagr reference… a really good player who’s head became screwed-off a little bit at a time.
Stealth,
Were you the forgotten child at your home? What is with the comments directed at everyone’s post. A lot of free time eh?
Bring your friends over to help. Never mind, in four games we will be moving on to the next series and forget we even played the CAPS.
GO PENZ!
Can’t wait for your fifty replies to this one Stealthy.
Good luck to the Pens tonight… I’m hoping the game is as good as the first two, and I hope the CAPS don’t try to retaliate for the crosscheck on Varlamov… It’s done and he wasn’t hurt, so just concentrate on playing a good game… Besides, the refs will be looking for payback and the CAPS don’t want to have anybody tossed or suspended… No nonsense… No injuries… Just hockey played by some exceedingly skilled players…
[Penguin 871 says: Stealth, you may want to read up on how that whole “underdog” thing works!]
Why look it up?… I have all you rocket scientists here to tell me how it works… 😉
[Kult Skate says: HOWEVER, if we take tonight’s game the CHOKING will become a major topic in all BLOGS.]
Nope… Just Pens blogs hoping for one… BTW, how does a team with a worse defense and rookie goaltender “choke” to the seemingly better on paper in every category Pens?
[The only things I’ve seen in the Caps media and with fans of the Capitals is pretty much: An overconfidence setting in by many, and a SMUG ATTITUDE of “it’s not over yet” (but, like it is over)…… The dumb asses don’t know that the Rangers were up on them 2 – 0 and they were lucky to get out of that series. The Rangers didn’t! Many of these Capitals fans (check out HF) are already dancing on the dead Flightless Birdie.]
I was wondering where you were reading that nonsense… It’s not on the AOL board or any of the CAPS blog sites I visit… Most CAPS fans I’ve read comments from pretty much say that the CAPS haven’t seen the best of the Pens yet, but that it’s coming… Most are saying this series will go to seven games… There will always be fans pulling a SEEK… I’m just glad they’re not on the sites I post at… It’s certainly not how I feel about this series…
[But that Kunitz stays away from Ovechkin at center ice for fear of the breeze knocking the ballerina over!]
That “ballerina” is feasting on Fleury, which makes your comment more amusing then you probably intended…
Stealth, you may want to read up on how that whole “underdog” thing works! 🙂
[Mrs. Cheez says: When the biggest story (concerning play) is about the 21 year old goalie (what’s his name’s) magnificent saves the only thing that makes them magnificent is that the Penguins are applying the pressure or he’s getting back after being out of position.]
You will know his name by the end of this series – That’s a fact…
[RBuckle says: Stealth man, the only people that say that about Crosby are our Rivals the Philadelphia Cryers and they just say that because Crosby beats them all the time.]
It’s a lot more than just Flyers fans…
[READ THE NEWS!! – Sports Illustrated/CNN – “Ovechkin fell to the ice and, inexplicably, grabbed his face — an odd decision considering that Kunitz had both hands on his stick mid-body and couldn’t have made contact anywhere above the waist.” The Cryer fans might talk about Crosby, but the actual world media says Ovechkin is the diving, crybaby beotch!]
If you’re getting your hockey news from S.I., well, that explains a few things… You would think they would be discussing how A.O. is abusing the Pens defense and Fleury… Or how an underdog team has a 2 to 0 lead in this series…
[Boombastic says: Ovechkin is now hinting there’s going to be retribution.
Maybe there should be… I’m sure you would be posting how the Pens should all come out like Lady Byng candidates had a CAPS player laid the lumber to Fleury… Geez, you hypocrites are over the top…
[In fact, Ovechkin tries to makes fools of just about everyone. It’s for sure he’s one of the best players on the earth but this dude’s missing a few screws.]
Total nonsense… You see what you want to see…
[As Adam Muir points out the Cap fans see (but are ignoring) the diving and the ‘bizarro’ behavior of this guy. They just look the other way.]
When it becomes a habit, ala Diving Crosby, then I will worry about it… Until then, I don’t think so…
“We want to move forward,” Ovechkin said. “After the fourth game, there’ll be a little celebration, but right now, nothing.”
Here’s some bulletin board material. Princess Alexia Ovechkin will seemingly be celebrating after Game 4 no matter what happens in the next two games. Assuming the series is tied 2-2, which I am, that’s probably a dangerous decision, and could cost the Capitals dearly. Invisibles show up tonight (Staal, Kunitz, Malkin).
Go Pens!
Got Malkin?
We will tonight.
For those that have watched the Penguins for years and years this Capitals team isn’t the same one that historically CHOKED. It’s all new players on both the Penguins and the Capitals.
HOWEVER, if we take tonight’s game the CHOKING will become a major topic in all BLOGS. In fact, I’ll post about the CHOKERS myself! The only things I’ve seen in the Caps media and with fans of the Capitals is pretty much: An overconfidence setting in by many, and a SMUG ATTITUDE of “it’s not over yet” (but, like it is over)…… The dumb asses don’t know that the Rangers were up on them 2 – 0 and they were lucky to get out of that series. The Rangers didn’t! Many of these Capitals fans (check out HF) are already dancing on the dead Flightless Birdie.
That will change dramatically with a Pens win tonight. I’m thinking Kunitz gets MORE PHYSICAL with the VARMIT and tests Ovechkin coming to the defense. But that Kunitz stays away from Ovechkin at center ice for fear of the breeze knocking the ballerina over!
Go Pens. Take the game tonight and let’s talk chokers!
All the Pens need to do is keep the pressure on and they have done that. Just play north south use their speed and the Capitals will take the penalties. That is the Capitals biggest weakness and it has been that way last year – this year and so far through the playoffs. It’s not going to change.
Just keep the pressure on and Malkin and the PP will come through. At the same time it keeps their key players off the ice.
When the biggest story (concerning play) is about the 21 year old goalie (what’s his name’s) magnificent saves the only thing that makes them magnificent is that the Penguins are applying the pressure or he’s getting back after being out of position. Just keep the pressure on and if their goalie continue to make the saves they deserve to win. I’m guessing the Pen’s pressure their penalty taking weak defense and we take games 3 & 4.
@Boombastic [but this dude’s missing a few screws.] Alexia is a brain disorder. So Krundle is saying Princess (brain disorder) Ovechkin – perfect! The Pens need to go back to Bylsma’s original game plan – attack! attack! attack! In your face hockey – The best defense is a good offense.
Stealth man, the only people that say that about Crosby are our Rivals the Philadelphia Cryers and they just say that because Crosby beats them all the time. READ THE NEWS!! – Sports Illustrated/CNN – “Ovechkin fell to the ice and, inexplicably, grabbed his face — an odd decision considering that Kunitz had both hands on his stick mid-body and couldn’t have made contact anywhere above the waist.” The Cryer fans might talk about Crosby, but the actual world media says Ovechkin is the diving, crybaby beotch!
LETS GO PENS!
I just have one thing to say….
GO PENZ!
…The rest does not matter.
WE WILL WIN THE NEXT FOUR STRAIGHT!
AO is pooped out and has to take the curve out of his stick for tonight.
Varmit has a sore back tonight and will let in five goals.
It seems like the Penguins were playing like they were automatically going to win again. They need to grind it out like everyone else. The only person who seems to be doing that is Crosby. I would also like to see Bylsma get back to the using Crosby and Malkin together at the end of periods.
Ovechkin doesn’t break out his curved stick until later in the game, we can watch him do it at the game tonight and yell for Bylsma to check it.
We need a blowout I think it will be 5-1 Pens!
GO PENS!
Bottom line on Game 3—– Crosby could probably use a little help from Malkin and Staal. Especially Malkin who seems to be asleep at the wheel (again). Malkin’s a minus 3 for the playoffs and that makes it five straight games without a goal. Staal says, “They don’t need me to score goals to win games.” They don’t??? I do! Staal is also a mimus 3 for the playoffs and only has one point. The key with Malkin is (while he may be MVP for the regular season) he also pulled the same disappearing act in last year’s playoffs. Wake UP!
Staal and Malkin are what we refer to as “core players” and the strength of this team. They better start acting like it and start producing. Staal’s playing at a Craig Adams level. If anyone thinks this non production can go on and we win this series—– think again.
Let’s go Pens!
@ Stealth
Sidney Crosby is universally considered the best hockey player on the planet. In fact, you can’t read anything in the Washington Metro area about hockey without CROSBY’S name appearing. That by itself shows this kid’s drawing power and respect. Philadelphia has special cheers to address him. Washington DC just talk about him in every form of media. As to the hats, Crosby brought that up in the post game interview, that he asked the ref if they could make an announcement to get the game on. Now, the reasoning I saw behind that was solely to get the game on. It didn’t appear that the Verizon Center officials knew what to do until they ran out of hats.
Someday when Ovechkin gets to be the captain of your team, which he isn’t, he’ll talk more about hockey than drinking vodka with his buds and how fast he can drive his car. That morning meet with the press yesterday looked like he mumbled his way through and when asked if he was okay, replied that he had only been awake for 15 minutes. Does he sleep in the Kettler Iceplex? He’s Bizzaro material.
Ovechkin is now hinting there’s going to be retribution. The guys dives and trys to make a fool of the ref’s. In fact, Ovechkin tries to makes fools of just about everyone. It’s for sure he’s one of the best players on the earth but this dude’s missing a few screws. As Adam Muir points out the Cap fans see (but are ignoring) the diving and the ‘bizarro’ behavior of this guy. They just look the other way.
[Krundle says: Hound Ovechkin. This has been annoying me the whole series. Ovechkin has been jumping into the scruffs after the play every time he is on the ice, the Penguins must engage him and try to goad him into a penalty for fighting, roughing or anything, even if it’s called even up, they do it if Crosby or Malkin join in.]
Like the Pens haven’t tried that already… The Pens just end up in the sin bin, and A.O. ends up with a game winner… Please tell me you are a comedian by trade, and this is just a side hobby… LOL!!!!!
[Krundle says: There is only one whiny, crybaby, diver in town tonight and her name is now and here forth pronounced Princess Alexia Ovechkin. Here is what the princess said about Chris Kunitz’s bump of the Capitals goaltender: ”It’s a cheap shot and Brash got six games but why not Kunitz?” (sniff, sniff) “It’s all about being fair.” Says the Princess who took a fair dive when was approached by Kunitz earlier in the game. Is the little princess scared of Kunitz? I believe so. Either way, the NHL fined Kunitz a token $2500 just to shut the little princess up.]
There is only one player in the NHL that is universally considered a diver and whiner, and that is Sidney Crosby… BTW, how come you failed to mention Crysby whining about all the hats on the ice after Ovechkin’s hattrick? Your hypocrisy is duly noted…