Too Much?

In the last two years the Pens have taken on the Sens twenty times, and while the Penguins may have turned their season around against the Senators last season the Sens may have turned their season around against the Pens Saturday afternoon.

The first twenty minutes, were hard hitting, and pretty defensive for both teams as no goals were scored and not a single penalty was called.

That changed early in the second period as Jason Spezza went in on Dany Sabourin. Sabourin who went out to poke-check was out too far and left the net empty for Spezza's first goal of the afternoon. The goal was unassisted and was scored at 4:01.

Spezza scored again this time with a shot from in front of the net at 8:52, Dany Heatley and Daniel Alfredsson assisted.

Not much later Eric Godard and Chris Neil dropped the gloves. The fight was pretty even matched and after closed to two minutes both combatants gave up calling it a draw.

Jordan Staal was lucky again as he tipped in his ninth of the year with help from Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on the power play. Jason Spezza was in the box for hooking when Staal scored at 16:17, brining his team within one.

However the Sens had other plans as Spezza completed his hat-trick with a weird goal from behind the net. His shot bounced off of Kris Letang`s skate and went in between Sabourin's leg and the post. Filip Kuba and Dany Heatley assisted at 19:21.

Malkin brought his team within one and put himself three points of the second place Sidney Crosby in the NHL scoring race. Jordan Staal picked up a loss puck and was off with Malkin into the Sens zone. The short-handed goal was scored at 9:12.

But the Sens managed to hold the Pens off for the rest of the game coming away with two more points.

The three stars were 3. Dany Heatley, 2. Daniel Alfredsson, 1. Jason Spezza.

Ryan Whitney (foot), Sergei Gonchar (shoulder), Marc-Andre Fleury (undisclosed), Philippe Boucher (undisclosed), Tyler Kennedy (knee), and Mike Zigomanis (undisclosed) all missed the game.

Monday night the Pens are at home to take on the Buffalo Sabers at 7:38.

Two for Two

The Penguins seem to be better on the second night of back-to-back games and proved this against the Canes in Carolina. The battle of the Staals continued Thursday it was Jordan vs. Eric while Wednesday night it had been Jordan vs. Marc. Coming into the game Jordan was just two points and one goal behind his brother Eric who is now playing in this fifth NHL season.

Now using black tape instead of white as a suggestion by Evgeni Malkin, Petr Sykora notched his sixth of the year from the hash after a beauty of a pass from Sidney Crosby. Alex Goligoski also assisted on the power play goal at 10:53.

Pascal Dupuis who had been a healthy scratch just two games before scored his third of the year less than two minutes after Sykora`s goal. Sidney Crosby helped out at 12:30.

Early in the second period Tuomo Ruutu was called for hi-sticking and this lead to Petr Sykora`s second goal of the game. Both of Sykora`s goals came on the power play, the second was assisted by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin at 1:53.

Ruutu on his first shift after serving his penalty scored his ninth of the season at 2:12 to get his team on the board.

Miroslav Satan who was having a bit of a goal-less steak notched his tenth of the year with help from Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang at 6:51. The puck went in off of a Canes defenseman, and even though there was a scramble in front of the net neither Sidney Crosby nor Pascal Dupuis touched the puck.

Three-quarters of the way through the period the Canes got themselves on the board again and brought themselves within two goals. Matt Cullen scored on the power play while Eric Godard was in the sin bin for hooking. Ray Whitney and Rob Brind'Amour assisted at 1554.

The Pens however increased their lead to three goals when Ruslan Fedotenko scored his fifth of the year with help from Evgeni Malkin at 18:27.

The score remained the same through the third and the Pens game away with the win. Dany Sabourin who didn`t play his best game against the Rangers the night before stopped 34 of the 36 shots he faced.

The three stars were 3. Dany Sabourin, 2. Petr Sykora, 1. Sidney Crosby.

Ryan Whitney (foot), Sergei Gonchar (shoulder), Marc-Andre Fleury (undisclosed), Philippe Boucher (undisclosed), Tyler Kennedy (undisclosed), and Mike Zigomanis (undisclosed) all missed the game.

Next the Pens finish off their road-trip in Ottawa where they take on the Senators for the first time since Sweden. The opening face-off is set for 2:08.

Not what they were looking for.

A loss was most probably what the Pens wanted to start of the month of December with, but that`s what happened. The New York Rangers took a two more point from the Pens and for the second time this season the win came in a shoot-out.

Early in the first period Eric Godard dropped the gloves with Colton Orr. But that didn`t stop Orr from later messing with Sidney Crosby and causing Brooks Orpik to take two penalties at 12:23 of the first. Less than a minute later however the Rangers were called for two many men even up the "playing field."

On the 4-on-4 Crosby was alone in the Rangers end and took the puck around the net to set up the play. The "trailer" Mark Eaton was in front of the net when Crosby dished the puck out and scored his first goal in a Penguin uniform. Eaton was playing in his 400th NHL game and scored his first goal in 91 games with the help of Sidney Crosby at 13:56.

Mid-way through the second period Jordan Staal got lucky as a Rob Scuderi point shot grazed his stick before going in past Henrik Lundqvist at 9:35. Matt Cooke also assisted on Staal`s eighth of the year.

But just as the first meeting between the two teams the Rangers came back from a two goal deficit Nikolai Zherdev notched his ninth of the year at 10:56 and Petr Prucha who had been scratched for the previous ten games scored at 14:30.

At the end of regulation the game was tied at two and remained the same at the end of the extra five minutes.

Dany Sabourin who was been good in shoot-outs this season seemed to be a completely different person Wednesday night. He let Naslund, Zherdev, and Sjostrom's shot go past him as the Rangers took the win. Kris Letang who had been scoreless in shoot-outs this season blasted a beauty past Lundqvist though it did not matter because Miroslav Satan failed to capitalize on his shot.

The three stars were 3. Petr Prucha, 2. Henrik Lundqvist, 1. Nikolai Zherdev.

Ryan Whitney (foot), Sergei Gonchar (shoulder), Marc-Andre Fleury (undisclosed), and Philippe Boucher (undisclosed) all missed the game. Tyler Kennedy and Mike Zigomanis left the game with undisclosed injuries and did not return.

The Pens take on the Carolina Hurricanes tomorrow night at 7:08 as the Battle of the Staals continues.

Sidney Crosby "Tricks" Devils.

Just one day after a loss to the Buffalo Sabers the Pens were at home to take on rival New Jersey Devils for the second time this year.

Early in the first period Sidney Crosby was off on a break-away into the Devils zone. His "re-bound", back-hand shot beat Clemmensen at 1:21. Miroslav Satan and Hal assisted.

The first period ended with the Pens leading 1-0 and out-shooting the Devils 16-12.

Petr Sykora who was standing on the door step tip his fifth of the year past Clemmensen at 7:26 to give his team a 2-0 lead. The power play goal was assisted by Sidney Crosby and Tyler Kennedy.

Crosby however wanted another goal of his own and a diving play by Malkin helped him to get one. Crosby's second of the game and twelfth of the year game at 11:29 of the second period.

The Pens took a 3-0 lead to the second intermission but the Devils got themselves on the board early in the third period. Mike Rupp scored his second of the year at 1:54 with help from Patrick Elias and Brian Gionta.

Not much later Sidney Crosby and Mike Rupp "mixed it up" along the boards and were sent to the penalty box for roughing.

Though it wasn`t pure, or natural, it was still a hat-trick when Sidney Crosby netted his third of the night. Clemmensen had gone to the bench for the extra attacker leaving Crosby with an empty net to shoot on. Though he was tripped up on the way to the net he still managed to get his stick on the puck and knock it into the empty net. Evgeni Malkin and Mike Zigomanis assisted on the goal at 17:59.

The three stars were 3. Petr Sykora, 2. Evgeni Malkin, 1. Sidney Crosby.

Ryan Whitney (foot), Sergei Gonchar (shoulder), Marc-Andre Fleury (undisclosed), and Philippe Boucher (undisclosed) all missed the game along with healthy scratch Pascal Dupuis.

The Pens next take on the New York Rangers Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. The opening face-off is set for 7:08

Penguins' Leads not Always Safe

This is true of not only this season, but of last as well. This may because the players get "too comfortable" and start to "slack off". And although it would seem odd, the Pens are very good and coming back from even three goal deficits. However in Friday's game against the Sabers this wasn`t the case, the Pens scored first, but couldn`t hold onto their lead.

Mid-way through the first period Tyler Kennedy fed the puck behind the net to line-mate Matt Cooke, Cooke put it out front where Kennedy put it in for his sixth of the year. Rob Scuderi also assisted on the goal at 10:29.

However less than a minute later the Sabers got themselves on the board, Drew Stafford scored his third of the year at 11:25.

Mid-way through the second period Brooks Orpik was called for interference and with just seconds remaining on his penalty the Sabers notched their second goal of the game to take the lead. Paul Gaustad netted his first of the year at 12:21.

The Pens who don`t like to be trailing, really who does, tied the game just 34 seconds later. A Malkin blast from the point was tipped in by Sidney Crosby for his ninth of the year at 12:55.

And with less than one minute remaining in the period the Pens took the lead with yet another Sidney Crosby goal, again Evgeni Malkin assisted at 19:04.

But the third period was not very kind to the Pens. The Sabers scored two unanswered goals to take the win. Thomas Vanek scored his sixteenth of the year at 3:11, and Paul Gaustad scored his second of the game and of the season at 16:36.

The three stars were 3. Sidney Crosby, 2. Drew Stafford, 1. Paul Gaustad.

Ryan Whitney (foot), Sergei Gonchar (shoulder), and Marc-Andre Fleury all missed the game along with healthy scratches Mark Eaton and Ruslan Fedotenko. Philippe Boucher left the game in the second period with an undisclosed injury.

Next the Pens come home to take on the New Jersey Devils tomorrow night at 7:38.

Pens Come from Behind, Again.

The Penguins post another victory after coming back from a three goal deficit. With second remaining in the second, unlikely goal scorer, Brooks Orpik notched his second of the season from the point to get his team on the board. Pascal Dupuis and Miroslav Satan assisted at 19:41. However this was only after the Islanders had three points on the board.

Doug Weight, Trent Hunter, and Bill Guerin all scored for the Islanders, two of the goals came on the power play. After the third goal at 9:27 of the second starter Dany Sabourin was replaced by John Curry. Curry played in his first NHL game and posted his first NHL win stopping all eleven shots he faced.

Mid-way through the first period Eric Godard 6'4'' dropped the gloves with Mitch Fritz 6'7''. The fight was ended by officials after close to a minute when no winner was clear.

The Pens had a goal waved off as the officials put it, "The player went in with the puck." The goal would have been awarded to Sidney Crosby, but that just fueled his desire to get a point on the night.

At 6:18 Crosby had an easy time of getting his eighth of the season as he stood on the goal line and received a beautiful pass from Evgeni Malkin. Kris Letang also assisted.

The dynamic duo and the Pens weren`t done yet, they notched their third goal of the night to tie the game at 11:03. This time Evgeni Malkin put it passed MacDonald with help from Crosby and Brooks Orpik.

The lead wasn`t far from reach as it only two 50 more seconds from Crosby and Malkin to connect again for Malkin`s second goal of the night.

But Malkin wasn`t done, he completed the hat-trick with a shot into the empty net at 19:42. Rob Scuderi joined the defensemen with points on the night with an assist on Malkin`s tenth of the year.

The Pens lost one of their key wingers early in the game when Max Talbot took a slap shot to the foot; he is now listed as day-to-day.

The three stars were 3. Trent Hunter, 2. Sidney Crosby, 1. Evgeni Malkin.

Ryan Whitney (foot), Sergei Gonchar (shoulder), and Marc-Andre Fleury (lower body) all missed the game along with healthy scratch Mark Eaton.

Next the Pens take on the Sabers in Buffalo Friday night at 7:38.

Highs and Lows

A Saturday afternoon showdown is an unusual thing for the Penguins this early in the season and it seemed to hold more hits than goals, at least on the Pens side of the scoreboard.

Early in the game, twenty-five seconds in to be exact, Matt Cook threw a clean hit in the offensive zone. The Canuck of the receiving end of the hit didn`t seem to like what the former Canuck had done. Jannik Hansen went after Cooke and started half of a line-brawl. Brooks Orpik and Tyler Kennedy also got involved along with Alexandre Burrows and Ryan Kesler. Cooke, Orpik, Burrows, and Hansen all received fighting majors while Kennedy and Kesler both received double minors for roughing. Cooke and Hansen were also ejected from the game.

Not much later Vancouver's starting goaltender Roberto Luongo went down with a groin injury and left the game. Back-up Curtis Sanford replaced him and received the win.

The Canucks got themselves on the board first, a Pavol Demitra goal at 18:05. The Sedin twins, Henrik and Daniel, assisted on the goal.

Daniel Sedin increased the Canucks lead to two at 6:50 of the second; the goal was assisted by his twin brother Henrik.

However early in the second Mike Zigomanis notched his second of the year Tyler Kennedy and Alex Goligoski assisted at :22.

The penalties continued even after the Canucks scored an empty-netter. The goal was scored by Pavol Demitra assisted by the Sedin twins at 19:48. Also at 19:48 Max Talbot and Mattias Ohlund received roughing calls.

The final buzzer had blown but that didn`t stop Mike Zigomanis and Shane O'Brien who were given five minute slashing majors and game misconducts at 20:00.

The three stars were 3.Mike Zigomanis, 2. Daniel Sedin 1. Pavol Demitra.

Ryan Whitney (foot), Sergei Gonchar (shoulder), and Marc-Andre Fleury (undisclosed) all missed the game along with healthy scratch Mark Eaton.

Next the Pens start a two game road-trip with a showdown against the Islanders on the Island. The opening face-off is set for 7:08 Wednesday night.

Pens take down Thrashers in Atlanta.

There are no friends on the ice, and this was shown when Erik Christensen and Colby Armstrong faced off against their former teammates.

The Under-estimated Thrashers got themselves on the board first, Slava Kozlov his eleventh of the year. Ilya Kovalchuk and Mattieu Schneider assisted on the power play goal at 4:41.

But six minutes later the Pens tied the game with a tip-in off of Miroslav Satan stick. His ninth of the season came with help from Pascal Dupuis and Sidney Crosby at 10:547.

Mid-way through the second the Pens took the lead with a Crosby goal. Tyler Kennedy threw the puck out from behind the net to Crosby who scored while falling to the ice. Crosby's seventh of the year was scored at 12:24.

But the Thrashers wouldn`t go down that easy, they tied the game at two at 13:48. Jim Slater had help from Eric Perrin and Tobias Endstrom.

In the third former Penguin Chris Thorburn was sent to the box for interfering with Sidney Crosby. This is what led to the Pens game-winning goal, a deflection by Petr Sykora in front of the net. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin assisted at 17:20.

The three stars were 3. Eric Perrin, 2. Ondrej Pavelec, 1. Sidney Crosby.

Ryan Whitney (foot), Sergei Gonchar (shoulder), and Marc-Andre Fleury (undisclosed) all missed the game along with healthy scratch Mark Eaton.

Next the Pens take on the Canucks in a Saturday afternoon show down at Mellon Arena.

Wild Take Win in Hard Fought Game

Philippe Boucher played in his first game as a Penguin after being acquired from the Dallas Stars for now former Penguin Darryl Sydor. To give the new face a space on the Pens blue line Mark Eaton was scratched for the fourth time in seven games.

Early in the first period the Wild got themselves on the board first and they didn`t even need to touch the puck to do so. Mike Zigomanis won the face-off cleanly and back to his defense, however the defense never touched the puck as it slid past them Sabourin, and the goal line. Mikko Koivu was given credit for the goal at 7:57.

But the Pens were determined to tie the game and they did so just ten seconds later for the quickest goal after an opponent's this season. Matt Cooke scored his second of the season after Staal got the puck to the net where Cooke picked up the rebound. Rob Scuderi also assisted on the goal at 8:07.

That`s all of the scoring for the entire game. For the remaining fifty-two minutes both team's defense stood strong.

In the second period Jordan Staal took a hit from Erik Reitz that he felt was unnecessary and he dropped the gloves for only the second time in his career. This fight however has better than his last against Matt Petttinger last season. This time he got a few punches in before falling to the ice at 4:34.

Also in the second period NHL point leader Evgeni Malkin took a puck to the face and went to the locker room with a towel to his face and blood on the ice. He did return to play in the third but he did not manage to get a point on the night bring his 13-game point streak to an end. Malkin now has points in every game this season but two.

Overtime ended with both teams still tied at one on the scoreboard and tied at 25 shots.

In the shoot-out the Pens opted to shoot first but all three shooters, Petr Sykora, Alex Goligoski, and Sidney Crosby, failed to score. Dany Sabourin who started in the absence of the injured Marc-Andre Fleury had the Wild Marek Zidlicky score the winning goal.

The Pens had won six straight before this game and hope to start another streak Thursday when they take on former teammates Erik Christensen and Colby Armstrong in Atlanta at 7:08.

The three stars of this one were 3. Mikko Koivu, 2. Matt Cooke, 1. Niklas Backstrom.

Ryan Whitney (foot), Sergei Gonchar (shoulder), and Marc-Andre Fleury (undisclosed) all missed the game along with healthy scratch Mark Eaton. John Curry was called up to back-up Sabourin.

Pens Not So Blue

The Pens looked ready to take on the Buffalo Sabers for the second time in one year in their powder blue jerseys. However unlike during the Winter Classic the Sabers scored first. Jason Pominville scored his seventh of the season with help from Andrej Sekera and Adam Mair at 8:14.

The Pens came back to tie the game at one mid-way throw the second period when Evgeni Malkin notched his first of four points of the night. His seventh goal was scored at 11:07 on the power play with help from Alex Goligoski and Ruslan Fedotenko.

But the Sabers took the lead again when Thomas Vanek scored his thirteenth of the season on the power play at 19:14.

The third period however was dominated by the Pens. Alex Goligoski scored a Ryan Whitney like goal on the power play. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin played catch in the offensive zone before throwing it to Goligoski for his fourth of the year on the power play at 11:43.

But a tie wasn`t enough for the Pens, Jordan Staal scored his sixth of the year with help from Matt Cooke and Tyler Kennedy at 15:27. Staal was where he needed to be in front of the net where Cooke through the puck for a beautiful goal.

Ruslan Fedotenko also chipped in with a goal from the hash after a break-away and pass from Evgeni Malkin. Petr Sykora also assisted on the goal at 16:29.

And with time running down the Sabers pulled Ryan Miller for the extra attacker. Evgeni Malkin was feeling generous as he tipped the puck to Jordan Staal for this seventh of the season into an empty net. Petr Sykora again assisted at 19:36.

The Pens sixth straight win came at the hands of Marc-Andre Fleury who stopped 23 of the 25 shots he faced. Malkin notched four points of the night to bring his total to 30 points through 17 games.

The three stars were 3. Alex Goligoski, 2. Jordan Staal, 1. Evgeni Malkin.

Ryan Whitney (foot) and Sergei Gonchar (shoulder) missed the game along with healthy scratch Darryl Sydor.

Next the Pens take on the Wild Tuesday night at Mellon Arena. The game has an early start time of 7:08.

Flight-less Birds?

Even as a rookie Alex Goligoski knows of the intense rivalry between the Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers. He also chipped in with the winner when the two teams went to a shoot-out; he was the Penguins' sixth shooter.

Matt Cooke who plays along with Jordan Staal and Tyler Kennedy on the third line scored his first goal in a Penguin uniform at 706. Kennedy along with Kris Letang assisted on the Pens' first goal of the game.

Early in the second the Pens increased their lead with Evgeni Malkin`s first point of the night, bringing his point streak to 12 games, a goal at 1:11. Ruslan Fedotenko and Petr Sykora assisted.

Not much later Sidney Crosby scored his fifth of the year on the power play with help from Petr Sykora and Miroslav Satan at 3:51.

But the Pens couldn`t hold their lead as the Flyers scored four goals of their own, all were scored in the second period. Jeff Carter, Simon Gagne short-handed twice, and Joffery Lupul on the power play light the lamp for the Flyers. The final goal came with four second remaining in the second frame.

To start the third period Dany Sabourin was put in net and stopped every shot he faced.

The Pens weren`t going to let their cross-state rival win the game in regulation, Sidney Crosby scored his second of the night with help from Max Talbot and Evgeni Malkin at 17:27.

Both teams were held scoreless in the five minute overtime period and the game was headed to a shoot-out. All six Flyers' players, Simon Gagne, Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Kimmo Timonen, Joffery Lupul, and Scott Hartnell, were stopped by Sabourin. The first five shooters for the Penguins, Petr Sykora, Kris Letang, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Miroslav Satan, were all stopped by goaltender Marty Biron. In the end the game was resting on the sticks of Alex Goligoski and Dany Sabourin. The rookie defenseman put his shot across the goal line and Sabourin stopped Hartnell to lead to the Pens to their fifth straight win.

The three stars were 3.Alex Goligoski, 2. Simon Gagne, 1. Sidney Crosby.

Ryan Whitney (foot) and Sergei Gonchar (shoulder) missed the game along with healthy scratches Paul Bissonnette and Darryl Sydor.

The Pens next take on the Sabers in their blue throw back jerseys Saturday night at 7:38.

Staal Helps Pens Clip Wings

In what was advertised as the re-match of the Stanley Cup Finals both the Red Wings and the Pens fought like they would in a game six months from now. While there were some changes to both rosters the team look much like the ones that faced-off in late May, early June for the Holy Grail of Hockey; the Stanley Cup.

Early in the first period Sidney Crosby tipped the puck passed Chris Osgood for the first of the game and Sid’s fourth of the season. Miroslav Satan and Max Talbot assisted on the first of many goals on the night at 4:34.

But the Pens focus took a nose dive soon after Crosby`s goal and the Wings got themselves on the board at 13:21, Darren McCarty score with help from Maltby. Two minutes later the Wings took the lead with a goal from Tomas Holmstrom. Nik Lidstrom and Marian Hossa assisted at 15:19 on the power play.

Also in the first Pens defenseman Rob Scuderi took a shot to the foot and had trouble getting up from the ice. After leaving for the locker room he did return for one shift only to return to the locker room again. He is now listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed injury.

Early in the second the Wings increased their lead to two goals with another power play goal while Mike Zigomanis was in the box. Johan Franzen had help from Hudler and Samuelsson at 1:09.

However three minutes later the Pens looked as though they could come back with a goal off of Max Talbot’s skate in front of the net. Talbot’s fourth of the year came at 4:14 with help from Petr Sykora and Sidney Crosby.

But the Pens dreams of a come back seemed to be ripped from them as the Wings got another goal in the second period; Pavel Datsyuk from Hossa and Lidstrom at 18:02. Also a goal early in the third made it look as though the Pens had no chance; Henrik Zetterberg with help from Hudler and Kronwall at 5:03 on the power play.

Evgeni Malkin, whose point steak is still alive, now at eleven games, had other plans for the final score of the game. His fifth goal of the season was scored on the power play with help from Miroslav Satan and Sidney Crosby at 6:57.

Bringing his team within one goal of the opposition Jordan Staal scored his third goal of the season, second in two games, and only first of the night. It was 8:09 of the third period when Matt Cooke and Mike Zigomanis helped to get their team back into the game.

But again the Wings had other plans, making it 6-4, at 10:14. Jiri Hudler scored his third with help from Draper and Samuelsson.

However Staal and the Penguins weren`t finished yet. Staal`s second of the night came at 15:51 with help from Matt Cooke and Kris Letang to bring the score to 6-5.

The tying goal perhaps brought back memories from game five of the Stanley Cup Finals. Jordan Staal got his third of the night completing his second career hat-trick, a natural hat-trick at that, and taking his team to overtime. The goal was scored at 19:37, the goalie pulled, and the extra attacker on the ice; with help from Evgeni Malkin and Alex Goligoski.

As if three goals weren`t enough for Staal he also chipped in with the primary assist on the game winning goal. He took the puck in the neutral zone and went into on a two-on-one with Ruslan Fedotenko as the seconds ticked down high above their heads. A cross ice pass set Fedotenko up for a great one-timer, his third of the year, and the game winner in overtime.

The three stars were 3. Sidney Crosby, 2. Jiri Hudler, 1. Jordan Staal.

Ryan Whitney (foot) and Sergei Gonchar (shoulder) missed the exciting game along with healthy scratches Paul Bissonnette and Mark Eaton.

Next the Pens take on cross state rival Philadelphia Flyers at home Thursday night. The puck is set to be dropped at 7:08.

Oh What a Save!

Miroslav Satan, Ruslan Fedotenko, and Eric Godard were all free agents this summer, and all played for the New York Islanders at some point. Andy Hilbert, Richard Park, and Jon Sim all play for the Islanders now but have all skated in Mellon Arena wearing black and gold.

Early in the first period Pens and league leading scorer took a slap shot to his left hand and went to the bench wincing in pain. He finished the period but did not take the ice at the beginning of the second. However after a whistle four minutes in the center took the ice and answered everyone’s question of “Can he still shoot?” A blast from the point on the power play directly following his return proved that he in fact could still shoot.

The Isles who are struggling this season managed to get on the board first as the puck floated passed Dany Sabourin’s glove hand. Doug Weight had help from Bill Guerin and Andy Hilbert at 16:23.

With only two shots through the first twenty minutes the Pens needed to get more offense and so did the Isles who only had five themselves.

Early in the second the Pens did manage to get some offense as second year winger Tyler Kennedy went hard to the net and flicked the puck passed Joey MacDonald to tie the game at one. Matt Cooke and Mike Zigomanis assisted on the Pens first goal of the night at 2:15.

But two Isles goals made it seem like they really wanted the game. Tim Jackman was put a rebound passed Sabourin at 8:51 and Andy Hilbert was alone in front of the net where his back-hander made it 3-1 at 14:30.

However the Pens hadn’t given up and this was seen when Jordan Staal took the puck at center ice and was alone in the offensive zone when he flicked a bouncing puck passed MacDonald for his second of the season. Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang assisted at 16:01 and after forty minutes the Pens were only down by one.

Third periods have been a problem for the Pens this season, but that didn`t seem to be the case as they out -shot the Isles 18-1.

Tyler Kennedy who`s first NHL goal came against the Islanders notched his second of the game to get the Pens back into it. An Alex Goligoski slapper from the point grazed off of Kennedy at 16:45. Mike Zigomanis also assisted on the tying goal.

The game was headed to over-time where the Pens were out-shot 4-3, and with two seconds remaining were called for a double minor high sticking call.

The shoot-out however is where things really started to get interesting. The Isles Doug Weight shot first and Dany Sabourin was there to make the save. Petr Sykora was the Pens first shooter and managed to put it behind MacDonald. The next to shooters, Bill Guerin and Miroslav Satan, were held off the score-sheet and the weight of the game was on Dany Sabourin’s pads, literally. Trent Hunter came in and wedged the puck in Sabourin’s left pad which was kept from going across the goal line. Initially it was ruled not goal and there was not enough evidence to tell whether or not it was across the line since it was in Sabourin’s and had to be dug out and given to the official. Sabourin was given the save and the win his second of the season in three starts.

The three stars were 3. Andy Hilbert, 2. Petr Sykora, 1. Tyler Kennedy.

Ryan Whitney (foot) and Sergei Gonchar (shoulder) missed the game along with healthy scratches Darryl Sydor and Paul Bissonnette. Mark Eaton who had missed two games as a healthy scratch returned to play.

It will be a rematch of the Stanley Cup Finals as the Pens take on the Red Wings in Detroit on Tuesday at 7:08.

Narrow Escape

After four days off from play the Pens took the ice at home against the Edmonton Oilers Thursday night.

Not even six minutes into the game Eric Godard dropped the gloves with Steve MacIntyre. MacIntyre stands at 6'5'' 250 lbs, Eric Godard stands at 6'4'' 214lbs. Godard won the fight receiving a few bloody knuckles while MacIntyre was sent to the locker room for stitches.

Mid-way through the first frame Miroslav stuffed the puck under goaltender Mathieu Garon's pads for his seventh goal of the season. Brooks Orpik and Ruslan Fedotenko assisted at 9:14.

Kris Letang who had been slashed across the wrist against the St. Louis Blues did the exact same thing to an Oiler and was sent to the box. While his team mates were killing of his penalty Sidney Crosby was off on a break-away from center ice. His shot to Garon's pads was tipped in by Max Talbot at 15:58, a short-handed goal.

Late in the period Kris Letang was hit late in the defensive zone receiving a bloody nose and went to the bench a little shaken up. Team mate Eric Godard spoke to the official about how no penalty was called for the late hit and the official called Godard for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Early in the second period Miroslav Satan was in front of the net again and deflected a Malkin blast from the point past Garon. Satan's eighth of the season and second of the game was assisted by Evgeni Malkin and Alex Goligoski at 7:05.

Petr Sykora only had one goal on the season that is until Evgeni Malkin won a face-off in the offensive zone and passed to Sykora. The puck went top shelf passed Garon for Sykora second of the year at 11:24.

Not even two minutes later Petr Sykora was again in front of the net when Malkin`s shot bounced of his chest before he flicked it into the net for his third of the season and second of the night. Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang assisted on the power play goal at 13:03.

Following the Pens fifth goal Garon was replaced in net by back-up goalie Jeff Dourin-Deslauriers, however Garon still received the loss.

After a great first two periods the Pens seemed to lose both their momentum and their focus, the Oilers scored four unanswered goals. Fernando Pisani, Tom Gilbert, Ales Hemsky, and Sheldon Souray all scored, the second and third goals were only twenty-eight seconds apart. Their first goal was scored while a broken stick in front of the net distracted Pens goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.

The third period was not only filled with Oilers goal action but also some physicality between the two teams. Matt Cooke and Tyler Kennedy sandwiched an Oiler leading to a five on three for the Pens. Theo Peckham who was not the man who was hit received an instigator for coming after Cooke. Peckham also received a fighting penalty while Cooke was only given two minutes for roughing, this penalty was served by Sam Ganger as Peckham received a ten minute misconduct penalty and was sent to the locker room.

Two minutes later there was confrontation in front of the net where Tyler Kennedy was pushed down to the ice and received a roughing call along with Sheldon Souray.

The Pens managed to somehow survive the third period holding onto a one goal lead and win the game.

The three stars were 3. Ales Hemsky, 2. Miroslav Satan, 1. Petr Sykora.

Ryan Whitney (foot) and Sergei Gonchar (shoulder) missed the game along with healthy scratches Mark Eaton and Paul Bissonnette. Pascal Dupuis and Ruslan Fedotenko who had both missed games due to injury returned to play while Ryan Whitney has started skating.

The Pens go on the road again to take on the New York Islanders Saturday at 7:08.

Pens not singing the Blues

The Penguins won in St. Louis for the first time since December 12, 1998 and the last time they face-offed there was December 13, 2005. Ending the four game nine day road trip in St. Louis the Pens finally found a way to win. Maybe it was the new line combinations, or the new alternate captains, Rob Scuderi and Hal Gill, or the NHL debut of Janne Pesonen, or maybe it was all three.

Mid-way through the first period the Blues scored the first goal of the night, a slap shot from the point that brushed past both Penguin defensemen. Barret Jackman notched his second of the year at 9:29 with help from Jay McClement and David Backes.

Just seconds later Pens defenseman Brooks through a clean hip check that was called as a trip. This was jus the first of four penalties the Pens killed to keep the NHL`s best power play unit off the board.

The Pens tied it up when Miroslav Satan had no one open in the offensive zone and just took the shot himself. Satan's sixth of the year was assisted by Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang at 17:47.

The Blues however wanted to get an edge up and made it 2-1 just seventeen seconds later. T.J. Oshie notched his second of the year with help from David Perron and Paul Kariya at 18:04.

Coming into the second down a goal seemed to inspire the Pens as Alex Goligoski threw the puck to the net from the slot for his third of the season. Miroslav Satan and Darryl Sydor assisted at 6:03.

Just seconds later the Blues knocked the puck in for what would have been their third goal of the game if it weren`t for a high stick on the puck before it was put in. After a slight delay the game continued at a score of 2-2.

Evgeni Malkin kept his point streak alive, now eight games, with a blast from the point on the power play. Crosby put it to the middle where winger Petr Sykora made a light pass to Evgeni Malkin. Malkin wound up & blasted the biscuit passed Chris Mason at 12:22.

Thirty-seven second later Tyler Kennedy was battling at the side of the net where he tipped the puck over Mason's pads to make it 4-2 Pens. Matt Cooke and Hal Gill assisted on the dirty goal at 12:59.

Also in the second period for the second time in the game a Pens defenseman was slashed across the wrist while nothing was called. This time it was Rob Scuderi along the boards, and the first time Kris Letang was slashed while defending in front of the net.

Three quarters of the way through the third the Blues tired to get themselves back in the game with a goal from Patrik Berglund on which Paul Kariya and David Perron assisted on at 15:47.

But the Pens had other plans when they made it 5-3 when Max Talbot scored his second of the year forty seconds later. Brooks Orpik made a huge save in front of his own net getting the puck to Miroslav Satan. Satan took it up into the Blues zone where he passed it to Talbot and Talbot wristed it from the slot.

With over two minutes remaining the Blues pulled goaltender Mason for the extra attacker in hopes of scoring two goals. After playing for two minutes and ten seconds with an empty net in the offensive zone the Pens decided to go for the goal. Tyler Kennedy made a light pass to Evgeni Malkin who passed it up to Jordan Staal. Staal finally broke out of the slump with his first goal of the season at 19:40.

The Pens out-shot the Blues 28-22 and out scored them 6-3.

The three stars were 3. Evgeni Malkin, 2. Miroslav Satan, 1. Sidney Crosby.

Crosby returned to play after being injured Thursday against the Coyotes. Ryan Whitney (foot), Sergei Gonchar (shoulder), Pascal Dupuis (undisclosed), and Ruslan Fedotenko (undisclosed) all missed the game along with healthy scratches Mark Eaton and Paul Bissonnette. Blues' T.J. Oshie left in the second period after falling awkwardly during a face-off with Mike Zigomanis.

The Pens have four days off before taking the ice at home against the Edmonton Oilers Thursday night. The puck drops at 7:08 pm.

The Great One

The Pens fell for the third straight time and second time in the West. This time it was to the Coyotes who are coached by The Great One Wayne Gretzky. Not only did the Pens lose the game, but in the third period they also lost the services of their captain and first line center Sidney Crosby.

In the first period both teams were held scoreless as Marc-Andre Fleury and Ilja Bryzgalov stood strong in their respective nets. However the Coyotes had ten more shots than the Pens at 12.

Former Florida Panther Olli Jokinen got his team on the board with a goal just seconds after Pens defenseman Brooks Orpik’s interference penalty ended. Shane Doan and Zbynek Michalek assisted at 7:53.

However less than a minute later Pens Miroslav Satan scored a spectacular goal while on the power play. Alex Goligoski and Evgeni Malkin who were at the point together for the short power play got the puck up to the slot where Satan batted it in behind the Coyotes goaltender. It was one of eighteen shots taken by the Penguins in the second period.

Two minutes remained in the second frame when Shane Doan notched his first of the game with help from Steven Reinprecht and Peter Meuller, the power play goal was scored while Jordan Staal was in the box for boarding.

The third period is where things really started to fall apart for the Pens. Failing to capitalize on a five on three and got a penalty of their own. While in the Coyotes zone Satan was called for hooking, and after arguing the call was given a ten minute misconduct; the penalty was called at 9:55.

Kevin Porter increased his teams lead to two when he scored an even strength goal at 14:49 with help from Steven Reinprecht and Mikkel Boedker.

Shane Doan scored his second of the night into an empty net with help from Viktor Tikonov and Zbynek Michalek at 19:01.

The three stars were 3. Steven Reinprecht, 2. Olli Jokienen, 1. Shane Doan.
Ryan Whitney (foot), Sergei Gonchar (shoulder), Pascal Dupuis (undisclosed) all missed the game along with healty scratch Paul Bissonnette. Hal Gill and Max Talbot returned to play along with Chris Minard who was called up from Wilkes-Barre Scranton.

The Pens take on the St. Louis Blues in St. Louis at 8:30pm Saturday night.

Shark Attack

The Pens took the ice for a late game Tuesday night against the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks being the top team in the West posed a challenge for the Penguins who were coming off a shoot-out loss to the Rangers Saturday night.

Michel Therrien decided to start his back up goalie Dany Sabourin who now stands 1-1 after two games. But that`s wasn`t the only change to the line-up, center Max Talbot missed the game with an undisclosed injury mixing up the lines. However five minutes into the first frame line combinations were being switched up ion hopes of creating offense.

Early on Eric Godard dropped the gloves with Jody Shelly. Godard received his first loss of the season as he was not able to get free after his jersey was pulled over his head.

The Guins got the first of only two power plays and failed to capitalize while the Sharks cashed in. An Alex Goligoski give-away lead to an odd man rush in the Pens zone, the initial shot was stopped by goaltender Dany Sabourin but the rebound ended up behind him. Joe Pavelski scored at 10:12 with help from Milan Michalek, a short-handed goal.

At the end of the firs the Pens only had three shots on the board and obviously weren`t creating much offense.

In the second spectacular saves were made by both Dany Sabourin and Evgeni Nabokov keeping the score at 1-0. However in that period the Pens only generated five shots bringing their total to eight on the night.

At the start of the third the top line was where it had been at the start of the game, but that didn`t last long.

The Sharks scored again increasing their lead to two goals, making it seem impossible for the Pens to come back. This however lit a spark under the Penguins. Ruslan Fedotenko was put on the top line with Malkin and Crosby and it finally looked like Pittsburgh was in the game. Fedotenko put it in at 14:27 with help from Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Compared to some of the saves Nabakov had made this one should have been easy to stop.

It looked as though the Pens could score again to tie it up but with just under two minutes remaining Matt Cooke was called for high-sticking while trying to avoid hitting the guy. This blew the Pens chances and they took their second straight loss and third regulation loss of the season.

The three stars were 3.Milan Michalek, 2. Joe Thorton, 1. Joe Pavelski.

Ryan Whitney (foot), Sergei Gonchar (shoulder), Hal Gill (undisclosed), and Max Talbot (undisclosed) all missed the game. There were no healthy scratches and Hal Gill is expected to return to play soon after skating in his first team practice since being injured and is listed as day to day.

The Coyotes welcome the Pens Thursday night as the nine day four game road trip continues, the puck drops at 10:08.

Loss at the Garden

The New York Rangers are still atop the league as they came back to beat the Penguins in a shoot-out Saturday night. As all 30 teams took the ice, the Pens were in New York to take on their rival New York Rangers.

Veteran defenseman Darryl Sydor played in his second straight game in the absence of Hal Gill. To prove that he is still in playing shape Sydor notched his first point of the season with a blast from the point. Tyler Kennedy and Kris Letang assisted on Sydor's goal at 9:04.

Sidney Crosby scored his third goal of the season and in four games three quarters of the way through the second period. Evgeni Malkin kept his point streak alive with an assist on the goal along with defenseman Alex Goligoski at 15:59.

The Rangers had their chance when the Pens were down two men. Brooks Orpik and Mike Zigomanis were both sent to the box at 16:36 of the second. The Pens successfully killed both penalties with help from Marc-Andre Fleury`s spectacular goaltending.

The Rangers were held scoreless until the third period where Markus Naslund notched his third of the season on the power play. Jordan Staal had only been in the box to serve his hooking for seven seconds before the Rangers got on the board. Scott Gomez and Chris Drury assisted at 5:09.

Down by one with less than one minute left the Rangers pulled Lundqvist for the extra attacker. And unlike the Canes efforts on Thursday the Rangers did mange to beat Marc-Andre Fleury to tie the game at two. Nikolai Zherdev who was acquired in an off season trade scored the tying goal with eight seconds remaining, Markus Naslund and Brandon Dubinsky assisted.

In the five minute overtime period the Pens out-shoot the Rangers 4-2, but overall the Rangers won in the shots category 44-29.

It came down to a shoot-out and the Rangers came out on top. Fredrik Sjostrom scored the lone goal for the Rangers as Zherdev and Dawes were held off the board. Letang, Sykora, and Crosby were all stopped by "King Henry'.

The three stars were 3. Marc-Andre Fleury, 2. Fredrik Sjostrom, 1. Henrik Lundqvist.

Matt Cooke returned to play after missing four games with a rib injury. Ryan Whitney (foot), Sergei Gonchar (shoulder), and Hal Gill (undisclosed injury) missed the game along with healthy scratch Paul Bissonnette. Gill did however practice on his own and is expected to return soon.

The Pens have a late start when they take on the San Jose Sharks Tuesday night at 10:30 in San Jose.

Penguins Blow Hurricanes off Course

Tying the Canes at two games each in the season series last year the Pens hoped to take a series lead this season. The headline for the game was Staal vs. Staal, where Penguins second line center would be taking on his older brother Canes center Eric Staal.

Early in the first period Pens fourth liner Paul Bissonnette dropped the gloves with former Penguin Dan Lacouture in hopes of lighting a spark under his team. That however is not what ended up happening. At the end of the first the Pens did lead in shots 10-9, but the score board showed them trailing by one. Brandon Sutter scored when he was alone in the offensive zone after a Brooks Orpik give away. Sutter scored his first of the season unassisted at 13:07.

The score remained the same as Eric Staal and the rest of the Canes were robbed multiple times both in front of the net and in the neutral zone. Eric Godard refreshed memories that he's the fighter in town by dropping the gloves off a face-off with Wade Brookbank at 9:20 of the second period.

The third however is when things started to get going. Just over eight minutes in the Pens were doing a lot of cycling in the offensive zone while on the power play. Evgeni Malkin took a shot from the point and it deflected past Michael Leighton off of Sidney Crosby.

A mere thirty-two seconds passed before Ruslan Fedotenko slipped the puck behind Leighton. Fedotenko's first goal in a Penguins' uniform came with help from Jordan Staal and Petr Sykora at 8:47.

Three minutes later Max Talbot was in on a break-away when he some how managed to wedge the biscuit under the Carolina goalies' pads to make it 3-1. Tyler Kennedy assisted on the Penguins third goal in three minutes and thirty-six seconds.

The scoring wasn`t over however; with just less than two minutes left the Canes pulled their goalie for the extra attacker. Marc-Andre Fleury took a shot from his crease and the puck went just wide, but it was a terrific attempt on his part. However with less than one minute remaining Rob Scuderi connected with Sidney Crosby, Crosby made a crisp pass to Malkin, and Malkin got the Penguins their fourth goal of the game and the third period.

Marc-Andre Fleury stopped all 25 shots he faced, as the Penguins out-shoot the Canes 35-25.

The three stars were 3. Max Talbot, 2. Evgeni Malkin, 1. Sidney Crosby.

Ryan Whitney (foot), Sergei Gonchar (shoulder), Matt Cooke (rib), & Hal Gill (undisclosed injury) all missed the game along with healthy scratch Bill Thomas. Thomas was sent to the minors today (Friday), where he will now play with the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins.

The battle of the Staals continues as Jordan Staal and the Pittsburgh Penguins take on Marc Staal & the New York Rangers Saturday at 7:08.

First for Sabourin

Before Monday night Dany Sabourin had only started in one game against the Boston Bruins, and lost. However a loss is not what TD Bank North Garden held from him in his first start of the 08-09 season.

Making spectacular saves throughout the night Sabourin made the winning save when it came down to the B's fifth shooter in the shoot-out. He also stopped 35 of the 36 shot he faced in regulation.

Late in the first period Miroslav Satan stepped back onto the ice after serving two minutes for hooking. Crosby and Malkin, two NHL leading scorers, assisted on the rebound at 18:51.

Also in the first period Pens' tough guy Eric Godard, who was signed as a free agent this summer, fought Shawn Thornton. Godard received another win after toppling Thornton to the ice.

Mid-way through the second Jordan Staal was sent to the box for holding, and not but a minute later the B's had themselves on the board. Phil Kessel took a beauty of a shoot after an equally beautiful set up by Andy Ference. David Krejci also assisted on the power play goal at 13:53.

From there the score remained tied at one through the remaining twenty minutes. The game was intense with hard hits from both teams and at tussle in the corner involving Sidney Crosby & Marc Savard.

Overtime involved a span of three-on-three play when Marc Savard was sent to the box for hooking at 1:35 and Jordan Staal for slashing at 3:25.

The buzzer rang signaling the end overtime and that the game was going to a shoot-out. Dany Sabourin made saves on Bergeron, Ryder, Krejci, & Savard; he was unable to stop Phil Kessel. Kris Letang, Sidney Crosby, and Miroslav Satan were stopped by Bruin goaltender Tim Thomas. Petr Sykora scored a beautiful backhander and Evgeni Malkin scored the game-winner on Thomas' stick side.

The three stars were 3. Phil Kessel, 2. Dany Sabourin, 1.Evgeni Malkin.


Ryan Whitney (foot), Sergei Gonchar (shoulder), and Matt Cooke (rib) all missed the game along with healthy scratches Bill Thomas and Darryl Sydor. Paul Bissonnette made his first road start.

It will be a battle of the Staals when the Pens take on the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday in Pittsburgh, Eric and Jordan will "face-off" at 7:38.

Practice Pays Off

There`s no doubt that the tough practice Friday helped fuel the Pens big night. Four milestones were achieved by two of the team's top players; Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Sidney Crosby scored his 100th career goal, 200th career assist, and 300th career point. Evgeni Malkin reached 200 career points and then one with four assists on the night.

To start the game the Pens had three straight penalties to kill; four minutes for high-sticking, two for hooking, and two for too many men. The first two penalties were killed off with ease. When it came to the third penalty Nik Antropov netted his first of the season with help from Jason Blake & Tomas Kaberle at 14:25.

But less than a minute later the Pens got themselves in the game with a tip-in goal from Pascal Dupuis. Dupuis second of the season came at 15:16 with help from Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

At the end of the first twenty minutes the shots were tied and so was the game. But mid-way through the second the Pens took the lead for the first time in the game on the power play. Miroslav Satan redirected the puck in behind Curtis Joseph at 7:55 with help from Crosby and Malkin, Crosby`s 300th point.

In the third period Joseph dove out the net, a defenseman went sliding in; Crosby who was behind the net threw the puck out front and with luck and a crazy bounce it went in. Sidney Crosby scored his 100th career at12:15 with help from Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang.

The Leafs thought they had gotten themselves back in the game when Nik Antropov put the puck behind Fleury again. But after review it was clear that a distinct kicking motion was used and the goal was waved off.

Petr Sykora scored his first of the season just over a minute after Crosby's goal. The tip-in on the goal line was scored at 13:36 with help from Malkin and Crosby.

It's clear that the changes that were made to the line combination helped. Crosby and Malkin have a chemistry that can`t be destroyed, and Staal`s played better than previously after being moved back to center. Marc-Andre Fleury whose play has been spectacular thus far stopped 26 of the 27 shots he faced.

The three stars of the game were 3. Marc-Andre Fleury, 2. Evgeni Malkin, 1. Sidney Crosby.

Bill Thomas made his debut at home in his hometown while Ryan Whitney (foot), Sergei Gonchar (shoulder), Matt Cooke (rib), Darryl Sydor, and Paul Bissonnette missed the game.

The Pens go on the road for their first real road game Monday night. They will be facing the Boston Bruins in their home opener at 7:08.

Tough Blow

Since Sidney Crosby joined the team the Pens were 10-1-1 and Marc-Andre Fleury was 7-0 against the Caps. This however is not he case anymore; the Pens blew a three goal lead to get their third loss of the season, second in regulation, and first to Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.

Alex Goligoski scored his second goal of the season after snapping a shot behind Jose Theodore at 12:58 of the first period. Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby assisted on the power play goal.

With less than a minute remaining in the first period the Pens were on yet another power play and Evgeni Malkin ripped the biscuit passed Theodore to give the Pens a 2-0 lead. With four second remaining in the period the Caps received a too many men on the ice penalty and to start the second period were down two men with John Erskine in the box for delay of game.

1:51 into the second period the Pens increased their lead to three goals with third power play goal of the night, this one coming with just seconds remaining with the two man advantage. Miroslav Satan tipped the puck in on the goal line after a shot from Petr Sykora; Evgeni Malkin received the second assist, his third point of the night.

The Caps got themselves in the game at 5:45 of the second, a goal from Tomas Fleischmann. The face-off took place at center ice where two wings dropped their gloves immediately after the puck was dropped. Pens rookie Paul Bissonnette dropped the gloves with former Penguin Matt Bradley. The fight was short lived as Bissonnette took Bradley to the ice, Bradley made his way to the locker room for repairs as Bissonnette made his way to the sin bin at 5:46. Bradley did return to play later in the game after receiving stitches.

Early in the third period the Caps brought themselves within one goal when Alexander Semin scored his fourth of the season with help from Brooks Laich at 3:38. At 10:00 the Caps tied it up; Michael Nylander scored his second of the season.

At to take the lead Boyd Gordon bounced the puck off the white post inside the net. Officials did not rule it a goal at first, two minutes later when the whistle finally blew it was reviewed & the Caps were awarded their fourth goal of the game.

Out of five games played this year the Pens have blown four leads, only winning two of the games.

The three stars of the game were 3. Michael Nylander, 2. Evgeni Malkin, 1.Alexander Semin.

Ryan Whitney (foot), Sergei Gonchar (shoulder), and Matt Cooke (torso) missed the game along with Bill Thomas and Darryl Sydor who were the healthy scratches. Paul Bissonnette started his first game in Mellon Arena filling in for the injured Matt Cooke.

The Pens take the ice Saturday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs at 7:08 at Mellon Arena.

Break-out Player-ERS

Tuesday night the Pens took the ice for the first time this season against their cross state rival, the Philadelphia Flyers. Coming off a though loss in the home opener to the Devils, and a challenging practice Monday a lot was expected of the men in black an gold.

In the first period shots were fairly even, the score tied at zero, and the only real excitement came at 5:23. Eric Godard and Riley Cote dropped the gloves right off the face-off. It doesn`t take long once you wear the black and gold to learn the hate felt towards the Flyers. Clearly Godard won the fight though linesmen broke it up after letting the two men go at it for quite some time.

The second period however was full of excitement for both teams. The Pens lit the lamp first with a top-shelf goal from defenseman Brooks Orpik. This is only Orpik`s fifth goal, and thirty-fifth point in 300 career NHL games. Kris Letang and Tyler Kennedy assisted on the power play goal at 14:12.

Not much later Mike Zigomanis scored his first goal in a Penguins' uniform with help from Matt Cooke and Eric Godard at 14:54.

Late in the period the Flyers had plans of scoring their own goal to get themselves back in the game. Jeff Carter somehow beat Marc-Andre Fleury to make it 2-1 at 19:16; Carter had help from Upshall and Vaananen.

Twenty-one seconds later the men in white slipped another puck behind Marc-Andre Fleury to tie the game at two. Simon Gange was awarded the goal with help from Kimmo Timonen and Braydon Coburn at 19:37.

At this point the Pens may have been thinking about how they have never won when Brooks Orpik has scored.

The third period was hard fought by both teams, and the goalies kept the score the same taking the game to over-time.

With fears that the game might go to a shoot-out almost every fan in Mellon Arena yelled "shoot" as the Pens cycled in the offensive zone. Finally Letang and Orpik connected with Dupuis with just seconds remaining. Pascal Dupuis scored his first overtime goal to give his team their second win of the season. The goal was scored at 4:49; 10.2 seconds remaining.

The three stars of the game were 3. Kimmo Timonen, 2. Mike Zigomanis, 1. Pascal Dupuis.

Petr Sykora took the ice for the first time this season after suffering a groin injury during practice in Sweden, it was good to have him back in the line-up. However Ryan Whitney (foot) and Sergei Gonchar (shoulder) missed the game. Darryl Sydor, Paul Bissonnette, and Bill Thomas were healthy scratches.

Yet another rival is in store for the Pens this week in the Washington Captials. Alex Ovechkin will lead his team to Mellon Arena where the puck will be dropped Thursday night at 7:38.

Fleury Stands Strong while Pens Struggle

Saturday night the Pens took the ice for the first time since returning from Sweden. This time they would be taking on the New Jersey Devils in the home opener. They seemed ready when they were announced one by one in front of a sold-out crowd of 17, 132, but that seemed to change somewhere in the second period.

The lone Penguin' goal was scored in the first period on the power play by Miroslav Satan at 11:52, Jordan Staal and Evgeni Malkin assisted.

Also in the first period Eric Godard finally found someone who was willing to drop the gloves with him in Mike Rupp. The fight took place even before the Penguins' goal and in the Devils' zone.

David Clarkson who stands at 6'1'' 200 lbs dropped the gloves with Penguins' Hal Gill who stands at 6'7'' 250lbs, Hal Gill won the fight along the boards in the neutral zone.

Although being out shoot 25-12 through two periods of play the Pens still held the lead thanks to Marc-Andre Fleury and some amazing saves.

With two and a half minutes left in the third period Patrick Elias banked a puck off Pens' defenseman Hal Gill's skate and in behind Fleury.

The game was headed to overtime and somehow even though they were out-shot 45-14 the Pens still seemed to be holding on.

Zach Parise who was drafted the same year as Fleury beat him to win the game for New Jersey with thirty-eight seconds remaining in overtime, Travis Zajac and Colin White assisted.

The three stars were 3. Patrick Elias, 2. Zach Parise, 1. Marc-Andre Fleury. Fleury stopped 47 of the 49 shots he faced.

Ryan Whitney (foot), Sergei Gonchar (shoulder), and Petr Sykora (groin) missed the game. Recently acquired Mike Zigomanis played causing Pittsburgh native Bill Thomas to be a healthy scratch.

The Pens take the ice on Tuesday night at 7:38 to take on cross state rival Philadelphia Flyers.

Higher Influence?

Why is it that every time Gary Bettman is in the arena during a Pens game they get completely screwed over? This wasn`t the only reason for the pens loss, but it played a big part. Lack of shots, saves by Alex Auld, turn-overs in the neutral zone, lack of communication, & some uncalled for hits thrown by Sens help them take the win.

Maybe the big win in over-time last night went to some of the Pens’ heads, but I highly doubt it. The game was scoreless at the end of twenty minutes, with the shots & saves were, like yesterday, fairly close.

Mid-way through the second however the Sens got themselves on the score board, Dany Heatley's second goal of the season on the power play. Penguins' Eric Godard was in the box serving four minutes for roughing, giving the Sens the advantage, even though Chris Neil was also in the box for roughing, only serving two minutes though. Godard was attacked in front of the net by multiple Senators, which is where he somehow picked up the extra two minutes.
Somehow at the end of two the Pens were leading in shots 15-11, but the Sens were leading on the score board. They increased that lead when Dany Heatley scored this third goal of the season & second of the game at 12:07 of the third while Mark Eaton was serving a questionable holding call.

Three & a half minutes later Antoine Vermette was off on a break-away, whiffed on the puck, but it still somehow slid past Marc-Andre Fleury to give the Sens a 3-0 lead.

One questionable play is when former Penguin Jarkko Ruutu "tackled" Sidney Crosby from behind on top of the net, and nothing was called. Maybe it`s just me, but the refs seem to screw the Pens over when Gary Bettman is in the house.

Senators' goaltender Alex Auld had dreams of a shut-out, but they were ended with less than two seconds remaining. Alex Goligoski, playing in his first NHL game snapped the puck in to make it 3-1. Sidney Crosby & Evgeni Malkin assisted at 19:58.

Jeff Taffe & Darryl Sydor were healthy scratches, making it possible for Pittsburgh native Bill Thomas & Alex Goligoski to play. Ryan Whitney (left foot), Sergei Gonchar (shoulder), & Petr Sykora (groin) also missed the game. The three stars were 3. Alex Auld, 2. Daniel Alfredsson, 1. Dany Heatley.

The Guins have six days off before the home opener against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday. They will be returning home tomorrow night from Stockholm.

Grand Opening

The Pittsburgh Penguins opened the 2008-09 season in Stockholm, Sweden against the Ottawa Senators. Having spent close to a week in Europe the team was completely adjusted when it came to the time difference at game time. The game started at close to nine pm Sweden time, three pm Pittsburgh time.

Unlike in the opener last season the Pens seemed ready, even early in the first period. Tyler Kennedy scored forty seconds in to give the Pens a 1-0 lead; Jordan Staal got his first point of the regular season with the assist.

The Sens scored next, a goal by former Penguin Sean Donavan with help from Dean McAmmond and Filip Kuba at 9:13.

In the first the Sens killed off all five penalties, keeping the game tied at one. The Pens on the other hand only had one penalty in the first twenty minutes & they too killed off the Sens chance with the man advantage.

The shots, saves, and face-off won were tied at the end of the first, something that rarely happens.

Early in the second Evgeni Malkin got the puck in the neutral zone, short-handed, & as Mike Lange would say, “Was off to the races.” His first goal of the season came while Brooks Orpik served two minutes for interference. The unassisted goal was scored at 3:18.

From there however the Sens dominated, scoring at power play goal at 12:15. Dany Heatley scored with help from Jason Spezza & Filip Kiba while Eric Godard was in the box for hooking. Another Sens goal was scored in the second, this time short-handed, by Spezza from Antoine Volchenkov at 17:55.

At the end of the second the Sens had the lead score-wise but everything else was pretty even. The shots & saves were tied; the Pens however won one more face-off than the Sens.

In the third period the Pens faired better than they had in the second, scoring the only goal of the period. Rob Scuderi took a pass along the far boards from Sidney Crosby. Looking much like injured defenseman Ryan Whitney, Scuderi stepped up & snapped a wrister from the hash. Smiling like a child on Christmas Scuderi celebrated with his line mates; this was only his third NHL goal, his last game 96 games ago. Miroslav Satan received the secondary assist at 3:56.

With the game tied at three at the end of sixty minutes the two teams were headed to overtime. Jordan Staal had a chance to end the game with a minute & a half left in the period, but was stopped by Martin Gerber. However Jason Spezza was stripped of the puck by Tyler Kennedy. Kennedy blasted a shot from almost the same spot that Scuderi scored from to end the game with twenty-three seconds remaining.

Alex Goligoski, Bill Thomas, & John Curry were the healthy scratches. Ryan Whitney (foot), Sergei Gonchar (shoulder), & Petr Sykora (groin) also missed the game. The three stars were 3. Evgeni Malkin 2. Jason Spezza 1. Tyler Kennedy. The Guins take on the Sens again tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 in Stockholm, the Pens will be the home team.