News and Notes

Penguins Forward Maxime Talbot was injured blocking a shot on Tuesday Night... Early prognosis looks like he will miss some significant time.....
- what a blow to the lineup , max is exactly the type of player you need to battle in the trenches during the playoffs.....


Rangers Forward Sean Avery was rushed to the hospital early Wednesday morning supposedly in cardiac arrest after suffering a lacerated spleen in Tuesday nights tilt........ Avery will be out the rest of the playoffs....

Karma is a bitch eh sean ????

Pirollo's Peak Performer Game 3

#71 Evgeni Malkin

2 G, 1 A , 3 SOG

What a Big Time Performance by a Big Time Player.

Evgeni Malkin Deserves to be The Hart Trophy recipient, there are no two ways about it. Ovechkin can score all the goals he wants with 800 shots on goal, but you are not clutch, passionate, or A COMPLETE player ( defense included )......Geno does all of that and then some......

Geno 4 MVP

Game 3 Review

Sporting a 0-3-1 record in regular season play at the garden, The Penguins invaded Broadway for game 3 of their semi-final matchup with The Rangers. Marian Hossa got the penguins on the board early with a tally at 1:02 of the 1st, burying a bullet in the slot from pretty pass by Pascal Dupuis. Followed on by goals from Georges Laraque, Ryan Malone, and (2) Evgeni Malkin, the penguins stole game three 5-3 despite being out shot drastically in the contest. It was the defense and special teams that won this contest, not the high octane offense that we have grown so accustomed to.

"We were lucky to win," Penguins right winger Georges Laraque said. "Fifteen shots on net, and five goals. That's not going to happen every time. We won because of the penalty killing."

King Georges could not have been more on with his assessment of game 3, ( except luck had nothing to do with it). It was the penalty kill which was a question mark going into the playoffs that made the difference for The Penguins killing off 9 penalties to jump start them towards victory.

The Penguins have finally realized that to go along with their strike at will offense they need a steady reliable defensive effort to polish the armor on the electric team.

"Little things go a long way, and we know that," Malone said. "We've got to be ready for Game 4 and make sure we don't lose our focus."

Indeed Mr. Malone …. Indeed..

News and Notes

Penguins Forward Gary Roberts will not be in the lineup again for Game 3 tonight at MSG. Coach Therrien stated that it was not an injury situation but rather a desire not to change the lineup from Game 2.


Penguins Forward Evgeni Malkin was selected as a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy. The other contenders are Washington's Alex Ovechkin and Calgary's Jerome Iginla.....

......Got Pens Blog believes that with Pittsburgh's lasting run through the playoffs will catapult Geno into the winners circle once the awards are presented in Toronto......

I love Sean Avery...

....I'd love to sop his Gucci Man-Purse with my pee. What a D-Bag! What possibly are you accomplishing by doing what he is doing? Fight someone! Go out & change the pace of the game with a good fight. Hit someone! Create an opportunity for one of the great forwards that you play with! But NO...Sean has to get press & be labeled the bad guy. And why isn't Gary Bettman suspending him for the chop on Crosby in the first, the spear to Fleury AND the samurai swing to Laraque's head AFTER the whistle!? Gary Bettman...do you really want all of the press for the NHL playoffs going to Sean"D-Bag" Avery!? You have some of the best players in the world playing right now in one series; the penguins are SIX AND ZERO in the playoffs! How about some press for the best young stars in the NHL since the Oilers of Gretzky, Messier, Fuhr! Gary Bettman, Sean Avery is your NHL poster boy right now; shame on you.

Aside dating one of the Olson twins or both AND trying his hand at fashion...he's still a douche.
Sean, spare us please...we want to watch hockey.

Pirollo's Peak Performer Game 2 ( 2nd round )

# 11 Jordan Staal

1 goal, 3 sog , +1

What a monster young Jordan has been during the playoffs. He almost makes you forget his trechourous Regular Season. He is developing into a solid solid solid two-way player. Its kind of early but i do see the comparison to Rod Brind-Amor coming sooner rather then later...

Technical Difficulties...

Sorry for the delay. We had internet problems. We'll have all the stuff you should have seen over the weekend posted today.

Go Pens!
(PS - Avery is a D-Bag)

Pens Take Driver Seat in Series.

With a 2-0 shutout win against The Rangers, The Penguins have a 2-0 series lead as the series resumes Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. Game one was dominated by high scoring and suspect defense at times, however game 2 would have nothing of the sort. A powerplay goal by Jordan Staal at 13:55 of the 2nd period put the Penguin's ahead, while Adam Hall added a empty-netter to seal the deal.



At the End of regulation tempers started to flair centered around who else? but Mr. Vouge himself Sean Avery. His true colors show will show when his team is on the brink of elimination.



The Penguin's know that they need to have control and keep their composure heading into the garden. Even though they are up 2-0 in the series, the Pen's mindset will be one of an even playing field.

"After winning two games, you want to go to your next game as if it is 0-0 again. What happened in the past doesn't matter, win or lose. The first round was four-zip, but then you're 0-0 again". Said Jarkko Ruutu.

The Penguins need to shine in the bright lights of Broadway. Taking the play to the rangers will take their crowd out of the game and make a hostile place a little more hospitable.

The Pen's showed the Rangers that they can play any kind of hockey at will.. Now all that is left is to put the icing on Jagr's goodbye cake.

Hockey God Update

Penguins Winger Gary Roberts will NOT be in the lineup tonight for game 1 against the Rangers.

Defense Pairings


Gill - Scuderi

Letang - Whitney

Orpik - Gonchar

2nd Round Predictions And Key Performers

The Penguins are going to have their hands full in this 2nd round playoff series. The New York Rangers have a tough blend of skill, grit, sound defense, and outstanding goaltending with King Henrik. Both of these teams are equipped to play any brand of hockey.Whether that be a tight checking defensive game or a lights out shootout. In order to win the Series the Penguins MUST win at Madison Square Garden.

Prediction: Penguins in 6 games

Key Performers:

Rangers

Jaromir Jagr

Will we see a motivated Jag's playing for his last big contract and chance at The Cup ? Or will we see the disgruntled, egotistic crybaby that has been wearing # 68 all season long. He holds the key to The Rangers success.

Sean Avery
Where do we start with this Vogue intern? Wow this guy is the ultimate super pest. The Rangers will rely heavily on his ability to get inside Pen's star players heads. If things get crazy, I don't think Mr. Avery will find it very fun to play in Mr. Roberts Neighborhood

Henrik Lundqvist
He will be the x-factor for the Ranger's. As a vezina finalist he has shown the ability to take over games and dictate the tempo throughout. Shooting as much as possible and scoring early is the game plan The Penguin's should adhere to. It wont be easy but King Henrik is beatable.

Penguins

Hal Gill

The USS Gill will almost certainly be deployed against The Jagr Line. In the past he has been able to take Jag's off his game which will certainly be his focus in this series. By using his big body down low, he can match him step for step which will prevent those patented wrist shots from the slot that we are accustomed to seeing from Jaromir.

Marc-Andre Fleury
The Flower needs to continue to blossom this series. This team will go as far as Marc will take them. He needs to be sound positionally as well develop an edge to his game. Avery no doubt will cause havoc in front of the net and Marc Needs to respond accordingly. Expect big things from the two-niner.

Gary Roberts
This man is no mere mortal. You cannot say enough to what he contributes to this team. He needs to set the tone early and show The Ranger's exactly what it is like inside Mr. Robert's neighborhood. Look at the water ... look at Roberts drinking the water...

Pirollo's Peak Performer Game 4

# 37 Jarkko Ruutu

1 goal, +1, 2 sog

The Finish Crash won the game for The Pen's with a pretty backhand spini-rama goal that ended up being the # 1 play of the day on Sportscenter. Ruuts displayed great discipline by accumulating 0 penalty minutes the entire series....

He will be huge down the stretch....

How "sweep" it is.

And how fun it was too.
It's hard for me to forget the whooping the Senators got in the first round so that I can reminisce about the things that actually brought me giggles and glee.

The "Senator"
I thought a Seantor was the guy in the togo reciting Socrates & figuring out diplomacy.
Apparently, Ottawa doesn't know either.
I almost think that the South Park guys orchestrated this one...how much cheese can you put into the opening of you hockey game? This much.


And...I found this toolbag of a video.

That would suck to do all this & then have your team get swept in 4. Good effort though.

The National Anthem
I do think I know the real inspiration behind the Penguins sweep. Most national sports teams get a celebrity to sing the national anthem. Ottawa picked the wrong one.
Mr. McFeely from Mister Rodgers Neighborhood.

Don't they know that Mr. McFeely & Fred Rodgers bleed black & gold.
Don't they know that their is a Dinosaur dressed up like Mr. Rodgers IN Pittsburgh.
Thanks for the motivation.
And the giggles & glee.
And the week-and-a-half of rest.
And a first round by.

Sweep Dreams Senator's

The Penguins wrapped up their Eastern Conference Quarterfinals matchup with the OttawaSenator's to sweep the series 4 games to 0. The Pen's brought the same intesity and killerinstinct to Game 4 that has helped them to a first round sweep. Goals by Evegeni Malkin, Jarkko Ruutu, and an empty netter by Sidney Crosby sealed the deal for the Pen's, and helped to enstill a positive playoff memory moving forward.

"Most of us, our first playoff memory was losing here," Penguins Capitan Sidney Crosby said. "That's changed now."

The Penguins have gained a confidence that will do wonders for them thourghout this playoff run. None bigger then the confidence that Marc-Andre Fleury now has in his own abilities.
Fleury's teamates realize that his contribution is the reason they will go far in thechase for the Cup.

"Since I've joined this team and he returned from high ankle sprain injury, he was strong for this team," said Winger Marain Hossa. "He hasn't missed a beat. There were a few saves in Game 4 that were unbelievable. You need great goaltending in the playoffs, and he was great for us."

The Penguins have laid a solid foundation in this first round that will be needed as they continue
thier trip towards professional hockey's greatest trophy, " Lord Stanley's Cup ". Solid Defense,
quick strike offense, and elite goaltending are the essential ingredients for a successfull cup
run. Sending the Senator's into an early spring hibernation showed the entire NHL exactly what
scary things this hockey team is capable of.

With that in mind ... "Sweep" Dreams Ottawa .. better luck next time...

Game 4 Preview

After taking a commanding lead in the quarter final series 3-0. The Penguins attempt a clean sweep of Ottawa tonight at Scotiabank place. Given the level of play demonstrated in previous games, game four should be nothing short of spectacular.

The Senators are going to come out with an all out attack in a last ditch effort to keep their slim and ever fading series hopes alive. No matter how good the Senators play the Penguins know that they need to be that much better.

" They're going to come out hard, " are we going to come out harder ? hopefully. That's the plan." Said Center Max Talbot

Closing out the forth win of the series sooner rather then later will do wonders for this Penguins team. It will provide a chance for their banged up players to heal as well as a better chance to prepare for their second round opponent.


As great as the Pen's have played throughout the first three games they know exactly how hard it is to win game 4 in any Stanley Cup Playoff Series.

" We know its going to be extremely tough to win the last game," " but the sooner we can do it, the better." Said Penguins Winger Marian Hossa.

As long as the Pen's can establish a lead a lead and play a tight checking game the series should be theirs. They must not get caught in the goonery that no doubt will take place once a penguins victory is assured. Finishing off this series and heading into round two healthy should be the Penguin's biggest concern.


After the beating they took this series, Ottawa would like nothing more then to spoil the playoff run for the Pen's.

Pirollo's Peak Performer Game 3

# 18 Marian Hossa

1 G, 2 A, + 2, 3 SOG

What a breakout game for Big Poppa Pump. I didnt think he was ever going to score a goal, not to mention his pretty pass to Max Talbot for the Pen's first goal. His offensive flair was only a shadow of his contribution last night. His ferocious back check on a breakaway kept the Senators from getting a prime scoring chance. The chemistry is getting scary.....

Game 3 Review

Game 3 had all the elements of a classic Stanley Cup Playoff Game. From the bone crunching body checks and tight defense, to the onslaught of shots and offensive chances this game had all the makings of a down to the wire showdown . That was until Sidney Crosby had something to say about it.

Through two periods of play the Pen's and Sen's were tied at one a piece thanks to goals by Nick Foligno and Maxime Talbot of the Pen's. At the 12 second mark of the 3rd period Sidney Crosby took matters into his own hand ripping a Snap Shot Five hole on Martin Gerber propelling the Penguins to their first lead of the contest. Followed up with goals by Jordan Staal at the 1:30 mark and Marian Hossa on the power play. With a 4-1 lead the game was quickly out of reach.

Lost in the shadow of the incredible offensive performance is the play of Marc- Andre Fleury who's 33 saves on 34 shots was the reason the penguins were in the game long enough to build an offensive attack. Not only does Fleury have the confidence in his own abilities, he has his teammates believing that he is the guy they can count on to win a game for them single handedly.

"He was big for us early and really shut the door at the end," "He got us the win." said Penguins
Defensemen Ryan Whitney.

The Penguins now have a reliable bonifide # 1 goaltender who is playoff tested to go along with their fast strike scoring. That combination should prove deadly to any opponent challenging for Lord Stanley's Cup.

Senator's News and Note's

- Center Jasson Spezza says his knee feels fine after the morning skate and will be in the lineup

- Daniel Alfredsson will be in the lineup tonight. I cant see how he will be 100 %. This should be the spark the Sen's need at home. This could get interesting......

Prediction: the Sens stiffle Pens using agitating wall mural.

The Senators have come out with demoralizing tactics stolen straight from the Axis powers of WWII. Murals & posters strewn about slowly diminishing our confidence & hope. I'm surprised Ottawa doesn't have someone on the radio like "Tokyo Rose" telling all the Pens fans that Crosby has been assassinated.

This is what the coaching staff & the front office in Ottawa came up with.
Put up a poster.
Not working on scoring or the powerplay or penaly killing or blocking shots.
"Can we move that mural done the hall...man, are they gonna be pissed."
Classic.

When Gary Roberts sees that poster he will annililate it from existence with a slight movement of his brow. Speaking of "Scary" Gary, does Ottawa really want to keep wasting their time trying to hit Gary. How about stopping 5 goals. How about stopping Malkin & Sykora from defecating on Martin Gerber (which, by the way, played a helluuva game Friday night; I give credit where credit is due). But Martin can't stop everything, especially when he reminds everyone of that delicious baby food every time we see the back of his jersey.

So Crosby & Hossa have played like what...a handful of games together. In the next round, when they starting connecting, the Malkin-Malone-Sykora Defecation line, Staal out-hustling everyone & George Laraque throwing Lemieux passes from behind the net to Roberts... it's gonna be messy.

I'll ask again. Where is Schubert? Please let someone punch you in the face.


The Pens are putting up a poster for the Sens when they come back to Mellon Arena...next year.

Sorry about your sad faces.

Series Shifts To Ottawa For Game 3

After a tremendous effort in game one and two in Pittsburgh the penguins travel to Ottawa Ontario for game three of the series. Ottawa historically has been a tough place for the Pen's to adjust to, however Defensemen Rob Scuderi does not seem to be intimidated.

"As a player, you're not intimidated by loud crowds," Scuderi said. "But, at the same time, they make it a tough place to play, a tough environment to play in."

That was evident last year when the Penguins were taken aback by the ferocious attack the Senators bestowed on them During game one in ottawa last year. The Penguins were caught on their heels and were set into panic mode once the Sen's introduced the young penguins to playoff hockey. This time around the penguins know exactly what kind of effort it takes to win in Ottawa.

"We know how hard it is to win in Ottawa," right winger Georges Laraque said. "We saw that last year."

The penguins need to play a in your face, hard hitting game similar to the play of game 1 in order to take the Ottawa crowd out of the equation.

"If we would play a game like Game 1 in their building, that would be the best way," "You go on the second shift and score a goal, then you just go with them all game, and the crowd's going to be out of it." said center Max Talbot

The penguins players know exactly what it takes now to win in Ottawa, now its all about execution.

Pirollo's Peak Performer Game 2

# 71 Evgeni Malkin

0 G, 3 A, +1 , 8 SOG

Geno was electric from the minute the puck dropped , earning the primary assist on Sergei Gonchar's tally as well as Petr Sykora's 2 bullets. The telepathy between Sykora and Malkin is pretty scary, as well as the gritty edge that has developed in his game. Sorry Ovechkin the real MVP resides in Pittsburgh.