The Penguins are back in Washington tonight for game two of round two. Sidney Crosby worked on perfecting his open net shooting. “Usually you’re not working on an open net, But I had to.” Crosby Said. The Penguins had outworked the Capitals most of the game and ended up the victims of a few mental lapses. They are looking to correct that in this evenings game.
It would be funny if it wasn’t true. Have you ever heard someone say that the Penguins should decline the penalty so that they have a chance to score? We’ll I’ve crunched the numbers and it’s true. On the road the Penguins this post season have scored 1 goal every 32 minutes of power play time, when they are playing 5 on 5 they have scored a goal every 14 minutes and 35 seconds. They have a two times better chance of scoring a goal even strength, so decline the Power Play (on the road).
Down on the farm the WBS Penguins lost their second in a row to the Washington Capitals minor league team the Hershey Bears. Janne Pesonen who set the record for points scored in a regular season for the WBS Penguins has missed both games with a lower body injury. Apparently Janne Pesonen has had a song written about him, it’s on YouTube, but it’s in Finnish: click here: “Janne Pesonen cult song”
There has been a lot of talk about the Jordan Staal, Tyler Kennedy and Matt Cooke 3rd line of the Penguins and how well they play together, but where are the goals? Between the three of them, in seven games they only have 2 goals, both by Kennedy.
Alexander Semin will not talk to North American media. I’m thinking he’s learned from the best that it is better if you don’t open your mouth.
Where is the help that Ray Shero got for Sidney Crosby? Billy Guerin has 2 goals in 7 games, Chris Kunitz has zero, zilch, zippo, and both are seeing time on the first powerplay. News Flash for Kunitz: Shero did not bring you here to pass, get to the net and shoot the puck, it really is that easy.
The Penguins have only won 7 of the 21 weekend afternoon games this season, the bad news for the Capitals is that there are no more afternoon games on the schedule for them.
In the first 7 playoff rounds with the Capitals, the Penguins lost the first game in 6 of them, the bad news for the Capitals is that the Penguins have won 6 of those seven playoff rounds.
Game time is 7PM and can be seen in high definition at Verizon Center or on VERSUS.
The Capitals are now 7 – 1 in the first game of series with the Pens. It’s been a different story in Game 2 however as the Penguins in Game 2 have gone 5 – 2. I don’t buy into that dung but I thought I’d throw that out there. If the Capitals can’t tighten up their defense and continue to take the dumb penalties the Pens will convert them. It’s for the home ice advantage and if the Capitals lose (just like with Boston and Detroit and Vancouver) that home ice advantage isn’t there anymore. Game 2 hasn’t been so sweet for the home team and hopefully the Penguins keep that at 4 for 4. If you expected this series to be easy I think you made a mistake. Tonight I’m expecting run down the stretch like with Mine The Bird tonight… which if the Pens/Caps game went into the 3rd OT there would have been an aircraft carrier full of PO’d hockey and horse racing fans.
Kunitz has to shoot the puck more… no question. But so should a few others. All will be well tonight, I think.
Let’s go Pens!
Last game had way to many giveaways from both teams really. And can we go to the net more ffs? Ya the Staal line is great, working the corners etc…but someone needs to go to the net “more often” anything, something.
Who do we write about declining the penalities? Great idea. They do it in football.
GO PENZ!
Yesterday Zedno Chara screwed up on a cross ice pass that led to a goal and Marian Hossa screwed-up that led to the Ducks OT win. I’d take both of them on my team.
The Pens are down one game and we’ve been here before. Only one team makes it through the four challenges and if you wanted you could select many players on the remaining 8 team who could be presented as “convenient” scapegoats.
As long as the Penguins control the puck possession time they’ll be in the game. I don’t think anyone but Todd Marchant thought it might be him scoring the GWG yesterday. That’s what makes the games exciting.
Go Pens!