Well, it's not exactly the way you start a win streak, but at least the Penguins squeaked a point out of the 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Rangers. Although, they should have had the win.
It all looked good and great in the first period. Crosby has a goal and an assist, Talbot steps up with a goal - just the kind of start the Pens needed against a team like the Rangers. 2-0 at the end of the first? Damn right I'll take that.
But then it all fell apart, and started to look like the Pens' previous games against the Avalanche and Islanders whereby they scored two, then gave up three straight for the loss. The Pens managed to notch a shorthanded goal in the first, but the Rangers answered back with the same in the second. In addition to two others. I will admit though- having Crosby on the penalty kill was a quality move on Therrien's part. I'd like to see some more of that.
Heading in to the third with the Rangers up 3-2, the Penguins started to take some chances. The defense was getting involved on the attack, the front lines were crashing and a Sykora "garbage goal", as they call it in the game, was the end result. It become evident that unless the Penguins gave a full collapse or the Rangers just went crazy on offense, the Pens would at least get a point on the night.
Some quality chances in overtime failed to turn in the Pens' favor. Almost two minutes into the overtime period, the Rangers broke out on a breakaway, allowing defenseman Jason Strudwick to put the nail in the Pens' coffin. Final score 4-3.
Overall, Fleury did not play a bad game. Personally, I think he made some great saves. But, I also think the D hung him out to dry a few times. He did manage to get out of position a few times, especially on Avery's handling of the puck in front of the net during the second period. Fleury was better off just skating off the ice at this point, but thankfully a Ranger was unable to gobble up Avery's centering pass.
Jordan Staal is more than deserving of a scratch. I don't exactly know who'd be better in his spot, but he needs to sit and open it up for someone else. On a similar note, if a hockey player were a car with flat tires, it'd probably look a bit like Mark Recchi.
The last win against the Islanders posed as living proof that the more they stay out of the box, the better chance they have of walking away with a win. Tonight, they couldn't stay out. And what happened? The Rangers played a more disciplined game and got the victory.
The Penguins are now off until Wednesday when they play the Devils at home.
I'm just baffled at how the Pens managed to jump to such a lead, then give up. I'd like to almost categorize it as being just another Penguins' come from behind loss.
Penguins Goals
1st Period
Talbot from Crosby
Crosby from Sykora-Gonchar
2nd Period
NONE
3rd Period
Sykora from Malkin-Christensen
Fleury - 19-23
Lundqvist - 23-26
Showing posts with label New York Rangers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New York Rangers. Show all posts
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Penguins vs Rangers preview
After turning around what could have been a dismal five game losing streak, the Penguins pulled out a desperate win Thursday night against the Islanders. Now a bigger challenge presents itself tonight, as the Penguins look to break an otherwise solid Rangers team.
Winners in eight of their last nine, the Rangers have quickly risen to the top of the Atlantic Division thanks to an offense that has finally decided to play and a goaltender who has never faltered. It must come as some relief to Lundqvist knowing that he can now give up one goal and not have to worry about taking the loss too.
From where the Penguins stand, they're hoping he'll give up more than one. In the previous two meetings, each team has walked away with a win. The more recent came from the Rangers with a 4-2 win a little over a week ago in New York. Prior to that, Marc-Andre Fleury registered his first shutout of the season in a 1-0 win at home. He's expected to start tonight, in favor of second-string and/or first-string rotator Dany Sabourin.
The battle of the goaltenders has continued for the Penguins, although it would almost seem to be settling in on MAF. In the Pens' most recent victory over the Islanders, Fleury pulled out his first win for the month of November. Although it would seem he's a bit more confident in net, Fleury's inability to offer up rebounds in front of the net can easily make the difference in a 3-2 win, or a 4-3 loss. Should that be the case tonight, it'll be up to the defense to clear the puck from the hands of the Rangers' forwards, particularly crashers Shanahan, Prucha and Dubinsky.
In case one were to be reading or watching the news this week in regards to Sean Avery's cancer related comments towards Toronto's Jason Blake, Blake stepped up earlier this week to deny the allegations. The real question now is, who started it? (cough Darcy Tucker cough)
That's all up for speculation though.
For the Pens to seal another victory tonight, they're going to have to prevent any early first period goals (or any at all for that matter) and be the first one to strike. Another disciplined game is necessary, as Avery's ability to get under Roberts' skin last game opened it up for the Rangers' powerplay unit to strike. Stay out of the box, in the Rangers' zone and keep hitting Lundqvist with shots.
Puck drops 7:30ish.
Winners in eight of their last nine, the Rangers have quickly risen to the top of the Atlantic Division thanks to an offense that has finally decided to play and a goaltender who has never faltered. It must come as some relief to Lundqvist knowing that he can now give up one goal and not have to worry about taking the loss too.
From where the Penguins stand, they're hoping he'll give up more than one. In the previous two meetings, each team has walked away with a win. The more recent came from the Rangers with a 4-2 win a little over a week ago in New York. Prior to that, Marc-Andre Fleury registered his first shutout of the season in a 1-0 win at home. He's expected to start tonight, in favor of second-string and/or first-string rotator Dany Sabourin.
The battle of the goaltenders has continued for the Penguins, although it would almost seem to be settling in on MAF. In the Pens' most recent victory over the Islanders, Fleury pulled out his first win for the month of November. Although it would seem he's a bit more confident in net, Fleury's inability to offer up rebounds in front of the net can easily make the difference in a 3-2 win, or a 4-3 loss. Should that be the case tonight, it'll be up to the defense to clear the puck from the hands of the Rangers' forwards, particularly crashers Shanahan, Prucha and Dubinsky.
In case one were to be reading or watching the news this week in regards to Sean Avery's cancer related comments towards Toronto's Jason Blake, Blake stepped up earlier this week to deny the allegations. The real question now is, who started it? (cough Darcy Tucker cough)
That's all up for speculation though.
For the Pens to seal another victory tonight, they're going to have to prevent any early first period goals (or any at all for that matter) and be the first one to strike. Another disciplined game is necessary, as Avery's ability to get under Roberts' skin last game opened it up for the Rangers' powerplay unit to strike. Stay out of the box, in the Rangers' zone and keep hitting Lundqvist with shots.
Puck drops 7:30ish.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Rangers beat Pens 4-2
Out-shot, out-played, and ultimately out-scored. That's the best way to really sum up this game.
Had the Penguins played the entire game like they did in the third period, this game would have been entirely different. Sigh. Could've, would've, should've but didn't. The Penguins mantra?
I don't know who the better goalie has been in the past two games...and I mean that in the sense of opposition. Biron or Lundqvist? Both did an excellent job of shutting down the Penguins, although I will add on as an extension to Lundqvist his defense's ability to just completely and utterly shutdown Evgeni Malkin.
This win marks five straight for the Rangers on home-ice and two straight losses for the Pens. I think Therrien will resort to a coin toss for the decision of next game's starting goalie.
Gary Roberts commited the cardinal sin when playing the Rangers - he allowed Sean Avery to get under his skin. The four minute double-minor ultimately cost the Pens a powerplay goal, but Roberts decided 4 minutes wasn't enough. He'd have three minors by the end of the night.
Let me say this now. The Pens NEED Ryan Whitney back on the blueline. Nasreddeine's shots look like chips from the point, and he in no way drives in towards the net in the way Whitney does. Plus, I'm starting to think the Crosby-Malkin combo is becomming a bit too choreographed. It's getting to the point where when Sid has it, the D knows it's going to Malkin, and when Malkin has it it's going to Crosby. It's a nice attack having both Malkin and Sid on the same line, but perhaps it was a good idea keeping them seperate. Not only does it leave depth to the lines, but it also opens up the ice to any other attacker when Sid is in control.
I'll hand it to the Rangers. I've always considered myself to be a person who is able to give credit when credit is due. Lundqvist is a machine. He's beyond human. The only way to beat the Rangers is the way in which the Pens won last time. Shutdown their offense and try and maintain a small lead. Now it's going to be an entirely different story, as Gomez is really starting to open things up for the tema with five consecutive point-or-more games.
Congrats to the geriatric Recchi for scoring his second goal of the season. I never really tought he'd be a first liner this year, but a fourth line appearance was entirely out of my parameter of thought. Of course, he's also one of the most shuffled Penguins, and tonight I think he played on the third line. Either way, nice effort Recchi. Perhaps he was ignited by Lindros' retirement.
I said it in my last recap and I'll say it again - the Pens REALLY need a right-handed shot on the blueline. Every time you see the puck leave the zone, check the position of the defenseman. More often than not it's a left-handed defenseman on his backhand. Tonight that was the case at least twice, hurting even more when on the powerplay.
The Pens head in to Philly again Saturday night in hopes of evening the season series with the Flyers. This is a horrible time for the Pens to go cold. Considering all of the division games this month, it certainly won't bode well should they come up winless in over half of their next six.
Penguins Goals
1st Period
Gonchar from Crosby-Malkin
2nd Period
NONE
3rd Period
Recchi from Roberts-Gonchar
Fleury - 35-39
Lundqvist - 26-28
Had the Penguins played the entire game like they did in the third period, this game would have been entirely different. Sigh. Could've, would've, should've but didn't. The Penguins mantra?
I don't know who the better goalie has been in the past two games...and I mean that in the sense of opposition. Biron or Lundqvist? Both did an excellent job of shutting down the Penguins, although I will add on as an extension to Lundqvist his defense's ability to just completely and utterly shutdown Evgeni Malkin.
This win marks five straight for the Rangers on home-ice and two straight losses for the Pens. I think Therrien will resort to a coin toss for the decision of next game's starting goalie.
Gary Roberts commited the cardinal sin when playing the Rangers - he allowed Sean Avery to get under his skin. The four minute double-minor ultimately cost the Pens a powerplay goal, but Roberts decided 4 minutes wasn't enough. He'd have three minors by the end of the night.
Let me say this now. The Pens NEED Ryan Whitney back on the blueline. Nasreddeine's shots look like chips from the point, and he in no way drives in towards the net in the way Whitney does. Plus, I'm starting to think the Crosby-Malkin combo is becomming a bit too choreographed. It's getting to the point where when Sid has it, the D knows it's going to Malkin, and when Malkin has it it's going to Crosby. It's a nice attack having both Malkin and Sid on the same line, but perhaps it was a good idea keeping them seperate. Not only does it leave depth to the lines, but it also opens up the ice to any other attacker when Sid is in control.
I'll hand it to the Rangers. I've always considered myself to be a person who is able to give credit when credit is due. Lundqvist is a machine. He's beyond human. The only way to beat the Rangers is the way in which the Pens won last time. Shutdown their offense and try and maintain a small lead. Now it's going to be an entirely different story, as Gomez is really starting to open things up for the tema with five consecutive point-or-more games.
Congrats to the geriatric Recchi for scoring his second goal of the season. I never really tought he'd be a first liner this year, but a fourth line appearance was entirely out of my parameter of thought. Of course, he's also one of the most shuffled Penguins, and tonight I think he played on the third line. Either way, nice effort Recchi. Perhaps he was ignited by Lindros' retirement.
I said it in my last recap and I'll say it again - the Pens REALLY need a right-handed shot on the blueline. Every time you see the puck leave the zone, check the position of the defenseman. More often than not it's a left-handed defenseman on his backhand. Tonight that was the case at least twice, hurting even more when on the powerplay.
The Pens head in to Philly again Saturday night in hopes of evening the season series with the Flyers. This is a horrible time for the Pens to go cold. Considering all of the division games this month, it certainly won't bode well should they come up winless in over half of their next six.
Penguins Goals
1st Period
Gonchar from Crosby-Malkin
2nd Period
NONE
3rd Period
Recchi from Roberts-Gonchar
Fleury - 35-39
Lundqvist - 26-28
Penguins vs Rangers preview
Let's just say the last meeting between these two wasn't exactly a display of red lights, streamers and raining hats. In a 1-0 win over the Rangers, the Penguins' Marc-Andre Fleury was considered as a goalie in the process of heating up. He'd soon follow this game with a five goal forfeit against the Leafs. Needless to say, a lot has changed since the last Rangers/Penguins contest that went down roughly two weeks ago.
Fleury has been benched, or so it seems, in favor of Dany Sabourin. The Penguins managed to muster up another shutout with him in net, but haven't exactly improved in the way a goalie change would hope to help a team.
Lundqvist on the other hand has seen three shutouts since then, two of which have come in the past week. Although the Rangers' scoring hasn't exactly increase ten-fold, their defense has yet to really let them down. It's kinda hard to be the team with both the best goaltending and worst offense. Certainly a tough combination to work with on a nightly basis.
In the last six games the Penguins have gone 2-6, with both wins coming on the road. Perhaps tonight in NYC, the Pens can improve by one more win and hopefully take another one down on the road.
In a league now dominated by speed, agility and intense puck movement, one would almost think a player like Jagr to be out of his element. There's no denying this former Penguin played phenomenally when paired with Lemieux and Francis/Stevens, but since his departure from Steeltown the effort has been anything but average. Maybe it was his moved to one of the most overly critical cities in the world that did it. Or, maybe he really is past his prime. Trade material? Possibly. But who'd really benefit from having him? It's upsetting sometimes to see former 'amazing' players fizzle out in otherwise disappointing ways. Gretzky, Hull and Federov come to mind.
Eklund, the anonymous online hockey blogger (why he insists on being anonymous still annoys me) had this to say about the Penguins:
The Penguins will be ok. They are really are the essence of a team, meaning they are a single unit. last year that single unit was in its rookie season, caught everone by surprise, and started to hint toward an eventuality. This year that unit is in a sophomore slump, though their record is respectable. They sometimes forget the extra level that is needed at times to win games. When all is said and done they will be downright scary.
Let's see how this game turns out tonight for both teams. It's going to say a lot for the rest of the month.
Puck drop 7ish.
Fleury has been benched, or so it seems, in favor of Dany Sabourin. The Penguins managed to muster up another shutout with him in net, but haven't exactly improved in the way a goalie change would hope to help a team.
Lundqvist on the other hand has seen three shutouts since then, two of which have come in the past week. Although the Rangers' scoring hasn't exactly increase ten-fold, their defense has yet to really let them down. It's kinda hard to be the team with both the best goaltending and worst offense. Certainly a tough combination to work with on a nightly basis.
In the last six games the Penguins have gone 2-6, with both wins coming on the road. Perhaps tonight in NYC, the Pens can improve by one more win and hopefully take another one down on the road.
In a league now dominated by speed, agility and intense puck movement, one would almost think a player like Jagr to be out of his element. There's no denying this former Penguin played phenomenally when paired with Lemieux and Francis/Stevens, but since his departure from Steeltown the effort has been anything but average. Maybe it was his moved to one of the most overly critical cities in the world that did it. Or, maybe he really is past his prime. Trade material? Possibly. But who'd really benefit from having him? It's upsetting sometimes to see former 'amazing' players fizzle out in otherwise disappointing ways. Gretzky, Hull and Federov come to mind.
Eklund, the anonymous online hockey blogger (why he insists on being anonymous still annoys me) had this to say about the Penguins:
The Penguins will be ok. They are really are the essence of a team, meaning they are a single unit. last year that single unit was in its rookie season, caught everone by surprise, and started to hint toward an eventuality. This year that unit is in a sophomore slump, though their record is respectable. They sometimes forget the extra level that is needed at times to win games. When all is said and done they will be downright scary.
Let's see how this game turns out tonight for both teams. It's going to say a lot for the rest of the month.
Puck drop 7ish.
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