Big Lead Sports Bar

10/05/2008

PENS-SENS A DRAW


PENGUINS (1-0) 4

SENATORS (0-0-1) 3

OT
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SENATORS (1-0-1) 3

PENGUINS (1-1) 1

The Penguins concluded the Swedish Chef Memorial Cup on Sunday with a 3-1 loss to the Senators, ending an overseas trip that also included a 4-1 win against Finland's Jokerit (which, unfortunately, does not count in the NHL standings), and Saturday's 4-3 regular season opener win against Ottawa.
Saturday's game started off with national anthems for about 18 countries, followed by the always-fun ceremonial puck drop, with the honors done by Mats Sundin. The win was highlighted by a Tyler Kennedy goal sandwich, as he scored goals #1 and #4 in the kickoff W. The Pens also got a shorthander from Geno Malkin and a goal from Rob Scuderi, which put him on pace for 82. Somehow, I doubt he gets there. Call it a hunch.
The Pens' power-play was non-existent, going an Andy LaRoche-esque 0-for-7. They were outhit, 39-23, and outshot, 35-30. Fortunately, the only stat that mattered was "goals", and the Pens got the better of Ottawa in that category.
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It was back to the Globe Arena for the second half of this away-and-away, and the outcome was less-than-desirable.
The Pens could not solve Ottawa goalie Alex Auld, to the point that Michel Therrien was juggling lines and using goal machine Kennedy on Sidney Crosby's right wing. Their power play ended the series at 1-for-16 after Alex Goligoski scored their lone goal with 0.8 seconds left in the game. Yikes.
Game two was all about Auld's 30 saves, Dany Heatley's two goals, and two assists from hometown boy Daniel Alfredsson, who said this weekend ranked among the highlights of his career.
The Pens looked, shall we say, unorganized, with all of the various line combinations and unproductive power play. They've got plenty to work on before the home opener Saturday night against David Puddy and the Devils. But 1-1 isn't a bad way to start the season, especially in light of all the travel, unfamiliar surroundings, and unfamiliar teammates that the Penguins have had to deal with in this young season. There's a lot of hockey to be played. The best is yet to come.

2 comments:

RedHawks Hockey said...

The power play needs ALOT of help sans sarge and whitney. It was abysmal. And as much as it pains me to say because I am the biggest Kris Letang supported in the entire world, he looked shaky at best this weekend. It could be a long 4-6 months.

wvblueblackandgold said...

It's ridiculous that four years in to Crosby's career, management has not been able to put together one, single, consistent top line.