The Pens Thread

I was sitting behind the pens bench yesterday too. 4 rows behind it actually, near MAF. A puck actually hit my friend in the leg but he wasn't quick enough to get it..
But I was looking at Crosby on the bench a lot. Dude is intense. Even when he was on the bench, he was into every second of the game. I don't think anyone can say he isn't a good leader on the ice. I was witnessing it
Overall I think this team is starting to play sound hockey. Lets hope it continues 

Semmed to me the crowd was about 35-40% pens fans.  Does that sound about right to you guys?

And Chris complains about the Crosby's linemates? Ovechkin can't do all of the things Crosby does. He seems like he can't play with anybody the way #87 does. Plus the fact that they moved him to the other side of the ice, where he might not be as good. I would think it would pretty easy to get tickets to a Caps game considering they are in last place.

Crow, I have a brother that lives in northern Virginia, pretty much near D.C. I never asked him if he ever went to a Pens game. I guess I should. It would be easier to get tickets now than the last 7 yrs. or so.

Yeah Murph, there are alot of Pens fans there when there are seats to be had. And when the owner WILL sell tickets to Pens fans. Remember that a few years ago? When the owner wouldn't sell tickets to Penguins fans?

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But I was looking at Crosby on the bench a lot. Dude is intense. Even when he was on the bench, he was into every second of the game. I don't think anyone can say he isn't a good leader on the ice.

I think it was his best game so far. Maybe that had something to do with it? I was watching him on the tele and he seemed more like the Crosby we have all come to know and luv. All of the games before the Caps game, he didn't seem to be right for some reason. Did he have a minor injury, notoriously slow starter, or did he just step it up another notch? Who knows? He seems to be getting back to where he left off a couple years ago before he was injured. Time to move the Pens up in the Power Rankings. They are 8th right now. Let's see where they end up this week when the new rankings come out.

CUP4PENS  

Orpik actually asked for a towel and wiped off the ice for me, so I could see.

Can't say Orpik doesn't care about Pens fans. That is really COOL Crow! I guess you can't complain about his play anymore since he did you that favor, haha.....

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Yea there was a huge % of Pens fans there. Probably didn't get harrassed as much for that reason. But the Verizon Center is one of the nicer venues in the NHL... behind the Consol obviously

Haha ... Yeah, Igloo.  I liked Orpik already, but now I'm a bigger fan.  Fleury is a really nice guy.  He was having fun giving the thumbs down to some 6-year old Caps fan, and then he gave the kid a stick of gum.  I sat next to the defense during periods 1 & 3, so mostly I was next to Martin, Orpik, Despres or Engallend.  They were all good guys, but they were definitely focused on the game.  Hockey players are so much more approachable than all the other team sport athletes combined, I think.  At least as a general rule.  There are obviously exceptions to that of course.

During the 2nd period, Malkin sat right next to for a quick minute or two.  That was during one of the PK's when he knew he wasn't going out on the ice, so he was just chilling at the end of the bench.  I'm 5' 10" 180 lbs, so I'm not all that big to begin with.  When I sat next to Martin or Letang, I didn't really feel all that small.  When I sat next to Malkin, I felt like a tiny human.  Haha

Crosby is always in the middle of the bench, so I didn't get to hang out with him.  But I got a good pic of him coming off the ice ... my daughter will like that one.   

Semmed to me the crowd was about 35-40% pens fans.  Does that sound about right to you guys?

I don't think it was quite that much.  There was still a lot of red throughout the arena.  But there were definitely a fair amount of Pens fans there too.  I used to go to games at the old US Air Arena in the '90s, and those games would be 50-50 Pens-Caps fans.  But the Caps do a better job of bringing their own fans now than back then.  Say what you want about Ovechkin, the guy has moved hockey off the back pages in DC.

I was at the Nedved 4 OT game back in '96 ... probably the best sporting event I've ever been to live.  Now if the Pens would have lost, I probably wouldn't be saying that.  Haha

I was also at Mario's home return from cancer against the Bruins back in '93.  Mario had an assist on a goal by Tocchet.  The Pens won 3-2 on a late goal by Mullen set up by Francis.  That was a pretty special night too.

But watching Nedved score at 2:30 in the morning, I can't say anything I've been to in person beats that.

Yeah Murph, there are alot of Pens fans there when there are seats to be had. And when the owner WILL sell tickets to Pens fans. Remember that a few years ago? When the owner wouldn't sell tickets to Penguins fans?

Actually, Igloo ... Leonsis still won't sell tickets to anyone with a Pennsylvania or New York/New Jersey zip/area code.  That hasn't changed.  But the problem for the Caps is that there are so many Pens, Flyers, Rangers fans living in the DC area ... including VA and MD ...that they still can get tickets no problem.  

Crowdog sighting - via the Pens app.

I was listening to NHL radio on Sirius today during an interview with the Canes play by play guy. He said the canes definately didnt want to lose Boychuck. They had him playing on the fourth line just asking that line not to give up any goals. They got caught up in a numbers game when they put him on waivers but they didnt want to lose him.
He also said that he is more than a 4th line player but the canes were trying other players and were just hoping to sneak him through waivers. He also thinks that with his skills he should thrive on the same line with Malkin and Neal.
I know its a real small sample size but I like what I see from him. After he gets comfortable and familiar with his line mates he might turn out to be a real steal. 

The best part about Ovechkin becoming irrelevant is that he is finally getting called out by national media. A lot of people realized long ago that he was a one-trick pony. Skate down the left side and shoot the puck as hard as you can. Or post up on the left side for a one timer. OK, i guess that makes him a 2-trick pony. Milbury and Jones really blasted him (and Backstrom) during the intermissions. 

all-pgh, the Canes GM came out and said that if the Pens ever put Boychuk on waivers, they would claim him back.  

Even when he was on the bench, he was into every second of the game. I don't think anyone can say he isn't a good leader on the ice.

You can't quesiton his desire, but there is more to being a leader than wanting to win. I'm not saying he is or isn't a good leader, but there have definitely been times where he has failed as a leader. His biggest weakness as a leader is actually his intensity at times. He lets his emotions get the best of him and he'll do something stupid like punch a guy in the nuts or check a guy from behind into the boards to open a Stanley Cup Final game.

Kunitz was credited with the first goal of Sunday's game .... making him the first Penguin to have a 4 goal game since Jagr in 2000. He was also named the 2nd star of the week for the NHL. On another note, Ryan Whitney is a healthy scratch for the Oilers tonight.

Crosby's rookie year I went to a Pens/Caps game in DC. The place was empty and the Pens won big, like 6-2 or something. Their fans aren't very knowledgable to be quite honest. Ovechkin has always been a 1 or 2 trick pony and all he seems to do is run people, take 10 strides just to charge a player, and take alot of slapshots. He's not very good. I never thought he was any good, but now he's sitting at 3 points on the season. At what, $10M per season. I see a trade in his near future.

Agree that Ovechkin is a 1 trick or 2 trick pony, but I disagree with him being not very good.  He can skate and has a lethal shot.  Averaged over 50 goals for 5 seasons.  When he first tried to make himself into a playmaker, it didn't work.  He is a sniper and needs to play with a top center.  His linemates right now are horrible.  Put Crosby or Malkin with those guys and their production would drop.  Right now the Caps are a very bad team. As I said, put him with two quality linemates and he is still a very good player.

Agreed smurph. I thought ovie actually played a pretty solid game. I won't pretend to know what wrong, but I have heard he seems more disinterested, and given his style of play, that's trouble. Also agree with the playmaker style hurting him...he passed on an odd man rush last game....that used to be unheard of. And I don't think the caps are doing him any favors. I think both sides would benefit a lot from a change of scenery.

I agree Ovechkin is still a good player. He has had a couple down years, but he was still over 30 goals. He's not worth his salary, but he is still a good player with all the talent you could ask for. He's big, strong, fast, has a wicked slaphot and wrist shot. He's just not committed and/or not hockey smart. There's really no other explanation in my mind when you see him doing figure 8's in his defensive zone IN A PLAYOFF GAME. Or like the intermission guys pointed out, passing the puck to a guy going to the net and then just skating around the net. You need to go to the net in that situation. Look for a rebound, look for a pass back, but at the very least take some of the defenseman's attnetion away from the guy with the puck. Ovechkin took himself out of that play and allowed both Penguin defensemen to focus completely on the guy with the puck. He doesn't know how to play without the puck on his stick.

I do agree that focusing more on playmaking could be hurting him in certain situations, though. The 2-on-1 on Sunday was a good example. His best asset is his shot. He should use it when he has such a good look at the net. But IMO, he needs to be able to pass the puck. If the defensemen know you are going to shoot the puck, it is too easy for them to take that away. He needs to be able to pass to open up space for himself and his teammates.

Ovie is one of the top 15 talents in the league IMO. With the puck, there aren't many players faster than he is. And as mentioned before, his slap shot and wrister are among the best.. 
I'm sticking with the notion that we haven't seen the last of him