Anyone else relieved?
It’s probably wrong to say that it’s a good thing three of the Penguins’ stars are out of the lineup for a good portion of the near future.
But recent history says it might be for the best.
One can’t forget that Sergei Gonchar, who will sit anywhere from four to six weeks with a broken wrist, sat out more than half of last season with a separated shoulder. The year before that, Penguins’ captain Sidney Crosby missed significant time during the regular season with a high ankle sprain — as did Marc-Andre Fleury.
The result of all those injuries was positive — one ended in a Stanley Cup Finals appearance and the other a Stanley Cup victory.
These recent injuries almost come as a welcome reminder of what happens to this team when it faces adversity — it just gets stronger.
Oct. 17: Lightning at Pens
How much can you put in to a 6-1-0 start?
Tampa Bay Lightning (2-2-2, 6 pts.) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (6-1-0, 12 pts.)
It depends on what you want to believe. Tony made a good point over at The Confluence about sports fans and how we love hyperbole.
Truth is, the first 25 games are all about forming an identity. So far, the Penguins have shown us they have fortitude and composure like you would expect from a Stanley Cup winner. It’s important to remember, though, that the Pens got off to the best start in franchise history last year, only to nearly fall out of the playoff picture completely.
As for the Lightning, their start has been an average 2-2-2. That’s an improvement over last year’s disappointment and, though Washington has been lighting the lamp with ease, the Caps defense is atrocious and they lead Tampa Bay by just two points.
Pens 3, Canes 2 — shootout
When you talk about unlikely candidates to win a game — Chris Kunitz is it.
Pittsburgh Penguins 3 — Carolina Hurricanes 2, SOT
I mean, the guy hadn’t scored a goal yet this season while playing on the Penguins’ top line, he scored just one in the playoffs last year and, all told, had scored just one goal in his last 35 games.
Ironically, he also had this story published in the paper the day of the game, documenting his recent scoring troubles.
Well, all he did was step to the puck as the Penguins’ sixth shooter and potted home the game winner to give the Pittsburgh Penguins a 3-2 overtime win and perfect 4-0-0 roadtrip to start the season. It also makes the Penguins 5-0 on the road to start the season since entering the NHL in 1967.
Oct. 14 — Pens at Canes
First thing’s first — if you haven’t read this column disputing Pittsburgh’s No. 1 ranking as the best sports city in America then you need to. Join the masses of the Black and Gold Nation on the comment board.
It’s written by Jessica Isner, who decided to pick the worst argument ever to claim Boston is the best sports city in the U.S. Thank to Tony at The Confluence for shooting that over.
Now to the game.
Pittsburgh Penguins (5-1-0, 10 pts.) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (2-3-0, 4 pts.)
The Pens travel to Raleigh tonight for the final game of their 4-game road trip. They are already 3-0-0 on the trip with wins over Philadelphia, Toronto and Ottawa — all by a combined score of 14-7.
Previewing Game 3: Pens vs. Coyotes
When the 2009-10 schedule came out, this game probably wasn’t one you looked at and said, “Man, that will be a good one.”
Phoenix Coyotes (1-0-0) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (2-0-0)
However, after Phoenix’s 6-3 win at Los Angeles — a team expected to be much improved this season — the Coyotes should give the Penguins a tough test in just their third game of the season.
As we all know, Phoenix is right where the Penguins were not too long ago — fighting to complete on the ice while fighting to stay put off it. The Coyotes’ future might be more up in the air than the Penguins’ ever was.
After one game, it appears the on-ice fight might be one they can win this year.
Banner raised, Pens win
It was what we all expected it to be: a monumental night.
Penguins 3 – Rangers 2
Win or lose, this game and night would have been a victory. Watching the banner raised to the rafters in the Mellon Arena brought everything full circle. The 3-2 win just added extra.
Max Talbot’s ovation, Marc-Andre Fleury’s ovation, Sid’s, Geno’s … getting to cheer for the guys on home ice was what everyone needed to finally call it a season.
As for the game itself, the Penguins looked solid. With it being the first game, no one knows how either the Pens or Rangers will turn out. We don’t know their identities, tendencies or strengths.
What came from watching both teams play was just a jumble of thoughts…
Read more »
Game #1: Rangers vs. Pens
Well, the not-so-long wait is over, folks.
New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Is it just me, or does it feel like we were tailgating outside of the Igloo a week ago? Wasn’t I just embracing complete strangers at Mario’s in the Southside after winning in Game 7?
Well, it’s been almost four months (112 days) since the Penguins hoisted Lord Stanley’s Cup and the season begins tonight as they raise their Stanley Cup banner, playing the Rangers at Mellon Arena in the opening game of their 2009-10 season. The Rangers were a team that played well against the Pens in 2008-09 and with winger Marian Gaborik on board, have a lot of potential.
As always under GM Glen Sather, their big question is, can they live up to that potential?
It’s funny, though, because few remember how much the Rangers actually helped the Penguins on their journey to Stanley Cup glory. Let’s take a trip back to Saturday April 11, 2009, and I’ll explain…
Dynasty Lives Here: Pittsburgh
There’s no way these guys can do it again, right?
I mean, the Penguins have played 212 games over the last two seasons. They’ve gone through the emotional ups and downs of reaching the Stanley Cup Finals two years in a row.
They won the Cup last year, so the motivation won’t be as high, right?
This is what all the critics are saying. You know, the “Experts.” Wear, tear and motivation to the outside world appear to be huge factors going against the Penguins.
To our niche in Pittsburgh, though, we know that none of that is valid. And personally, after second-guessing the Pens last year, there’s no doubt in my mind that this team can be what we all have been hoping for since the lockout: A DYNASTY IN PITTSBURGH.
Happy trails Biz-Nasty
The Penguins got the son of a legend, but lost some grit and strength via waiver transactions today.
The Penguins placed Paul Bissonnette on waivers Tuesday in an attempt to send him down to Wilkes-Barre. However, he didn’t clear and was picked up by the Phoenix Coyotes.
It’s sad to see Bissonnette go. He was vying for a starting spot in Pittsburgh and had become a fan favorite in Wilkes-Barre, earning the name “Biz-Nasty” for his rugged, drop-the-gloves style of hockey as a left winger. It’s safe to say he’ll get a better chance at significant NHL time in Phoenix.
In response, the Penguins picked up Chris Bourque — son of Raymond Bourque — off waivers from the Washington Capitals.
Bourque’s career stats are as follows, as well as a goodbye quote from Bissonnette …
Penguins names forever engraved, receive rings
Two more honors that go to the Stanley Cup champions occurred as the Pittsburgh Penguins received their championship rings and saw their names engraved for eternity.
The rings were presented Tuesday night, with the banner-raising ceremony before Friday’s home opener being the final event for the Stanley Cup champions. The Penguins names will remain on the Cup for 61 years. After that, the ring with their names will be removed and sent to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
The celebrating is almost over folks. Once that banner finds a spot in the rafters at Mellon Arena, it’s back to work.
More pictures, click read more …
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2008-2009 Stanley Cup Champions
Regular Season Stats:
Points: 14 pts. — Evgeni Malkin (4G+10A)/Sidney Crosby (9G+5A)
Goals: Sidney Crosby — 9
Assists: Evgeni Malkin — 10
PIM: Jay McKee/Chris Kunitz — 21
+/-: Alex Goligoski — plus-11
GAA: Marc-Andre Fleury — 2.07
SV%: Marc-Andre Fleury — .921
Atlantic Division Standings:
1. Pittsburgh Penguins: 10-2-0 (20 pts.)
2. New York Rangers: 8-4-0 (17 pts.)
3. New Jersey Devils: 7-4-0 (14 pts.)
4. Philadelphia Flyers: 5-4-1 (11 pts.)
5. New York Islanders: 2-4-5 (9 pts.)
