Montreal fans crowded downtown streets after the Canadians defeated the President's trophy winning Capitals in seven games Wednesday night. Among the chants of "Go Habs" and "Ovie Sucks," you could hear the chant calling out their second round foe. "We want Crosby," the chant rang out and the Penguins are here to bring them Crosby.
Despite being the only number eight seed to rally from 3-1 series deficit to win ever, the Canadians have met their match. Sure the Canadians have won the most Stanley Cups in the history of hockey and they have certainly had great players such as Richard, Beliveau, and Lafleur, but the Penguins are geared to give them all they can handle. The Penguins are the team of today and have the superstars to complement it. While Halak played "on his head" as the phrase goes, the Penguins will be able to break him. Unlike the Capitals who are rich with individual talent, the Penguins have a team mentality that starts with team owner, Mario Lemieux. Lemieux, the face of the franchise has assembled one of the greatest hockey teams in recent memory (Although I hate Detroit, respect to the Red Wings). Built on a foundation of number one picks Marc-Andre Fleury, Sidney Crosby, and Evgeni Malkin, the Penguins have the team to win another Championship.
While Montreal, led by Mike Cammalleri, will definitely slow the Pens down, the Pens will emerge victorious. A team with the depth of the Penguins, the Stanley Cup experience, and the youthful exuberance on top of the talent is ripe to win another Cup. The Penguins will get by the Habs and make it to the Eastern Conference final.
Music to my ears: Local Pittsburgh band and Penguins supporters, Good Brother Earl, just released a new CD titled fiction. I am waiting to get a copy of the CD when I see them play live at La Casa Narcisi, a great local winery, but if this CD is anything like their other releases, it will definitely be worth the purchase.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Phase One: Complete
The Pittsburgh Penguins completed phase one in their quest to repeat as Cup champions with an overtime thriller against the Senators. Their victory, however, was far from perfect and showed the hockey world why the defending Stanley Cup Champions will be a force to be reckoned with again this year. After going down three-nothing, the Penguins rallied to force overtime just two nights after fighting through three overtime periods. This time, however, overtime produced a different result and propelled the Penguins into round two where they await the winners of the other two Eastern Conference series.
As they await the winners of those series, the Penguins have a short rest; a rest they will certainly need after back-to-back overtime games. The Stanley Cup playoffs are an immensely physically demanding process, making rest and re-cooperation essential for success. Much like the job interviewing process, a process in which the winner is not necessarily the best candidate but the one who does not disqualify himself, the winner of the Stanley Cup playoffs is not necessarily the best team. Regular season success does nothing to guarantee playoff success as the President trophy winning San Jose Sharks proved last year. Playoff success is determined by surviving each grueling series and persevering until the end.
Outlasting opponents was a specialty of the Penguins last season on their run to the Stanley Cup. This year, they will have to show that same mettle if they wish to repeat, a feat they have a significance chance of achieving. Team captain, Sidney Crosby, is playing like a man possessed, leading the playoffs with 14 points. Role players are playing big roles in the penalty kill and in the goal department. These things only add to the Penguins chances of repeating.
Before I give them too much credit, though, the Penguins game six victory was far from pretty. Playoff sensation and point-leader Sidney Crosby was mediocre and second line center Evgeni Malkin played equally as bad. Yet somehow, the Penguins fought back with resilience from three nothing down to force overtime. Third line players like Matt Cooke, who scored two goals, and Pascal Dupuis, who had the overtime winner along with an assist, were the story of the night. On a night when the Penguins superstars looked like regular old joes, the third line shone through.
Heading into their next round matchup, regardless of their opponent, the Penguins should be confident that they will not be disqualified. Their mettle has been tested and it held strong. Their greatest strengths have been equalized and they still stole victory from the arms of defeat. They have been told that their time is over, and they said, "No, our time is now." Bring on the next opponent because the Penguins are ready.
Shameless Beer Plug: Thursday nights at the Blue Ribbon Tavern in Grove City, PA is a popular night with beer enthusiasts. The special on Thursday nights is $2.50 imports and microbrews, which provides a relatively inexpensive way to taste a variety of different, quality beers. This past Thursday while watching the Penguins lose in the third overtime, I had the opportunity to sample a few beers. My first sampling included Flying Dog's Raging Bitch, which is a Belgium IPA. It was a slightly fruity beer (hints of grapefruit) with a very hoppy taste. Surprisingly, these tastes blended quite nicely for a refreshing, spring beer that I would highly recommend. At 8.3% ABV, however, having more than a few is certainly a questionable decision. Another beer that satisfied my palate was from a local Pittsburgh microbrewery called Church Brew Works. The beer, Pious Monk Dunkel, is similar to a German-style Dunkel, although slightly lighter. Nothing can beat a few quality beers and a Pittsburgh Penguins victory, so enjoy an ice cold beer as you cheer on the Penguins.
As they await the winners of those series, the Penguins have a short rest; a rest they will certainly need after back-to-back overtime games. The Stanley Cup playoffs are an immensely physically demanding process, making rest and re-cooperation essential for success. Much like the job interviewing process, a process in which the winner is not necessarily the best candidate but the one who does not disqualify himself, the winner of the Stanley Cup playoffs is not necessarily the best team. Regular season success does nothing to guarantee playoff success as the President trophy winning San Jose Sharks proved last year. Playoff success is determined by surviving each grueling series and persevering until the end.
Outlasting opponents was a specialty of the Penguins last season on their run to the Stanley Cup. This year, they will have to show that same mettle if they wish to repeat, a feat they have a significance chance of achieving. Team captain, Sidney Crosby, is playing like a man possessed, leading the playoffs with 14 points. Role players are playing big roles in the penalty kill and in the goal department. These things only add to the Penguins chances of repeating.
Before I give them too much credit, though, the Penguins game six victory was far from pretty. Playoff sensation and point-leader Sidney Crosby was mediocre and second line center Evgeni Malkin played equally as bad. Yet somehow, the Penguins fought back with resilience from three nothing down to force overtime. Third line players like Matt Cooke, who scored two goals, and Pascal Dupuis, who had the overtime winner along with an assist, were the story of the night. On a night when the Penguins superstars looked like regular old joes, the third line shone through.
Heading into their next round matchup, regardless of their opponent, the Penguins should be confident that they will not be disqualified. Their mettle has been tested and it held strong. Their greatest strengths have been equalized and they still stole victory from the arms of defeat. They have been told that their time is over, and they said, "No, our time is now." Bring on the next opponent because the Penguins are ready.
Shameless Beer Plug: Thursday nights at the Blue Ribbon Tavern in Grove City, PA is a popular night with beer enthusiasts. The special on Thursday nights is $2.50 imports and microbrews, which provides a relatively inexpensive way to taste a variety of different, quality beers. This past Thursday while watching the Penguins lose in the third overtime, I had the opportunity to sample a few beers. My first sampling included Flying Dog's Raging Bitch, which is a Belgium IPA. It was a slightly fruity beer (hints of grapefruit) with a very hoppy taste. Surprisingly, these tastes blended quite nicely for a refreshing, spring beer that I would highly recommend. At 8.3% ABV, however, having more than a few is certainly a questionable decision. Another beer that satisfied my palate was from a local Pittsburgh microbrewery called Church Brew Works. The beer, Pious Monk Dunkel, is similar to a German-style Dunkel, although slightly lighter. Nothing can beat a few quality beers and a Pittsburgh Penguins victory, so enjoy an ice cold beer as you cheer on the Penguins.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Stanley Cup Playoffs
"It's a hockey night here in Pittsburgh." Everyone knows the voice of Mike Lange ringing out these familiar words and after the game 1 loss to Ottawa, it is time to take some interest in this first round match-up.
The black and gold of the Pittsburgh sports scene has long been the life-blood of this neglected steel town. The city has thrived upon the successes of both the Steelers and Penguins and likewise been devastated by seventeen straight losing seasons for the Pirates. As the Penguins begin their playoff run for a second consecutive Stanley Cup, a few things stand out as different from last season.
First, the two-headed dragon of Crosby and Malkin is seemingly injured. While Crosby had a breakout year in terms of goal production (finally breaking the 50 goal plateau), Malkin suffered from injuries and had stifled offensive production throughout the regular season. After game 1, however, in which Malkin scored two goals and added an assist, will he thrive in the playoffs and lift the Penguins to their second run of two straight Stanley Cups? Only time will tell if the these two young players will once again lead the Penguins to the Stanley Cup.
Second, defensive point production is up this season from last season. Gonchar has played an integral part in the Penguins power play (as seen when he went down with injury and the power play suffered) as have Goligoski and Letang. In addition, adding the likes of Jordan Leopold and getting greater production from Orpik, the defense has shouldered more of the offensive load than last season. Some say, however, that this greater offensive production has led to the defensive inconsistency that the Penguins have had throughout the season and after giving up five goals to Ottawa in game one, who is to say they aren't right. Regardless, the off season losses of Scuderi and Gill will have an effect on this year's playoffs.
Finally, the competition that the Penguins will have to face to win another Stanley Cup is stiffer and deeper than last year. The Washington Capitals are an offensive machine and look hard to stop heading into the playoffs having lost only two games in regulation since the Olympic break. The Buffalo Sabres have arguably the best goaltender in the National Hockey League in Ryan Miller. In the Western Conference the teams look even better. Regardless of the Western Conference champion, the Eastern Conference champion will have their hands full. Whether its Vancouver and the Sedin brothers, Chicago with the addition of Hossa, or San Jose with one of the most potent offensive lines in the NHL, it will be a challenge. Teams have matured, added players, and the competition looks tougher than ever as the Penguins make their playoff run.
Regardless of the Penguins chances in the playoffs, this year is different. To win a second Stanley Cup, however, the Penguins have to "play their game." Role players such as Talbot, Kennedy, and Cooke have to step up, Fleury must make big saves, and the Penguins energy line must score goals. If the Penguins can do these things, this year will be just like last year ending with another Stanley Cup raised above Crosby's head. LET'S GO PENS!
The black and gold of the Pittsburgh sports scene has long been the life-blood of this neglected steel town. The city has thrived upon the successes of both the Steelers and Penguins and likewise been devastated by seventeen straight losing seasons for the Pirates. As the Penguins begin their playoff run for a second consecutive Stanley Cup, a few things stand out as different from last season.
First, the two-headed dragon of Crosby and Malkin is seemingly injured. While Crosby had a breakout year in terms of goal production (finally breaking the 50 goal plateau), Malkin suffered from injuries and had stifled offensive production throughout the regular season. After game 1, however, in which Malkin scored two goals and added an assist, will he thrive in the playoffs and lift the Penguins to their second run of two straight Stanley Cups? Only time will tell if the these two young players will once again lead the Penguins to the Stanley Cup.
Second, defensive point production is up this season from last season. Gonchar has played an integral part in the Penguins power play (as seen when he went down with injury and the power play suffered) as have Goligoski and Letang. In addition, adding the likes of Jordan Leopold and getting greater production from Orpik, the defense has shouldered more of the offensive load than last season. Some say, however, that this greater offensive production has led to the defensive inconsistency that the Penguins have had throughout the season and after giving up five goals to Ottawa in game one, who is to say they aren't right. Regardless, the off season losses of Scuderi and Gill will have an effect on this year's playoffs.
Finally, the competition that the Penguins will have to face to win another Stanley Cup is stiffer and deeper than last year. The Washington Capitals are an offensive machine and look hard to stop heading into the playoffs having lost only two games in regulation since the Olympic break. The Buffalo Sabres have arguably the best goaltender in the National Hockey League in Ryan Miller. In the Western Conference the teams look even better. Regardless of the Western Conference champion, the Eastern Conference champion will have their hands full. Whether its Vancouver and the Sedin brothers, Chicago with the addition of Hossa, or San Jose with one of the most potent offensive lines in the NHL, it will be a challenge. Teams have matured, added players, and the competition looks tougher than ever as the Penguins make their playoff run.
Regardless of the Penguins chances in the playoffs, this year is different. To win a second Stanley Cup, however, the Penguins have to "play their game." Role players such as Talbot, Kennedy, and Cooke have to step up, Fleury must make big saves, and the Penguins energy line must score goals. If the Penguins can do these things, this year will be just like last year ending with another Stanley Cup raised above Crosby's head. LET'S GO PENS!
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