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High Ankle Sprain For 87 - Pens 0 Lightning 3 |
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(Updates at Bottom)
The Penguins recently went to Tampa Bay and beat the Lightning 4-1, something that they haven't been able to do very often. In fact, it was the first time they had beaten the team since January 17, 2003. The streak was no where near the worst in Penguins history, but their 0-9-3 mark was not pretty.
The Penguins do hold an edge in the all time series 25-22-8, but a lot of those wins were accumulated against the likes of Brian Bradley, Chris Kontos, Alexander Selivanov, a young Roman Hamrlik and Darren Puppa. Ok, maybe the Pens didn't play the Lightning that much back when those guys were playing, but you get the point!
Things are never easy against the Lightning, especially since Vinny Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards have been taking the ice for the team.
Though the two teams currently exist at opposite ends of the standings spectrum, their games will take on added significance this season, as both Sidney Crosby and Vinny Lecavalier are in-season favorites for the Hart Trophy. The same Hart Trophy that Crosby won last season.
I have seen fans and media alike make a story/rivalry out of almost everything involving the two young superstars this season. Most recently, fans in Pittsburgh have been in an uproar over Lacavalier being named captain of the All Star team. Though it is an honor, it seems to be bothering the fans an awful lot more than Sidney Crosby.
Will Michel Therrien opt to play Sid and Geno against Vinny's line again, as he did in the prior match up? That is yet to be determined, but it would certainly add to the drama of the game!
Here are some pre-game notes to hold you over until face-off!
Kris Letang has an assist in three straight games and four over his last six games. He has an even-or-better plus/minus in 10 straight games.
Petr Sykora has seven points (2g, 5a) over his last six games despite being held without a shot on goal in two of those contests. He had a season high three assists on January 10th.
Brooks Orpik ranks 11th in the NHL in hits with 123 (as of January 16th). His total ranks 6th among NHL defensemen.
After being held scoreless in four previous games vs. Tampa Bay, Jordan Staal tallied three points (2g, 1a) on January 10th in Tampa.
Probable goaltenders for each team are: THE ANSWER, Ty Conklin for Pittsburgh and Johan Holmqvist for Tampa Bay.
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Pens scratches...
The Crusher, Lannon and Stone...
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Seconds into the game, Ty Conklin had to make a huge save...THE ANSWER was up to the task.
The Pens quickly put some pressure on and draw their first power play of the night...
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Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin put on another one of their fantabulous stick handling exhibitions, but were not able to cash in. They have been doing that more and more...
The Penguins just allowed the Lightning's Kyle Wanvig to cash in...he took a pass in front and knocked it into a mostly empty net. Unfortunately, the Penguins had sort of a break down in their zone which allowed the Lightning to get guys all around Conklin. THE ANSWER is the one mostly to blame on the goal in my opinion. He did something that he hasn't done during his hot streak...he sort of followed the lightning player into the corner, pulling himself out of position and out of his crease. The puck was flipped into the open area and knocked into the net. Bad goal...
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Crosby just had to be helped off of the ice. He was coming down the right wing boards with the puck and was sort of steered away. He fell to the ice and went into the back boards feet first...the legs looked to buckle in a very awkward position. No word on what it could be as of yet, but he didn't seem to be able to put weight on his leg/knee/ankle. Will keep you all posted...
The Penguins just had a goal waived...puck was whistled dead..
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Que the Denny Green quote..."He is who we thought he was!"
THE ANSWER looking more like the sarcastic version of the nickname that I had intended back when he was called up. That is one I am sure that he would like back. The puck was shot five hole, which he was ready for...it squirted under him. I am disappointed, but let's just chalk it up to a bad game among a ton of great ones...one bad game, does not a streak make, however...if this happens again in the next start???
If nothing else, he is showing Therrien that it is ok to start Sabu tomorrow...
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Well, one in a row against the Lightning and then things get back to normal. The Penguins have played worse this season than they have tonight, but this is by far their worst period of January.
The Lightning have been all over the Penguins and didn't let up as the period went on. Our Flightless Bird was able to generate some good chances during the first 10 minutes of play, but it was all 'Ning the rest of the way.
The Penguins definitely seem to have been demoralized by the loss of 87...still no word on the severity of his injury, but the collision did not look good. His legs buckled something awful when he hit. Sid got to his skates and tried to take a few strides, but quickly realized that he wasn't able to support himself.
Will keep you posted...
We mentioned during Tuesday night's talkcast that tonight's game would be more like "the first game back from a long road trip" than Monday's was. We seem to have been right...the road trip along with the long layoff all week really seems to have stunted the Penguins momentum. Hopefully Therrien is getting things jump started in the room...his between periods tongue lashings have been enough to do it in the past.
On to the second...
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Crosby has been diagnosed with the dreaded high ankle sprain...won't return, will be re-evaluated tomorrow...
Let's hope that it isn't as severe as Marc Andre Fleury's. If so, it could be a 6 to 8 week thing. That has not been announced...purely my speculation...
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In case I was not clear in my words above...I am not saying THE ANSWER is done. He let up a couple of softies...no big deal. Was just running with it...apparently a bit far! I pretty much built the band wagon for THE ANSWER and I am not tearing it down yet!
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The Penguins just controlled the puck in the Lightning zone for almost a minute. Malkin, Sykora, Kennedy, Letang and Orpik were on fire...especially Malkin and Letang. Malkin was dancing all over the zone, with Letang keeping everything in at his point. He used legs, arms, hands, his stick...anything he could to keep the play alive. The whole situation resulted in a melee and off setting penalties.
My bad...I don't think that it was TK out with the group I mentioned above. I think he left the ice during the situation...tough with no replays! Max was the guy...
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The Penguins and Ty Conklin played a much better second period, but have yet to find a way to solve the enigma that is...Johan Holmqvist. The team seemed to take things up a notch and really compensated for the loss of Crosby.
Malkin has been flying...he tends to step up his game when Sid is out, as evidenced from what he did last year during Sid's groin issues. He is due tonight...he has that look about him and has gotten many opportunites that have not produced a goal. It will come...
TK, Taffe, Staal, Letang, Orpik and Sykora are all playing well...this group deserves a goal...
THE ANSWER really rebounded and played a good period, however...the Lightning didn't have a single "prime scoring chance," as per the NHL stats...keep it up Ty...hang in there and hold the score. They will fight back!
On to the third...
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The Pens started the period ok, but got them self into a jam in their zone. They couldn't clear the puck and were running around chasing a little too much. The Lightning cycled for close to a minutes and finally, former Pens goon Andre Roy roofed a shot over THE ANSWER.
3-0
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This has been a tough game to watch, even if you are a 'Ning fan...pretty boring aside from a moment here or a moment there.
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Closing up shop...heading to the room. No fun after a loss...the boys will be down. More later...
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