Penguins 4 - Red Wings 3 (Red Wings lead series 3-2)

Wow. If ever there was a game the Penguins didn't deserve to win, that was it. I missed the first two periods (fortunately, there were another four still to come), so I can't vouch for how they played then, but over the third period and almost the entire overtime, they were terrified, tentative, and sloppy. No one seemed to want the puck. Any time the puck was on a Penguins stick, they couldn't wait to get rid of it to let someone else have the dread responsibility of somehow salvaging this game. I lost count of the number of weak passes they made and the number of times they found themselves horribly out of position. It seemed like there were seven Red Wings on the ice at all times.

But... the Hockey gods were with them tonight. They live to fight another day. Perhaps it's their...destiny...to win this thing after all.

Actually, the only reason the Penguins are playing Wednesday night is because Marc-Andre Fleury played the most amazing game of his career. There was at least a dozen times the series should have been over, but Fleury's heroic goaltending kept the Penguins in the game. 55 saves. And most of them during that stretch when the rest of the Pens weren't providing any help at all.

Game six is Wednesday night, and I'll be plopped in front of the TV for that entire game, adorned with my Penguins jersey. If they can pull THAT off, then I'll have a dilemma. Gave seven will be Saturday evening. This year's 48 Hour Film Project will be in full swing on Saturday and if it's anything like it was the last two years, I'll still be deep in the shooting of it when the game starts... grrr... Now, in addition to all the other required elements of the contest, I have an additional required element of getting done in time to see at least some of the game.

Anyway, thanks Pens, for extending this amazing season at least ONE more game.

Flyers 4 - Penguins 2 (Pens lead series 3-1)

I totally missed this game, as I was at a preview screening of the new film "Son of Rambow". But it looks like if I had to miss one game, this was the one. I kind of didn't expect them to sweep, because I think they would rather wrap up the series on home ice (and I'm sure the team and arena owners don't mind the revenue an extra home game gives them). Not that they threw it, but that losing one game (and only one game) on the road wasn't the worst thing that could happen.

Penguins 4 - Flyers 1 (Pens lead series 3-0)

And then there was one. One more win to advance to the Finals. It's funny how doing this March of the Penguins has really made it seem like the championship is just a formality. 11 wins and one loss... not too many teams have put up that kind of string. There's still five wins to go, but it really does seem like Crosby and Malkin and Fleury will be among the new names inscribed on the Stanley Cup in a few short weeks.

Time marches on...

Penguins 4 - Flyers 2 (Pens lead series 2-0)

Man.. I sure picked the right horse this year, didn't I? The Penguins become the first team since 1995 to win 10 of its first 11 games. I only got to see the third period of this one, but over the last 16 minutes or so of the game, and nursing a 3-2 lead, the Penguins only allowed one scoring chance. And this against the team that was the offensive leader in the postseason.

The next couple of games in Philly should be tough. But the Flyers are down a few key players, so the home ice advantage probably is cancelled out.

As you can see, six wins away from hoisting the Cup.

Penguins 4 - Flyers 2 (Pens lead series 1-0)

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. These guys are starting to be 80's Oilers good. The only problem (that the 80's Oilers didn't have) is a salary cap that will prevent the Penguins from keeping all of their budding superstars.

Anyway, here are the highlights of the game.




Thanks to the NHL Network for tonight's video highlights.

Penguins 3 - Rangers 2 (OT) (Pens win series 4-1)

I was in the midst of attempted computer repair, so I missed most of this game, but out of the corner of my eye, I did get to see the last part of the third period and overtime.

Rangers 3 - Penguins 0 (Pens lead series 3-1)

You figured there had to be one of these games coming for the Penguins sooner or later. Jagr had two goals in what was probably his last big game for the Rangers. I wouldn't be surprised to see Jagr sign with the Penguins next season to finish out his NHL career.

In the meantime, here are the highlights (And I'm posting this WAY late, as I didn't even get to see this game, being in Louisiana for that weekend)

Sidney Crosby - Gatorade League of Clutch commercial

I love these commercials that Gatorade has been running for a few months. Amazing imagery, incredible intensity. They all tell a story and present both the player and the sport in the most dramatic light.

I'm not yet exactly sure how they accomplish the commercials on a technical level. If I had to guess, I'd say they took frame grabs of High Definition images and cut out the athletes then recomposited them back over other still images. Whatever way they do it, I'm impressed.

Anyway, here's the latest one, featuring Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, my current favorite sports team (yeah, I'm one of those guys that doesn't have an entrenched loyalty to any one team or city or region. I go with the best story, and for the next few years, that will be the Penguins).

Penguins 5 - Rangers 3 (Pens lead series 3-0)

I was at my writer's group meeting, so I didn't get to see any of this game, but from all accounts, it was more of the same for the Penguins. Two goals and an assist for Malkin, two assists for Crosby, 36 saves for Fleury, dominating special teams on both ends of the ice.

The Pens are 7-0 in the playoffs so far this post-season, a feat which hasn't happened since the Rangers did it in 1994 en route to winning the Cup. Montreal did it in 1989 en route to losing the Cup finals to Calgary, and the leader in the clubhouse is the 1985 Oilers who reeled off nine straight wins to start the post-season en route to winning the Cup.

Earlier in the day, Malkin was named as one of the finalists for the Hart Trophy (the NHL's MVP award). So that gives the Pens two finalists (Crosby last year, who won it) in the last two years. Right now, the only thing that could derail this bunch of talented young players is their own over-confidence.

Onward to game four and hopefully a second straight sweep.

Humor for Hockey Fans

This is funny only if you're a hockey fan. Actually, if you're a hockey fan, it's probably not funny because it hits a little too close to home.


NHL Star Called Up To Big Leagues To Play For NFL Team

Penguins 2 - Rangers 0 (Pens lead series 2 -0)

(continuing a series of posts meant only for me, as I can't imagine anyone else possibly interested in the NHL Playoffs.)

So it's looking more and more like it's going to be the Pens' year. Six straight games. They're making it look easy.

Crosby has had to deal with allegations of diving the past couple of days. Hopefully he'll get that under control and just play the game rather than over-react to draw penalties.

The series shifts back to New York now, where the Rangers should enjoy a slightly better advantage. They may get one win, but I think that's it.

Penguins 5 - Rangers 4 (Penguins lead series 1-0)

It looked a little dicey for awhile as the Pens were down 3-0, but they steadily chipped away at the lead, tying it in the third, and then taking the lead 4-3. The Rangers tied it, but a late powerplay deflection goal by Malkin, off a shot by Crosby, was the game-winner.

The Pens were flying in the third, with precision passing like I haven't seen in a long time. It was lots of fun to watch. It's preposterous to compare these baby Penguins to the flying Oilers of the 80's, but I haven't enjoyed watching hockey this much since the glory days of Gretzky and Lemieux.

Go Pens!

Penguins 3 - Senators 1 (Pens win series 4-0)

Sweep! Phase one of the Penguins Championship has been completed. Another solid game from the Pens. While everyone was expecting the Penguins to light it up offensively, it's the defense that's really surprising so far. Five goals allowed in a series is a team record.

Penguins 4 - Senators 1 (Pens lead series 3-0)

Penguins still looking strong. The last thing the rest of the league needs is a Pens team building up a head of steam and gaining confidence.

Marian Hossa finally has a good game.

Penguins 5 - Senators 3 (Pens lead series 2-0)

Another solid game for the Penguins...eventually. They let the Senators get back into it before putting them away late. Crosby with four assists. Malkin with three assists. Malone with two goals and an assist. Penguins get a franchise playoff-high 54 shots on goal. This team will be scary if they can keep this up.

Also tonight, I'm introducing the Pengu-o-meter! This chart will graph the Penguins inevitable march towards the Stanley Cup. I've already created all sixteen versions of this graphic... I hope I'm not getting ahead of myself...

It's Hockey Playoff Time!

It's lonely being a hockey fan in the South. Rarely do you ever find yourself in a random hockey conversation with a fellow fan. But it was my first sports love and remains a big part of my life to this day. While I'm not the hockey nut I was fifteen to twenty years ago, I still get chills when I hear this song:



The 2008 playoffs started tonight and the team I'm pulling for, the Pittsburgh Penguins, won their opening game with a 4-0 shutout. I'll be surprised if the Penguins don't win the Stanley Cup this year. With young superstars like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Marc-Andre Fleury (as all the non-hockey fans' eyes glaze over), this team is on the verge of becoming as exciting as the 1980's Edmonton Oilers led by Gretzky, Messier, Coffey, Kurri, Anderson, Fuhr and all the others.



So the playoffs start today, and will finish sometime in early June. It'll be a long three months, but as long as the Pens are in it, I'm glued to my TV.