Penguins to take on Hurricanes

The unbelievable happened tonight. The Hurricanes bean the Bruins in OT. NBC is crying about this.

Penguins vs. Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final=

Staal vs. Staal drinking game.

Puck Huffers made some rules to the game earlier this year. I'm sure there will be more and they will be epic.

In other news, the Red Wings beat Anaheim and move on to face the Blackhawks.

Adopt A Playoff Team: Pittsburgh Penguins

So after giving it much thought, through process of elimination, I'm throwing this blog's support behind the Pens. I'm not attempting to bandwagon jump another team's success, but just rather make the next few weeks of the playoffs a little more interesting.

A couple of weeks ago, after the Lightning were eliminated from playoff contention, I suggested as adoption of a new team. A couple days ago, I went through the possible contendors, and today during the last game of the season for the Lightning, have decided on the Pens. Is it because they are beating the Canadiens? Oh possibly.

Is it because of the Pensblog posting a fantastic YES WE CAN sign? Quite possibly.

What are other reasons to root for them?

-Points leader and MVP (should be) Evgeni Malkin

-Sidney Crosby also has over 100 points

-the Flyers/Penguins 1st round series will be awesome

So for the playoffs, GO PENS GO!

Lightning 4, Penguins 6 - Bolts LOSE

Sorry for the late, and lacking recap. I was at the Flames/Canucks game last night, and it felt like the playoffs started already from the feeling at the rink, great feeling. Luongo played like he was back in Florida being a Panther.

The Lightning just decided to roll over and take it during the start of this game. They couldn't capitalize on the 5-3 in the 1st.

A goal from Fedotenko and 2 pp goals from Crosby made it 3-0 after the 2nd (both with assists from Kunitz and Malkin). This was a story that has been told far too many times this season, going into the 3rd down by 3 goals.

A goal from Cooke in the 3rd made it 4-0. It wasn't until after the 4th goal that they decided, that maybe they should try to score some goals. Koci makes a hit on Talbot, Godard doesn't like it, so they scrap.


At least the fight got the fans something to cheer about. While on the penalty, Halpern get's a shorthanded goal, St. Louis get's his 30th of the season and then 45 seconds later Szechura get's another, it's now 4-3. The Pens get a little scared that Tampa could make a comeback, but Sykora scores to make it 5-3. With 40 seconds left, Halpern scores, but Staal ends any hope of a win with an empty netter, 6-4.

“I don’t know what the stats are,” Lightning interim head coach Rick Tocchet said, “but when you don’t score on a 5-on-3, I bet you lose 85% of the time” - Lightning website
Way to state the obvious Tocchet.

-Malone broke his hand during the game, and is done for the season. He blocked a Malkin slap shot. It feels like karma for him for leaving the Pens to the Lightning for the money.

Game 80: Pittsburgh in Tampa Preview

Enemy blog: The Pensblog

The Penguins are one of the hottest teams since they fired their coach. They have been on an unreal pace of wins (besides this weekend where they dropped two). The Pens are 1 win away from clinching a playoff berth and Malkin is up 2 points on Ovechkin for the Art Ross.

It's hard writing a preview, when you know your team is gonna lose, but sh*t happens and after this there's only 2 games left, so I'll savor it. The Lightning website preview also sounds like they have no faith in the team.

On the upside, Colorado got 2 points in a win over the Canucks on Sunday. We are now in 29th spot. We don't need more points, but still make it look like you are trying boys.

*I posted earlier about this, don't forget your phonebook for a $5 ticket! This is almost like Phoenix tix with vodka, sadly you get no vodka, but you get the Pens!

1 Day, 7 Hours to Trade Deadline

So before all of the craziness begins of trade deadline day... A little look at the 19 games ahead...

The bolts have almost finished their last game against the Western Conference, they just have St. Louis left on Friday.

I'm looking forward to the game against the Pens tomorrow night. The last time they met the game was nuts. This is the first game this year that the Lightning host the Pens in Tampa. This game means a lot to the Pens, they are currently in the 8th playoff spot ahead of Buffalo and Carolina by only one point. I think we should also see Crosby back in the lineup.

The last time these two teams met, the Lightning blew a 3 goal lead going into the 3rd period, and yes I know blowing a lead is nothing new this season, but the game ended up in overtime with Malkin ending it. That was a hard loss to take because they played so well in the 1st and 2nd. This should be a good rematch.

Thoughts on the Trade Deadline:
There are 3 guys that I just don't see making it through to the Blues game
1. Gary Roberts
Being a UFA at the end of the season, he could be worth a draft pick or young player for his services. I'm not hoping for more since he is 42, but Calgary is rumored to have some interest with his return to the Flames.
2. Mark Recchi
Another in the over 40 club, also another UFA after the season. Whether teams will want him given his age is questionable, so maybe a pick?

The other two names being thrown about on Puck Daddy is Halpern and St. Louis. I can't see the Lightning trading away St. Louis mostly because he's signed through 2011/1 and cheap. His locker room presence and no trade clause also helps his case. The other one is Halpern, and for him it will depend on the offer because again, he's cheap.

I'm hoping for picks and young players for the team. As demonstrated by watching our team crumble after the circus during the summer, and seeing a young Kings team still be in the playoff race in the West, I think we have to give up the old guys if there's a trade available.

Should be a good game tomorrow. Go Bolts Go!