Sunday, May 9, 2010
Pens win pivotal Game 5
Well, despite a very tough task ahead, as winning the 4th game in a playoff series is tough against opponent, history is on the side of the Penguins. Historically, teams who win game 5 in a series that went into that game tied 2-2 win just over 81% of those series. Now, the way the Canadiens have played in this post season, trust me I would not take that for granted, but it does show how pivotal game 5 USUALLY is. I am hopeful that the Pens can go out and finish their business Monday night in Montreal, but the other stat that could factor in before the series is over is that Marc Andre Fleury is 15-5 following a loss in the post season over the past 3 seasons. His records is now 21-7 at home during the same stretch in the post season. All numbers that are encouraging should the Pens need Game 7 to close out this series. I for one, would rather not put all those statistics to the test, especially against this version of the Canadiens.
Some other thoughts on the game last night:
I LOVE the fact that Bylsma recognized the uselessness of Ponikarovsky and Fedostinko by making both Downey soft wimps healthy scratches;
I liked how physical the Pens played;
I love how Letang and Goligoski have both risen to the post season occasion with key offensive production and Letang deserved that goal after hearing the ridiculous Pittsburgh media tell us how he SCORED the GWG for Montreal the night before because of a fluke shot off of his skate;
It was great to see Letestu contribute on the fourth line with physical plays and energy;
I liked how the power play contributed again, but hated seeing the PK give up another one, even if it was way late in the game;
I am impressed by how the Pens can find other ways to win, but concerned that they have been so impotent 5 on 5;
I am also impressed that so many other Pens can contribute to a victory, but also concerned at how effectively the two headed monster has been limited during this series; Malkin had a very strong game this evening, despite gettting only one assist for his efforts;
The Penguins with one more win will advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the third season in a row! And if they can win that series to the Finals for the third season in a row! That is incredible! GO PENS!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Look Familiar?
All is far from lost in this series.........the Pens have been in bigger scrapes in recent playoff series and come out on top that is for sure.........BUT, this series' storyline is beginning to look a little too much like the storyline of the Canadiens first round upset of the Capitals............get thoroughly outplayed for most of the game, but hold the other teams stars down and take advantage of a couple of chances to squeek out another frustrating win..........it is eery how much one of my favorite players' production is starting to mirror that of his biggest rival against the same opponent. Four games in and Crosby does not have a single goal? Four games in and the vaunted two headed monster has combined for ONE goal between them? Oh yeah, and Fleury fell back to his 2009-2010 form by giving up a VERY soft goal early in the game to put the Pens on their heels from the outset. The Pens did a great job of bouncing back getting the next two tallies to take a 2-1 lead into the third period and allowing a total of 10 shots in the first two periods............but again true to recent form Fleury gives up a very stoppable wraparound to allow the Habs to tie it, then the Pens get a bad bounce to give up the lead in a game that they had controlled from the start.......with four minutes left Geno gets a breakaway and the game is tied, right? No, he is stopped and the Pens leave a golden opportunity to take a commanding lead on the table. I dont think any one player is to blame for this loss, but I do think that the Pens stars are being stifled in much the same manner as the Caps stars, and that bothers me given my thoughts on the character of the Caps stars.......and sorry to all you "defend Fleury no matter what people," for the most part he has been VERY ordinary in the net. I know he makes the "stops that matter," but early shots from two miles out and no traffic matter, as do third period wraparounds by role players with a one goal lead to protect. Take it for what it is worth, but when the Pens are four games into a series and Alex Goligoski is their points leader, we have issues. Also, please SOMEBODY bitch slap Fedostinko and Ponigirl...the fact that these two toilet brushes give such minimal effort while Staal plays on an injury like the one he sustained is nauseating...I cannot believe A, that the actual men in the locker room have not snapped one of their necks or B. why Dan Bylsma dresses these assfucks night after night....and gives Stinko more ice time than Matt Cooke........have you seen two more useless sacks of shit in a Pens uniform, ever?? Lost in all of this is the absolutely amazing fact that Jordan BEAST Staal was back in the lineup less than a week after PK Scissorskates sliced his tendon...........Game 5 will be pivotal as always......It is time for the Pens biggest stars to shine bright, or a tremendous shot at defending the Cup will be wasted.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
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