Pens vs Rangers | 01-28-09

Interesting game to say the least. The Third Period was very different than the first two.

I was impressed with both teams 1 on 1 battling and pressure on the puck. At times the Rangers hounded the puck better and at times the Pens. The Pens are not lacking skill, they have plenty, but with skill being not as high this year and no Hossa, devotion to winning 1 on 1 battles will continue to help them. Staal and Kennedy were absolutely huge in this department tonight on the forecheck.

The devotion to the 1-2-2 is paying off.  Since the Flyers game on Jan 13th, the Pens are 4-2 taking 8 out of a possible 12 points. Tonight the Rangers had a hard time breaking out of the “trap”. Gomez used his speed to break it at times…but one man can’t do it alone. Some teams have the speed to break that down, but the Rangers just didn’t tonight.

Sid was pretty quiet in the first wo periods, but when the game counted, man was here there. Big assists on the  Letang and Sykora goals and a b-e-a-utiful backhand goal. Maybe the best of the year (regarding backhand goals). He stayed within the game for two periods and broke it once he got the chance.

Save for one bad set of plays leading to the second Talbot penalty, Malkin was “quiet” stats wise, but played a good game.

I think about every team in the league would take Tyler Kennedy on their roster. Maybe the best 3rd line player for his size. Definitely one of his best games of the year.

Letang mae it look like the goal scoring drought may be over. 2 very good goals, almost had another PPG as well. It’s not just the goals…but he played a very good defensive game. Solid positioning, crisp passes. He is my second favorite young Blueliner to watch, besides a healthy Erik Johnson.

MAF did what he was supposed to do. The Staal goal was a good shot, but otherwise Fluery was there for every call.

Dupuis looked good in his first game back and Talbot didnt really do much to hurt himself. Minard was in for some key plays and Thomas as another Baby Penguin call up doing well on the 3r/4th line. Not very impressed with “Bizznasty”.

I have to mention the Godard / Orr fight to start the game. Godard delivered a very nasty right jab to the face. Orr went straight down and right back up. Good fight.

3 Stars:
3 – MAF
2 – Letang
1 – Crosby

Pens vs Canes | 01-20-09

Im going to keep this one easy tonight.

First Period the Pens did pretty well. 1-2-2 is still working ok, intensity was there. PP has been getting better.

Second Period….where did the intensity go? Canes were allowed to do too much up till the goal. The Pens found their spark after that. Nearly scored on the PP before the end of the period and milked a second on a stupid penalty from Whitney.

Couple things from the Second stoodout:
1. Pens are predictable on offensive chances coming in the zone. Especially the drop pass along the boards to the late man.
2. Sid needs to get back to what he wanted to do earlier this year…and SHOOT THE PUCK. Seems like when times are lean , Sid goes back to trying to set up too much. He is at his best when he simplifies the play. Nothing overly fancy, just move the puck swiftly.
3. Ward and MAF have been good. Canes are short a goal or two more than they should have, but MAF has really improved the last 5-6 games.

This is a game the Pens MUST dominate the 3rd to win. Carolina reminds me alot of Nashville. They hang around with solid play and typically good goaltending and can steal those points at the end. Crosby and Malkin need to get to basics and throw the puck at the net.

Third Period:
Pens didnt really get it done. MAF did all he could to keep them in the game. This is where their loss of depth has really hurt them.

No points against a team YOU HAVE to beat…they are in direct competition against the Canes…so giving them two and getting none is just like losing 4.