Week From H-E-double hockey sticks

Boston bruined the Penguins chances of a Stanley Cup with a 1-0 win in game 4, sweeping the anemic Penguins off the ice for the rest of the season.

Crosby and Malkin had no goals in the series.  Pittsburgh managed TWO goals in 4 games.  The defense played better in the last two games, but couldn't overcome a one goal deficit.

I blame this all on Toronto.  The Maple Leaf's suffered an epic collapse when they blew a 2 goal lead in game seven against the Bruins with 1:32 to go on the clock.  The Leafs then completed their collapse by losing in OT.  Stupid, stupid tree parts.

And then a judge rules in favor of the NCAA, dismissing Governor Corbett's lawsuit.

Per the Associated Press, U.S. Middle District Judge Yvette Kane has thrown out Gov. Corbett’s antitrust suit against the NCAA, citing a lack of  ”any factual allegations supporting (Corbett’s) allegation of ‘concerted action’ that might nudge its conspiracy claim into ‘plausible’ territory.”

The sanctions, Kane said, did not make for an antitrust case for the plaintiffs.

Ain't that a kick in the pants?  Paterno is fired, loses wins to 1998, and the football program is crippled on less facts. 

What is there left to say?

GO BLACKHAWKS!

Bruined My Night

6-1? Bruins? Leading the series 2-0???

Seriously?

Are you sure I'm just not having nightmares after eating a bad Charo churro?


What happened to our defense?

Where's the offense? One goal in TWO games???

Now is not the time to panic (but we're getting awfully close here.) The series moves to Boston and the Pens desperately need to find their mojo again. It's one thing to get beaten when you're playing your best and it's a hard fought game. But this is ridiculous. We're not even putting up a fight, here.

First order of business: Tighten up the defense. Gotta stop the sloppy play. There's no I in team, but there is a U in suck. Teamwork.

Second order: More pucks to the net. Sooner or later some of them will get in. Rask is not a superhero--he just thinks he is right now. It's time to find some Kryptonite pucks.

With games Wednesday, Friday and (hopefully) Sunday, I hope my weekend (and the Pens' season) won't be bruined as well.

Still No Penguins

Earlier, I posted No penguins till Saturday? Well, Saturday came and went, and . . .

Still.

No.

Penguins.

Tuukka Rask turned away 29 shots on goal and blanked the Penguins in the opener of the Eastern Finals. The Penguins hit the post six times, but not one found it's way in. It was a combination of bad bounces, and Rask playing out of his mind that earned the Bruins a 1-0 lead in the series.



We need some of whatever he's smoking!

Having a week off apparently didn't help the Penguins. The timing was just a bit off, and whether that was just dumb luck or the lengthy down time off remains to be seen.

Game two will commence Monday in Pittsburgh.

Crosby lost the jaw protector. Seriously? Why take the chance? Didn't improve his play. Put it back on.

Now is not the time to panic. They just have to get back to their game and match the physicality of the Bruins. Fights aside, I think they did match intensity and toughness last night, but just couldn't make the shots when they had the opportunities.

Pittsburgh has not been behind in any play-off series this year so far. It will be interesting to see how this team faces some mild adversity. They also have not lost two consecutive games in the play-offs yet. I look for the Pens to come out on fire and even the series tomorrow night.