Penguins lay egg on Easter eve

The NHL doesn't use aggregate scoring in the Stanley Cup playoffs, which is very fortunate for Pittsburgh.
The Penguins got blown out in Game 5 by Tampa Bay, 8-2, and have been outscored 13-3 in two losses to the Lightning.
On the other hand, their wins have been by scores of 3-0, 3-2 and 3-2 in double OT for a 17-9 advantage for Tampa Bay.
If you asked any Penguin player or coach, they would tell you none of that matters. All they are concerned with is going to the St. Petersburg Times Forum and closing it out Monday.
I would agree with that, and Pittsburgh is still in the driver's seat with a 3-2 lead, but Saturday's loss has to be a tad concerning.
For starters, why can't the Penguins close out playoff series on their home ice? I would say it's just coincidence, but not closing out a series is troubling. Cup-winning teams put series away when their opponents are down.
Also, they have to stay out of the box, or do a better job of killing penalties. The Lightning are very dangerous with the man advantage.
Pittsburgh's power play, on the other hand, has been on life support. I won't say dead because it scored in Game 4.
The Penguins have played great five-on-five, but in tight games, low-scoring games they need to take advantage of their PP opportunities.
Pittsburgh will not beat Tampa Bay in a track meet, or any team for that matter.
Not having Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin takes away a great deal of offense form the Penguins. Crosby and Malkin also play as decoys that allow players like Chris Kunitz and Jordan Staal to get more opportunities.
Malkin will not be back for the season and Crosby's return is in question, so they will have to win without the superstars.
Marc-Andre Fleury was pulled after the Lightning went up 4-0 in the second period. Brent Johnson relieved Fleury.
Fleury gave up four goals in a short period of time, but when Steven Stamkos and Vincent Lecavalier are getting point-blank shots from the slot, a few are bound to go in. Stamkos came to play. He had two goals and an assist. Good timing for him. The Penguins are hoping it was a one-game incident.
The defense can't give up chances like that. I believe Fleury will come back strong in Game 6. He always does.
Pittsburgh will win Game 6, and close out another series on the road. Penguins 4, Lightning 2.
NOTES: Youtube it, go on the Ducks' website or watch ESPN. Bobby Ryan's goal in the Anaheim's OT loss to Nashville was incredible. One of the tops of the year.

Game 2 is key for Lightning

For Tampa Bay to make this a series, it must win Game 2 tonight at the CONSOL Energy Center. Usually, the experts don't go for must wins until a team is down 0-2 heading into Game 3, but the Lightning need this game. They played a solid game Wednesday, but Marc-Andre Fleury was too good. The Penguins play very well on the road, and should have a majority of fans at the St. Pete Times Forum, so it is very important for Tampa Bay to steal this one. If they do, I see a seven-game series. If Pittsburgh wins, this one may only go five. For the Penguins to win the series early would be in its favor. I predict at least one of the other series will go six or seven games, and Matt Cooke could get on the ice for practice after his suspension. It is also possible that Sidney Crosby could return. Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay will come away with a 3-2 victory tonight. Steve Stamkos, who was basically nonexistant in Game 1 after Brook Oprik lit him up, will net the game winner. Enjoy the weekend.

Fleury steals the show

Pittsburgh earned a 3-0 victory over Tampa Bay in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Wednesday night at CONSOL Energy Center, although Marc-Andre Fleury probably stole it for the Penguins with 32 saves for his fifth career playoff shutout. From stopping former temmate Ryan Malone, to denying another former Penguin, Dominic Moore, who actually raised his hands in celebration, the "Flower" was the difference from the opening faceoff. Fleury also stopped Vincent Lecavalier on a shot by the forward between his legs early in the second period. Pittsburgh came out swinging when Brooks Oprik's hit on Steven Stamkos set the tone. The game was hard hitting and low scoring with good goalie play. It was the typical playoff game, and we could be in for possibly six more. Alex Kovalev scored the game winner. The playoffs are nothing new to Kovalev. The Lightning's Dwayne Roloson was impressive in goal, although the night belonged to Fleury. Fleury's greatest asset is his mental makeup. Nothing fazes him. Go back in time to Game 5 against Detroit in the Stanley Cup finals in 2009. He was chased after the Red Wings built a 5-0 lead in the second period. He licked his wounds, came back three nights later, and was the No. 1 star in a 2-1 Penguins' victory in Game 6. He was equally stellar in Game 7, and Pittsburgh won its third Stanley Cup. There is no questioning Fleury's ability, however Tampa Bay will come back. They didn't come this far to fold. The Lightning could very easily take Game 2 and head home with the momentum. That's what they're thinking. The objective for the road team is to split one of the first two, and then it becomes even. Fleury will give up a goal in this series, but I still believe he will be the difference. This all coming from a guy who was supposedly not good enough in October.

NHL Playoff Moments 2011.V1-04.13

As the years go by individual playoff games, and even whole series, seem to blur together in my head as one big mix of sports euphoria. Out of the meddled junkyard of my mind however, certain moments stand out to me as Big Playoff Moments, segments of action that just embody what makes the NHL postseason the greatest in all of sports. These moments are what the playoffs are all about to me, and I can pull them up in the internal clip reel of my mind, as clear as the day they happened, years later. It is to the point where I will be watching a playoff game now and as a sequence unfolds I will check it off in my head as a Playoff Moment. In the spirit of these moments I would like to start a video journal of the 2011 NHL playoffs here on the blog of plays that encompass what I feel the quest for Lord Stanley's Cup is all about.

Here we go with the 1st night of action, I'm not planning on necessarily doing one of these entries after every host of games, but last night there were certainly enough big moments to put together a solid list of 5: (All video's courtesy and copyright of NHL.com)


1) Welcome to the NHL Playoffs Steven Stamkos

Brooks Orpik took a moment right off the bat of the 1st Round Series between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Tampa Bay Lightning to show the Bolts standout sniper playing in his first playoff game what this voyage is all about. The bone rattling hit seems to have thrown Stamkos off his game a bit too, as he only recorded a single shot on the night, late in the 3rd period.

2) Fleury robs Lecavalier

An absolutely stunning save by Pensguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury after a remarkable between the legs move by Lightning star Vincent Lecavalier. Great shot, better save. Fleury kept the Pens in the game early and eventually earned the victory in a 3-0 shutout win.

3) Weber makes the Ducks pay

Shea Weber slapshots are awesome things to behold. He is a crucial part of the Nashville power play and a big reason why the Anaheim Ducks would be wise to drop all shenanigans and stay far away from the penalty box in their 1st round series. He just unleashes a pure howitzer here from the top of the offensesive zone and the next thing you know the puck is trickling out from the back of the net.

4) Luongo stones the Hawks

The Chicago Blackhawks have been the arch-nemesis of Roberto Luongo and the Vancouver Canucks for the past two seasons, bouncing them from the playoffs both times. For one night at least Luongo and his squad exorcised those demons and slammed the door the Hawks to take a 1-0 series lead.

5) Semin wins it in Overtime

There is nothing better than sudden-death playoff overtime. With no commercial breaks it glues you to the TV for a duration where any bounce, break, or dazzling play can bring the curtain down. The Washington Capitals Alexander Semin has struggled to make his mark in the playoffs after putting up gaudy stats in the past few regular seasons. Last night he was the beneficiary of a great takeaway a setup by teammate Jason Arnott and Semin buried the one timer into the back of the net 18 minutes and 24 seconds into the bonus period. Game over.

Fleury outduels Brodeur

Marc-Andre Fleury is the Pittsburgh Penguins' most valuable player, and made a case to the league Friday night in outdueling New Jersey's Martin Brodeur at the Consol Energy Center.
Fleury stopped 21 shots for his third shutout this season, and James Neal scored in the shootout for a 1-0 Penguins' win.
The scored was 0-0 after regulation and overtime.
Brodeur turned aside 26 shots, but couldn't stop Neal in the shootout. Brodeur did pick up 116th career shutout, even though he lost, 1-0. The shootout goal doesn't count against Brodeur's record.
The Penguins will hand out their team awards Sunday before their game against the Florida Panthers, and Fleury should grab team MVP. Not bad for a guy that was supposed to be a liability. Fleury is underappreciated and underrated.
He deserves most of the credit for Pittsburgh's success after Sidney Crosby went down with a concussion.
I was glad to see the Penguins beat the Devils at their own game.
Crosby had a 45-minute workout Friday, and the coaching staff is hinting at the superstar making a comeback before the end of the season. To not have Crosby is not only tough for the Penguins, but for the league as well.
Sometimes you question professional athletes' determination, but there is no doubting Crosby. I have always been impressed with his work ethic. He doesn't take his abilities for granted.
The Penguins are two points back of the Philadelphia Flyers, who play the New York Islanders tonight. The Flyers also have two games in hand.
Brooks Orpik is supposed to play against the Panthers.
Mike Comrie made his return to the Penguins' lineup Friday.