I hate to pin the loss on one or two players making one or two bad plays, but………….. the Penguins were dominating every aspect of the game until Gonchar flipped an easy clearing pass from just inside his own blueline over the glass. There was nobody on him, no real pressure or need to make a hasty play, but he did. This was a real momentum changing point of the game. Follow that up with Matt Cooke taking a bad retaliatory penalty and now the Pens are in a 5 on 3 short handed situation. The caps scored with the two-man advantage and the momentum had turned completely around.
Photos for the Penguins – Washington series are provided to PenguinPoop by: www.offwingphoto.com
As I said, I don’t like to pin it on one or two guys because there were other factors. An incredible save by Simeon Varlamov on Crosby, a bonehead play by Orpik / Fedodenko confusing assignments and many decisions by Penguin players not to shoot all added to the disappointing loss. Let’s keep in mind that the Penguins powerplay is non- existent. What happen to the PP? They need to do something to mix it up.
I thought overall that the Pens played a better game with the exception of about a half of a period or so after the 5 on 3. The Pens outshot the Caps 36-26 and should have had many more. I think Kunitz alone passed up three or four great shooting opportunities by himself. Based on this game, I have confidence the Pens can come back strong and take one in D.C.
Notes:
- Fedotenko and Sykora have got to show up. We need these guys to start making some things happen. I have to say, I thought Sykora did play with a bit more energy, but he needs to get on the scoresheet.
- As much as it pains me to say this……..Gonchar is not playing well.
- How about Coffey… I mean Eaton scoring again. That goal proved that the Pens need to get the puck on the net whenever possible.
Here’s to bringing the series back to the “Burgh” tied 1-1.
Stealth,
I wouldn’t talk about your wife like that. She was a little bigger, but calling her a lard ass, that was harsh. Your wife was the one behind the bench in the Cream Puff shirt right? I heard she snuck into the game while you were camping.
GO PENZ!
OVECHKIN WILL BE SHUT DOWN TONIGHT.
While all the yapping Cheez and Stealth? I am beginning to think you both love each other. Smooch! Smooch! This isn’t point and counterpoint.
GO PENZ!
[The game was fine – no problems with it. I’d like a win but seriously Penguin fans have been there before unlike OvechNIK and many of the Capital fans who seemed to be into whoop-whooped Gonchar than watching the game.]
Personally, I never understoond the whoop whoop myself, but whatever… The fans pay their money, so I guess they can holler whatever they want…
[PHat Ted and his drummer boys were greeting the sparC fans as they entered. Some people thought it was great and maybe it is. Personally, with that Swine Flu we weren’t shaking his hand nor any of those WASH SKIN HOGS either.]
LOL!! I don’t blame you one bit there. Like you, that wouldn’t have kept me out of the Phone Booth had the family opted for that, but it would have been in the back of my mind. That’s a lot of sneezing, wheezing, coughing, and screaming going on in close quarters.
[No problem . . . a ton of Penguin fans would be approximately 12 whereas a ton of WASH DC sparC fans would be about 8 unless they were WASH DC women it would be closer to 6!]
In other words, Cheez, you are saying your CAPS friends Casty and Cynthia are a couple of lard asses?… Wow… And they got you tickets too…
[Either that or you need a better TV.]
It’s a 50″ Panisonic HD plasma, and I assure you, the picture is awesome… Especially for hockey… 😉
I did see one Pens fan behind the CAPS bench, wearing one of those creampuff powder blue jerseys, and she was quite the load… You may have to recalculate your tonnage estimates for PA and DC…
[So, your boys elected to pitch a tent vs WASH DC playoff games. Wow. And, two six packs of Guiness, eh. I can understand why your wife don’t let you go out by yourself.]
Yea, 12 beers is usually enough to get me through a hockey game, including the pre-game… If it takes you a case, hey, more power to you… As I, my wife loves hockey, so if one of us goes to a game, all of us our going… It’s family thing… Do you have kids, or are Casty and Cynthia stepping into that role for you?
[So NASCAR has a summer camp, eh. Good for your boys. That’s shows some intelligence selecting NASCAR over OvechNIK.]
My boys prefer Formula 1, but don’t let that stop your stereotypical bullsh!t. And one of the few things they are in complete agreement with is their belief that Ovechkin is better than Sidney Crysby. That’s what they call him without any prompting or encouragement from me. I’m a lucky man to have such intelligent sons. 🙂
BTW, their summer camp has cabins. What kind of low budget camp were you sent to? 😉
[The Pens wasted far too much time on the PP getting the puck into their own zone. Rust? Tired? Focus? They have enough forwards and defensemen to put out two units and really (?) going with the same idea and not getting results (?)… what do you think? Should we change it up or stay the course? Come on guys… let’s hear some opinion… we have more hockey knowledge in our body then those others sites have in their entire pinky! What say you?]
Hook, I think 2 units would be a good idea but maybe save it for next season. This is Yeo’s PP and they needed adjustments getting the puck up ice and into their own zone yesterday. They looked to casual at times. They looked that way several times this year. So, I guess I saying we stay the course.
[Hey Cheez, do you only post on the AOL boards after a Pens win? Inquiring minds want to know… As does Seek!! LOL!!]
It’s tough posting anywhere when you are at the game. Anyhow AOL has chumped up everything. You create a post and AOL looses it somewhere. That’s why they are about history. If I would have stayed for the next game I would have choke the GOAT with the horn. After a while you would think someone would put his horn where it belongs. The game was fine – no problems with it. I’d like a win but seriously Penguin fans have been there before unlike OvechNIK and many of the Capital fans who seemed to be into whoop-whooped Gonchar than watching the game. What’s really funny is that many of those whoop-whoopers were whoop-wooping Letang because they were more into whoop-whooping then realizing who had the puck. As usual Cynthia and CAST came thru w/ tickets. PHat Ted and his drummer boys were greeting the sparC fans as they entered. Some people thought it was great and maybe it is. Personally, with that Swine Flu we weren’t shaking his hand nor any of those WASH SKIN HOGS either. As I often have said – hockey should never have been allowed below the Mason Dixon line.
[Cheez, you say a there were a “ton” of Pens fans at the game yesterday? Define ton… ]
No problem . . . a ton of Penguin fans would be approximately 12 whereas a ton of WASH DC sparC fans would be about 8 unless they were WASH DC women it would be closer to 6!
[They must have been disguised as CAPS fans… LOL!! ]
Either that or you need a better TV.
[As for me not going to the game, it was either take my entire family to the game, OR allow my boys to go to summer camp… It could not be both, and the boys chose summer camp… Had nothing to do with the price of Guinness, and I didn’t need a case… Two six packs were plenty…]
So, your boys elected to pitch a tent vs WASH DC playoff games. Wow. And, two six packs of Guiness, eh. I can understand why your wife don’t let you go out by yourself. So NASCAR has a summer camp, eh. Good for your boys. That’s shows some intelligence selecting NASCAR over OvechNIK.
Hey Cheez, do you only post on the AOL boards after a Pens win? Inquiring minds want to know… As does Seek!! LOL!!
Cheez, you say a there were a “ton” of Pens fans at the game yesterday? Define ton… They must have been disguised as CAPS fans… LOL!! As for me not going to the game, it was either take my entire family to the game, OR allow my boys to go to summer camp… It could not be both, and the boys chose summer camp… Had nothing to do with the price of Guinness, and I didn’t need a case… Two six packs were plenty…
As for your comments about A.O., cry me a river… Waaaaaaaaaaaahhhh… LMAO!!!! Have some whine with yourself, Cheez… You’re a match made in Pittsburgh… 😉
Boombastic, the CAPS could easily have run out of those red tees… I bet there are thousands of creampuff powder blue Pens jerseys available for you to purchase, however…
Dr. Hook, I’d leave the Pens power play just as it is… It’s bound to score, eventually, right? 😉
It’s a tough game to lose but STUFF HAPPENS. There were a ton of Penguin fans at the Viet Cong Centre I disposited my red sweater in a urninal where it belonged. I see Stealth sat at home. What’s with that Stealth? The freaking case Guinness is as much as a seat. Your wife won’t let you out of her site, eh. Or, are you still on house arrest?
The Washington Post claimed the loose-lipped OvechNIK took a shot at Fluery. OvechNIK claimed that Varlamov played great and the Pens had a post that played well too.
This isn’t a language brain cramp this guy seems comfortable taking shots from anywhere. That’s ON and OFF the ice. That “A” on his sweater doesn’t stand for “A”lternate.
Let’s go Pens.
Shoot the puck. Kunitz has been passing up a ton of shooting opportunities and so has Staal. It appeared that Malkin looked for the pass first. Shoot the puck. If Mark Eaton can have 3 goals wake up. Shoot the puck. Crosby shoots the puck BOOM – Eaton shoots the puck BOOM. We needed another BOOM.
A little on Malkin; way too many back passes. Keep the play going forward. Yet, great on the face-offs. No problem boys – you weren’t going to win them all. But, keep the pressure on them and we’ll take 4 of the next 5. Pens in 6!
Did those Capitals run out of (free) RED Sweaters!
Cooke’s penalty was more bone-headed because of Gonchar being in the box. I presented…
[[How the Penguins could lose: That IMO, the
Capitals won’t fix the problem they have
taking penalties and therefore our power
play has to click better than what it has.
It’s that simple.]]
And, it really is that simple. We haven’t scored a PP since Game 4 with the FLYERS. Personally, went they aren’t scoring on the PP and for pretty much the entire PP it’s the same players… I’d go to 2 separate units and this is why. When you play those same guys and DON’T SCORE not only does it screw up the next few shifts but you might get more results by throwing fresher players with a different look. Boston does that and has really good success doing it.
The Pens wasted far too much time on the PP getting the puck into their own zone. Rust? Tired? Focus? They have enough forwards and defensemen to put out two units and really (?) going with the same idea and not getting results (?)… what do you think? Should we change it up or stay the course? Come on guys… let’s hear some opinion… we have more hockey knowledge in our body then those others sites have in their entire pinky! What say you?
The Pens agressive play created the PP opportunities and the didn’t convert. Credit has to go to the Capitals PK and that’s why they won the game. Varlamov’s save was super but I think Poti plus the puck (I thought) went more off the heel of Crosby’s stick obviously slowed the shot. We took the face-offs, and Green Jurcina and Erskine tried to giveaway the game and our Flightless birdies didn’t take it.
The Pens have lost Game 1 in 7 of the 8 playoff meetings between these two clubs. We get beat on the 5 on 3 and don’t score on 5 PP’s it’s tough to come out on top going 0 fer 5.
Excuse # 1: Rust… LOL!!
Good post, good comment. The Pens haven`t played in a week, I`ll blame this one on Rust. Mistakes on Rust and well, the Power Play cannot be blamed on Rust. It`s been poor. Fleury will be better Monday night and the Pens should be also. Never give up, this team is determined to get back in the finals. LET`S GO PENS!
Cooke and Gonchar the two who took stupid penalties to cause the 5 on 3 are both ex-Capitals.
Hmmmmm
Can the Penguins decline penalties to keep it 5 on 5 so we have a better chance of scoring?