Pens Live In Game Blogs

 11/29 Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Rangers

Hey guys trying something new here.

5:36 P.M.-Just some early news about an hour and a half before the puck is set to drop in the Garden.  Looks like Arron Asham is doubtful due to illness and Mike Comrie will be out the next few weeks with the ever mysterious lower body injury.  On the other side of the ice Marian Gaborik is also ill and doubtful (Gaborik is doubtful, shocker i know).  Between the pipes tonight its looking like King Henrik and the Flower.  Should be a good one.  Stay tuned as we bring you live in game action and analysis starting at 7:00 PM and throughout the night right here on your favorite sports source.

6:52 P.M.- Marian Gaborik looks to be in the lineup tonight. Godard will also play for Arron Asham.

From here on out the times you see will be based on how much time has elapsed in the current period.

The lineups have Malkin with Cooke and Talbot tonight.  Godard with Adams and Rupp on the fourth and the first and third lines stay the same with Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis on the first and Connor-Letestu-Kennedy on the third,  The defensive pairings stay the same.

First Period-2:00-First Impressions.  Sloppy and physical.  Rangers rank first in the league in hits and the Penguins come in at third so don't expect anything to change in that department.

4:25-Martin hits Kunitz on a tape to tape pass, giving Kunitz a breakaway but King Henrik closes the door.

5:10-PENGUINS GOAL.  Rangers turn it over in the slot, Talbot does what he does best and finds the loose puck and the back of the net. 1-0 PENGUINS. G-Talbot (5), A- Dupuis

 9:00- Talbot dishes behind the back to a trailing Letang but Mike Eminger slides in front to block a big wrister from Letang, who is looking to continue his 72 point pace for the season.

9:57-Gaborik hits a streaking Fedotenko but the puck just glances off his stick ruining Fedotenko's first chance to say remember me?

13:41- The Garden is eerily quiet and has been for the last five minutes or so.  Rangers could possibly look to start a fight to get the crowd back behind them.

15:00- First power play of game awarded to Penguins.  Ryan Callahan sent to box for a two minute interference call.  Can the 15th ranked Penguins powerplay stay hot?

18:17- Finally it feels like a rivalry.  Mike Rupp and Brandon Prust drop gloves and suddenly the Garden is alive again.  Fight was short with each player swinging but not making any big connections.

19:10- Rangers get first power play with period winding down so it will carry over to the second period.  Letang picked up the minor penalty.

END OF 1ST PERIOD- PENS LEAD 1-0
    -No statistics really jump out at you after one period.  Rangers lead in the shot department 8-6 and the Penguins have also blocked 8 shots.  Kind of a sleepy period for both teams without any real flow going either way.  Penguins need to look to spread the ice and get pucks deep while the Rangers have to find a way to get more shots through as opposed to blocked.

Second Period- 1:06- Rangers fail to score on power play on power play.  Penguins have now killed 25 in a row without their best penalty killer in Jordan Staal keeping them as the top ranked PK unit in the league.

2:00- Near two-headed monster sighting. Malkin and Crosby almost hook up right after the penalty kill did its job but Henrik once again makes a big save.

7:00- Possibly the smallest line in hockey.  Kennedy, Connor, and Letestu continue to show an exceptional ability to hold the puck deep in the Rangers zone.

7:57- Questionable hand pass call squanders a big chance for the Penguins going the other way.

9:45- Chris Connor gets lost behind the Rangers defense, takes it in deep and nearly wraps it back around front but guess what, King Henrik once again would have none of it.  The Garden continues to be quiet, even Bob Errey notices.

12:01-PENGUINS GOAL.  Crosby with a great pass after Dupuis dropped it to him. Crosby sends it cross ice to Letang and Letang buries it on the one-timer.  Crosby has at least one point in the last 13 games and Letang has 20 points in his last 21 games.  2-0 PENGUINS G-Letang (5) A-Dupuis, Crosby

13:16- PENGUINS GOAL.  The Rangers defense continues to pinch and give up uneven opportunites going th other way.  Chris Conner buries the shot getting Henrik moving left to right.  As i am typing this, off the faceoff Kennedy drops gloves with the enigmatic Sean Avery trying to get the crowd back into it.  Kennedy was ready but Avery got the best of him.  3-0 PENGUINS G-Conner (2) A-Kennedy, Goligoski

15:00- If the Rangers come back, remember when Lundqvist slid across the net and commited highway robbery on Dupuis coming in the back door.  

16:19-RANGERS GOAL- Finally a Marian Gaborik siting,  the announcers didn't expect a shot and apparently Flower didn't either. Great snapshot by the ever dangerous Gaborik, when he is healthy of course. 3-1 PENGUINS G-Gaborik (5) A-Roszival

19:00-As Fleury makes a glove save on Boyle, the Rangers seem to have seized at least a sliver of momentum with the period winding down.  More puck possession and seem to have a bigger hop in their step.

END OF SECOND PERIOD-PENGUINS LEAD 3-1
   -The Rangers keep looking to pinch their defensemen up ice but its clearly not working.  It seems like the Penguins are taking an odd man advantage the other way every other play.  The Penguins seem to really be gelling as a team.  It is most obvious as they transition out of their own end.  The production from the defensemen continues to be there as they have now contributed to 56 of the Penguins 78 goals this season.  The Penguins have doubled up the Rangers 12-6 in scoring chances and outshot the Rangers 14-6 in that period, and lead 20-16 in shots overall.  However, heading into the third a two-goal lead is the most dangerous lead in hockey.  Although the Penguins are 8-1-0 this season when leading after two periods.

Third Period-2:05- The Rangers are putting pressure on Fleury by putting bodies in front and looking to create traffic.  Avery of course is in the very center of all of it, although he is not waving his stick around like he loves to do.

3:20- Big Z, no not mammoth Chara up in Beantown.  Zybnek Michalek comes close to possibly sealing things.  Hits the crossbar and bounces right to King Henrik.  Michalek looking for the first goal in a Penguins sweater but we all know what this young blanket defender can do in his own end.

5:34- Second powerplay of the game coming for the Rangers and it will be a crucial one for both teams.  Engelland in the box for a two minute hooking call.

6:18- About 1:18 left in the powerplay and the theme stays the same, shoot the puck and send the kitchen sink to the front of the net on Fleury.  Flower though continues to ignore the banging at the front door.  

9:13- Another powerplay for the Rangers and another potential game changing two minute portion of hockey.  Goligoski picks up the two minute tripping minor.  The Rangers have hit their stride a bit this period and the Penguins need to be careful to not give them any chance at life in this game.  The Penguins defense has stood up very well to the physical play in front and have to continue to give Fleury lanes to see shots as they come in.

12:03- Yes i sound like a broken record I know, but another Rangers power play.  Kind of a weak call as Avery took a dive at mid ice after attempting to slew foot Sid.  Crosby picks up the two minute tripping minor.  Rangers picked up a late elbowing call though and it will actually be 4-4 for the next two minutes as this game winds down.

17:30- Two plays in a row.  Hits the crossbar once and then circles the defense the next play and finds Malkin for a quality shot.  Sid is flying as usual.

END OF THIRD PERIOD-PENGUINS WIN 3-1
   -Final Thoughts:  Big win for the Penguins as they pull even with the Flyers for the Atlantic Division lead and sit just two points behind the Washington Capitals for the Eastern Conference lead.  This Penguins team seems to be firing on all cylinders as they win their 7th game in a row and their 4th straight victory in Madison Square Garden.  The Flower stays hot as he moves to 8-0-1 in his last nine starts, with a 25 save performance tonight.  Crosby continues his stunning display by scoring a point in his 13th straight game, the longest streak in the league.  The key for this team though is the dirty work and the defense. The Penguins penalty kill has not allowed a powerplay goal in nine consecutive games. Michalek has added an element back to this defense that they haven't had since Rob Scuderi decided he wanted to celebrity watch in LA.  The physical play in front and behind the net in their defensive zone is nearly flawless and they are transitioning to the offensive end with seamless grace.  The Thrashers come to Pittsburgh in an Eastern Conference battle Thursday night, and let us hope the Penguins continue to show more of the same.  Until then, this Ian Hanford and thanks for tuning in!
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12/02- Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Atlanta Thrashers

6:31- About a half hour until puck drop here.  Just to bring you up to date, Evander Kane will not be in the lineup tonight for Atlanta.  Penguins lineups have not changed at all since Tuesday night versus the Rangers.  Should be a great battle between two red hot teams, seven in a row for Pittsburgh and six in a row for Atlanta, tonight in Pittsburgh.  See you all at seven!

6:57- Matchup of the night-Third ranked Atlanta powerplay vs. top Penguins penalty kill.  

Pens Lines:
Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis
Cooke-Malkin-Talbot
Conner-Letestu-Kennedy
Rupp-Adams-Godard
Asham

First Period- 1:30- Pens start with the Crosby line and come out playing very aggressive.  Definitely looking to attack Byflugien and Co.

1:51- Dropping gloves already.  Two heavyweights, Aaron Asham and Scott Thorburn.  Both men throw a few haymakers.  A very spirited battle.  Great way to set the tone early for both teams.

2:25- Goligoski misses a huge early chance. Rupp has the initial shot blocked and Gogo cannot handle the rebound on his backhand as he just pushes it wide.  As we speak Dupuis misses another big chance against his former squad.  Pens look very impressive early.

3:50-  First big chance for Atlanta.  The howitzer from the point from the behemoth Dustin Byflugien.  In my opinion, one of most underrated and one of most versatile talents in the league.

4:14- Ondrej Pavalec with highway robbery on Tyler Kennedy.  Big snapping glove save.  I can hardly type fast enough tonight.  Speaking of that, again as we speak both goaltenders exhchange volleys again.  Big save after big save.  Gotta love it.

4:54-  First chance to see third ranked Atlanta powerplay.  Malkin with the two minute high sticking call.

6:21-  THRASHERS GOAL.  Bryan Little gets a deflection goal past the Flower.  Pens can't track the rebound.  Streak of 32 straight kills for Pens PK is broken. 1-0 THRASHERS G-Little (5) A-Stewart, Oduya

7:32- PENGUINS GOAL.  Imagine that, Crosby answers extending his point streak to a league leading 14 games.  Takes advantage of a Ben Eager matchup, finds the puck on his forehand and chips Pavelec for the even up goal.  1-1 TIE G-Crosby (19) A-Kunitz, Engelland

11:00-  I just love how this Penguins third line possesses the puck.  Kennedy, Connor, and Letestu just never stop moving or working.  Such an important part when they get the aggressive forecheck going.  

13:06-  Can the Penguins powerplay answer the tone set by the Thrashers on their first chance?  We will see, with a two minute tripping call on new Atlanta captain and Stanley Cup champ, Andrew Ladd.

17:10-  I have no idea how that didn't end up in the back of the net.  The two headed monster almost make something happen but not this time. What a track meet.

END OF FIRST PERIOD- 1-1 TIE
      -  Two words: As advertised.  An Atlanta powerplay goal,  a Crosby goal, and overall an all-out track meet.  The Pens outshot the Thrashers 10-8 with both goalies making several big saves.  These two teams have not disapppointed in the least.  It is going to take a few more for either team to come out on top in this one.  Pretty easy to see why these two teams are scorching hot coming into this contest.  Interesting to see what adjustments the coaches make to possibly slow the game down, or keep it up tempo.  Both teams seem very comfortable thus far.  Should be a great next two periods!

Second Period- Bob Errey is literally sniffing ammonia before the start of the period.  I wonder about him sometimes.

1:00- Sid almost deflects a Letang rocket shot from the blueline in the net.  Letang is playing with so much confidence right now.

2:27- Tobias Enstrom, all 5'9" of him, fires one on net but Flower denies him with a great glove save.  Very impressive showings from both men between the pipes so far tonight.

4:24-PENGUINS GOAL. I wouldn't let Sid behind my defense.  But the Thrashers apparently would. Sid on a breakaway, just him and Pavelec, and he goes five hole.  Its too easy for him right now.  2-1 PENGUINS G-Crosby (20) A-Asham

8:30-  Paul Martin continues to progress in this Penguins system.  He is such an intelligent player and always keeps his head up.  The definition of cerebral.  Atlanta needs to start getting the puck behind this Pittsburgh defense.

10:18- PENGUINS GOAL. Crosby picks up his seventh career hat trick, yes it is still the second period.  An incredible deflection off a Brooks Orpik shot.  I don't even know what to say about him right now.  Words don't describe it.  3-1 CROSBY G-Crosby (21) A- Orpik, Letang

13:32-  The Thrashers keep attacking this Pens defense by going straight at them but the Pens spacing on defense is just perfect right now.  Keeping the gaps a reasonable distance and not getting beat.  Thrashers have to start dumping it deep and getting to the corners if they want to have a chance in this one.

15:00- Bursmistrov with a great wrister on Fleury but Fleury just got a piece of it.  Burmistrov was intent on making something happen though, and he draws a two minute holding minor on Letang.  Could be a big two minutes coming up in this game.  Atlanta is 1-1 on powerplay thus far, lets see how this ace Pens PK will adjust this time.

16:16- Pens PK doesn't have to work long,  as Talbot draws a two minute hook on Enstrom to even things up four on four.

18:34-  THRASHERS GOAL. And it is a big one toward the end of the period.  Malkin made a critical turnover behind the Penguins net and a bang bang play leads to a Antropov goal. 3-2 PENGUINS G-Antropov (7) A-Bergfors

END OF SECOND PERIOD- PENGUINS LEAD 3-2
    - A critical late Malkin turnover turns into a crucial goal for the Thrashers as the second period wound down.  Shots were even at 9 that period putting the game totals at 20 to 17 in favor of the Penguins.  One statistic that really jumps out is the Pens have 15 blocked shots through two periods.  You can't put a value on how important that is.  This defensive corp is playing in one word, sound.  The beginning of the third period could be the most important part of this game as the Thrashers look to seize momentum early.

Third Period- 2:00-  Pens weather the first two minutes.  Thrashers really pressing early for the game knotting goal.  Should be a wild third period.

4:45- Michalek just lays on the ice refusing to allow the crossing pass.  Just love his style.  Much needed after the Scuds departure from two years ago.

10:00-  Finally some signs of life from Malkin.  Keeps the puck in the Pens offensive end three times, no goal but still great to see him with some efficient energy for a change.

11:12-  The newly named "buzz" line of Connor, Letestu, and Kennedy continue to buzz around and possess the puck.  They are out there to wreak havoc and they are doing more than their job.

13:55-  Byflugien almost creates the game tying goal to Enstrom by rounding around the net and keeping Fleury off balance.   Fleury recovered just in time to make the save.

14:51-  A very close shot for Crosby, looking for his fourth goal.  The whole crowd is holding their breath.

17:41-  Thrashers still holding onto that timeout.  When Pavelec is yanked here in a minute or so it is going to get very interesting.  Thrashers look overmatched but it says a lot that they have managed to hang in.

19:57- One final great moment.  Max Talbot lays his body on the line blocking a howitzer from Big Bad Byflugien.  Epitomizes the effort by this Pens team.

END OF THIRD PERIOD- PENGUINS WIN 3-2
      -  Final thoughts:  Pens play a very clean and efficient third period despite a very scrappy effort from an Atlanta team that fought to the very end.  The Penguins have really hit their stride, now having won eight games in a row and their sixth straight on home ice.  The wins on home ice are refreshing due to the abysmal start at the beginning of the year in their new arena.  Marc-Andre Fleury continues his winning ways in another quality performance between the pipes.  Crosby playing the best hockey of his career picking up his first career natural hat trick (all three goals with no other goals in between) and seventh career hat trick, but the real story is the sound play of this defensive corps for the Penguins.  Martin and Michalek are all they were anticipated to be.  Letang has elevated his game and Orpik is his gritty old self.  Next for the Pens is a surprising Columbus Blue Jackets team on Saturday in Columbus.  Until next time, Thanks for tuning in!  Leave a comment and let's get some conversation going.