The teams just finished with the warm up and the Penguins looked focused but loose. They were running through some of their drills, but you could tell that they were having fun out there. Marian Hossa was joking around with Petr Sykora, the defensemen were pushing and shoving one another and the guys looked a lot like a fraternity. You can see that they all appreciate one another and that there is a true team mentality with this group. They win or lose together...sure guys may be singled out by coaches or media, but there isn’t any of that among the boys. Amazing for such a young group...

Marc Andre Fleury looked very good in the warm up and didn’t let many get behind him. He seems to have found his focus and is playing a very solid brand of goal right now. There is no over-thinking in his game and he looks as if he has matured mentally...a bad goal here or there does not seem to rattle him the way it used to. In fact, he used to look agitated about allowing a goal during warm ups and that is a thing of the past.

Our first look at Hossa, Crosby and Dupuis was fun, though it was just some pre-game drills. Keep in mind when worrying about their chemistry that they had been skating together in practice periodically prior to Sid shutting it down. That threesome could have a big night.

The Penguins just showed a montage welcoming Sidney Crosby back to action. It was almost a reminder that we are getting a chance to welcome back a pretty good player in #87. I think some in and around these parts have begun to take for granted what this young man brings to the team. The montage ended with: Our Captain Returns Tonight...very classy move to welcome Sid back to the line-up.

Hopefully his return sparks the team to perform better against the Islanders than they did this past Monday. More in a bit...

* * * * *

The Penguins have drawn first blood on a goal by Evgeni Malkin. Malkin almost drew a penalty coming in on a partial break away and being pulled down, but there was no whistle as he slid into the boards. The Pens worked the puck down low for another 10 seconds and Malkin took a pass from Ruutu behind the net. He walked out in front to the right face-off circle and lashed a shot past Wade Dubielewicz.

* * * * *

Evgeni Malkin took a shot off of the foot, shin or knee and looked to be in a lot of pain. He tried to skate it off and then went slowly to the bench. Hopefully it is nothing serious...will keep you posted.

* * * * *

Malkin came out for his next shift, but looked to be a little slower. May just be my imagination. For now, let's say it is a going to leave a bad bruise and he is fine...

* * * * *

Well, one period is in the books and it wasn’t the best hockey I have seen, but definitely not so bad. Both teams are moving their feet and creating opportunities for themselves. The Penguins were actually giving up far too many shots early in the period, but started to play a better brand of defense as the period went on.

Ryan Whitney is once again on the wing and he looks a bit out of place there. You can definitely tell that he isn’t comfortable in the role. He started to look a bit better as the shifts went on, but was all over the ice on his first couple shifts. He definitely isn’t completely sure on positioning for the wing. I am not knocking him for that though...how many defensemen would be. His offensive ability is shining through though, as he made a couple of slick passes in the offensive zone.

Crosby and Hossa quickly squashed the notion that there could be problems developing chemistry. They shined on one of their early shifts, as Crosby made a great play from his stomach following an offensive zone face off to get the puck to Hossa. Hossa dished back to Crosby and 87 slid a perfect pass back for a one timer. Textbook give and go...if I had to find a flaw in their game, it is that they are almost forcing the puck to one another. In watching them for a period though, they will be just fine.

One of the big questions coming into tonight was what would happen with the power play. Therrien got a chance to answer that early on and paraded out a line-up that would have every coach in the league drooling. We saw Crosby, Malkin, Hossa, Malone and Gonchar on the same unit. They worked an umbrella with Gonchar, Crosby and Malkin high. Very formidable! The second unit was Sykora, Staal, Dupuis, Whitney and Letang, which wasn’t too shabby in it’s own right!

Fleury played a pretty good period, but he did allow what could be considered a bad goal. Josef Vasicek came down the right wing and fired a backhand through Fleury’s armpit. He got a piece of it, but it trickled by him and in the net. This will be a good opportunity for us all to see how he reacts to that situation. He has shown to be much more resilient since coming back from injury...I guess we will see!

The Penguins are being beaten in the face-off circle again...no real surprise there. I hope that does not catch up to them before things are all said and done this season. It is one of the few weaknesses that they have at this point.

The box here at Mellon Arena is jam packed and you would think we were running up on the trade deadline again, with all the scouts who are in attendance. I didn’t write them all down, but there are a good bit of Western teams here. I guess doing some playoff scouting?

1-1 after one...

* * * * *

The Penguins got themselves in some penalty trouble early in the period, but have done a nice job of getting themselves out of it. The PK has been strong and even produced some short handed opportunities.

Josef Vasicek may not be done tonight...he is really firing the puck tonight!

* * * * *

Now I have a story to tell for the rest of eternity! I was there the night Petr Sykora fought Miro Satan....WHAT? That is a match-up that never even happens in your wildest dreams. I am still not sure how it happened...I just know Evgeni Malkin wanted to get his hands on Trent Hunter...Marian Hossa and Sidney Crosby were flying through the air and Sykora lost it on Miro...I hope you guys saw that on TV...

* * * * *

The Ruut, the Ruut, the Ruut is on fiiiiiyaaa! Ruuuutu just went end to end to pick up a loose puck short handed and score on a wrap around. What a pretty move by Ruutu as he came towards Duby, gave a shoulder deke, went in behind the net and scored the wrap around.

* * * * *

What a strange night for the physical stuff. First we see Sykora drop them and then Sydor...another guy not known for his fighting. Isles fans....is Jackman a big fighter? He seemed to handle himself very well against Deeeroll and got a nice stunning shot in late.

* * * * *

The second period is in the bag and it was rife with penalties! Both teams seemed to be bringing a new level of chippiness, but Evgeni Malkin and his line seemed to be the chippiest. Can I say that? I guess it works...

The Malkin line accounted for 9:00 minutes in penalties with Hossa, Ruutu, Sydor and the bench also serving time for infractions. For a group who seemed so upbeat during the warm up, they are awfully surly now! As I said in the comment section, it is only a matter of time before Evgeni Malkin gets into his first NHL fight. He has been going at defenders after the whistle pretty hot and heavy recently.

Jarkko Ruutu is making a strong case for being re-signed. He has been amazing over the last 10 games or so, in scoring goals, setting up teammates, creating open ice, agitating and just being a very valuable member of the team. In fact, if it comes down to an either or situation between he and Laraque at any point, I think you have to keep Ruuts. That is not saying that I do not like having Georges around, but Ruutu has been way more valuable...especially during crunch time of the season, where Georges seems to have disappeared.

Marc Andre Fleury played another strong period and looks to have shrugged off the bad goal with the ease and agility of a cat.

The Penguins top power play unit of Malkin, Crosby, Hossa, Malone and Gonchar put on a puck moving clinic during a mid-period power play. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to cash in, but it was a ton of fun to watch. They cycled, made crisp passes (maybe too many), Crosby was directing traffic, the points were shooting...could be lethal as they get more comfortable.

Fun period overall...2-1 Pens after two...

* * * * *

In a game that was getting sort of chippy, you just knew that something like this was going to happen. Marian Hossa was sort of standing at the blue line when Sean Bergenheim came and threw a shoulder check into the middle of his high back. Hossa lay motionless on the ice for a few minutes and then just looked to be in extreme pain. He seemed sort of out of it as Dupuis and the Penguins trainer helped him to the runway and off of the ice.

Brooks Orpik immediately went after Bergy and the two scuffled for a bit. In fact all of the remaining players squared off.

Wasn't an overly dirty play or anything, but he just caught him from behind. The hit wasn't exactly necessary though, as Hossa was just watching the play and wasn't even near the puck.

Georges Laraque must have read my earlier comments. He just took a pretty pass from Ruutu and went in alone on Duby. He sort of lost the puck but threw it past Duby giving the Penguins a 3-1 lead.

* * * * *

Are Sidney Crosby and Marian Hossa every going to complete a game together? It is starting to look as if some greater power is playing against that every occurring. At least early indications are that the Hossa injury is not serious.

"It’s pretty tough...what are you gonna do," coach Michel Therrien said. "Eventually they’ll be together. It’s a good combination...they’ve got the speed to play together and they’ll be fine. I’m not worried at all."

Sidney Crosby didn't show any signs of nursing his high ankle sprain, but did seem a bit rusty with the puck. He had several situations that would have probably been goals when he is on his game...all things considered, he didn't look bad tonight and the ankle seems to be doing well.

"It feels a lot better," Crosby said. "My timing's still not there, but as far as the ankle goes it feels OK...it won't be an issue."

Jarkko Ruutu had the first 3 point game of his career and seemed pretty excited about it.

"It feels good. I think the biggest thing is that every body is feeling good when you win," Ruutu said. "Some guys have more nights than other guys...tonight I was the guy...Four hundred and some games and three points first time...so obviously it feels good."

Ruutu did a great job of agitating the Islanders tonight, even drawing another penalty with the old fake the glove drop move.

"I don’t think they were too happy with me," Ruutu said. "I am happy with that."

Michel Therrien was also effusive in his praise of Ruutu's play, not just tonight but over the last month or so.

"He played well...tonight he got results," coach Therrien said. "Since a month and a half, he really pick up his game..he’s aggressive, he's on the puck and he’s doing a lot of good things."

Ruutu has really been a great asset over the 15 games and as I said during the game blog, he is making strong case for a new contract in Pittsburgh.

Marc Andre Fleury played another great game tonight. As I mentioned, he has really matured in all aspects of his game. He seems to be a new goaltender, one that doesn't have to rely on his superb athleticism to make stops. He has just been playing an all around great game.

"I think he’s more calm," Therrien said. "With the years, he’s going to get better and better...hes only 23 years old. He's not all over the place, he sees plays, he's always focused, he's always square to the puck...players feel his confidence there's no doubt."

Marc Andre tried to take a shot at an empty net again this evening. Unfortunately, it almost blew up in his face. He got the opportunity with just under a minute remaining and had the puck deflect right back towards his net and almost got the Islanders within one...he was relieved to dodge that bullet, but still has aspirations of scoring a goal someday!

"I had some time and I knew we were up by two goals so I knew I could try it out," Fleury told me with a smile. "When I tried it the guy was right there...I thought oh (explitive)."

We were all laughing as Fleury proceeded to rant a bit about his missed opportunity in Edmonton back in December, but he isn't ready to give up just yet.

"It’s always been my dream to get a goal, so I will have to keep working on it," Fleury said as I bid him adieu for the night.

Coach Therrien laughed when asked about the attempt...

"Yeah...we gonna talk about that one!" Therrien said through a big smile.

Here are some addition thoughts from Coach T:

Mike didn't seem pleased with the ice...the arena was extra warm tonight and the ice didn't seem to be as good as it usually is.

"Tonight was a tough night to play," Therrien said "Frst of all the ice was not good. The building was warm, the players was complaining, the pucks was bouncing all around, so it’s tough for skilled players...especially guys with a lot of speed to try to attack with that speed. The pucks was bouncing. There was no rhythm to that game, so it’s a really tough game to evaluate...but on a game like this you want your grinders to make a difference and Talbot, Ruutu and Laraque did a fantastic job."

Speaking of the grinders...I mentioned Ruutu above, but Georges Laraque also stepped up his game. He and Ruutu teamed with Max Talbot to create a very nice line. Laraque and Ruutu hooked up on the late insurance goal. Ruutu chipped a pass to BGL who went in one on one against Duby...

"I got lucky because I lost the puck, so I just chipped it in," Laraque said. "I didn't even mean to do that and it went in, so I guess it's a good thing I lost it because I would have made a move and he probably would have stopped it."

Overall, this was a huge win for the Penguins that allowed them to open up a 6 point lead in the division. It also put them ahead in the conference by a point. If some cards fall into place for the Penguins, they can potentially clinch a division title Sunday. That is far from a forgone conclusion, but they are getting closer by the day. That first overall spot in the East is definitely within grasp as well, but the Canadiens aren't going anywhere...this race is going to come down to the end.

Check in tomorrow for more!

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