Alright, This is a must win, the Pens are down but not out, they have looked decent the first two games, but have nothing to show for it. I’m not hearing anything positive from the fans, but my plan is to see one of the greatest comebacks in Penguin history and to have it start with tonights game.
The Penguins have been through this before, not 5 years ago, but a little over 3 weeks ago. Down 2 games to none do or die situation, fans were down, but Penguin coach Dan Bylsma rallied the troops and the Penguins went on to win three games in a row. The Penguins play great when their backs are against the wall.
Last time around when the Penguins were down two games against Washington I made a list of things I think they needed to do to win the series. So here is another list:
- The Penguins need to shoot the puck on net. They seem to be gripping the stick to tight and have been shooting the puck directly into Osgood’s belly every time. Shoot like you have been all series, loosen up.
- Start using your head. Rob Scuderi had the puck on the Detroit blue line in the first period last game while the Penguins were changing lines. He had the option of shooting the puck or dumping it in along the boards. Osgood was in net. Osgood’s stick was laying in the corner. Scuderi decided to dump the puck into the corner. The Penguins need to take initiative and be creative. Get the puck to the net, Talbot got a goofy knuckler of a goal last series, and one goal could turn this whole series around.
- Play all 4 lines. The Penguins are tiring themselves out. The Penguins were scored on twice when they iced the puck because they were tired and unable to get a line change. Once they used their timeout, once they didn’t.
- Get the lead, the Penguins can not play catch-up again Detroit’s trap.
One of the best parts of last game was the Evgeni Malkin fight at the end of the game. This is a huge step in the character building of this young Russian superstar.
The Detroit fans are all up in arms about Max Talbot poking at the loose puck that he put in the net at the end of the game calling it a “spearing”. He hit the loose puck, it went in the net, the Ref must have lost sight of the loose puck and blew the whistle. End of story.
I watched the supposed slash the announcers were barking about that Marian WHOosa did. Unless it happened before the clip I watched 5 times, it didn’t happen. It’s almost like the announcers see a broken stick and just assume it was a slash. I did see the puck go out of the zone about 10 seconds before that though, and that wasn’t called.
The Penguins will be getting the final line changes tonight and that will be the clincher.
How about we rock the Igloo tonight and show the team we believe in them! GO PENS!
Game time is 8PM and can be seen in high definition at the Igloo or Versus.
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It takes at least two-days for Momma Malkin’s BORSCHT SOUP to finally kick-in whereas the SWEDISH FONDUE works the other way to load on the fat. Trust me – not only am I Shaggy, MR Fantastic but I’m also a famed UPMC nutritionist who once got Disco Stu down to a competition weight so he could compete against Vinny Barberino for the lead role in Saturday Night Fever. Ask him – he’ll admit that he couldn’t layoff the Sweedish Fondue – it slowed Disco Stu down. On the good side he did finally land a good job at Ikea however! Boom -Boom -Boom.
Let’s go Pens…….. 1-2, 2-2, then back to Detroit and we’ll talk more – these games are draining aren’t they!
The think the Pens well enough to possibly gain a split at the JLC. They didn’t and therefore have their backs against the wall. More SOG than Detroit but Osgood didn’t allow too many second opportunities. The good thing is that both Crosby and Malkin are shooting the puck. Maybe it’s just me but I thought they had way too many east/west passes coming into their own zone and Detroit was laying back picking them off. I think they not only have to get back to playing a more north/south game and mixing it up a bit when entering the zone.
Letang has to get better at keeping the puck in (although it could have been the ice causing the puck to bounce) and Gonchar has looked tentative at times entering the zone on the PP but that could be just me because he’s registering in as a PLUS2 which isn’t bad considering we’ve been beat 3 -1 in both games.
The last but not least thing is that Staal has to step it up. He was worse on faceoffs in the 2nd game than he was in the first.
Thirteen years ago Sakic had S/C 34 points and Malkin (30) and Crosby (28) are closing in. I got the felling that they pour it on tonight.
Things will then look a lot different for Game 4, 5 and 6.
I have the FAITH. Go Pens!
I BELIEVE! AMEN BROTHER!
Wow, the silence in here is deadening. I’m heading over tonight, WE ARE GOING TO WIN! We will only be down one game then. Pick your heads up, the team needs us to believe.
Is there enyone else who believes?
GO PENS!
Lighten up your life elvis – some of us have to work ya know.