Nice to have you back - we missed you

Well - look who decided to show up this year....the Penguins team we haven't really seen since last year! Thats the way they're playing, anyways.
There were a few things that were worrying me going into the Florida game on Thursday -

3 things actually:
1. Gonchar out - he left to be by his wifes side while she gave birth. I thought without him, this team could get blown out against a team they are contending for a playoff spot with.
2. Crosby's back in the lineup. You're probably wondering why this worries me. My concern is that Sid would join a red hot team that has won all 4 games that he missed with a wonky groin - and they would lose. That would turn a huge positive into a massive negative. For some reason the Pens record without Sid is something ludacris like 24-11 or something ...
3. New guys. My worry was the 1st game this the plays arquired at the trade deadline would really suck right off the bat, deraling the teams winning streak.
Looks like i was worrying for nothing - Pens kicked ass, and looked like the Pens of last year doing it. If I were a top-seeded team in the playoffs, I don't think I'd want to face these guys right now.

Barf City - Pens lose big to the Leafs - again

With the recent huge win over the Sharks, I figured this was the most important game of the year for the struggling Penguins. With a win over Toronto, the Pens would've gained momentum, and some ground on the, ugh, Hurricanes and Panthers.

Well, that didn't work out so well. Giving up 5 goals (and the lead) in the third period against a loser team doesn't cut it at this time of the year. The Pens showed little urgency, and even less passion against one of the Eastern Conferences cellar dwellers. It seems to have become a bad habit.
The Penguins and their GM are in a precarious position....On one hand Shero has a team that isn't playing like they deserve to be a buyer at the trade deadline - on the other hand Pens ownership has made it known “missing the playoffs is not an option”.

Well, in my humble opinion - the ONLY way Pittsburgh makes the playoffs this year, is to

FIRE
MICHEL
THERRIEN

(hm - if I put Godard and de trainer on de 1st line wit Sid...)

I don't care if you brought in Ovechkin, and demi-god Lemieux himself laced up - this team will not succeed with this ass-clown behind the bench. Therrien does not know how to handle young players. Therrien alienates veterans to the point that they want off the team. Word is Bill Guerin wouldn't wave his no-trade clause to Pittsburgh solely due to Therriens' handling of vets in the last few years.
Pretty bad when someone turns down a trade for a possible cup-run from the lowly Islanders.

ouch

The Penguins' current team reminds me of the Washington Capitals when coached by Glen Hanlon. That team had a bunch of really good players, but they inexplicably played a semi-defensive game - and they sucked. They had no identity.
Along comes Bruce Boudreau, and BAM! It was like watching a butterfly emerging from a defensive cocoon. He is coaching the team to play to the strengths of their players. And what do you know - they're leading their division, and are one of the favorites to come out of the East.

Therriens' coaching expertise is a three trick pony:

1. Shuffle the lines as much as humanly possible. This way the players have a 0% chance of creating ANY chemistry whatsoever.

2. Another awesome coaching tactic - nonsensical healthy scratches. Two of 7,000 examples - sitting veteran Hal Gill last night, after he played a solid defensive game, and actually led the team in minutes played against the Sharks - WTF?? Also, him constantly sitting Goligoski, and playing Boucher. If Gogo played all the games, he would have around 27 points - as a rookie! How do you keep that off the ice when your two offensive dmen are gone for most of the year?

3. Therriens favorite trick...Putting Crosby and Malkin on the same line. Pure Genius. This isn't even working now - so what does that mean? See #1 - Shuffle the lines as much as humanly possible.

A different coach would do wonders for this team. I don't hate MT, or even think he's a bad coach. I just think his act has worn out its welcome in Pittsburgh. He's totally lost the locker room. Because he really doesn't know how to get things going, he has the Penguins PLAYING A TRAP!! The Pittsburgh Penguins playing a trap - with the 2 leading scorers in the league!!

(and Jesus wept)

I understand Shero's reluctance to fire him though. Shero was forced to give the coach a 3 year extension because they came with 2 victories of the Cup. I really like Shero as a GM, but I'm getting frustrated because MT is still coaching this team. After every loss, I anxiously wait for the news he's been fired - but alas that hasn't happened.

yet.......

Pittsburgh 2, San Jose 1, SO

Finally!
This is the first time in over 2 months that the Pens looked like they were ALL on the same page.
If there is a team to beat, a game to build on - this is it.
The ONLY bad thing, is this win will enable Therrien to keep his job a little longer - obviously I'm not a fan.
Next up T.O.
Pens must win this game - to build on - get a streak going.

With Vanek out for 3-4 weeks, this is our chance to leapfrog Buffalo, then deal with pesky Florida.
Remember when they used to throw those stupid rats on the ice whenever the Panthers scored?



Lame