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Posts Tagged ‘Matt Cooke’
Which of the current Penguins can play top six roles?
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The Questions From a Penguins Fan Answered
12, Jul 2010I follow fans of the Penguins on Twitter and have read countless articles as well as Q&A’s from fans about the “revised” Penguins.
Now as a fun use of free time, I’m going to give my opinions on questions a lot of Penguin fans want to ask.
Why does Shero want to combine Staal and Geno?
Staal is ready for a top 2 line year. He has served as center of what has been said to be the best third line in the NHL. Staal has progressed and is ready for a breakout year. I see Staal becoming an amazing centerman and to have Geno as a winger will definitely boost that.
It has become clear that Geno isn’t the best at faceoffs and Staal is better at taking faceoffs as well as holding down the center. Geno likes to move around and is equipped with speed that allows him to do so.
At the same time, i’m thinking about the same third line that could shut down any top line as well as bruise any top line. The combination of Cooke, Staal and Kennedy proved last year that they were capable of taking out a top line while the Pens two stars, Crosby and Malkin, rested up for the opponents bottom lines.
Overall, I see Coach Dan giving it a try and if it doesn’t work, look for Staal to move back to being the third center and look for him to not give a care in the world at the move. That is, if Shero doesn’t find a center to take the place of the third line center.
Who will Shero sign next, if anyone at all?
When Rob Niedermeyer decided to not sign with the Penguins, a third line center was pretty much out of the question. Now Shero is looking for a veteran winger. The players he should be looking at are: Dominic Moore, Maxim Alfinogenov, and lastly, Bill Guerin.
Moore isn’t even getting looked at by the Pens and I have no idea why. He is a big hitter who flourished in Montreal and checks like crazy. He’s also a great penalty killer.
Alfinogenov did well in Atlanta and has a cheap price tag for a big goal scorer. Pens need a winger who can score and that is what he is.
Guerin is old. That’s relevant to people, but he also was the leading scorer for the wingers last year. He still plays at a decent pace and is a positive voice in the locker room. I don’t think he should get the $2 million he got last year and I know he has blown off whatever the Pens were offering him this off season. He hasn’t gotten many other offers and he wants to play in Pittsburgh. I hope he takes a lesser price and comes back for what will surely be his last year.
Did Shero over pay for Martin and Michalek?
No.
Shero knew he was under pressure to get the Pens defense better. He stood his ground with Gonchar and didn’t give in to Gonchar’s demands. That third year Gonch wanted at a $5 million price tag could cost the Penguins if he got hurt. As much as I wanted to see Gonch back and as hard as it was to hear him talk about Pittsburgh and then shift to Ottawa, I knew Shero made the right decision.
But back to the Martin and Michalek talk. Both players are players that will benefit this team in different ways.
Martin has offense to his game while Michalek is all defense. Martin was injured this year, but still showed what he has, while Michalek led the league in blocked shots, an amazing stat for any defenseman.
Another thing I like about the signings is that they were offered more from other teams but decided to come to Pittsburgh and have a chance at their first ever Cup.
Like Shero has said time and time again, he wants players who want to play here.
Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Orpik, Cooke, Martin and Michalek have all taken less to play in Pittsburgh.
That says a lot.
The simple question is the same every off-season, especially after a bad loss in the playoffs.
Will this team make it to the Cup?
Without a doubt.
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When about 15 minutes after noon went by, I refreshed twitter at work and saw about eight tweets discussing that Sergei Gonchar had been traded to Ottawa for a three-year deal.
My immediate thought was “Our season is over.”
When the season ended, I immediately realized how many free agents we had. I knew we were going to lose players, that’s a given. What I didn’t expect was how many players we would be losing.
This whole summer I thought Gonch would be back, along with Eaton and Guerin. Now Gonchar is gone and Eaton and Guerin might be following suit.
Then 15 minutes after the Gonchar news, Shero once again proved that he was the best GM in the NHL.
Signing Zbynek Michalek and Paul Martin? Are you kidding me? That is heaven.
It made the sting of losing Gonch easier to deal with.
Josh Yohe quoted Michalek as being excited for a new chance.
“It was kind of a no-brainer for me,” Michalek said. “Let’s be honest, the situation in Phoenix is unstable. Getting a chance to come here, with a new arena, a team that’s always contending for a championship, having Mario Lemieux as my owner and getting to play with (Sidney) Crosby and (Evgeni) Malkin … it was a once-in-a-lifetime thing for me.”
Martin was right behind him in his own excitement to play in Pittsburgh, as quoted by Josh Yohe.
“I couldn’t turn down the chance to play there,” Martin said. “I was talking with the Penguins, Devils, and a couple of other teams, but to play in Pittsburgh is just so great. I know how great the crowd always was at Mellon Arena, and I can’t wait to feel the atmosphere at the new barn.”
I’m not happy that Gonch left, that was also a given.
Shero has stated time and time again that he wants players who want to play in Pittsburgh.
Crosby started the trend of “hometown discount” by taking $8.7 million and in his final year of his contract, he’s only taking $7.5 million. He will be in his prime during that year and will be making a significant decline of what he should be. That’s a captain for you.
Malkin soon followed taking the same steps as Crosby. That’s the alternate captain for you.
Oprik soon followed with $3.75 million against the cap. That’s the future second alternate captain for you. He’ll most likely replace Gonch with the “A” next season.
Cooke has been the only signing this season from a roster player. He took less money. He could have easily made more on the open market but he made it clear that he wanted to be in Pittsburgh with this team and this fan base. So Shero gives him a limited no trade clause instead of the extra cash.
It hurt when Gonch left. Shero wanted him back for two years, but he wanted three. So he left and will retire as a Ottawa Senator.
That being said, Gonchar has played in Pittsburgh for the last five years. He was here through the bad and the good and helped mature Evgeni Malkin into the player he is now.
Look for him in the Hall of Fame soon; mark my words.
Now that everything is done and Penguins have about $2.4 million range after bonuses and so on, here’s the list of what the Pens have for this season and upcoming.
But first some simple facts: There are 11 players on the roster that are signed past this upcoming season.
Brooks Orpik—signed through 2013-2014 (3.75 million each season)
Alex Goligoski—signed through 2012-2013 (1.833,333 million each season)
Paul Martin—signed through 2015-2016 (5 million each season)
Ben Lovejoy—signed through 2013-2014 (525,000 each season)
Zbynek Michalek—signed through 2015-2016 (4 million each season)
Sidney Crosby—signed through 2012-2013 (8.7 million, 7.5 million 2012-2013)
Evgeni Malkin—signed through 2013-2014 (8.7 million, 7.5 million 2013-2014)
Jordan Staal—signed through 2013-2014 (4 million each season)
Matt Cooke—signed through 2013-2014 (1.8 million each season)
Eric Tangradi—signed through 2012-2013 (845,333 each season)
Chris Kunitz—signed through 2012-2013 (3.75 million each season)
So that is five defensemen, three centers, and three wingers.
That’s a good balance. Now that we have our defensive core locked, we will see how the offense pans out.
As long as the three centers, Crosby, Malkin and Staal, keep up with their scoring touch and the wingers contribute some, I see this being a very good year for the Penguins in the new arena.
I do think Shero needs to resign Guerin. I’m surprised he didn’t take whatever Shero was offering him. It will definitely be his last year and I would love for him to retire as a Penguin and have a shot at the cup for the third time.
Here is what I think should be the line combinations for next season.
Guerin—Crosby—Kunitz
Tangradi—Malkin—Talbot/Dupuis
Cooke—Staal—Kennedy
Rupp—Adams—Dupuis/Talbot
Godard is the odd man out for me. He gets paid too much to play so few games and so few minutes.
I’m keeping the first line together at the beginning of the season but do see Guerin moving back and even being a healthy scratch at some point.
The second line is all speed. Tangradi is going to fair well on Malkin’s line. He’s a big body that hits and Dupuis and Talbot are the same.
I’m keeping the best third line together. I wouldn’t be mad if Shero traded Kennedy this off-season because he’s inconsistent but if he stays, he’ll be on the same line.
Rupp is a big body and if you haven’t read, he pretty much sold Pittsburgh to Paul Martin. He could see time on the second and third line.
Adams is a player that I loved last season. He was goal-less but his checking abilities is incredible and he is good on the penalty kill.
I see Michalek with Letang on the first defensive pairing and Martin with Orpik on the second.
To see these two new additions excited to play in Pittsburgh is one thing for a fan, but to see that they turned down higher offers is another. That is what makes Shero special: he signs players who want to play.
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Pittsburgh Penguins Offseason Update
22, Jun 2010NHLHS Pittsburgh Penguins Correspondent Joe Depto breaks down the latest surrounding the Penguins and their off-season strategies.
With the draft weekend days away and player movement already chugging along at a rapid pace, it’s an exciting time to be following the NHL. The Pittsburgh Penguins are a team that remain a contender in the eastern [...]
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Week Of Trades: Pittsburgh Penguins Style
21, Jun 2010
It is probably the best week of summer if you’re a hockey fan.
This week is the week of every hockey fan’s fantasy.
It’s time for the trading to begin and I, for one, am extremely excited.
After the year that ended with the Chicago Blackhawks, a team that was chosen at the beginning of the season to win, hoisting the cup, a lot of people are scratching their heads at the fact that the Hawks had to overcome a feisty Philadelphia Flyers team in six games to win.
If you’re a Penguins fan, you hate the Flyers. Any person who says they like them, isn’t a Penguins fan.
But I will give credit where credit is deserved. The Flyers overcame extreme adversity to get to the finals.
Mike Richards proved that he was meant to be captain and deserves the C after his attitude and demeanor throughout the entire playoffs.
Now i’m not picking the Flyers to return to the Finals next year. I don’t know what they did to get to the Finals this year and my only idea is that they didn’t play real hockey the entire year and when playoffs came, they had energy left.
Moving away from a season that I, as a Penguins fan, would like to not return to, I’m ready to see what teams are going to do now.
It’s going to be a big season for the NHL in terms of keeping the increasing fan base interested.
We’ve already seen the addition of another Winter Classic added to the one already going on.
The Penguins vs the Flyers in the first regular season game ever at the Consol Energy Center…. excitement.
The Penguins vs the Capitals outside in Pittsburgh…. excitement.
But who will be playing in the black and gold for the Pens?
Will Gonch return to finish off his career with Pittsburgh? What about Billy Guerin, the crowd favorite who produced a good season at his age and hopes to finish his career in Pittsburgh?
This week is the week we find out who was the MVP of the year as well as many other things.
But what I want to know is what the big trade will be.
Chicago is now looking to return to the Finals next year but can’t do that with $4 million in cap space that they can’t have. They will become a desperate team this week to get the best deals they can before the July 1st deadline.
Look for Versteeg to be dealt as well as some defensemen like Sopel.
Sharp is one that has been brought up to move because of the fact that he’ll want a raise and he’ll deserve a raise. It comes down to: Who can Chicago get rid of? and, Will Sharp take a discount to remain with the club?
The Blackhawks remind me of the Penguin team. They are very close-knit and you don’t hear any controversy come out of the locker room. They are a young team that just won the cup and will now be tested to be the next big dynasty.
Reminds you of a year ago when the media deemed that the Penguins would become a dynasty.
Of course there’s still time for them to become a dynasty, but what they did off the ice is what makes the Pens special. And now it’s time to see what the Blackhawks can do.
Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Jordan Staal are the three big names on the Penguins roster.
But the fact that all three of them took a lower salary in order to help the management find more players to fit the mold of the team is what makes them leaders.
Now fans are wondering if players such as Gonchar or Cooke will follow their leaders.
I only see Cooke returning in those two scenarios.
I can see a trade happening between the Blackhawks and the Penguins in the form of either Versteeg or Sharp.
I want Sharp, that’s a given. But I’ll take Versteeg and be just as happy.
They both fit what the Penguins are: fast, gritty, and young.
But who would we give them in return?
Here’s my guess and what I think is a good deal for both teams:
For Versteeg, I would trade Goligoski.
We have Kris Letang who is ready to step into the shoes as a main defenseman on the powerplay and against top lines. The Pens need a winger more than anything and the Blackhawks would in return get a solid defenseman who is inexpensive at about $1.2 million for another three years.
For Sharp, it’s a lot harder. The Blackhawks will want a lot for Sharp so Shero would have to be careful with what he gives up.
What about a second round pick or a prospect, and Goligoski?
The only reason why Chicago would have to trade Sharp is because of the cap space and Sharp will want a raise. If Pittsburgh cannot resign Gonchar, they’ll take his $5 million in salary and put it to a winger.
Penguins need a scoring winger and a defenseman and this is who I want to be in a Pens jersey next year, including the free agents on the Pens team right now.
Bill Guerin— he deserves to finish his career in Pittsburgh
Matt Cooke— we need him
Mark Eaton— smart and reliable
Sharp/Versteeg— reasons above
Ray Whitney— veteran player with a scoring touch ready to come out
Colby Armstong— gritty player who is ready for a breakout season. Needs to be cheap though
Brent Sopel— takes the place of Jay McKee who will be leaving
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In a salary cap world, it’s pretty much impossible to keep a team together for more than a year. The Penguins early exit of the playoffs has put pressure on the administration to get a team together to win another cup, and another, and another.
Let’s take a look at the players with contracts up.
UFA:
· Sergei Gonchar (at 35 made $5.5 million in 2010)
· Bill Guerin (at 39 made $2 million in 2010)
· Matt Cooke (at 31 made $1.2 million in 2010)
· Ruslan Fedotenko (at 31 made $2.25 million in 2010)
· Mark Eaton (at 33 made $2 million in 2010)
· Jay McKee (at 32 made $800,000 in 2010)
· Alexei Ponikarovsky (at 30 he made $2.11 million in 2010)
· Jordan Leopold (at 29 he made $1.75 million in 2010)
RFA:
· Chris Connor
· Nick Johnson
· Ben Lovejoy
The biggest name on that list is, of course, Sergei Gonchar. Gonchar is looking for a multi- year deal worth the same he is making now, around $5 million. Ray Shero is known for not doing a lot of multi-year deals for a reason; he isn’t going to commit to a lot of years for a player who could end up a bust. He’s definitely not going to start a new strategy with Gonchar. As important as Gonch is, if he doesn’t take what Shero is offering him, he’s played his last game as a Penguin. I, like many Penguin fans, feel like Gonchar should come back and finish his career with his mentee, Evgeni Malkin, and the Pittsburgh Penguins. He is a veteran who keeps a calm demeanor on the ice that helps his teammates as well as a mentor to Evgeni Malkin since Geno’s arrival to Pittsburgh. That being said, Gonchar has been injured a lot and has looked stale at times, for example during the playoffs. Do we need him? For the power play and veteran role, yes. But we can’t commit a lot against the Cap to take a chance on him.
Moving past Gonch, a very important signing to me is that of Matt Cooke. Role players have stood out in big games like the playoffs, especially this year (Dustin Byfuglien ring a bell?). Cooke exceeded what was expected of him this year. Penalty kill was a big part of his game as well as irritating opponents and drawing penalties. Cooke also scored goals at the right moments and hit just about anything in hockey gear, as well as a couple of refs. He’s part of what is said to be the best 3rd line in the NHL. He’s a needed player. Pens need to sign him to 2 to 3 year deal worth a “hometown” discount of $1.8 to $2 million. He’s worth more to another team but has shown he wants to stay in Pittsburgh. Unlike Gonchar, Cooke looks to take a hometown discount to stay.
Now to the crowd favorite, Billy Guerin. It’s amazing what this guy has done since he came from the New York Islanders last year. He has shown exactly what a veteran is supposed to do by standing up for teammates and being a voice in the locker room. I want him back. Some people say it’s stupid to bring him back but he was the best winger this year on a line with his good friend, Sidney Crosby. He produced and made $2 million this year. Do I see him making another $2 million? No. He took a hometown discount to play another year with the Penguins and I see him taking another hometown discount to play his final year in a Penguin uniform. If Pens don’t want him back, which I doubt, then I see him retiring this summer.
Mark Eaton is the only defenseman who has been with the Penguins for a while. He is another person that I see hopefully staying with the Penguins. The way that he reads plays is something special. He can see where a play develops and breaks it apart. He has shown weakness, just like every other defensive player but if we all remember correctly, he was once the only healthy defensemen a short while ago and took it on his stick to show the leadership on the ice. I do think he will benefit a still youthful team. He is great in the locker room and has chemistry with Kris Letang. Another 2 year deal worth $2 million for Mark Eaton.
Jay McKee made $800,000 this year and even though he sat out as the extra defenseman, I see him staying because of his shot blocking. He would still be considered the extra defenseman unless he gets his speed and offensive ability going. Look for McKee to come out of the gate next year earning a spot on roster. With the Pens organization having such young defensemen, I see McKee as the underdog looking to take back his territory. No more than $800,000 or a little above for a year or two.
Jordan Leopold’s name has come up as taking Mark Eaton’s spot. Leopold has more offensive ability but I don’t see him making as big of an impact as Mark Eaton. He is known for dealing with concussions and we all balled our fists watching Andy Sutton lay a huge hit that knocked Leopold out for awhile. But I know everyone is wishing Sutton would have been in a Pens uniform this season. We need a big defenseman; it might be time to part way with Leopold to get that cap room.
Ruslan Fedotenko and Alexei Ponikarovsky need to go. Evgeni Malkin has played with sluggish wingers for a while and it’s time for Shero and administration to dig deep to find an under-rated pair of wingers for Geno. Even if they look into the Wikes Barres group, they could find a good replacement for Ruslan and Poni. Shero has shown that he might keep Poni and hope for him to have a better season, now that he will start fresh, and since I am a huge Shero supporter, I want to believe him. But then again, it’s time for Geno to become a priority and is in need for some help.
It’s no debate of what the Penguins need in order to win another cup next year: better defense and wingers.
This year, I didn’t see a lot of the physical game that the Penguins were known for in 2009. Opponents started to actually back off the puck when they saw a Penguin player coming towards them on the ice in 2009. This year, Pens got hit… a lot. It’s time to get that physical aspect back into the lineup.
A big “Pronger” like defenseman that will punish opponents is needed. I’m not saying go sign Chris Pronger… definitely not. We need a big player, who can skate, and hit the opponents off the ice. If only there was that perfect player. But there are plenty of big players that can hit.
Andy Sutton again comes to mind. He’s a Hal Gill look-a-like but with more physically. Hal Gill showed the Pens that he is capable of taking big players away from the puck in the Montreal series. We all know Gill was smiling to himself somewhere after beating the Pens, rightfully so.
Finally, the wingers. Shero’s philosophy on three down the middle centers, who all are amazing players is a perfect strategy. Now he just has to figure out how to get wingers at a cheap price that can bring a level that balances out our 3 top centers in Crosby, Malkin and Staal. If Staal’s line with Tyler Kennedy and Matt Cooke can produce like they did during the regular season, nothing will change with that line. Now it’s up to Shero to get a couple of scoring wingers that will go on BOTH Crosby and Malkin’s line.
Here’s my take on some wingers that Shero needs to look at:
Today I get up and get ready for work. When I get to work I check twitter to see that Ray Whitney is looking at free agency. My day became a good day at 8 in the morning. Whitney is someone that the Pens need. He has the leadership qualities as well as the scoring. I see him on the left of Sidney Crosby in a heart beat. His age will lower his costs and he wants to go to a club that has a chance to win… Welcome to Pittsburgh, Ray Whitney. (I like the sound of that)
Alexander Frolov: he had 70 points while making only $4 million dollars. He is in Los Angeles where the team is developing but talks with Frolov aren’t moving right. Shero probably wouldn’t go past $4.5 million to Frolov but who wouldn’t want to play on a line with Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby? Another thing: He’s Russian.
Raffi Torres was being looked at by the Penguins at trade deadline. He was passed up and taken by Buffalo. He is a left winger who would excel in the fast pace system of Dan Bylsma.
A 4th line winger could be found in Taylor Pyatt. He’s had a hard year after losing his fiancée. I see him enjoying the 4th line with Mike Rupp and Craig Adams. I’m still hoping to see Talbot play with Geno this season after resting his injuries but Pyatt would be a good fit on that 4th line.
Now for the fun part.
For the defense:
Of course the first name I want is Andy Sutton. I’m a fan of the hitting. It gets teams scared and the Penguins in 2009 are completely different from the Penguins in 2010.
We need to get our physically back.
Sutton is a mean man. But he is loyal. He will stick up for any teammate but he also crushes his opponents.
The only thing holding me back is the fact that he’s making $3.5 million. That’s a lot for someone about to be 35 and looking for long term deal.
Willie Mitchell is another name that pops in my head. At 32 he has dealt with injury and injury and we all remember the hit Evgeni Malkin put on him to end his season. Hopefully there is no bad blood but this is hockey.
Mitchell is known for his hit on Jonathan Toews that put the captain out for an extended time.
His paycheck is a little high for my liking so if he becomes a Pen, it’s for cheaper.
Ah, now my favorite shot blocker.
Anton Volchenkov .
Volchenkov was hell in the playoffs against the Penguins. Now we need him. We have good penalty kill at times, but with him, we would be off the charts.
I don’t see him going back to Ottawa. I would love to see him in a Penguins jersey.
No one thought this years Cup finals would be any other team besides Pittsburgh vs Chicago. That’s how it is supposed to be.
The fact that it is the Flyers, makes your stomach go into knots. The rivalry between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia is more than just hatred.
The first game in the new arena is against none other than the Flyers. This upcoming year is going to be full of firsts.
First year at Consol
First game against Flyers
And of course, the first Winter Classic in Pittsburgh against none other than Alexander Ovechkin.
So who has the countdown until the first game?
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Now that the Penguins’ offseason has officially begun, here’s my take on where the Pens should go from here. The bottom line is that the Pens will be moving into a new arena, have a great core of young players in Crosby, Malkin, Staal and Fleury and will have roughly $20M to spend against the salary cap next year. With this in mind, here are my suggestions for Ray Shero:
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A dark side of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is injuries and the ensuing aftermath. Teams often mortgage their future at the deadline to acquire a key player for the present only to lose him to sudden injuries. Players, fans, and coaches rally around star players and familiar faces to create a sense of confidence throughout [...]
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Bruins Keys to Playoff Success
27, Apr 2010Newest talent to NHLHS, Brandon Macdonald, discusses the success of the Boston Bruins and why they are heading into the semi-finals of the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.
It was a playoff series that featured the world’s best goaltender and one of the rising stars on the backend. The majority of experts, when making their playoff [...]
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It might not have been pretty. It certainly wasn’t how Dan Bylsma envisioned the evening going. But the Penguins managed to prevail in Game Six at Scotiabank Place despite falling behind 3-0 early on.
Thanks to Pascal Dupuis, the Penguins have booked a trip to the Eastern Conference Semifinals once more, but their opponent is unknown. While they wait for the Bruins, Sabres, Flyers or Canadiens, the team has a few days to rest up and try to get healthy again.
So let’s look back at the series that was with the Ottawa Senators. A best-of-three if you will, as the two teams had also met in 2007 and 2008.
Game One – Ottawa 5, Pittsburgh 4
Penguins Player of the Game: Evgeni Malkin (69.6%); 2 goals, 1 assist, even , 4 SOG.
Best Moment: Down two goals and running out of time, Captain Sidney Crosby took the puck behind Brian Elliot’s cage and continued to battle. Making a no-look behind the back pass, he put it right on the stick of Alex Goligoski, who then in turn played his part and launched a wrist shot to the only quarter-inch of netting Elliot didn’t have covered.
Why the game was Lost: Goaltending and defense are the two biggest aspects of the Stanley Cup playoffs. If a team doesn’t have them both, they probably won’t be going to far.
The Penguins didn’t have either in Game One as Marc-Andre Fleury allowed multiple goals he’d like back while the defense in front of him did a horrific job preventing Ottawa players from getting great scoring chances.
Ottawa 1, Pittsburgh 0.
Game Two – Pittsburgh 2, Ottawa 1
Penguins Player of the Game: Sidney Crosby (87.0%); 1 goal, 1 assist, 5 SOG, 13-of-19 faceoffs won.
Best Moment: Again, it was Crosby. Doing figure-eights behind the Ottawa goal while dragging Jason Spezza with him every inch of the way, Crosby put on a show late in the game before emerging on his knees. With everyone on both teams entirely mesmerized by his antics, he fed the puck out to Kris Letang, who promptly beat Elliot with a quick wrist shot.
Why the game was Won: Intensity. Everywhere the Penguins lacked in the first game, they made up for it the second time around. They registered a monstrous 52 hits, got to their game and played a very solid defensive game, severely limiting any chances Ottawa had.
After the first goal, allowed on the first shot, the Penguins and Marc-Andre Fleury shut everything down and after Crosby scored to tie the game, it really seemed like only a matter of time before the Mighty ‘Guins got a second. They just had to wait a little longer than expected due to fine play from Elliot.
Series tied, 1-1.
Game Three – Pittsburgh 4, Ottawa 2
Penguins Player of the Game: Sidney Crosby (77.8%); 1 goal, 1 assist, plus-1, 11-of-16 faceoffs won .
Best Moment: Not to sound redundant, but it’s No. 87 again. Up 2-1 with just seconds left in the second period, Crosby laid a hit on Andy Sutton in the corner, relieved him of the puck, then danced out in front of the Ottawa goal to simply out-wait Elliot before scoring the eventual game-winner.
The one moment, directly following 4-on-4 play, the Senators could not get their shut down pairing of Phillips and Volchenkov on the ice fast enough and Crosby immediately exploited the second-string unit.
A case could also be made for Malkin, who scored completely against the run of play. Ottawa was dominated possession in the Penguins zone and seemed to have Malkin’s line pinned, but as all great offensive players can do, a simple turnover leads to catastrophe for the tired Senators.
Why the game was Won: The Penguins played a textbook road game. They got an early lead, played excellent defense again, and always found a way to weather the storm when Ottawa appeared to gain momentum.
Marc-Andre Fleury also played his best game of the series, only allowing two power play goals that he really had no chance to stop on either occasion. He didn’t face a ton of rubber either, but the defense in front of him helped dramatically by blocking a lot of shots.
Pittsburgh 2, Ottawa 1.
Game Four – Pittsburgh 7, Ottawa 4
Penguins Player of the Game: Sidney Crosby (86.0%); 2 goals, 2 assists, plus-3, 4 SOG.
Best Moment: Where to start? There were eight goals scored in the second period alone, but one stands out far more than others. In the playoffs, shorthanded goals will be back-breakers nearly 100 percent of the time.
After the Senators turned a 4-0 deficit into just a two-goal hole, they got a chance on the power play to get within one.
Not on Max Talbot’s watch. Craig Adams came out of the zone with the puck and weaved his way through defenders.
Then just when it looked like he was running out of real estate on the wall, he somehow picked out Talbot charging to the net and the Superstar managed to one-hand the puck behind Elliot.
Why the game was Won: It was a game the Senators couldn’t afford to play, but they did anyway. Down 2-1 in the series and needing a win on home ice, Cory Clouston felt the need to get away from his stout defensive system in favor of taking more chances.
The Penguins were more than happy to play run-and-gun offense with Ottawa, putting seven goals behind the goaltending duo of Elliot and Pascal Leclaire.
They scored on turnovers (Crosby’s first, thanks to Spezza), on the power play, shorthanded, and on created mistakes (Kunitz from Crosby).
Pittsburgh 3, Ottawa 1.
Game Five – Ottawa 4, Pittsburgh 3 (Triple Overtime)
Penguins Player of the Game: Sidney Crosby; 1 goal, 2 assists, plus-2, 8 SOG.
Best Moment: It looked so good. With 11 minutes remaining in regulation, Crosby pulled off arguably his finest goal of the playoffs yet, beating Leclaire while sliding across the ice on his back. It gave the Penguins a lead for the first time all night and it looked like it could quite possibly be the series winner.
That didn’t follow the script however, but how many times in the Stanley Cup playoffs does it really?
Why the game was Lost: Pascal Leclaire and utter desperation from Ottawa. The new netminder wanted to impress, and he didn’t disappoint.
In fact, he made Clouston look like a genius for selecting him over Elliot, when it was Elliot who guided the Senators this far. But Leclaire made 56 saves and rejected the Penguins power play repeatedly.
The Senators also had no plans of ending their season this quickly, and they truly played like there was no tomorrow. It didn’t matter how long it took, they had the mindset that they were going to get the game-winner sooner or later.
Pittsburgh 3, Ottawa 2.
Game Six – Pittsburgh 4, Ottawa 3 (Overtime)
Penguins Player of the Game: Matt Cooke (51.9%); 2 goals, plus-3, 2 SOG, 2 hits.
Best Moment: How could it be anything else? Half way through the first overtime period, Selke finalist Jordan Staal took the puck on the forecheck against Shean Donovan. Staal then found line mate Pascal Dupuis coming off the wall and hit him with a perfect pass.
A quick shot gave Dupuis his first goal of the Stanley Cup playoffs but more importantly, the series winner as he sprawled to the ice.
Why the game was Won: Grit and determination. It wasn’t the stars that won the game, but the grinders and role players. Getting contributions from the oldest member of the team in Bill Guerin to its youngest in Jordan Staal, would it have been better any other way?
The Penguins knew that they couldn’t keep relying on Crosby to do everything all playoffs. So when the team needed them the most, unheralded Matt Cooke and Pascal Dupuis made it happen when the series almost looked surely headed for a seventh game after the Penguins fell behind 3-0.
Pittsburgh 4, Ottawa 2.
Player Ratings (Average)
1. Sidney Crosby: 8.00
2. Evgeni Malkin: 6.50
3. Brooks Orpik: 6.42
-. Max Talbot: 6.42
5. Kris Letang: 6.33
6. Chris Kunitz: 6.25
7. Bill Guerin: 6.08
Five Things We Learned
1. There is nothing Sidney Crosby cannot do. He constantly went head-to-head with arguably one of the best shut down defensive pairings in the entire NHL, and all he did was put up 14 points in six games. He will score big goals, win big faceoffs, set up teammates while making it look easy, and yes, he even dished out big hits as Daniel Alfredsson learned.
2. In the playoffs, the Penguins are a better road team than they are at home. It’s not so much that the team is 3-0 on the road and just 1-2 at home. But it dates back to a season ago, and they have now won five straight playoff series away from home. Whether the team feeds off the opposing crowd or just simply love playing on the road, they apparently feel no pressure whatsoever going into an unfriendly building.
3. Sergei Gonchar is still an extremely valuable piece to the team. No, he might not be as solid defensively as he used to be. Thanks to the fine offensive play, the Penguins power play operated at 25 percent for the series and a large part of that was Gonchar’s doing. He is currently tied for the league lead for points by a defenseman in the playoffs and boasts an impressive plus-7 mark.
4. You’re only as good as the depth on the roster. Twice in the series, the Penguins lost an important player to injury. First was Jordan Leopold, then Tyler Kennedy. While the timetable for their return is still unknown, their replacements (Jay McKee and Chris Conner) came in and did an excellent job. They needed depth a year ago to win the Cup and they’ll need everyone once again.
5. Never doubt Marc-Andre Fleury. He is a big-time playoff performer. His eight playoff series wins is by far the top of any goaltender remaining. There’s no substitute for experience and Fleury just oozes of it and gave the Penguins a chance to come back on multiple occasions, including Game Six.
Forward march!
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The 2009-10 Boston Bruins
23, Apr 2010NHLHS writer Christopher Nardi takes a look back at the 2009-10 Boston Bruins.
The Boston Bruins began the 2009-2010 season full of promise. They had shown, over the last two years that they were a team full of potential, full of scoring young players, and had a coach that was able to channel their desire to [...]
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- Tags: Marc Savard, Matt Cooke, NHLHS Features, Peter Chiarelli, Zdeno Chara
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Penguins Fate to be Determined Tonight?
20, Apr 2010Joe Depto takes a deeper look inside Game four between the Penguins and Senators.
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- Tags: 2010 nhl playoffs, 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Anton Volchenkov, Brian Elliot, Chris Campoli, chris phillips, Evgeni Malkin, Joe, Jonathan Cheechoo, jordan staal, Marc-Andre Fleury, Matt Cooke, National Hockey League, nhl, NHL playoffs, Ottawa Senators, Penguins Blurbs, Pittsburgh Penguins, playoffs, ruslan fedotenko, Shane Donovan, Sidney Corsby, The Hockey Guys, tyler kennedy
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Many sports fans compare baseball to a marathon, and football to a sprint. An adequate comparison for the NHL, if there is one, is an eight month long boxing match.
After being on the receiving end of blows to end the season, the Pens took a crucial blow to the chops in Game 1, drawing negative [...]
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- Tags: 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Anton Volchekov, Around the League, Atlantic, By Teams, Chris Campoli, chris phillips, Eastern Conference, Evgeni Malkin, Jonathan Cheechoo, jordan staal, Marc-Andre Fleury, Matt Cooke, nhl, NHL 2010 Playoffs, NHLHS Features, Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins, playoffs, ruslan fedotenko, Shane Donovan, tyler kennedy
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Keeping in mind that although sports are entertainment for the masses, for the athletes, it’s their jobs. It’s the way they provide for their families and make a living. With that being said, you never want so see an athlete in any sport get hurt to where they can’t make a living—except in this situation, maybe.
I think I speak for the majority of hockey fans and even some players when I say: Matt Cooke, payback’s a ——!
About two minutes into the second period of Atlanta’s 1-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday night, Cooke barked up the wrong tree.
Former Heavyweight champ Evander Holyfield might have been celebrating an eighth-round knockout victory in Vegas Saturday night, but it was a different Evander that was making news in the hockey world with a knockout of his own.
Last summer’s fourth overall draft pick, Evander Kane, KO’d Cooke with a thunderous right hook that would have made Holyfield proud.
Somewhere, Marc Savard is smiling.
Kane, who was being targeted by the Penguins all night after delivering a couple of hard, CLEAN checks to Sidney Crosby earlier in the game, had enough with Cooke’s antics.
Leading up to the one-punch fight, Cooke elbowed Kane along the boards and challenged him. I guess Cooke didn’t think the fiery, 18-year-old Vancouver native would respond the way he did.
The result of the altercation was Cooke momentarily knocked out as Kane skated to the box while Thrashers and NHL fans rejoiced. A stretcher was brought out, but Cooke was able to skate off under his own power.
Remember when Tie Domi sucker-punched Ulf Samuelsson years ago? There was an outrage over that as well—an outrage that it nobody did it sooner.
When you chose to live by the sword, you die by the sword. Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. What comes around, goes around. Insert generic cliche phrase for retribution here ______.
I’m sorry, but Matt Cooke had this coming—for a long time.
Cooke’s most recent note on a laundry list full of incidents came on March 7, with the highly publicized Marc Savard headshot.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, every NHL fan knows that the flawless NHL disciplinary system deemed the hit not suspension worthy.
Savard hasn’t played a game since with no timetable for a return.
What Evander Kane did tonight, drilled two of the biggest problems I have with the NHL right in the head—no pun intended.
The first issue I have with the NHL is: the way the league is reacting to clean hits.
This is hockey, it’s not ballet. No offense to ballet enthusiasts.
Thrashers’ coach John Anderson summed it up perfectly.
“If they take exception to who gets hit out there, does that mean you are supposed to start a fight?” Anderson said.
Much like I am, Anderson was confused to how players are supposed to play the game these days.
“I don’t get it. Crosby is so great for this game, but when you’re always around the puck, you’re going to get hit a little bit. Every time he gets body checked, does that mean somebody is going to get attacked?”
This is problem that is developing at rapid speeds in the NHL, lately.
It’s like I’m watching a roller hockey game some nights.
Player A skates down the ice. Player B drills him with a hard, clean hit. Player A’s teammate attacks Player B.
It’s almost appalling to watch some nights. What happened to taking a hit and getting back into the play and waiting for the opportunity to hit your opponent with an equally hard, legal hit?
The next problem that I have with the NHL that this Kane fight kind of deals with is: the instigator rule.
If this instigator rule isn’t in effect, Cooke and players alike don’t make it out of the game alive.
Look at how many cheapshots and headshots have been in the league over the last five years or so. Think it has nothing to do with the instigator rule? You’re out of your mind if you think it doesn’t.
These players get to run around and have literally no fear. It’s one thing to take liberties against your opponents knowing full-well that you’re going to pay the price in the near future. It’s another thing when you can run around like guerrilla warfare knowing you’re not going to get touched.
Cooke doesn’t make it out of that March 7 game against Boston if a guy like Tony Twist or Stu Grimson is laced up at the end of the Bruins bench.
Only time will tell what is going to happen, but if the league wants to clean up it’s act, these are two huge problems that need to be addressed.
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The old adage of “what goes around, comes around” might just apply here.
In a second period skirmish between Evander Kane and Matt Cooke, it was the Belleville, Ontario product on the receiving end of a vicious haymaker. Cooke had run Kane into the boards, then tried to goad him into a fight with some stick tapping and verbal jabs.
Kane had just recently rejected a fight with hulking Eric Go…
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