Monday Igloo Update

Yinzers,

Three games have passed since Thursday, so we'll jump right into it.

Thursday night, the Penguins took on the New York Islanders for the last regular season game in Mellon Arena. If you did not TiVo the pregame ceremony or know someone who did, find someone who has a copy of it. The Penguins, in classic Penguins fashion, paid tribute to all the great Penguins players of old, nearly 60 of them ranging from Andy Bathgate to Gary Roberts and the Big 66. As for the game itself, the Pens did not disappoint in their last regular season home game at the Igloo.

Scoring was not tough to come by in this one. Scoring opened up from Brooks "Goal Fever" Orpik and Alex Goligoski in the first 5:00 of the game. The Islanders answered back and exchanged goals with the Penguins for the remainder of the period. First, Matt Moulson scored for the Isles, then Evgeni Malkin for the Pens, followed by Kyle Okposo for the Isles and finally Sidney Crosby for the Penguins. The Pens took a 4-2 lead into the locker room after the first, and that would be the last we see of Isles goaltender Marty Biron for this game. The other highlight of the first period was a Trevor Guilles/Mike Rupp fight...heavyweights...that's all I have to say about that one.

The second period continued with Josh Bailey scoring for the Isles and then Billy Guerin and Tyler Kennedy answering for the Penguins. Alexei Ponikarovsky pulled down a 5 minute major, 10 minute misconduct and a two game suspension for boarding the Isles Josh Bailey. Bailey would be alright, but the Pens will be without Poni for the remainder of the regular season. Billy Guerin added one more in the third period, giving the Penguins a 7-3 victory, getting a much-needed 2 points with two games to go in the regular season.

Saturday evening, the Penguins and Nix traveled to Atlanta for their final regular season game against the Atlanta Thrashers. Johann Hedberg and the Penguins power play would be the hot topics in this game. The Moose (Hedberg) has been playing unconsciously against the Penguins and Saturday was no different. The Moose posted a shutout, stopping all 33 of Pittsburgh's shots. Marc-Andre Fleury did not disappoint either, however. MAF turned away 21/22 and gave the Penguins a great chance to put this game away. The big story would be the Penguins specialty teams. We'll start with the good: the Pens' PK killed all 7 of Atlanta's power plays. However, the Pens' PP was 0/5 with the man advantage. If the Pens want to make a deep run in the playoffs, they will need to start clicking on the power play. Opportunities are few and far between in the playoffs and every one needs taken advantage of. The only goal in this game was scored by Atlanta's Bryan Little in the second period. Other highlights included Evander Kane living up to his namesake, Evander Holifield, by landing a LaGarrette Blount style punch to the chin of Matt Cooke, knocking him out cold. Cooke would be ok, just stunned. In answer to that fight, Eric Boulton and Eric Godard squared off in what seemed like the longest fight of the season. Haymakers were thrown, Godard landing the majority. Evgeni Malkin continued to take minor penalties, something he will have to cut down on if the Pens are to have a chance in the playoffs.

Sunday night, the Penguins finished off the regular season at Nassau Coliseum as they took on the New York Islanders. This game picked up right where the last between these teams left off. There were plenty of goals scored and plenty of penalties. Scoring opened up by the Penguins with goals from Evgeni Malkin, Eric Godard and Sidney Crosby in the first period. Sid's goal was his 50th, putting him in a tie for the lead for the Rocket Richard Trophy with Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Joel Rechlicz and Mike Rupp squared off in the first period. Rechlicz lunged at Rupp, knocking him off balance and tumbling to the ice. The bad blood was still running. The Isles did score a goal late in the first from John Tavares on the power play, making it 3-1 Penguins after one.

The second period would have a punch/counter punch feel to it with goals being scored by both teams. Sidney Crosby added his 51st of the season, moving him into first place in the Rocket Richard race. Steven Stamkos would get an empty net goal late in the Lightning's game, tying him with Sid. Matt Moulson would answer for the Isles on the power play, followed by a goal from Evgeni Malkin on the power play. Joel Rechlicz would try another fight, this time with Eric Godard. The two stood toe-to-toe for a long time, throwing hay makers until the referees stepped in to stop it. Rechlicz was rewarded with at 10 minute misconduct penalty for wanting to fight all of Pittsburgh. The third period was all Islanders, with goals from Kyle Okposo, John Sim and John Tavares. The Islanders fought back to tie the game at 5 and force overtime. At 4:25 in overtime, the Penguins got a game winner off the stick of Jordan Leopold, stealing 2 points from the island.

The aftermath of the game would be as follows:
The Penguins finish second in the Atlantic Division behind the New Jersey Devils
The Penguins finish fourth in the Eastern Conference behind Washington, New Jersey and Buffalo
Sidney Crosby shares the Rocket Richard trophy with Steven Stamkos with 51 goals
The Penguins open up the playoffs for the third year in a row with the Ottawa Senators

The series starts Wednesday at 7:00 pm in the Civic Arena. It will be 2 in Pittsburgh, 2 in Ottawa and then Pittsburgh, Ottawa, Pittsburgh if needed. The playoffs are here, baby.

Lets go Pens,
B Brog