Penguins need to keep the pedal down !

The penguins continue their march towards the Stanley Cup tonight in game 2 action against the Ottawa Senators. The Penguins took the play to Ottawa early in game one and there needs to be even more of a sense of urgency in game two. The Pen's out played the Sen's in every facet of the game , with a focus on sending a message of toughness and skill that would have Badger Bob Johsnon grinning from ear to ear. The last thing you would want to do is let up the intensity therefore allowing the ailing Senator's to return home to Ottawa with the series tied at 1 game a piece.

Penguins rugged d-man Brooks Orpik believes that the war has just begun.

"It's far from over," "They have a lot of character. We have a lot of respect for that whole team. It's going to be a long series." "It's far from over," Orpik said.

The lack luster play in game one combined with a putrid 50 game clip to finish out the regular season must be weighing heavily on Ottawa's head.

Sen's Coach Bryan Murray had this to offer up after practice on Thursday.

"We had a struggle in the second half of the year, but in the back of my mind I was thinking, The guys are waiting for the playoffs, once we get in we'll get back to the level of play we can be at." Murray said.

Throttling the Sen's when they are down in game two is imperative towards closing out the series once it shifts back to Ottawa.The hellacious atmosphere that is playoff hockey in Ottawa is something this young team would be more prepared for with a 2-0 lead in the series.

The two teams have been in this situation before, only this time the Pen's are in the drivers seat.

News and Notes

- Sens d-man Anton Volchenkov says he will be available for friday nights tilt.

- Expect to see Senators Capitan Daniel Alfreddsson some time this series. Possibly even as early as game 3 in Ottawa.

- Senators to stick with Martin Gerber for game 2

- The penguins plan to dress the same lineup for game 2.

Jesus walks on water, Gary Roberts skates on it.

..and scores two goals. Gary Roberts is a BEAST. He showed the young pens how IT IS DONE.
Fleury looks like a veteran; won't make comparisons until the finals but I've been making this comparison since he was drafted...ask Tony.
Don't forget Coach Therrien (who always looks like he walked off the movie screen of Eastern Promises, sends shivers down my spine with his slick hair & euro-dad suit). Do you think it was a co-winky-dink that the fourth line was out in 68 seconds? Set the tone & scored a hard-working goal around the cage. Coaching. Boo-yah, B. Murray.

Did Gerber play street hockey before the game. Yikes.
Schubert WHO?
Wade Redden...how is your face? Jersey over your head like 1978. You're lucky Gary wasn't in your vicinity.
Volchenkov...glad your okay. I've played goal for 15 years & I would never want to take one like that. But you should still sit a couple games to get better All my best, AK.
Crosby & Hossa playing tic-tac-toe looked pretty.
I can't wait til they DECIDE to score.

Can't wait for Friday.

Pirollo's Peak Performer Game 1

Gary Roberts # 10

2 goals , 2 pts, +1, 3 hits, 16 pims

Its no coincidence that he wears warrior brand gloves. Mr Roberts controlled his neighborhood all night long dismantaling the Senators almost single handedly. He was like a caged aninal at the end of the game looking to murder anything with a pulse.

Game 1 Review

This exciting match began with ancient playoff warrior Gary Roberts taking it to the Sen’s early scoring on a nice feed from Georges Laraque at 1:08 in the first period. Scary Gary finished the game with 2 goals, 3 hits, and 16 penalty minutes.

"They embarrassed us last year," left winger Gary Roberts said. "I think we learned our lesson."

The penguins toped the Senators in every category including the penalty kill which withstood seven 5-4 advantages , as well as being shorthanded two men on two different occasions. The scoring continued with goals from Peter Sykora , Evgeni Malkin , and
Gary Roberts ( 2 ).

Not to be understated was Marc-Andre Fleury’s 26 save performance earning his first NHL Post Season shutout.

“For the last 15 games he's been the best goalie in the National Hockey League so I am not surprised," said Pens head coach Michel Therrien.

This game really showed exactly what kind of character has been bestowed upon these young players. After a late game altercation involving Sidney Crosby and Wade Redden, Ryan Whitney of all players took it upon himself to stand up for his captain and pummel Redden after he threw some punches towards the head of Sid the Kid.

"It's about team spirit," said Therrien. "There's good team chemistry with these guys. Whitney stepped in and did the right thing."

Like the Senators demonstrated one year ago , The Penguins set the tone for what will be a hard hitting, high scoring , in your face series. They controlled play from the minute the puck dropped to the final buzzer.

What a difference one year can make.


( tsn.ca , postgazette.com )

Pens lines For Game 1

Dupuis - Crosby - Hossa

Malone - Malkin - Sykora

Ruutu - Staal - Kennedy

Roberts - Talbot - Laraque


Gonchar - Scuderi

Whitney - Scuderi

Letang - Gill

OFFICIALS FOR STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

The nhl has named its officials for the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs


http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=233827&lid=sublink06&lpos=headlines_main

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.

1st Round Predictions And Key Performers

1st Round Prediction:


I believe this will be a hard fought series with the pens coming out on top in 5 games.

Players to watch:


Ottawa:

Jason Spezza

Does he finally step out of Heatly and Alfredsson’s shadow and become the elite playmaker that some believe he is ?

Anton Volchenkov

Will he be a force in front of the net making it impossible for the pens skilled players to dangle? Who does he play against Crosby or Malkin. Pick you poison Anton.

Gerber / Emery

Goaltending has been in disarray all season long so I see no hope of any resolution for the playoffs. Emery has fallen of the map and Gerber is nothing more then a glorified # 2.

Christoph Schubert

Does this block head really think he can pull the crap he did last year and get away with
It ? Just in case Mr. Schubert will get reacquainted to Mr. Laraque and the Finish Crash that is Jarkko Ruutu.


Penguins:


Sidney Crosby

Just when you think Sid has peeked he raises his game to a completely different level. Sid can taste the cup and No one will stop him not even a High Ankle Sprain.


Hal Gill

What a monster he has been since the trade deadline . Sound Positional Defense to go along with some nasty body checks are just what the doctor ordered for this team. Expect him to log a lot of ice even strength and short handed.


Marian Hossa

Can he finally silence his critics by having a monster playoff series? I think the effect of the knee sprain are wearing off as well as his increasing chemistry with Crosby will be a deadly combination. Expect Big things from Big Poppa Pump


Jarkko Ruutu

You would hate him if he wasn’t on your team. He is going to be a difference maker this series mark my word. He has added an offensive flair to go along with his mouth and gritty play. Look out Schubert !!!

Pens must prove they learned from 07

Good Read by Dave Molinari of the Post Gazette.


http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08100/871613-61.stm

Hockey God Update

Forward Gary Roberts has not experienced any pain or set backs stemming from his high ankle sprain / broken leg. Expect him to be in the lineup for game one this evening.



( postgazette.com)

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