It's A Great Day For Hockey

It’s a Great day for hockey.

I don’t think there is a more fitting phrase as the Pens are set to tackle the beast which is the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Tonight the Pens face an ice cold Ottawa Senators team that only one year ago administered a beating so severe that memories of that series have been entrenched in those young players minds forever. However, it was that lopsided series that has molded this Penguins team into a force in the Eastern Conference as well as challengers for the Stanley Cup. They learned last year that the second season is a completely different entity where the rigors of the regular season are only a shell of what can be expected here.

This time around the Senators limp into Pittsburgh for game one with serious injuries to some key players. They are without outstanding two way player Mike Fisher, as well as Capitan and world class player Daniel Alfredson who was lost in a border line illegal hit from Toronto Maple Leafs Forward Mark Bell. Clearly this is not the same Ottawa team which bounced the pens from the playoffs last year. All of which can attributed to suspect at best goaltending tandem of Gerber and Emery as well as lack luster play in all phases of the game.

The Penguins on the other hand are firing on all cylinders. From Crosby to Laraque, all players are playing within themselves and adhering to Michel Therriens defensive system. Newcomers Hossa, Dupuis, and Gill are playing at their highest level since being acquired at the NHL Trade Deadline. With the flower Marc- Andre Fluery blossoming before our very eyes into an elite top-shelf goaltender which made him worthy of the first overall pick in 2003, this team is set for a lengthy and successful playoff performance.

A win in this series will not come easy but is certainly an accomplishable goal. As long as the forwards pick their spots offensively, the d-men play sound fundamental defense to go along with consistent goaltending, the sky is the limit for this team.

It truly is an exciting time to be a Pittsburgh Penguins fan.