After a game 5 victory on Saturday night at Mellon Arena that upped the post-season record of the Pittsburgh Penguins under Head Coach Dan Bylsma to 10-2 after a loss, the Boys of Winter traveled to Montreal yesterday as they prepared for their chance to close out the Habs in game 6 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal tonight at The Bell Centre (7:00 PM EST, VERSUS, FSN PITTSBURGH).
Certainly, the crowd in Montreal this evening is bound to be loud and hostile to the visitors, but if it's one thing the Penguins have down at this point, it's closing out a series on the road.
In fact, they have yet to close one out at home under Bylsma, instead winning all 5 playoff series' under him away from home, including the first round this year against the Ottawa Senators in game 6.
Given the mostly complete game he saw from his team in game 5 Saturday night, expect Bylsma to stick with the same lineup tonight. That means no Ruslan Fedotenko or Alexei Ponikarovsky.
For Montreal, there is anything but certainty as to who is going to suit up for them -- particularly on the blue line.
Defenseman Hal Gill returned to Montreal yesterday from Pittsburgh, one day after staying in Pittsburgh overnight for observation of a cut he sustained on the back of his leg after Pens' LW Chris Kunitz inadvertently stepped on it with one of his skate blades Saturday night.
Sources have provided varying reports about Gill's availability for tonight's game and, while anything is possible in the post-season, it appears that Gill has maybe a 35% chance of suiting up.
If he doesn't go, his most likely replacement would be Jaroslav Spacek, who has been out since game 3 or 4 of Montreal's first round series against Washington with a condition -- believed to be Vertigo -- that was affecting his balance. Spacek has been cleared by Montreal's medical staff to play, but as I understand it, he's yet to take in a full practice with all of his teammates and instead only skated with small groups of other injured players or taxi-squad members.
If Spacek goes, he can bring a good two-way stability to Montreal's blueline, but there has to be a question as to how quickly he could acclimate to getting back into the lineup in the middle of a highly-contested series with everything on the line after not playing for about 3 weeks.
Meanwhile, the Habs saw defensemen Andrei Markov and Paul Mara skate lightly yesterday, as well. Mara has been out since early April after sustaining what was thought to be a season-ending shoulder injury, while everyone following this series knows that Markov left game 1 after suffering a torn ACL on a crushing -- but legal -- hit by Pens' forward Matt Cooke.
Despite skating briefly yesterday, Mara isn't believed to be close to playing yet and, while Markov is still considered out indefinitely, word has been circulating that the Canadiens are trying to find him a proper brace that could support his knee enough to allow him to try to go.
Players have played with a torn ACL before, but needless to say, if Markov suits up in that condition, his mobility would be severely limited.
Personally, I don't expect to see Markov back in the lineup tonight. As I mentioned, Spacek is the most likely play.
Lineup changes aside, it goes without saying that it's incumbent on the Penguins to match Montreal's intensity tonight. The Habs were in the same situation in round 1 against the Capitals, so it won't be unfamiliar to them. Pittsburgh will need to show the same urgency the Canadiens surely will, and do everything they can to close out the Habs in game 6 tonight. The last thing they want is to leave things to an anything-can-happen game 7.
As usual, things for Pittsburgh are likely to come down to their players down the middle.
If Pens' netminder Marc-Andre Fleury can give them another good game (which he's been generally putting together lately), if Captain Sidney Crosby can get something going without having to see Gill opposite him on the Montreal blueline, and if Malkin continues the dominance he showed in game 5, I like the Penguins' chances. Even if -- as is often the case in big games -- the role players are often the hero in the end.
Hey -- as long as the guys in the white jerseys are celebrating afterwards, that's all that matters.
Recap tomorrow.
Let's Go Pens!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Penguins Blast Their Way To 2-1 Game 5 Victory, 3-2 Series Lead
As the Pittsburgh Penguins entered game 5 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal last night at Mellon Arena, there were no secrets about how their opponent -- the Montreal Canadiens -- likes to play defense.
Their plan is pretty simple: Throw a blanket around Penguins' Captain and superstar Sidney Crosby, and then throw a forcefield around the 10 feet surrounding their netminder, Jaroslav Halak.
While Crosby again struggled to break out in game 5 last night, the Penguins took advantage of the continually collapsing Montreal defense by winning 2-1 on the strength of two rocket goals from the point in the first and second periods by defenseman Kris Letang and Sergei Gonchar.
Those two goals and some stellar work between the pipes by Marc-Andre Fleury in a game where the Canadiens suprisingly outshot -- but not outplayed -- Pittsburgh, combined to give the Penguins a home victory in front of a raucous crowd and put them one win away from reaching the Eastern Conference Final for the third straight year.
Fleury was sharp early last night and held up his bargain all evening long, stopping 32 of 33 shots and only allowing a late power play goal to the Canadiens' Mike Cammalleri with 30 seconds left in the game on a puck that just squirted between his legs and across the line during a scrum around the net.
Otherwise, the flower bloomed for the second time in the last three games and earned the contest's #1 star.
While Crosby was bottled up again last night and now has gone a career-high six straight playoff games without a goal dating back to the Pens' first round series against the Ottawa Senators, his other superstar teammate, Evgeni Malkin, might have had his best game of the series.
Geno was dominant throughout game 5, skating with authority, controlling the puck at-will, and creating numerous scoring chances. His work down low in the first period led the Canadiens to pack around their netminder like sardines, which left Letang wide open at the point and led directly to his opening goal. Malkin also had about 3 or 4 grade "A" opportunites for goals of his own.
Another factor in Tanger's opening tally was RW Bill Guerin, who returned to the lineup last night after missing games 3 and 4 with an elbow problem, and deftly provided a screen in front of Halak on the play.
Not coincidentally, Guerin's teammate who also returned last night after missing game 4 with 'a bug' -- Mike Rupp -- did the same on Gonchar's goal in the second period.
And while I'm talking about Sarge's tally, a little shout-out is warranted for the guy who got the second assist on the play, center Mark Letestu. Letestu -- who centered the 4th line last night -- was real solid all over the ice last night in his second game of this series and I've been very pleased with what the Penguins have been getting from him.
AND, the fact that Pittsburgh Head Coach Dan Bylsma kept Letetsu in the lineup last night and instead scratched not only Ruslan Fedotenko -- who Bylsma has long been unsatisfied with -- but also trade deadline aquisition Alexei Ponikarovsky, says everything you need to know about how the call-up has exceeded expecatiations when on the ice.
Another notable development from last night's contest was that the Canadiens' 757 on the blueline -- rearguard Hal Gill -- left the game early in the third period after Pens' LW Chris Kunitz inadvertently stepped on the back of his leg near the knee. Gill is believed to have sustained a laceration on the play, did not return and was even said to not fly home with his teammates to Montreal last night, instead remaining in Pittsburgh for treatment.
If Gill can't go for game 6, an already depleted Montreal blueline is going to be that much thinner in a game where his team faces elimination by a club looking to close out its sixth straight series on the road dating back to last year.
More tomorrow as I preview that game 6.
Their plan is pretty simple: Throw a blanket around Penguins' Captain and superstar Sidney Crosby, and then throw a forcefield around the 10 feet surrounding their netminder, Jaroslav Halak.
While Crosby again struggled to break out in game 5 last night, the Penguins took advantage of the continually collapsing Montreal defense by winning 2-1 on the strength of two rocket goals from the point in the first and second periods by defenseman Kris Letang and Sergei Gonchar.
Those two goals and some stellar work between the pipes by Marc-Andre Fleury in a game where the Canadiens suprisingly outshot -- but not outplayed -- Pittsburgh, combined to give the Penguins a home victory in front of a raucous crowd and put them one win away from reaching the Eastern Conference Final for the third straight year.
Fleury was sharp early last night and held up his bargain all evening long, stopping 32 of 33 shots and only allowing a late power play goal to the Canadiens' Mike Cammalleri with 30 seconds left in the game on a puck that just squirted between his legs and across the line during a scrum around the net.
Otherwise, the flower bloomed for the second time in the last three games and earned the contest's #1 star.
While Crosby was bottled up again last night and now has gone a career-high six straight playoff games without a goal dating back to the Pens' first round series against the Ottawa Senators, his other superstar teammate, Evgeni Malkin, might have had his best game of the series.
Geno was dominant throughout game 5, skating with authority, controlling the puck at-will, and creating numerous scoring chances. His work down low in the first period led the Canadiens to pack around their netminder like sardines, which left Letang wide open at the point and led directly to his opening goal. Malkin also had about 3 or 4 grade "A" opportunites for goals of his own.
Another factor in Tanger's opening tally was RW Bill Guerin, who returned to the lineup last night after missing games 3 and 4 with an elbow problem, and deftly provided a screen in front of Halak on the play.
Not coincidentally, Guerin's teammate who also returned last night after missing game 4 with 'a bug' -- Mike Rupp -- did the same on Gonchar's goal in the second period.
And while I'm talking about Sarge's tally, a little shout-out is warranted for the guy who got the second assist on the play, center Mark Letestu. Letestu -- who centered the 4th line last night -- was real solid all over the ice last night in his second game of this series and I've been very pleased with what the Penguins have been getting from him.
AND, the fact that Pittsburgh Head Coach Dan Bylsma kept Letetsu in the lineup last night and instead scratched not only Ruslan Fedotenko -- who Bylsma has long been unsatisfied with -- but also trade deadline aquisition Alexei Ponikarovsky, says everything you need to know about how the call-up has exceeded expecatiations when on the ice.
Another notable development from last night's contest was that the Canadiens' 757 on the blueline -- rearguard Hal Gill -- left the game early in the third period after Pens' LW Chris Kunitz inadvertently stepped on the back of his leg near the knee. Gill is believed to have sustained a laceration on the play, did not return and was even said to not fly home with his teammates to Montreal last night, instead remaining in Pittsburgh for treatment.
If Gill can't go for game 6, an already depleted Montreal blueline is going to be that much thinner in a game where his team faces elimination by a club looking to close out its sixth straight series on the road dating back to last year.
More tomorrow as I preview that game 6.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Who Will Be Ready To Close Out The Series After Game 5?
As the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens ready for a huge game 5 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series tonight at Mellon Arena (7:00 PM EST, VERSUS) one thing is undoubtedly certan.
After tonight, one team will be poised to close out this series in six games.
Who that team is and who's in the best position to do that, however, remains anything but.
In a tennis-like back-and-forth feel, it would appear that this series currently favors the Habs.
After all, nobody expected them to defeat the league-leading Washington Capitals in the first round, and certainly, nobody expected them to have things even with the Penguins after 4 games.
But Les Habitants are playing good team defense, scoring opportune goals, and getting very solid goaltending from Jaroslav Halak.
Meanwhile, the Penguins are being outscored 5-on-5 in this series and, despite dominating significant stretches of play in this series, haven't done better than draw even with the Habs where it matters most -- winning.
Beyond those small details, Montreal is coming off a big game 4 win behind their home crowd, so they have momentum going on the road -- where they've played well, and the Penguins, at Mellon Arena, have not been nearly as intimidating.
Moreover, the Canadiens have done a good job limiting the production of both of the Penguins' top players, centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, both of whom are still -- incredibly -- looking for their first even strength point of this series.
But all that aside, the confidence of at least one person in the Penguins isn't shaken.
Who's that, you say?
Me.
The Penguins have gone through a lot the last several seasons and are not easily rattled. They are used to being in tight series'. And winning them when things look bleak.
Pittsburgh also has an extremely strong resolve. They know what to do when challenges arise, and don't blink in the face of them.
Becoming the first road team in almost 40 years to win a game 7 on the road in any sport will do that to a group.
Tonight's game undoubtedly has significant implications on the rest of the series, and will go a long way to determining whether Montreal pulls off another immense playoff upset this year, or is just another example of the character we have all seen regularly in Pittsburgh when the chips are down.
I, for one, am going to be in the building tonight, looking forward to seeing the Boys of Winter do what they do best.
Play like the champions they are.
Recap tomorrow.
Let's Go Pens!
NOTES:
It is believed that RW Bill Guerin will return to the lineup tonight after missing games 3 and 4 of the series with what is believed to be an infected elbow. It's also possible that forward Mike Rupp, who missed game 4 with a 'non-hockey-related' injury, may also return. If one or both get back in the lineup tonight, look for forwards Ruslan Fedotenko and/or -- perhaps -- even Alexei Ponikarovsky to go to the press box. If Poni is a healthy scratch, it would be a starting, but not entirely unjustifiable, tumble for GM Ray Shero's marquee trade deadline aquisition, who has only 3 goals since joining the team in March and hasn't performed even close to capably while playing alongside one of the league's best centers in Malkin.
After tonight, one team will be poised to close out this series in six games.
Who that team is and who's in the best position to do that, however, remains anything but.
In a tennis-like back-and-forth feel, it would appear that this series currently favors the Habs.
After all, nobody expected them to defeat the league-leading Washington Capitals in the first round, and certainly, nobody expected them to have things even with the Penguins after 4 games.
But Les Habitants are playing good team defense, scoring opportune goals, and getting very solid goaltending from Jaroslav Halak.
Meanwhile, the Penguins are being outscored 5-on-5 in this series and, despite dominating significant stretches of play in this series, haven't done better than draw even with the Habs where it matters most -- winning.
Beyond those small details, Montreal is coming off a big game 4 win behind their home crowd, so they have momentum going on the road -- where they've played well, and the Penguins, at Mellon Arena, have not been nearly as intimidating.
Moreover, the Canadiens have done a good job limiting the production of both of the Penguins' top players, centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, both of whom are still -- incredibly -- looking for their first even strength point of this series.
But all that aside, the confidence of at least one person in the Penguins isn't shaken.
Who's that, you say?
Me.
The Penguins have gone through a lot the last several seasons and are not easily rattled. They are used to being in tight series'. And winning them when things look bleak.
Pittsburgh also has an extremely strong resolve. They know what to do when challenges arise, and don't blink in the face of them.
Becoming the first road team in almost 40 years to win a game 7 on the road in any sport will do that to a group.
Tonight's game undoubtedly has significant implications on the rest of the series, and will go a long way to determining whether Montreal pulls off another immense playoff upset this year, or is just another example of the character we have all seen regularly in Pittsburgh when the chips are down.
I, for one, am going to be in the building tonight, looking forward to seeing the Boys of Winter do what they do best.
Play like the champions they are.
Recap tomorrow.
Let's Go Pens!
NOTES:
It is believed that RW Bill Guerin will return to the lineup tonight after missing games 3 and 4 of the series with what is believed to be an infected elbow. It's also possible that forward Mike Rupp, who missed game 4 with a 'non-hockey-related' injury, may also return. If one or both get back in the lineup tonight, look for forwards Ruslan Fedotenko and/or -- perhaps -- even Alexei Ponikarovsky to go to the press box. If Poni is a healthy scratch, it would be a starting, but not entirely unjustifiable, tumble for GM Ray Shero's marquee trade deadline aquisition, who has only 3 goals since joining the team in March and hasn't performed even close to capably while playing alongside one of the league's best centers in Malkin.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Canadiens Stifle Penguins; Catch Final Lightning In A Bottle To Win Game 4, 3-2, Tie Series
NHL playoff games are often won in brief moments of a game, either by sheer acts of brilliance or fortuitous luck. Sometimes both.
When a team is able to strike quickly and capture lightning in a bottle, it can make all the difference, especially in a close game.
And so it was last night in game 4 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal between the Montreal Canadiens and the Pittsburgh Penguins at The Bell Centre in Montreal.
After an awful early squeaker against netminder Marc-Andre Fleury by Canadiens 4th liner Tom Pyatt, Pittsburgh rapidly rebounded by catching some of that lightning and scoring 2 goals -- one on a breakaway by Max Talbot and another on a fluke bounce off LW Chris Kunitz to lead 2-1 after the first.
When that advantage held entering the 3rd period, the Penguins were in a great position to put a stranglehold on this series.
Until Pittsburgh got burned by the same lightning.
The Canadiens controlled the play in the final frame, and were rewarded for it, first when Montreal 4th liner Maxim Lapierre scored on a wraparound, and then, less than 2 minutes later, when Habs' RW Brian Gionta got credit for a goal on a cross-slot centering pass that went off of the skate of Pens' defenseman Kris Letang and past Fleury for a 3-2 lead.
That break basically wiped out the fortunate bounce the Penguins got in the first period on Kunitz's goal.
And then, for the next 15 minutes or so, the Canadiens parlayed their successful efforts at holding the fort into a game 4 win and a 2-2 series tie.
So much for that stranglehold.
Game 5 is Saturday night in Pittsburgh.
The Penguins have continued to struggle to generate offense at even-strength in this series, and a lot of that resonates in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin -- who both failed to register an even strength point last night.
Malkin was kept of the scoreboard altogether.
If those two don't find a way to break through the fortress that the Canadiens habitually put up in front of their goaltender, Jaroslav Halak, this series could go the distance.
And we all know what can happen in 7th games.
On the bright side, the Penguins dominated for the first two periods last night, and outshot Montreal 35-25. Jordan Staal incredibly returned following foot surgery after missing 2 games and did not look out of place.
Still, Montreal is not going down easy in this series, and after losing their first road contest of the playoffs last night, the Penguins will have to up both the ante and their intensity at home in the next game if they want to take over this series.
More over the weekend.
When a team is able to strike quickly and capture lightning in a bottle, it can make all the difference, especially in a close game.
And so it was last night in game 4 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal between the Montreal Canadiens and the Pittsburgh Penguins at The Bell Centre in Montreal.
After an awful early squeaker against netminder Marc-Andre Fleury by Canadiens 4th liner Tom Pyatt, Pittsburgh rapidly rebounded by catching some of that lightning and scoring 2 goals -- one on a breakaway by Max Talbot and another on a fluke bounce off LW Chris Kunitz to lead 2-1 after the first.
When that advantage held entering the 3rd period, the Penguins were in a great position to put a stranglehold on this series.
Until Pittsburgh got burned by the same lightning.
The Canadiens controlled the play in the final frame, and were rewarded for it, first when Montreal 4th liner Maxim Lapierre scored on a wraparound, and then, less than 2 minutes later, when Habs' RW Brian Gionta got credit for a goal on a cross-slot centering pass that went off of the skate of Pens' defenseman Kris Letang and past Fleury for a 3-2 lead.
That break basically wiped out the fortunate bounce the Penguins got in the first period on Kunitz's goal.
And then, for the next 15 minutes or so, the Canadiens parlayed their successful efforts at holding the fort into a game 4 win and a 2-2 series tie.
So much for that stranglehold.
Game 5 is Saturday night in Pittsburgh.
The Penguins have continued to struggle to generate offense at even-strength in this series, and a lot of that resonates in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin -- who both failed to register an even strength point last night.
Malkin was kept of the scoreboard altogether.
If those two don't find a way to break through the fortress that the Canadiens habitually put up in front of their goaltender, Jaroslav Halak, this series could go the distance.
And we all know what can happen in 7th games.
On the bright side, the Penguins dominated for the first two periods last night, and outshot Montreal 35-25. Jordan Staal incredibly returned following foot surgery after missing 2 games and did not look out of place.
Still, Montreal is not going down easy in this series, and after losing their first road contest of the playoffs last night, the Penguins will have to up both the ante and their intensity at home in the next game if they want to take over this series.
More over the weekend.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Could Jordan Staal Incredibly Return In Game 4 Tonight?
As the Pittsburgh Penguins prepared on their off-day yesterday for tonight's game 4 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal Series against the Montreal Canadiens at The Bell Centre (7:00 PM EST, VERSUS), there was mostly a singular story worth tracking.
Just 4 days after having a foot tendon sliced in a freak accident -- and facing the prospect of his season ending prematurely as a result -- there was Pittsburgh center and Selke Trophy finalist Jordan Staal fully participating in the Penguins' one-hour optional skate yesterday morning, and readying himself for a miraculous possible return in this series, perhaps as early as game 4 tonight.
This, after skating for the first time for 5-10 minutes the day before, just 3 days after the accident last Friday and resulting surgery the same night.
Whoever said that Penguins' head coach Dan Bylsma -- who defied common belief the day after the injury when he said Staal was day-to-day -- enjoys misleading the media on the status of his players?
In Staal's case, he may have actually been telling the real story.
Of course, NHL playoff history is littered with courageous instances of players playing through significant injuries, but Staal's return to the ice after his meaningful injury has been nothing short of stunning. Strangely enough, though -- to hear him tell it -- dealing with his injury was hardly different than cutting his finger back on his family's sod farm in Ontario:
"I went straight to the hospital, had a little surgery, went home, and had a good sleep," Staal said yesterday.
Here are some other pieces on Staal's potential return:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10126/1055971-61.stm
http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Surgery+stop+ironman+Staal/2992907/story.html
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/2010/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=5166411
Needless to say, getting Staal back in the lineup as early as tonight would be a major boost to a team that could put a strangehold on it's series with the Canadiens by winning tonight.
While Montreal overcame a 3-1 deficit to defeat the powerhouse top-seeded Washington Capitals in the first round, they would have to make NHL history by doing it in consecutive playoff rounds, so expecting that result is probably unlikely. And that should make the Habs a dangerous, focused opponent tonight.
For their part, the Penguins will need to match that intensity -- that want-to. They've been such a strong team on the road this year, so they certainly won't retreat from the challenge. And if this is the game that Sidney Crosby ramps up his offensive production in this series, Montreal is going to have their hands full.
Recap tomorrow.
Let's Go Pens!
NOTES:
Bylsma continued to be mum about the status of RW Bill Guerin -- who missed game 3 on Tuesday night -- saying that he may or may not take the morning skate today, and would again be a game-time decision for game 4. Bylsma has stayed pretty tight-lipped about the nature of Guerin's problem, but the talk circulating is that he may just be ill. I don't really buy that, and from what I know, he's more likely to have suffered a recurrence of the occasional back spasms he's suffered from over the last few months.
Just 4 days after having a foot tendon sliced in a freak accident -- and facing the prospect of his season ending prematurely as a result -- there was Pittsburgh center and Selke Trophy finalist Jordan Staal fully participating in the Penguins' one-hour optional skate yesterday morning, and readying himself for a miraculous possible return in this series, perhaps as early as game 4 tonight.
This, after skating for the first time for 5-10 minutes the day before, just 3 days after the accident last Friday and resulting surgery the same night.
Whoever said that Penguins' head coach Dan Bylsma -- who defied common belief the day after the injury when he said Staal was day-to-day -- enjoys misleading the media on the status of his players?
In Staal's case, he may have actually been telling the real story.
Of course, NHL playoff history is littered with courageous instances of players playing through significant injuries, but Staal's return to the ice after his meaningful injury has been nothing short of stunning. Strangely enough, though -- to hear him tell it -- dealing with his injury was hardly different than cutting his finger back on his family's sod farm in Ontario:
"I went straight to the hospital, had a little surgery, went home, and had a good sleep," Staal said yesterday.
Here are some other pieces on Staal's potential return:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10126/1055971-61.stm
http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Surgery+stop+ironman+Staal/2992907/story.html
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/2010/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=5166411
Needless to say, getting Staal back in the lineup as early as tonight would be a major boost to a team that could put a strangehold on it's series with the Canadiens by winning tonight.
While Montreal overcame a 3-1 deficit to defeat the powerhouse top-seeded Washington Capitals in the first round, they would have to make NHL history by doing it in consecutive playoff rounds, so expecting that result is probably unlikely. And that should make the Habs a dangerous, focused opponent tonight.
For their part, the Penguins will need to match that intensity -- that want-to. They've been such a strong team on the road this year, so they certainly won't retreat from the challenge. And if this is the game that Sidney Crosby ramps up his offensive production in this series, Montreal is going to have their hands full.
Recap tomorrow.
Let's Go Pens!
NOTES:
Bylsma continued to be mum about the status of RW Bill Guerin -- who missed game 3 on Tuesday night -- saying that he may or may not take the morning skate today, and would again be a game-time decision for game 4. Bylsma has stayed pretty tight-lipped about the nature of Guerin's problem, but the talk circulating is that he may just be ill. I don't really buy that, and from what I know, he's more likely to have suffered a recurrence of the occasional back spasms he's suffered from over the last few months.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Fleury, Malkin Deliver Penguins 2-0 Shutout Victory In Game 3
Who said Penguins' players don't read my blog?
For several days in this space, I have spoken of the need for the Pittsburgh Penguins to get better performances from center Evgeni Malkin and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, and many others in the media have sent out the same call.
And so, what happened last night in game 3 of the Eastern Conference Seminfinal between the Penguins and Montreal Canadiens?
In front of more than 21,000 outrageous, screaming fans, Malkin scored the game-winning goal early in the third period and Fleury pitched the first playoff shutout for a visiting team in Montreal in 28 seasons, stopping 18 shots as the Pens won 2-0 and took a 2-1 series lead over Les Habitants
Not surprisingly, last night's contest was all Montreal at the outset.
The Canadiens probably played their best period of the series in the first, capitalizing on the energy that their home crowd provided them, and allowing Pittsburgh only 3 shots on goal.
BUT, after missing a few chances and Fleury coming up with some stops, all the Canadiens had to show for it was 7 shots and a 0-0 score heading into the intermission.
Once the Penguins did a good job of weathering that expected storm, they came out and dominated the second period, outshooting the Habs 13-3. They, too, however, had nothing to show for it, as Montreal netminder Jaroslav Halak kept his team in the game with several strong saves, including one on Pens' rearguard Alex Goligoski.
The momentum turned as the period wound down, however, with Pens' Captain Sidney Crosby doggedly forcing Canadiens' defenseman Hal Gill to take a holding penalty with 6 seconds left in the frame.
Then, as time ended in the period, a scrum that ensued resulted in coincidental minor penalties to Pens' blueliner Kris Letang and Montreal defenseman Josh Gorges.
That left the Canadiens without their two best penalty killers to start the third period, and Pittsburgh took advantage when Malkin ripped a slapshot from the top of the left circle past Halak to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead 1:16 into the frame.
While the goal was vintage Malkin, a lot of other subtle things helped the Pens' get that tally, including the 2-man screen in front of Halak by Crosby and LW Chris Kunitz, as well as some deft work at the center point by quarterback Sergei Gonchar.
Gonchar is so smooth and smart back there. He's excellent with the slight look offs, body movement and different positioning that opens up shooting and passing lanes, and freezes netminders and defenders who are unsure of what he's going to do next.
After Malkin took his time in the spotlight, it was Fleury's turn.
The native of Quebec made two of his best stops of the post-season in the third period, robbing Montreal RW Mike Cammelleri with the left pad after sliding post-to-post across the crease, then using his right pad to extend and stop a re-direct from low in the slot by Habs' forward Tomas Plekanec while his team was down a man with about 3 minutes to go.
Both were vintage saves, and represented Fleury doing what he does best -- shutting the door when it means the most.
"It was a pretty big performance from him tonight," said Penguins' coach Dan Bylsma.
"We're really lucky to have him," Crosby said. "We wouldn't have gotten a win without the way he played."
And they aren't the only ones who feel that way:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/2010/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=5163473
Once LW Pascal Dupuis -- playing on the top line last night because RW Bill Guerin was a late scratch due to back spasms -- scored into an empty net, the Canadiens were finished.
And so, after their win last night, the Pens' are now 4-0 on the road in this post-season, and carry a deserved 2-1 lead into game 4.
The best part is, they still can improve.
Malkin, though, may have been the best forward for the Penguins last night. He had 7 shots on goal and, while Pittsburgh could still use more from him at even strength, there's no doubt he picked up the slack last night while Crosby was limited to a single shot for the second straight game in this series.
Where the Penguins were pretty good overall last night was in the neutral zone. They kept Montreal at bay and Cammelleri credited their structure after the game last night as being an underrated reason for Pittsburgh's success.
He's right. Once again, the Habs were limited to only 18 shots in the game, and only 7 were registered by players not named Cammelleri or Brian Gionta.
For that matter, the Canadiens had only 10 through the first two periods, and they weren't nearly as opportunistic as they were in game 2 of this series.
Undoubtedly, Montreal continues to be limited by the absence of top rearguard Andre Markov, who TSN Canada reported yesterday has a torn ACL in his knee and is out for the post-season.
For the Penguins, however, their injury news is surprisingly more encouraging.
In a startling development, Pens' center Jordan Staal -- who had surgery just 3 days ago to repair a sliced tendon in his right foot and was thought to be perhaps lost for the playoffs -- actually skated for about 5 minutes before the team's morning skate began in Montreal yesterday.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette even reported that Staal put "considerable weight" on the foot.
I saw a clip of Staal on the ice and, while I wouldn't necessarily go that far based on what I witnessed, it's unmistakable that Staal was skating and turning and shooting -- and smiling -- very well for a guy who went under the knife for just days earlier.
Needless to say, I was extremely encouraged by seeing Staal on the ice. It's certainly reasonable to think at this point he isn't at all lost for the playoffs and could very well return in the near future -- perhaps in the next round. Bylsma said it may end up being more about the degree of pain Staal can withstand with his foot in a skate.
Staal's quick return to the ice makes me wonder, though, about the full scope of his initial injury.
Now, there's no doubt that Staal had surgery, but several -- and I mean, SEVERAL -- sources reported that he completely severed the tendon as opposed to lacerating it.
After seeing him skate already, I can't help but wonder whether those reports were wrong and that he, indeed, suffered only a laceration.
But no matter. The good news is he's out on the ice again.
Let's hope the Penguins can continue that good mojo in game 4 on Thursday night, also at The Bell Centre. After all, their strong performance last night in game 3 means little if they can't take advantage and win the next one.
More later.
NOTES:
With Guerin out, Bylsma gave Mark Letetsu a chance to play in his first playoff game last night. He centered the third line with Matt Cooke and Tyler Kennedy and acquitted himself reasonably well in about 13 minutes of ice time.
Guerin is day-to-day, by the way. The back spasms have been an occasional issue for him the last few months.
With TK playing on the third line, Bylsma moved Max Talbot up to play with Malkin on the 2nd line last night.
For several days in this space, I have spoken of the need for the Pittsburgh Penguins to get better performances from center Evgeni Malkin and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, and many others in the media have sent out the same call.
And so, what happened last night in game 3 of the Eastern Conference Seminfinal between the Penguins and Montreal Canadiens?
In front of more than 21,000 outrageous, screaming fans, Malkin scored the game-winning goal early in the third period and Fleury pitched the first playoff shutout for a visiting team in Montreal in 28 seasons, stopping 18 shots as the Pens won 2-0 and took a 2-1 series lead over Les Habitants
Not surprisingly, last night's contest was all Montreal at the outset.
The Canadiens probably played their best period of the series in the first, capitalizing on the energy that their home crowd provided them, and allowing Pittsburgh only 3 shots on goal.
BUT, after missing a few chances and Fleury coming up with some stops, all the Canadiens had to show for it was 7 shots and a 0-0 score heading into the intermission.
Once the Penguins did a good job of weathering that expected storm, they came out and dominated the second period, outshooting the Habs 13-3. They, too, however, had nothing to show for it, as Montreal netminder Jaroslav Halak kept his team in the game with several strong saves, including one on Pens' rearguard Alex Goligoski.
The momentum turned as the period wound down, however, with Pens' Captain Sidney Crosby doggedly forcing Canadiens' defenseman Hal Gill to take a holding penalty with 6 seconds left in the frame.
Then, as time ended in the period, a scrum that ensued resulted in coincidental minor penalties to Pens' blueliner Kris Letang and Montreal defenseman Josh Gorges.
That left the Canadiens without their two best penalty killers to start the third period, and Pittsburgh took advantage when Malkin ripped a slapshot from the top of the left circle past Halak to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead 1:16 into the frame.
While the goal was vintage Malkin, a lot of other subtle things helped the Pens' get that tally, including the 2-man screen in front of Halak by Crosby and LW Chris Kunitz, as well as some deft work at the center point by quarterback Sergei Gonchar.
Gonchar is so smooth and smart back there. He's excellent with the slight look offs, body movement and different positioning that opens up shooting and passing lanes, and freezes netminders and defenders who are unsure of what he's going to do next.
After Malkin took his time in the spotlight, it was Fleury's turn.
The native of Quebec made two of his best stops of the post-season in the third period, robbing Montreal RW Mike Cammelleri with the left pad after sliding post-to-post across the crease, then using his right pad to extend and stop a re-direct from low in the slot by Habs' forward Tomas Plekanec while his team was down a man with about 3 minutes to go.
Both were vintage saves, and represented Fleury doing what he does best -- shutting the door when it means the most.
"It was a pretty big performance from him tonight," said Penguins' coach Dan Bylsma.
"We're really lucky to have him," Crosby said. "We wouldn't have gotten a win without the way he played."
And they aren't the only ones who feel that way:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/2010/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=5163473
Once LW Pascal Dupuis -- playing on the top line last night because RW Bill Guerin was a late scratch due to back spasms -- scored into an empty net, the Canadiens were finished.
And so, after their win last night, the Pens' are now 4-0 on the road in this post-season, and carry a deserved 2-1 lead into game 4.
The best part is, they still can improve.
Malkin, though, may have been the best forward for the Penguins last night. He had 7 shots on goal and, while Pittsburgh could still use more from him at even strength, there's no doubt he picked up the slack last night while Crosby was limited to a single shot for the second straight game in this series.
Where the Penguins were pretty good overall last night was in the neutral zone. They kept Montreal at bay and Cammelleri credited their structure after the game last night as being an underrated reason for Pittsburgh's success.
He's right. Once again, the Habs were limited to only 18 shots in the game, and only 7 were registered by players not named Cammelleri or Brian Gionta.
For that matter, the Canadiens had only 10 through the first two periods, and they weren't nearly as opportunistic as they were in game 2 of this series.
Undoubtedly, Montreal continues to be limited by the absence of top rearguard Andre Markov, who TSN Canada reported yesterday has a torn ACL in his knee and is out for the post-season.
For the Penguins, however, their injury news is surprisingly more encouraging.
In a startling development, Pens' center Jordan Staal -- who had surgery just 3 days ago to repair a sliced tendon in his right foot and was thought to be perhaps lost for the playoffs -- actually skated for about 5 minutes before the team's morning skate began in Montreal yesterday.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette even reported that Staal put "considerable weight" on the foot.
I saw a clip of Staal on the ice and, while I wouldn't necessarily go that far based on what I witnessed, it's unmistakable that Staal was skating and turning and shooting -- and smiling -- very well for a guy who went under the knife for just days earlier.
Needless to say, I was extremely encouraged by seeing Staal on the ice. It's certainly reasonable to think at this point he isn't at all lost for the playoffs and could very well return in the near future -- perhaps in the next round. Bylsma said it may end up being more about the degree of pain Staal can withstand with his foot in a skate.
Staal's quick return to the ice makes me wonder, though, about the full scope of his initial injury.
Now, there's no doubt that Staal had surgery, but several -- and I mean, SEVERAL -- sources reported that he completely severed the tendon as opposed to lacerating it.
After seeing him skate already, I can't help but wonder whether those reports were wrong and that he, indeed, suffered only a laceration.
But no matter. The good news is he's out on the ice again.
Let's hope the Penguins can continue that good mojo in game 4 on Thursday night, also at The Bell Centre. After all, their strong performance last night in game 3 means little if they can't take advantage and win the next one.
More later.
NOTES:
With Guerin out, Bylsma gave Mark Letetsu a chance to play in his first playoff game last night. He centered the third line with Matt Cooke and Tyler Kennedy and acquitted himself reasonably well in about 13 minutes of ice time.
Guerin is day-to-day, by the way. The back spasms have been an occasional issue for him the last few months.
With TK playing on the third line, Bylsma moved Max Talbot up to play with Malkin on the 2nd line last night.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Penguins Ready For Strong Road Performance In Montreal
As the Pittsburgh Penguins prepare for the first of two straight road contests in Montreal against the Canadiens starting in game 3 of their Eastern Conference Seminfinal tonight @ The Bell Centre (7:00 PM, FSN PITTSBURGH), several things are clear at this point of the series -- currently tied 1-1.
For one, the Penguins need more production from Evgeni Malkin, and better goaltending from Marc-Andre Fleury.
For another, the Canadiens can be an effective club when they play within their limitations -- blocking a lot of shots, relying on strong netminding, and being opportunitstic on offense.
But perhaps the clearest thing after the 2 games between these teams thusfar, at least in this writer's opinion, is that the Penguins have the most room to improve in this series.
Montreal coach Jacques Martin is getting the max out of his lineup on most nights right now and, after benching Andrei Kostitsyn and rolling only three lines in just about all of game 2, he's doing it with a generally small group. Almost everyone that needs to produce offense for his team has given him something, and his guys in general are doing everything they possibly can to give themselves a chance. With a 1-1 series thusfar, that has worked to some degree.
And that's largely because the Penguins still can improve their game a great deal.
I suppose one could say that I'm taking something away from the Canadiens by saying that, but I don't believe that to be the case. Montreal is playing fairly well this post-season, but what I'm pointing out is that they've been mostly in peak form in just getting to this point.
The Penguins, on the other hand, have not played their best hockey thusfar.
They can be sharper in their own zone.
They are capable of generating even more offense -- especially around the net.
They are capable of causing more havoc on the power play, as everyone saw in game 1.
And there are several individuals on the team who can improve their games to a meaningful degree, including -- but not solely limited to -- the two key guys mentioned above.
In short, there's more of a ceiling for Pittsburgh to reach, and if the Pens start to climb up to that level, I would expect the Canadiens to have a hard time keeping up -- even in their building, a place that is sure to be off-the-charts loud tonight, but probably not intimidating to a defending Stanley Cup Champion who has not only a good road record in Montreal the last several seasons, but has played in environments just as hostile the last few years with more at stake.
We'll see how the next two contests play out. I'm anxious to see, in particular, how focused the Pens' Captain is in his native country. He's been quiet the last few games and is due to break out.
Recap tomorrow.
Let's Go Pens!
For one, the Penguins need more production from Evgeni Malkin, and better goaltending from Marc-Andre Fleury.
For another, the Canadiens can be an effective club when they play within their limitations -- blocking a lot of shots, relying on strong netminding, and being opportunitstic on offense.
But perhaps the clearest thing after the 2 games between these teams thusfar, at least in this writer's opinion, is that the Penguins have the most room to improve in this series.
Montreal coach Jacques Martin is getting the max out of his lineup on most nights right now and, after benching Andrei Kostitsyn and rolling only three lines in just about all of game 2, he's doing it with a generally small group. Almost everyone that needs to produce offense for his team has given him something, and his guys in general are doing everything they possibly can to give themselves a chance. With a 1-1 series thusfar, that has worked to some degree.
And that's largely because the Penguins still can improve their game a great deal.
I suppose one could say that I'm taking something away from the Canadiens by saying that, but I don't believe that to be the case. Montreal is playing fairly well this post-season, but what I'm pointing out is that they've been mostly in peak form in just getting to this point.
The Penguins, on the other hand, have not played their best hockey thusfar.
They can be sharper in their own zone.
They are capable of generating even more offense -- especially around the net.
They are capable of causing more havoc on the power play, as everyone saw in game 1.
And there are several individuals on the team who can improve their games to a meaningful degree, including -- but not solely limited to -- the two key guys mentioned above.
In short, there's more of a ceiling for Pittsburgh to reach, and if the Pens start to climb up to that level, I would expect the Canadiens to have a hard time keeping up -- even in their building, a place that is sure to be off-the-charts loud tonight, but probably not intimidating to a defending Stanley Cup Champion who has not only a good road record in Montreal the last several seasons, but has played in environments just as hostile the last few years with more at stake.
We'll see how the next two contests play out. I'm anxious to see, in particular, how focused the Pens' Captain is in his native country. He's been quiet the last few games and is due to break out.
Recap tomorrow.
Let's Go Pens!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Penguins Power Down Into Series Tie With Montreal after 3-1 Game 2 Defeat
You live by the sword, and you die by the sword.
And so it was for the Pittsburgh Penguins in game 2 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series against the Montreal Canadiens at Mellon Arena yesterday -- a game that the Canadiens used to even the series at one game each after a 3-1 victory.
Two days after going 4-for-4 on the power play in game one, the Penguins came up empty in three man advantage opportunities in game 2. All three of those were in the pivotal third period, which Montreal began by leading 2-1 on the strength of goals by Brian Gionta in the 1st and Mike Cammalleri -- knocking a puck out of the air and in -- during the 2nd.
Pens' LW Matt Cooke scored his 4th of the playoffs to open the scoring for Pittsburgh 5 minutes into the game, sneaking behind the Montreal defense and going forehand to backhand before beating Habs' netminder Jaroslav Halak between the legs.
Thanks in part to their miserable power play, though, that was the only marker the Penguins would get on the night, and when the Canadiens got a break late in the game to make it 3-1, we had a series.
The bad break happened on a play where the puck bounced right off the skate of Pittsburgh blueliner Kris Letang before popping directly to Cammalleri. Because he was streaking into the Pens' zone at the time, he was able to take the biscuit in stride, promptly go in and quickly beat Marc-Andre Fleury glove side for his playoff leading 8th goal so far this year.
Pittsburgh has to find a way to slow him down or the Canadiens can definitely keep things interesting in this series.
In a cruel twist of fate, part of Pittsburgh's problem in game 2 was that they might have actually been TOO successful in game one, particularly on the man-advantage.
In that contest, they waited for prime scoring opportunities and didn't miss when they got them.
In game two yesterday, it looked like they tried too hard to get the prime scoring opportunities, and passed up chances along the way waiting for them.
By the end of the game, they had outshot the Canadiens by a whopping 39-21 margin -- as the Washington Capitals so often did in their first round series against Montreal -- but didn't have the lead where it mattered most because they didn't create as much havoc down low and in front of Halak as they did in game 1.
Still, the territorial dominance on the ice in game 2 was plain, and Pittsburgh feels confident that if it continues to generally play that way and just tweak a few things they are doing in the offenisve zone, they'll get good results and not go the same way as the Washington Capitals did in round 1.
For the Penguins to get those results, though, they also need Evgeni Malkin and Fleury to step up and be players in this series.
As I've said in this space before, Fleury has yet to steal a game for Pittsburgh in these playoffs, and, while Malkin has 9 points sofar, he, too, isn't playing up to his potential -- especially at even strength.
Even Sidney Crosby went without a point in game 2, and has failed to score a goal in 3 straight post-season games now.
Still, the Penguins were even at 1-1 with the Ottawa Senators in round one -- just like they are with Montreal now -- before whipping the Senators in back-to-back games in their own barn to take a stranglehold on the series. With their unbeaten 3-0 road record so far, the Penguins won't be fazed before what is surely to be a raucous Bell Centre crowd in Montreal for game 3.
More later.
NOTES:
Both Tyler Kennedy and Jordan Leopold returned to the lineup for the Penguins in game 2. Leopold took Jay McKee's spot in the lineup and, while he was pretty quiet most of the game, it was good to see him back in the lineup again after missing the last 5 games and about 2 weeks with concussion symptoms.
TK, meanwhile, had more of an impact on the game, with 5 shots in about 13 minutes of ice time playing on the second line with Geno, and taking the lineup spot of injured teammate Jordan Staal.
And so it was for the Pittsburgh Penguins in game 2 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series against the Montreal Canadiens at Mellon Arena yesterday -- a game that the Canadiens used to even the series at one game each after a 3-1 victory.
Two days after going 4-for-4 on the power play in game one, the Penguins came up empty in three man advantage opportunities in game 2. All three of those were in the pivotal third period, which Montreal began by leading 2-1 on the strength of goals by Brian Gionta in the 1st and Mike Cammalleri -- knocking a puck out of the air and in -- during the 2nd.
Pens' LW Matt Cooke scored his 4th of the playoffs to open the scoring for Pittsburgh 5 minutes into the game, sneaking behind the Montreal defense and going forehand to backhand before beating Habs' netminder Jaroslav Halak between the legs.
Thanks in part to their miserable power play, though, that was the only marker the Penguins would get on the night, and when the Canadiens got a break late in the game to make it 3-1, we had a series.
The bad break happened on a play where the puck bounced right off the skate of Pittsburgh blueliner Kris Letang before popping directly to Cammalleri. Because he was streaking into the Pens' zone at the time, he was able to take the biscuit in stride, promptly go in and quickly beat Marc-Andre Fleury glove side for his playoff leading 8th goal so far this year.
Pittsburgh has to find a way to slow him down or the Canadiens can definitely keep things interesting in this series.
In a cruel twist of fate, part of Pittsburgh's problem in game 2 was that they might have actually been TOO successful in game one, particularly on the man-advantage.
In that contest, they waited for prime scoring opportunities and didn't miss when they got them.
In game two yesterday, it looked like they tried too hard to get the prime scoring opportunities, and passed up chances along the way waiting for them.
By the end of the game, they had outshot the Canadiens by a whopping 39-21 margin -- as the Washington Capitals so often did in their first round series against Montreal -- but didn't have the lead where it mattered most because they didn't create as much havoc down low and in front of Halak as they did in game 1.
Still, the territorial dominance on the ice in game 2 was plain, and Pittsburgh feels confident that if it continues to generally play that way and just tweak a few things they are doing in the offenisve zone, they'll get good results and not go the same way as the Washington Capitals did in round 1.
For the Penguins to get those results, though, they also need Evgeni Malkin and Fleury to step up and be players in this series.
As I've said in this space before, Fleury has yet to steal a game for Pittsburgh in these playoffs, and, while Malkin has 9 points sofar, he, too, isn't playing up to his potential -- especially at even strength.
Even Sidney Crosby went without a point in game 2, and has failed to score a goal in 3 straight post-season games now.
Still, the Penguins were even at 1-1 with the Ottawa Senators in round one -- just like they are with Montreal now -- before whipping the Senators in back-to-back games in their own barn to take a stranglehold on the series. With their unbeaten 3-0 road record so far, the Penguins won't be fazed before what is surely to be a raucous Bell Centre crowd in Montreal for game 3.
More later.
NOTES:
Both Tyler Kennedy and Jordan Leopold returned to the lineup for the Penguins in game 2. Leopold took Jay McKee's spot in the lineup and, while he was pretty quiet most of the game, it was good to see him back in the lineup again after missing the last 5 games and about 2 weeks with concussion symptoms.
TK, meanwhile, had more of an impact on the game, with 5 shots in about 13 minutes of ice time playing on the second line with Geno, and taking the lineup spot of injured teammate Jordan Staal.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Staal Severs Tendon; Will Miss Game 2 And More. How Big Of A Loss Is He?
I still can't figure out whether the news is better or worse.
After Penguins' Selke Finalist and shutdown 3rd line center Jordan Staal was injured on a strange play late in the second period of game 1 of their second round Eastern Conference Semifinal against the Montreal Canadiens, initial fears were that -- perhaps -- Staal suffered a high ankle sprain on the play.
He was seen on crutches leaving Mellon Arena after the game and the fears were that me might miss meaningful post-season time.
For a high ankle sprain, that could have been 3-4 weeks.
Well, he's definitely going to miss time because, as Pittsburgh began preparations for game 2 of their series today (2:00 PM, NBC), they learned that Staal didn't sustain that injury, but instead suffered a severed tendon on the top of his right foot.
As I reflect on it, I can actually see that injury being more likely than a high ankle sprain on the particular play where Gronk was hurt. It seemed as if the skate blade of Canadiens' blueliner P.K. Subban went right over the top of #11's right foot when the two awkwardly collided.
Still, you wouldn't think that could slice through a reinforced skate tongue, but I should have known when I read reports after the game where teammate Craig Adams said he saw Staal's skate laces cut when he got to the bench, and that not only was Staal on crutches, but he also had his foot bandaged.
Make no mistake -- this is a significant injury, probably worse than a high-ankle sprain. A tendon typically might take 8-12 weeks to recover from, so the Penguins are probably best served planning to move forward without him, at least for the near future.
However, Pens' Head Coach Dan Bylsma was pointedy yesterday in saying that Staal was not out for the playoffs. He even defiantly proclaimed him, for now, to be like the rest of us:
Day-to-day.
Despite Bylsma's pronoucements, it's hard not to think Staal may be out for the season. Of course, it would seem to depend on the severity of the cut but, let's be frank. The tendon was completely severed. Staal needed surgery.
That's not a good combination.
So, the question is -- regardless of how much time he misses, how big of a loss is Staal to the Penguins?
Staal didn't have a great series against the Ottawa Senators in round 1, but he was starting to ramp up his game, with 2 points in game 6 of that series, and a big power play goal in game 1 against the Canadiens.
Still, the biggest area where the Penguins are going to miss #11 isn't on offense.
It's in his own zone and on the penalty kill.
Staal is such a horse in the corners and along the wall. He separates people from the puck and sparks a nice transition offensively.
On the penalty kill, his reach looms as a huge asset, and one Staal uses very well to cut off passing lanes and disrupt plays.
I think the Penguins can probably withstand losing him against the Canadiens, simply because Montreal isn't as deep up front. Depending on how far they may go and who they may match up against in any subsequent round, however, Staal's loss could hit deeper.
For now, Max Talbot is expected to slide off Evgeni Malkin's line into Staal's spot to center the third unit, but we'll have to wait and see what Staal's status is going forward before drawing any conclusions about how long he's out and, thus, how long Max may stay in that spot. But certainly, the Penguins have now suffered their first significant injury blow in any of the last 3 playoff years.
If there's any silver lining to the injury situation the Penguins are facing in this series after game 1, it's that Montreal rearguard Andre Markov appears to have also suffered a meaningful injury himself, when legally checked by Pens' LW Matt Cooke in the first period.
While the nature of Markov's injury has not been disclosed, he has already returned to Montreal for evaluation, will not play in game 2 today, and is supposedly out "indefinitely".
Markov is the Canadiens' Sergei Gonchar on the blueline. He plays 25 minutes a game for them, and is their top gun, both on the power play and penalty kill, so losing him for any appreciable period of time could actually prove tougher for them to overcome than it will be for Pittsburgh to try and get by without Staal.
And that's especially true considering who the Habs have behind Markov on the blueline.
Roman Hamrlik is their other veteran, but he has been inconsistent and was actually benched for the 3rd period of game 5 of their opening round series against the Washington Capitals.
Hal Gill and Josh Gorges are a decent defensive pair, but beyond those two and Hamrlik, it gets real thin, real fast.
Suppan remains a rookie, Ryan O'Byrne was a healthy scratch to open the playoffs and Marc-Andre Bergeron is such a defensive liability that they prefer to play him at forward.
Montreal also has Jaroslav Spacek, but he's missed 5 games in a row now and apparently hasn't gotten over an undisclosed condition that affects his balance.
Spacek didn't skate with his teammates yesterday and is not close to returning to the lineup at this point.
Clearly, only the rest of the series will tell whether Staal or Markov is the greater loss.
For their part, overcoming Staal's absence starts tomorrow for Pittsburgh. And it starts first during 5-on-5 play, where they need to be much better.
We'll see how it goes.
Recap Monday.
Let's Go Pens!
After Penguins' Selke Finalist and shutdown 3rd line center Jordan Staal was injured on a strange play late in the second period of game 1 of their second round Eastern Conference Semifinal against the Montreal Canadiens, initial fears were that -- perhaps -- Staal suffered a high ankle sprain on the play.
He was seen on crutches leaving Mellon Arena after the game and the fears were that me might miss meaningful post-season time.
For a high ankle sprain, that could have been 3-4 weeks.
Well, he's definitely going to miss time because, as Pittsburgh began preparations for game 2 of their series today (2:00 PM, NBC), they learned that Staal didn't sustain that injury, but instead suffered a severed tendon on the top of his right foot.
As I reflect on it, I can actually see that injury being more likely than a high ankle sprain on the particular play where Gronk was hurt. It seemed as if the skate blade of Canadiens' blueliner P.K. Subban went right over the top of #11's right foot when the two awkwardly collided.
Still, you wouldn't think that could slice through a reinforced skate tongue, but I should have known when I read reports after the game where teammate Craig Adams said he saw Staal's skate laces cut when he got to the bench, and that not only was Staal on crutches, but he also had his foot bandaged.
Make no mistake -- this is a significant injury, probably worse than a high-ankle sprain. A tendon typically might take 8-12 weeks to recover from, so the Penguins are probably best served planning to move forward without him, at least for the near future.
However, Pens' Head Coach Dan Bylsma was pointedy yesterday in saying that Staal was not out for the playoffs. He even defiantly proclaimed him, for now, to be like the rest of us:
Day-to-day.
Despite Bylsma's pronoucements, it's hard not to think Staal may be out for the season. Of course, it would seem to depend on the severity of the cut but, let's be frank. The tendon was completely severed. Staal needed surgery.
That's not a good combination.
So, the question is -- regardless of how much time he misses, how big of a loss is Staal to the Penguins?
Staal didn't have a great series against the Ottawa Senators in round 1, but he was starting to ramp up his game, with 2 points in game 6 of that series, and a big power play goal in game 1 against the Canadiens.
Still, the biggest area where the Penguins are going to miss #11 isn't on offense.
It's in his own zone and on the penalty kill.
Staal is such a horse in the corners and along the wall. He separates people from the puck and sparks a nice transition offensively.
On the penalty kill, his reach looms as a huge asset, and one Staal uses very well to cut off passing lanes and disrupt plays.
I think the Penguins can probably withstand losing him against the Canadiens, simply because Montreal isn't as deep up front. Depending on how far they may go and who they may match up against in any subsequent round, however, Staal's loss could hit deeper.
For now, Max Talbot is expected to slide off Evgeni Malkin's line into Staal's spot to center the third unit, but we'll have to wait and see what Staal's status is going forward before drawing any conclusions about how long he's out and, thus, how long Max may stay in that spot. But certainly, the Penguins have now suffered their first significant injury blow in any of the last 3 playoff years.
If there's any silver lining to the injury situation the Penguins are facing in this series after game 1, it's that Montreal rearguard Andre Markov appears to have also suffered a meaningful injury himself, when legally checked by Pens' LW Matt Cooke in the first period.
While the nature of Markov's injury has not been disclosed, he has already returned to Montreal for evaluation, will not play in game 2 today, and is supposedly out "indefinitely".
Markov is the Canadiens' Sergei Gonchar on the blueline. He plays 25 minutes a game for them, and is their top gun, both on the power play and penalty kill, so losing him for any appreciable period of time could actually prove tougher for them to overcome than it will be for Pittsburgh to try and get by without Staal.
And that's especially true considering who the Habs have behind Markov on the blueline.
Roman Hamrlik is their other veteran, but he has been inconsistent and was actually benched for the 3rd period of game 5 of their opening round series against the Washington Capitals.
Hal Gill and Josh Gorges are a decent defensive pair, but beyond those two and Hamrlik, it gets real thin, real fast.
Suppan remains a rookie, Ryan O'Byrne was a healthy scratch to open the playoffs and Marc-Andre Bergeron is such a defensive liability that they prefer to play him at forward.
Montreal also has Jaroslav Spacek, but he's missed 5 games in a row now and apparently hasn't gotten over an undisclosed condition that affects his balance.
Spacek didn't skate with his teammates yesterday and is not close to returning to the lineup at this point.
Clearly, only the rest of the series will tell whether Staal or Markov is the greater loss.
For their part, overcoming Staal's absence starts tomorrow for Pittsburgh. And it starts first during 5-on-5 play, where they need to be much better.
We'll see how it goes.
Recap Monday.
Let's Go Pens!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Penguins Power Up Past Canadiens In Game One, 6-3
You ain't in Washington anymore, Dorothy.
After game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal last night at Mellon Arena, it should be pretty clear to the Montreal Canadiens that the Pittsburgh Penguins don't share that much in common with their arch rival Washington Capitals, who the Habs just dispatched in round 1 in seven games.
After Montreal was able to hold the vaunted Capitals' power play to only 1 goal in 33 chances throughout their entire series, they promptly went out and got scortched 4 times in 4 tries by the Penguins man-advantage to the tune of a 6-3 defeat last night.
The Pittsburgh power play was literally, figuratively, and every way in between, unstoppable last night.
And this after the Penguins spotted the Canadiens a 1-0 lead about 5 minutes into the game on a shot by rookie defenseman PK Suppan that somehow -- but probably shouldn't have -- eluded Penguins' netminder Marc-Andre Fleury.
After that, it was an onslaught.
Pens' defenseman Sergei Gonchar ripped a shot from 50 feet at the center point past Canadiens' goaltender Jaroslav Halak with the first power play goal to tie the game about 4 minutes later , and center Jordan Staal made it 2-1 about 4 minutes after that as another man-advantage was expiring by cutting to the slot, faking a shot and getting Halak to go down, then tossing it high-corner glove side.
Pens' blueliner Kris Letang made it 3-1 by blowing one by Halak from 40 feet on the power play at the top of the hash marks just a few minutes into the third period, although Montreal kept things interesting when they got a goal from Mike Cammalleri with 5 minutes to go in the 2nd.
Cammalleri got open just for a second from about 10 feet out to Fleury's left as forward Max Talbot strayed from him, and that gave him just enough time to take a pass from teammate Scott Gomez behind the net and flick one by Fleury to make it 3-2.
Playoff warrior Craig Adams then restored the Penguins 2-goal lead when teammate Pascal Dupuis capitalized on a turnover and fed a streaking Adams down the right side. Adams made no mistake and one-timed it through Halak to make it 4-2 before the 2nd period ended.
Pittsburgh rearguard Alex Goligoski was next to get into the power play act just a few minutes into the 3rd period when he took a cross-ice pass from Sidney Crosby and one-timed the biscuit past Halak from the left wing circle to make it 5-2 and, a few minutes later, chase the Canadiens' supposed Demi-God to the locker room.
GoGo's goal made it the first time since 1986 that a team had 3 different defensemen score power play goals in the same playoff game.
While Habs' forward Brian Gionta scored with about 7 minutes to go to keep everyone in their seats, Montreal was never a real threat, and Bill Guerin finished them by scoring an empty netter with 50 seconds left for a 6-3 final.
Aside from questions about what the Canadiens are going to do differently on the penalty kill going forward, the game ended last night with other potential meaningful implications for the rest of the series.
Montreal defenseman Andre Markov left the game in the first period after a hard -- but clean -- hit into the boards on the forecheck from Pens' LW Matt Cooke.
Markov was writhing on the ice in pain after the hit and did not return to the game. He was said to have suffered a lower-body injury -- believed to be a knee problem.
Meanwhile, the injury news wasn't all good for the Penguins either.
Staal -- their ironman -- left the game in the 2nd period and did not return after a strange play in which he collided with, and had his feet taken out from under him by, Habs' defenseman Subban, and appeared to suffer an ankle injury.
Craig Adams moved up and centered the 3rd line in his place the rest of the game -- and that's when he got the Pens' 4th goal.
Basically, Pittsburgh played with only 10 forwards last night with Staal out and surprise 4th liner Ruslan Fedotenko only getting a few shifts in the game.
It probably was easier for them to do that on 6 days rest than it was for the Canadiens to have to roll the rest of the game with only 5 rearguards after their taxing 7-game series win over Washington.
While there's no word about the severity of the injury to Markov at this point (or Staal either for that matter), it certainly won't get easier for them having to play game 2 on Sunday afternoon so quickly.
Still, Montreal will probably come with a better game in that one than they did last night, and the Penguins need to be better because of it, too. For as good as their power play was last night, Pittsburgh needs to be better 5-on-5. They actually were outshot by Montreal 31-24 in the game, and that isn't Penguins' hockey.
I'll update the status of Staal when I find out anything. Initial rumblings seem to suggest it might be a high-ankle sprain, but take that for what it is at this point.
More later.
After game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal last night at Mellon Arena, it should be pretty clear to the Montreal Canadiens that the Pittsburgh Penguins don't share that much in common with their arch rival Washington Capitals, who the Habs just dispatched in round 1 in seven games.
After Montreal was able to hold the vaunted Capitals' power play to only 1 goal in 33 chances throughout their entire series, they promptly went out and got scortched 4 times in 4 tries by the Penguins man-advantage to the tune of a 6-3 defeat last night.
The Pittsburgh power play was literally, figuratively, and every way in between, unstoppable last night.
And this after the Penguins spotted the Canadiens a 1-0 lead about 5 minutes into the game on a shot by rookie defenseman PK Suppan that somehow -- but probably shouldn't have -- eluded Penguins' netminder Marc-Andre Fleury.
After that, it was an onslaught.
Pens' defenseman Sergei Gonchar ripped a shot from 50 feet at the center point past Canadiens' goaltender Jaroslav Halak with the first power play goal to tie the game about 4 minutes later , and center Jordan Staal made it 2-1 about 4 minutes after that as another man-advantage was expiring by cutting to the slot, faking a shot and getting Halak to go down, then tossing it high-corner glove side.
Pens' blueliner Kris Letang made it 3-1 by blowing one by Halak from 40 feet on the power play at the top of the hash marks just a few minutes into the third period, although Montreal kept things interesting when they got a goal from Mike Cammalleri with 5 minutes to go in the 2nd.
Cammalleri got open just for a second from about 10 feet out to Fleury's left as forward Max Talbot strayed from him, and that gave him just enough time to take a pass from teammate Scott Gomez behind the net and flick one by Fleury to make it 3-2.
Playoff warrior Craig Adams then restored the Penguins 2-goal lead when teammate Pascal Dupuis capitalized on a turnover and fed a streaking Adams down the right side. Adams made no mistake and one-timed it through Halak to make it 4-2 before the 2nd period ended.
Pittsburgh rearguard Alex Goligoski was next to get into the power play act just a few minutes into the 3rd period when he took a cross-ice pass from Sidney Crosby and one-timed the biscuit past Halak from the left wing circle to make it 5-2 and, a few minutes later, chase the Canadiens' supposed Demi-God to the locker room.
GoGo's goal made it the first time since 1986 that a team had 3 different defensemen score power play goals in the same playoff game.
While Habs' forward Brian Gionta scored with about 7 minutes to go to keep everyone in their seats, Montreal was never a real threat, and Bill Guerin finished them by scoring an empty netter with 50 seconds left for a 6-3 final.
Aside from questions about what the Canadiens are going to do differently on the penalty kill going forward, the game ended last night with other potential meaningful implications for the rest of the series.
Montreal defenseman Andre Markov left the game in the first period after a hard -- but clean -- hit into the boards on the forecheck from Pens' LW Matt Cooke.
Markov was writhing on the ice in pain after the hit and did not return to the game. He was said to have suffered a lower-body injury -- believed to be a knee problem.
Meanwhile, the injury news wasn't all good for the Penguins either.
Staal -- their ironman -- left the game in the 2nd period and did not return after a strange play in which he collided with, and had his feet taken out from under him by, Habs' defenseman Subban, and appeared to suffer an ankle injury.
Craig Adams moved up and centered the 3rd line in his place the rest of the game -- and that's when he got the Pens' 4th goal.
Basically, Pittsburgh played with only 10 forwards last night with Staal out and surprise 4th liner Ruslan Fedotenko only getting a few shifts in the game.
It probably was easier for them to do that on 6 days rest than it was for the Canadiens to have to roll the rest of the game with only 5 rearguards after their taxing 7-game series win over Washington.
While there's no word about the severity of the injury to Markov at this point (or Staal either for that matter), it certainly won't get easier for them having to play game 2 on Sunday afternoon so quickly.
Still, Montreal will probably come with a better game in that one than they did last night, and the Penguins need to be better because of it, too. For as good as their power play was last night, Pittsburgh needs to be better 5-on-5. They actually were outshot by Montreal 31-24 in the game, and that isn't Penguins' hockey.
I'll update the status of Staal when I find out anything. Initial rumblings seem to suggest it might be a high-ankle sprain, but take that for what it is at this point.
More later.
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