It has been a long time since I was able to go live from my recliner and I could not think of a better time to get it going again than tonight. Though I am a little late, I hope that you guys will hop in on a little late night conversation about tonight's action between the Penguins and Sharks!
I always look forward to the match ups between these two teams. At one point in time it meant a lot of scoring for the Penguins, but that was a different era and the Sharks were a different team. In this day in age, the Sharks are one of the best teams in the West and the Penguins are among the leaders in the East. The two opponents occasionally make it a defensive struggle, but the talent on both ends of the ice certainly makes plenty of goals a possibility.
I especially enjoy watching big Joe Thornton, as I was in the Mellon Arena (Civic Arena) when he was drafted. The 1997 NHL Entry Draft was held in our fine city of Pittsburgh and I will never forget sitting in my season seats watching as Big Joe was selected number one. At that point in time he was dubbed as the savior of the Bruins organization. Unfortunately he was never able to return the Bruins to their former glory and eventually was dealt to the San Jose Sharks. It was a rebirth of sorts for Thornton and he really grew into his role as one of the best centers in the National Hockey League. One of the most underrated too.
The big forward is a treat to watch and his vision on the ice is unbelievable! His playmaking skills made Jonathan Cheechoo a star and the duo has become one of the most dangerous in hockey, though things haven't clicked the way they did in year one of the pairing.
On to tonight's action...
The two teams seemed to be feeling each other out during the early going, but there were not a ton of opportunities.
Unfortunately for the Penguins, a great penalty kill on one side turned into a short handed goal on the other end, as they allowed Joe Pavelski to put one behind Dany Sabourin while they were up a man.
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin seem to be skating well and working the puck well in the offensive zone. We will see if they can manufacture some offense and come back in this game.
More as the game goes one...the second period is moments away...
Updates will appear below on an ongoing basis...
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Nabokov has quickly become one of the best goaltenders in the league and still doesn't get enough respect. He has already made some huge stops for the Sharks tonight.
Dany Sabourin has been doing a fairly nice job in his own right...Sabourin, though he doesn't always play the way he is capable of, deserves the success he has experienced in the early going this year. He works hard on and off of the ice and has definitely gotten better each year in the league. He is working his tail off this season to earn a time share or a starting gig in the league next season.
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The Penguins are playing some sloppy hockey, at least when it comes to taking penalties. Penalties are certainly not the way to succeed while playing road hockey...especially against the Western Conference...
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The Lightning have got to be regretting trading Dan Boyle at this point. He is a great power play QB and his 8 points would look great on the TB blue line at this point...I'm just saying...
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This Sharks team really could be the Western rep in the Stanley Cup Final...they work the puck better than most, they have talented forwards, their defense can score as well as play sound defense and they have a great goaltender.
Dany Sabourin is the only reason the Sharks are not running away with this one...could he potentially steal a point or two for his team tonight...that is still up in the air.
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Bob Errey just mentioned that this is a game the Penguins could steal...it is as if he read my mind. This has all of the makings of one of those types of games...however, the Sharks have come very close to blowing the doors off of this one...
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Wow...the Penguins weather a huge storm and hold the score to 1-0 even though they were out shot 19-5 in the period. The boys in white are very lucky to only be down by one goal...hopefully Mike Therrien has the magic words to wake these boys up. Though they are weathering a storm, this is no way to find success on the road...
The score doesn't speak to it, but the Penguins have put together one of their ugliest games of the season...hanging in thanks to the play of Dany Sabourin.
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Unfortunately, Sid didn't get the memo that Sarge and Whits are out. That pass on the delayed penalty would have been a breakaway for the sharks had it not been a delayed call. The team is guilty of utilizing the no look drop pass and leaving the puck in open ice far to often! It has got to stop! My jaw dropped when Sid just let the puck slide to the right point without even looking...there wasn't a white jersey withing 10 feet...
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And there it is... Tank takes a penalty of his own to give thee power play opportunity away...unfortunate. This game just gets uglier...
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Though it may be to little to late, Ruslan Fedotenko made the best of his chance with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. He banged home a rebound and cut the deficit to 2-1.
As is typically the way in these situations, the Penguins are swarming...but there are less than 5 minutes remaining in regulation...
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That was a pretty poor high sticking call, though Matt Cooke's stick did make some contact with the Sharks player.
You cannot blame that call for anything as the Penguins played one of their worst games early on. It is disappointing that they staring playing hard and getting opportunities with roughly 7 minutes remaining in this game.
We do need to give Nabakov credit, as he made some nice stops early. Dany Sabourin gave the Penguins a chance to win this game and his teammates let him down. He deserved better tonight...
The line of the night...Pens outshot 34-11... That can't happen when you have the offensive fire power that the Penguins do.
All in all a poor performance out of the Penguins. Hopefully they can regroup in time for Thursday game...
Why does it alway seem that the team produces to little to late in these 2-1 type of games...unfortunate. More tomorrow...
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