Weather

Hey pens fans,
This is a response to a comment that I received on my forcast for the Ice Bowl. The previous forcast was based on the national weather service website (NOAA). As we know, weather is ever changing and predictions can change over a few hours, not to mention the few days since that post. At the time, it was the latest weather information available. The current forcast from the national weather service (NOAA) is High 36 degrees F. With 3-5 inches of snow. the snow continues to accumulate throughout the next few days totaling at ten inches to a foot by Thursday morning (the forecast this weekend totaled 3 feet by thursday). Game time winds are expected to be from the east then shifting to west from 8-14 mph. This is a current weather update.

Pens Defeat Sabres and Winter Classic

Hey pens fans,
Last night, the Pens took on the Sabres in an Ice Bowl preview and emerged with the win. The Pens were up one to nothing with the goal by Armstrong. At the end of the game Crosby worked for the puc and brought it into the zone to setup Malin for the empty-netter. Ty Conklin played a solid game to earn the shutout.

Winter Classic
I will be there to witness the outdoor contest. The weather seems to be holding out to make a day in the low 30s with flurries. However, later in the week, Buffalo is set for its normal massive snowfall. Hopefully, that holds off until after the game. Ty Conklin will start, as long as nothing un forseen happens. With Gary Roberts out with a borken leg, Sykora will most likely be back in the lineup assuming he is over his flu-like symptoms. If he is not, look for the Pens to recall Connor James. That would be my guess.

Let's Go Pens! I will see you in Buffalo!

Pens Down Caps

Hey pens fans,
Tonight, the Pens took on Ovechkin and the Capitals and came out victorious in the ot. The final score was 4-3. Taffe, Armstrong, Sydor and Gonchar had the goals. Conklin played in net and seemed to be fairly solid. Crosby had a great night. Malkin was struggling thorughout the game and could not get it together. Alexander Ovechkin left the game with what is believed to be an injury (possibly a skate cut) in his upper right thigh/groin area.

Winter Classic
This is one blogger, who will be at the game, and will be reporting on it upon my return.

Also, don't look for the Pens to make a goalie move unless something happens, where we falter, but if we do, I would expect Cujo to be the choice. I cannot believe that I am saying it either, but Curtis Joseph makes sense, if we where to make a move.

Weekend Update

Hey pens fans,
Sorry for the lateness of my post, but the holidays are messing with my life.

Friday, the Pens looked like a lackluster team and deserved that lose. the bright spot was Gary Roberts 900th point. Otherwise, it is a game we want to forget.

Sunday, we had enough moments of brillance to conteract some problems. Gary Roberts had 2 goals and Laraque and MAlkin each had one. It was a great game to watch, though less physical than the last Bruins game. Conklin needs to start on Thursday. It was a good game.

Rumors: The Pens are shopping Gonchar in a pack that could bring Cheechoo after the trade freeze.

Pens Down Bruins in Shoot Out/Crosby Fight

Hey pens fans,
Tonight, the Pens defeated the Bruins 5-4 in a shootout. The Pens blew a big league to force the ot and shoot out, where Christensen and Letang scored for the win. Malkin had 2 goals. Laraque took on Chara twice in the game. Sidney Crosby had the Gordie Howe Hat Trick. This was also his first NHL fight vs Andrew Ference. The Pens are back in the Burgh tomorrow night.

Pens Fall to Rangers and some moves

Hey pens fans,
Well, last night the Pens fell to the Rangers 4-0. It was not pretty, so I will not dwell on that. The Pens have made some moves. Connor James was re-assigned to WBS and the Pens called up Jeff Taffe.
On the injury front, Ryan Malone went in for a medical evaluation on a leg infection.
Also, the holiday trade freeze will go into effect at midnight tonight. The Pens do not seem to be involved in anything that will occur before then.

Pens Down Isles

Hey pens fans,
Sorry for the late post, but here it goes.

Saturday night, the Pens downed the Isles 3-2. Crosby, Whitney, and Kennedy had the Pens goals. It was a good game all around and the Pens seemed to some back into form, after that little stumble post western Canada. The Pens are back in action at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday against the Rangers. Also, the Pens recalled Connor James from WBS earlier.

Pens Fell to Sens

Hey pens fans,
Last night, the Pens fell to the Sens 4-1. This game was basically decided by one main factor and his name is Gerber. He was brilliant in net for the Sens and kept the Pens from evening the score. The Pens did not play their best game, but the score does not reflect the effort they put out. Crosby was obviously frustrated with the lack of scoring, but the Pens tried. Hopefully, they can move on from the last two games annd go back to their winning ways tomorrow on Long Island.

On another note, with Fleury's injury side-lining for 6-8 weeks, I would not be surprised if the Pens made a move to strengthen their goaltending. I like Sabourin and he is great to have to fill in for a few games here and their, but I do not think he can carry the team this long.

Injury Update: Fleury and Talbot

Hey pens fans,
Well, this is not the type of news I want to be sharing, after last night's disaster of a game, but it looks as though Fleury and Talbot will be out for a while. Talbot is expected to miss another 2-4 weeks with a high ankle sprain. Fleury will miss 6-8 weeks with his high ankle sprain. This is not good news for the team. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Ouch!

Hey pens fans,
Tuesday night, the Pens took on the Flyers in Philly. The Pens went down 2-0 early in the first period. The Pens answered back with two Power Play goals by Whitney and Sykora to end the period. The Flyers scored 3 goals in each of the final two periods to make the final score 8-2 Philly. Sabourin started in goal and stopped 20 of 25 shots before being relieved by Conklin, who stopped 12 of 15. The Pens had had 22 shots on the night. With the exception of a few good fights by Georges Laraque and Gary Roberts, there is not much we can take away from this game. The Pens need to forget about that game and move on. Yes, it was there first game back east after their western stint, but I do not think it was a huge factor. The players seemed to be okay through the first and then everything started going wrong.

Pens Defeat Canucks in Shootout

Hey pens fans,
The Pens have now won 4 in a row. It was a great game to watch, if those of you in the Burgh managed to stay up that late. The final score was 2-1 Pens. It was a good game and it is wonderful for this team to win these games out west. Peter Sykora had the pens regulation goal in the first period. Sabourin was in net tonight, because of the Fleury injury and he played a great game. Sabourin stopped 35 of 36 shots in the three periods and OT. He stopped 5 of 6 in the shootout, including one on a killer poke check. Crosby had a penalty shot in the OT, but was stopped by Luongo. Christensen scored on Luongo in the shoot out and Letang scored to win it, yet again. This trip has put the Pens back in the playoff picture. It was a great game tonight and a true goaltenders battle.

Recchi

Hey pens fans,
Recchi is a Thrasher. The Recchin' Ball's days in the Burgh are over, again.

Conklin Recalled on Emergency Basis

Hey pens fans,

Conklin has been recalled from WBS to serve as a backup while Fleury nurses the ankle injury that he sustained last night.

Recchi on Re-entry Waivers

Hey pens fans,
Recchi is on re-entry waivers.

Pens Defeat Flames in Shoot Out

Hey pens fans,
Tonight, the Pens defeated the Flames 3-2 in a shootout. Marc-Andre Fleury injured his ankle in the first and Sabourin finished out the game. Malkin and Malone had the two goals in regulation. Malone's goal was a great short handed effort. It was a highlight reel goal, if I ever saw one. Sykora and Letang both scored in the shoot out for the win. Sabourin stopped 24 of 26 shots and before the his injury, Fleury stopped 2 of 2. The Pens had 35 shots tonight.

Recchi

Hey pens fans,
I am sorry that I forgot to post this earlier. Recchi has been assigned to the AHL.

Pens Down Oilers

Hey pens fans,
Tonight, the Pens mount a comeback to get the win. They were down 2-0 and cameback to win it 4-2. Fleury played a good game in goal. It was a good game all around. The Pens' next game is in Calgary.

Recchi

Hey pens fans,
Mark Recchi was placed on waivers and has now cleared waivers. I have heard that the Pens have been informed that there is someone, who will grab him if he comes up for reentry.

Pens down the Great One's Coyotes

Hey pens fans,
Tonight, the Pens took on Gretzky's Coyotes at the Mellon Arena and were victorious. Yes, we won 3-1. Talbot had the first goal and was assisted by the former coyote Laraque. The Pens' second goal was a power play goal by Letang. He was assisted by Crosby and Malkin. The Pens thrid goal was by Kennedy and he was assisted by Staal and Roberts. Fleury was in goal tonight and stopped 17 of 18 shots. The Pens had 33 shots on the night. The Pens won 34 of 63 faceoffs. They played a good all around game. Hopefully, the Pens can arry this momentum into the next few games.

Pens Fall to Leafs

Hey pens fans,
Tonight, the Pittsburgh Penguins are on the road in Toronto trying to continue their three game winning streak. Before I get to the game, I would like to wish Ryan Malone a Happy Birthday. The Pens have been playing well, as of late. They easily defeated the Stars Friday night and dazzled in the offensive zone. Their defensive play has improved greatly with everyone chipping in and Fleury has seemed to get back into his form from last season. He has also changed back to his old helmet and chest protector and in a recent interview he said it was because he was more comfortable in them. However, Sabourin was announced as tonight’s starter.

Just under four minutes into the first period, Bell scored to make it 1-0 Leafs. Just under a minute later Petr Sykora took a penalty for tripping to put the Leafs on the power play.

In the second period, the Leafs made it 2-0 with a goal by Jason Blake. Not quite half way through the period Crosby took a nasty spill after being tripped. It is not often one sees number 87 wince, he is obviously in a bit of pain. Then, Antropov scored tot make it 3-0.

In the third period, the birthday boy, himself, Ryan Malone, got the Pens’ their first goal on this night. Then few minuets later, Christensen made it 3-2, with 2:05 left in the third. With just under a minute left Ponikarovsky scored to make it 4-2 leafs.

Final Score Leafs 4 Pens 2

This ends the Pens 3 game winning streak. The Pens are back in action Monday night at the Igloo.

Pens Defeat Stars

Hey pens fans,
Last night, the Pens defeated the Stars 4-1. They played a strong game and managed to e consistant through three periods. Crosby had two goals on the night and Kennedy and Malkin each had one. Fleury was in goal and he played well. The Pens set the tone early with Crosby's first goal under a minute in and also with Laraque domination of the early fight. The Pens are in Toronto tonight against the Leafs.