Post Game Reaction:

Well, what can I say...this was probably the most dominant performance out of the Penguins in a very long time. As I mentioned earlier, the one game that comes to mind is the clinching game of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Philadelphia Flyers last spring. The Penguins owned it from the earliest moments of period one and the outcome was never in doubt.

I didn't think that we would see near as much of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin late in the game, but it turns out that Coach Therrien was trying to give Pascal Dupuis every opportunity to notch his first career hat trick. Though it was a bit unfair to the Isle's I can roll with a coach doing something like that for his players. He didn't come right out and say that, but he mentioned that after Sykora notched his hatty, they were trying to put Dupuis in the best position to do that same thing.

Here are the coaches comments regarding that situation...

"The first goal was a great shot and then when he got two. You know before that he got a few chances to get that third one -- it isn't coming often when you've got two goals and you got the other team on their heels...so it was important for him, I believe, to try to score that third goal and we try everything that we could to put him out there in a position to score that third goal. So its going to be good for his confidence because he's been struggling a little bit offensively since the beginning of the year and I think for his confidence it's going to be good."

John Curry played an impressive game, though he wasn't tested near as much as the boys at the other end of the rink. The pressure was definitely lifted from his shoulders by the Penguins offense, which was huge because this game really built his confidence.

There really isn't too much more that I can add, so I will get right to some post game reaction of the players and coach Therrien.

I had the opportunity to talk with Petr Sykora, who had gone 38 two-goal games without notching a hat trick before tonight, post game and he was on cloud 9. He told me that he just felt that today was special all the way around...

"I don't know, for some reason this night feels pretty special," Sykora said. "I know the game is on TV in Czech and I know my dad is watching. I think he is very,very happy right now. There is just a lot of things going around today, my son is feeling better than last night -- he was really sick and he sleep better and the whole day is just really positive and just very happy."

I asked him the famous tape question that Dan Potash started a few games back...which tape did you go with, white or black? And did Geno pick it...

"Black tape, black tape...I don't think I am going to change it for a long time now," he said while laughing.

He was also thrilled for his hard working teammate Pascal Dupuis...in fact every one of the Penguins were...they gave Dupuis the shaving cream treatment.

"I am so happy for Duper because duper is a great guy. He really deserve it," Sykora said. "He was playing his butt off lately, he is skating well and doing so much hard work on the PK and to get his first hatty...I guess I can relate to that feeling because obviously mine happened 20 minutes before him. I am very happy for him."

John Curry picked up another win against the Isles...his second in just as many appearances. He realized that his teammates played hard and kept pressing which made his life a lot easier tonight.

"Yeah, I think I had to make a couple saves, but I was really happy with the way the guys kept at it. A lot of times you end up 4-1 after a period and you kind of sit back," Curry said. "And the guys held strong and not only went after them offensively but played smart defensively and made smart decisions so that was good to see. It shows a lot of character in a game like that."

Michel Therrien was pretty happy himself tonight...which was a welcome sight after the past couple of times we got to talk with coach. I asked him if a game like tonight's is equally as fun for the coaches as it is for the guys out on the ice.

"Yeah, there is no doubt, and it is fun to get for our club to get one of those games like this. We work hard and capitalize on our chances...it is nice to see two guys get their first hat trick in the NHL in Petr Sykora and Pascal Dupuis, but it was a total team effort and it was fun to be a part of that."

I followed up by asking him if he thought the guys employed some of the things that he has been preaching the past couple of games which didn't seem to be sinking in before...

"Yeah, you know it is like you are pleased to score 9 goals, but it is not about that. It's about the way we were playing. We didn't give up much chances and we were managing the puck really well. I thought our defensive game was sharp. It was just a good game for us."

This is exactly the kind of game the Penguins needed after falling in three consecutive contests. They also got a huge offensive shot in the arm and this could jump start some of the wingers who were in extended scoring droughts.

They proved tonight that they do have players who are capable of putting the puck in the net, it is just a matter of maintaining momentum and keeping the confidence that tonight obviously fostered.

I will have more tomorrow...

Third Period:

Things are definitely on the chippier side at this point. There was just a big scrum in front of the Islander bench. The Penguins have got to maintain their composure...

* * * * *

Phillipe Boucher was just whistled for hooking. Now that is the exact penalty that you look for from a defenseman coming off of a long lay off. I am winded...I am can't breath...I will hook you.

John Curry got some help from his post and then made a great save from his stomach. He was down and out and threw his blocker up to knock the puck down in front of him, where he covered it for the whistle.

* * * * *

Pascal Dupuis just came within an inch of getting his own hat trick. Evgeni Malkin made a slick pass to him streaking down the slot and he let launch with a hard wrist shot. Danis was up to the task and got his shoulder on it...

* * * * *

It is always interesting to watch a player who is having a big night or looking for a hat trick such as Pascal Dupuis. He has that extra jump and is seemingly everywhere. They are using him on different lines and he is getting tons of chances.

It is also worth noting that Dupuis has never notched a hat trick...could he and Sykora get their first in the same game?

* * * * *

The Penguins have put on a cycling clinic in the Islanders zone and are eating big chunks of clock. They worked the puck around during three entire shifts as if they were on the power play.

* * * * *

I just saw something that I had never seen before...the Penguins high sticked the puck and the Islanders were refusing to touch it. Andy Sutton and Evgeni Malkin were sort of staring at the puck as Ruslan Fedotenko sneaked in behind and nudged Sutton's skate with his own to knock it into the puck for a whistle.

* * * * *

The Penguins have just been awarded another power play... Unfortunately for the Islanders it came in the middle of their own...

Doug Weight goes to the box for hooking...

The teams were skating 4 per side as the last 30 second of the Penguins penalty was running down. The Isles were able to set up in the Penguins zone and Andy Sutton got a chance from the point...he lost it for a second and slid to his left firing a shot past Curry.

8-2

* * * * *

Heading downstairs for post game reactions...will have more soon...

Second Period:

The Islanders have opted to switch goaltenders and Jan Danis...

Unfortunately, the results haven't been much different thus far. He almost allowed a goal on the first shot he faced as Sidney Crosby came down the left wing with a shot. He did keep it out of the net...

However, he allowed a meaty rebound off of an Alex Goligoski shot and Evgeni Malkin was there to knock it home for his second point of the game. He is now sitting at 48 on the season...

5-1 Pens

* * * * *

The Penguins are going back to work on the power play as Josh Bailey was just called for holding...

* * * * *

The Penguins were unable to beat Danis during their power play and moments after it ended, they were called for two many men on the ice.

The Isles need a goal here...

* * * * *

Petr Sykora just notched his second of the night on the power play. He took a pass in the slot from Alex Goligoski and got a shot off even though he was being held up by the Isles D. The puck trickled between Danis's legs.

The Penguins big guns were not even used during the latest power play...it looks like Therrien is calling off the dogs.

Tim Jackman is trying to stir the pot with Brooks Orpik or anyone else who will have it for that matter...the problem for him is that no Penguins player is willing to mix it up with him.

Petr Sykora just scored what he thought was the first HAT TRICK goal of his career, unfortunately the official had blown the whistle. I have never seen him contest a call so vehemently...this poor kid is pushing 50 two goal games without the elusive third goal...

* * * * *

Sidney Crosby just came down the wing and hit the post behind Danis again. Scott Gordon has got to be wondering "Where oh where his Rick Dipietro is..."

* * * * *

The Penguins just got another power play...Bill Guerin lost his temper a bit with Chris Minard and was called for slashing. The Penguins went to work and Peter Sykora notched his first career hat trick seconds into the PP. The assists went to Sidney Crosby and Jordan Staal.

He buried the puck and then raced to the boards where he leaped into Sidney Crosby's arms. His jubilation was amazing! I can't saw I have seen a player that excited in a long time. Congrats Petr!

* * * * *

The Penguins are just having their way tonight and it doesn't matter who is on the ice. It just looks like the Islanders have quit playing.

The Penguins scored their 8th goal of the game with :30 seconds remaining in the second period. Jordan Staal made a fantastic spinning pass to Pascal Dupuis who had an empty net staring him in the face. The goal was Dupuis's second of the night.

* * * * *

I sit next to Seth from the Post Gazette's Empty Netter's up in the Penguins press box and he brought up an excellent point. This is the most dominant performance by the Penguins since the clinching game against the Flyers in the Eastern Conference Final. That game sent them to the Stanley Cup Final...could this one be the awakening of the part of the Penguins offense that isn't names Malkin or Crosby?

The Penguins haven't been perfect tonight, but they are close. They have misplayed the puck in their own zone a couple of times which resulted in a couple scoring chances for the Islanders, but that has been it. All Penguins all the time tonight.

The only question now is whether they will hit double digits or not. As I said earlier, it doesn't matter who is on the ice for the team, they are having their way and the Isles are doing nothing about it.

As tough as this game must be for Isle's fans, I feel your pain. I watched this stuff happen to the Penguins for many years as they were in your rebuilding shoes. Hang in there...it will get better...

More as the third gets underway...

First Period:

Not much to report during the first 6:10 of this affair, though the teams have combined for 7 shots on goal. John Curry and Joey MacDonald have each been up to the task, though both have had a couple of pucks bobble around their creases.

Mark Eaton is looking a little better than normal and has registered a couple of hits.

Phillipe Boucher looks rusty and gave the puck up behind his own net which produced a nice scoring chance for Richard Park. He also was a bit lackadaisical on an icing call...he sort of tried to glide in with an Islander right on him. The Islander got there first and the icing was waived.

While typing this update, the Penguins strike first. Pascal Dupuis took a cross ice pass from Miro Satan and fired a slapper on the net. MacDonald juggled it and it trickled over his shoulder and in the net.

The Penguins are working on their first power play of the night and have tried to set up a couple one timers. The first was fanned on by Jordan Staal and the next two were passed in favor of passes by Crosby and Malkin.

* * * * *

The hockey gods and the referees calling this game gave the Penguins three consecutive calls, which gave them the two man advantage for almost two full minutes. Don't get me wrong, the calls were good, but it was just surprising. The Penguins still overpassed the puck, as they were trying to feed Miro Satan who continues to be left open at the side of the cage. He finally, on his third attempt, took a pass from Sidney Crosby and put it behind Joey MacDonald for a 2-0 lead.

The Isles just killed the rest of the advantage and both sides are at even strength.

Tim Wallace just laid a huge hit on an Islander behind the Penguins net. He is moving his feet and looks like the high energy guy he was advertised as being.

* * * * *

Matt Cooke was just whistled for tripping. You just knew that the next call was going against the Penguins. There was no way there were going to be five unanswered calls one way or the other. Especially the way that they were called in rapid succession.

The power play served the Islanders well, as Doug Weight froze the Penguins defense with a stutter step at the point and fed Mark Streit for a one timer that found pay dirt behind John Curry.

The Penguins immediately answered the goal with another of their own. Evgeni Malkin and his mates came through the neutral zone with speed, all three players touched the puck and Petr Sykora buried it on a one timer.

Seconds later, the Penguins struck again, as Phillipe Boucher scored his first goal as a Pittsburgh Penguin. He took a pass and one timed it past MacDonald from the point.

The Penguins are clearly in Joey Mac's head a bit. At least two of those goals were suspect...gotta squeeze the pads! Will the Penguins get a look at Yann Danis to start the second? It might be a good move for the Islanders.

* * * * *

After one period the Penguins hold a 4-1 lead. We have probably witness their most dominant period of the season. They have posted 19 shots on goal and shot from everywhere. They also did something that typically has happened to them over their losing streak, they immediately answered an opposing goal with one of their own.

John Curry has been OK, though he did allow one goal on only five shots.

The Penguins did get some help from the referees, but it didn't make that big a difference, as the Penguins only cashed on one power play.

This will be a big test for a Penguins team that has garnered quite the reputation for allowing teams to come back from big deficits.

More after the second...

* * * * *

Penguins and Islanders Hit the Ice in Icy Pittsburgh

Though the Penguins are immersed in a 3 game losing streak, they do not have time to linger on what is going wrong for them. In fact, they had better be thinking about what they have been doing right, because that is where their focus needs to be as they get back to action tonight at Mellon Arena against the New York Islanders.

They need to build upon the aspects of their game that got a little better last night in New Jersey and improve upon them. They were definitely not where the coaching staff would like them to be, but they got more traffic in front of the Devils net, got shots to the net and skated hard. Obviously they still came up on the wrong end of the score, but that will happen during the course of a long season. Especially when they are going through a cold streak and dealing with a ton of injuries.

There is some good news on the injury front, as Phillipe Boucher will be back in the line-up this evening. Meaning that defenseman Ben Lovejoy was sent back to Wilkes Barre-Scranton after two decent games in the NHL. Boucher will most likely slot right into Lovejoy’s spot alongside Alex Goligoski.

The Penguins will also make a change in goal. John Curry will make his second career start against the Islanders. It will be his second appearance against the team, as he relieved Dany Sabourin in Long Island during the Penguins last game up there. He notched a win that evening and the coaching staff is hoping that magic will continue tonight.

The line-up looks to remain largely the same as it was last night in New Jersey, with both Tim Wallace and Jeff Taffe skating on the fourth line with Max Talbot. That means no rematch for Eric Goddard and Mitch Fritz…that is a bit disheartening. The two enforcers had quite a spirited brouhaha the last time these teams met. (Is it just me or does Fritz resemble a giant Viking…I am just saying)

The Penguins have had success against Islanders goaltender Joey MacDonald this season and they need to capitalize on that this evening. That means shooting early, often and from all over the ice, as well as getting plenty of bodies in front of him. He realizes that he surrendered 4 straight goals to the Penguins during the final 20:18 of the game up in Long Island and that may be in the back of his head tonight.

Special teams will also be of great importance. The Penguins have got to cash in with the extra man. They have squandered far too many opportunities lately and it has lost two of the last three games for them.

I will be live at Mellon Arena this evening. Please join me here, as I bring you all of the action….

Game Notes:

Tonight marks the third meeting between these two teams on the season, with the Penguins holding a 2-0-0 lead in the season series.

The Penguins are 87-87-26 all-time versus the Islanders, including a 48-36-16 record at Mellon Arena.

The Penguins have gone 8-2-2 against the Isles in their last 12, including taking 4 of the last 5.

Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin who stole the show with some amazing third period heroics in Long Island during the last game between these two have huge numbers against the Isles during their young careers. Sidney Crosby has posted 38 points (11G-27A) in 22 games, while Evgeni Malkin has tallied 21 points (7G-14) in 18 games.

The Penguins will play their next 12 games against Eastern Conference opponents. They do not play a Western Conference team until January 8 against the Nashville Predators. The Penguins are 12-5-3 this season against Eastern Conference opponents.

The Penguins boast three players who are former Isles and vice versa. The Penguins who skated in Long Island are Miro Satan, Eric Goddard and Rusland Fedotenko. The Isles who were once members of the flightless birds are Andy Hilbert, Richard Park and Jon Sim.

The Islanders are 7-15-2 against the Eastern Conference this season, including a 1-6-2 record versus the Atlantic Division.

Milestone Watch:

Jordan Staal nine games shy of playing in his 200th career game.
Pascal Dupuis is seven assists shy of reaching 100 in his career.
Marc-Andre Fleury is four wins away from tying Denis Herron for third all-time in wins (88) among Penguins’ goaltenders.
Petr Sykora is five points shy of reaching 650 in his NHL career.
Rob Scuderi is three games shy of appearing in his 250th career game while needing two penalty minutes to reach 100 in his career.
Evgeni Malkin is nine goals shy of reaching 100 and four assists shy of reaching 150 for his career.
Miroslav Satan is three goals shy of reaching 350 in his career.
Philippe Boucher is nine goals shy of reaching 100 for his career.
Kris Letang is two games shy of playing in his 100th NHL game.
Michel Therrien is seven wins shy of winning his 200th NHL game.


Penguins Youtube of the Day:

The famous Malkin “Shoot more, shoot everybody” interview after he scored the natural hatty against the Islanders in Long Island.