Pens vs. Canadiens: 3 Stars

Since the game was last night, it's probably a little too late to post this but I was too tired to type it up after the game.

The Pens hosted Montreal last night at CES and things looked bleak until the third period when they out shot the Habs 14-7, scoring twice in regulation and then winning in an overtime shootout.  Montreal still hasn't been able to find a way to right the sinking ship under their new coach and continues their slide to the bottom in the East.  With that loss last night, they are now parked in 12th place in the Eastern Conference and have their work cut out for them heading down the stretch. 

There were quite a few things that provoked my ire during that game about the way the Pens handled the first two periods and the way the refs handled some questionable calls.  I won't even get into the little incident between Chris Kunitz and PK Slewban.  Someone needs to tell him that dishing out slewfoot's (feet's...what's the plural form of that word anyway?) is not a recordable stat.  If it were, he would win the award.  I guess he was fined a couple hundred bucks for it this morning or something like that.

I will show this interesting vid capture of the game, where in a rare Eric Tangradi sighting, we see a ref almost get crushed.



So on to the nights 3 stars...

#3  Kris Letang (Actual 3rd star should have been Eric Cole but I'm giving it to Letang because I'm sick of awarding stars to the opposing team, especially Montreal, and Letang's goal was ridiculous!) - - Letang has shown why he was missed since returning from his concussion injury.  In only his second game back since his injury, he scored the first goal for the Pens on a sick backhand shot that looked like it was going to be a wrap around try.  At the last second, he stuffed it in right behind Peter Budaj, tying the game at 1 apiece.

#2  Evgeni Malkin - - Malkin continues to play in beast mode as of late with Crosby still on the shelf.  He now has a goal in the last five games, including the game tying goal tonight and the game winner in the OT shootout.  When he's hot, he's HOT!  There isn't much you can say about it.  Check out the highlight video below and just listen to his game tying shot.  I love that sound!!

#1 Dustin Jeffrey - - Jeffrey scored twice in this game, and also added an assist on Letang's goal for a three point night.  The goals were his first two of the season and coupled with the assist, this was the first time he has ever had a 3 point night.  I loved to see this since it has been a rough road for him trying to comeback reconstructive knee surgery in the offseason.  Kind of a triumphant return to the ice if you ask me.

Traded Mid-shift

Not quite but almost. 

Mike Cammalleri was just traded to the Calgary Flames seemingly in the middle of the game.  As the game was moving on, I started wondering where he was and then Jack Edwards pipes up and says he was just sent to the hotel to pack.  This is by far the most insane thing I have ever heard since the last insane thing Montreal did...only a few weeks ago when they fired their coach.

In exchange for Cammalleri, Karri Ramo of the KHL, and a 5th rounder, Calgary sends Rene Bourque, Patrick Holland (WHL), and a 2nd round pick in 2013.

Talk amongst yourselves.

I'm so happy my team won, I think I will go steal something

What is with the people of Montreal and their incessant need for rioting and looting after winning big games (or losing big games)?  It doesn't make sense.  Sure, there are a few idiots out there that will inevitably bring out the bad press and turn the positives toward the negative side.  But those are the FEW.  In this case, these are the masses. 

I am sure this is all going to be blamed on some alcohol fuled rage from a few 20 something college douchebags but I think this goes deeper.  I am happy for the Canadiens and I hope they go on to win it.  Any 8th seed that can oust the top two teams in succession from the playoffs gets my vote anyday.  But come on people. 

"Police reported that an SAQ liquor store and three boutiques on Ste. Catherine were looted, while at least six people had been arrested by 11 p.m., most for being drunk in public." I read this morning that another dozen or more were arrested shortly thereafter.  Even two policemen (in full riot gear) were hurt.  "Despite the hooliganism, Montreal police characterized the reaction as tame compared to celebrations in previous years." 

I know it has happened in the past in some other cities (Chicago comes to mind) but this is every...single...time.  And to think, this was just a semi final game.  I hate to see what happens if they win the Conference Finals, or even the Cup.  Someone from Canada please explain this phenomenon to me.

This is understandable.  You just won a pivotal game 7.  You are happy. You pick your girl up on your shoulders to celebrate.  Hooray!

I can sort of see this too, because let's face it, alcohol makes people do stupid things sometimes.

But then you just go and make them angry....

Fires break out as people burn their "Olympic Hero" in effigy.  The one Habs fan is clearly trying to get warm but the others, I'm not so sure.  Notice the guy with the Pirates hat standing there.  What's that all about?

Now they are lighting people on fire.  Apparently this guy was a Maple Leafs fan who wandered out on the street at the wrong time.

"I'm so happy my team won that I am going to burn this newspaper clipping in one hand while holding my tallboy and cigarette in the other."  Ole, indeed.

No party is complete without the obligatory looting.  Here we find some fine young Canadien fans stopping by the local liquor store to pick up some refreshments after the game.  Look at 'em go.

While we are at it, let's go pick up some new warmup suits and shoes from what used to be the Foot Locker and is now going out of business.

The night isn't complete until someone passes out drunk.  What's that?  Not drunk you say? Oh, tear gassed.  That was my second guess.

And no night of celebration is complete without being escorted to the paddy wagon by police in riot gear.  Good times.

Stay classy, Montreal.

More like, Out To Lunch

There isn't much to say about the Pens performance in game 7 against Montreal.  They didn't show up.  They didn't perform.  They didn't even play.  There was a five minute spurt of energy that was spent furiously shooting the puck on net and somehow got them 2 goals but that was it. 

From the opening faceoff, they were doomed.  Crosby goes into the box ten seconds into the game.  Montreal scores twenty seconds later to make it 1-0 and that was the end.  The Pens were outscored, outplayed, and outclassed by the men from the north.  You can't expect to win when your top two scorers combine for 2 goals in the series.  2 goals.  That's total between them both, mind you.

Halak was a beast in the net like he has been all series.  Makes me wonder whatever happened to Carey Price, the supposed second coming of Patrick Roy.  I know he is the backup and all but I think his days are numbered.  Canadiens fans have a short memory and have every right to now that Halak has proven he can play against the best.

Congrats to the Canadiens for not only knocking off the President's Trophy winners in 7 games but now the defending Stanley Cup Champions.  If anyone deserves to win the cup at this point, it most certainly should go to Montreal.  I just hope the fans don't riot in the streets like they have a habit of doing, win or lose.  There is still a lot of hockey to be played.  Unfortunately, none that I have a vested interest in.

At least now I have another "Bad Day" to add to my list.

Well Thought Out Yet Completely Random Penguin Cards of the Week: Game 7 Edition

With the unofficial self-proclaimed theme of the Pens being "Out For Justice", it is fitting that it all comes down to one game. 

WIN OR GO HOME!!!! 

With that being said, I wanted to present not one random Pens card but a multitude in the hopes that it may bring some luck.  These are the guys that need to play on some kind of Zen level tonight if the Pens are going to make it out alive.  I am not superstitious or anything but I did notice myself sidestepping all the sidewalk cracks on the way to work this morning.  I'm just saying...

2007-08 OPC Micromotion Brooks Orpik

Orpik was quoted as saying, "When you play a best of 7, usually the best team wins.  So, I think we're pretty confident going into it."  Let's just hope not TOOO confident.  Brooksy can be a game breaker and he is going to have to bring it.  Out For Justice!!

2008-09 Upper Deck Winter Classic Kris Letang. 

Tanger must play the game of his life tonight.  No more random shots AT the goal.  We need shots ON the goal.  Experimental gameplay time is over.  Out for Justice, indeed.

2009-10 Upper Deck Bill Guerin. 

When asked about game 7, Guerin said, "It's obviously not what we were looking for."  Yeah?  Well, you got it.  Now do what you do best and make it happen.  Your leadership is unparalleled in that locker room and whatever is left in that tank needs to be emptied tonight.  Out For Justice!!

And last, but certainly not least are the three key elements to tonights game.  If either of these three gentleman is having an off night, tee times will be early tomorrow for sure.  The time to show what we are made of is now.  There can't be another game 6 performance.  Out For Justice!!!

2009-10 Collector's Choice 3 Star Selections Crosby/Fleury/Malkin

It's Game Time!!

It's game time.  Game #5 in the Pens/Canadiens series.  With the series tied at 2 games each, this is a must win for both clubs.  The Pens have the home crowd advantage which hasn't been much of a factor in this or their earlier series.  What we need is some production from Crosby and Malkin.

On the positive note, Guerin should be back in the lineup.  He is fourth in scoring on the team in the playoffs. 

Go Pens!!