Wednesday, January 21, 2015

It's a Wednesday Night Rivalry Game in Pittsburgh!

By: MF,

The Pittsburgh Penguins are back on the ice at Consol after a tough 3-2 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, last night. It turned out to be a physical game, which amassed into 91 total minutes for both teams. It all started with a nasty hit made by Zac Rinaldo, which left Kris Letang down on the ice. Rinaldo was ejected and will have a phone hearing with the National Hockey League (NHL) on Monday. The game was horrible and the referees had no control of it.

However, the Penguins must move on as they will host the Chicago Blackhawks tonight in Pittsburgh. This is how their numbers stack up. The Penguins currently have a 10 game unbeaten streak at home against the Blackhawks (7-0-3) at home. The Blackhawks have not won in regulation when the face the Penguins since February 22, 1997. Lastly the Penguins have a 3.08 goals-per-game average over the last three seasons, which puts them second in the NHL behind the Blackhawks.

Now for individual statistics against the Blackhawks, David Perron has 20 points (12 goals and eight assists) against the Blackhawks, which leads all Penguins. In addition, Chris Kunitz has five points (two goals and three assists) in his last four games against Chicago. Also, Kunitz achieved a career milestone last night against the Flyers, he scored his fifth career shorthanded goal and reached his NHL career 500th point.

The numbers continue to look good as the Penguins killed 28 out of the last 29 penalties at Consol, which puts the penalty kill at 96.6%. The month of January has been good for numerous players. The assist leaders for the Penguins this month are Sidney Crosby (nine), Letang (eight), Evgeni Malkin (seven), and Nick Spaling (six).

The Penguins look great on the statistic sheet, but there has been some problems. Injuries have plagued the team and now they could be out another elite defensemen. Letang was injured after the Rinaldo hit and there hasn't been a full update, The Penguins did call up Derek Pouliot from Wilkes-Barre Scranton. Hopefully, he can get rest during the All-Star break and come back healthy. All of us hope it's nothing serious. Also, the team has been going through a rough patch as they have lost three games in a row. After tonight's game, the All-Star break will start and this will be a good time for everyone to rest. They can look over their system and fix the problems before the playoffs begin.

I just hope the Penguins play a smart game tonight and no one gets injured! Let's make it through this one without any problems! Lets Go Pens!

The Pens lineup is as follows:

Forwards
Kunitz, Crosby, Perron
Spaling, Sutter, Bennett
Arcobello, Goc, Downie
Sill, Ebbett, Adams

Defense
Martin, Bortuzzo
Scuderi, Pouliot
Harrington, Ehrhoff

Fleury in the net!

Play By Play
Pens 2 Blackhawks 3 SO


Shootout
The Hawks get the 3-2 win and the Pens have now lost four in a row. It was a better game by the Pens, but they couldn't finish. Hopefully the All-Star break gives them a chance to rest up and when they come back they will get some wins on the board.

Kane scores.

Crosby is stopped by the pad of Crawford.

Toews scores.

Perron hits the post.


Overtime
0:00- We are going to see a shootout!

1:32- Hossa misses an open net!

2:40- Fleury makes the save on Kane's spin-o-rama shot!

3:45- Perron battles through two players to get the puck deep. Such a hard working player.

5:00- This overtime is underway! The Pens need to just crash the Hawks net! Lets Go Pens!


3rd Period
0:00- This game is headed to overtime.

1:19- The Hawks ice the puck.

3:55- Fleury has been holding strong and keeping the Pens in this one.

6:28- Perron just makes his own way to the front of the net! Crawford with the save!

7:33- Fleury gets a shoulder on Richard's shot! Wow!

8:56- Martin lays a hard hit that sends Rundblad flying!

10:10- Finally a stoppage in play as Fleury gobbles up Towes' shot!

12:54- Toews is robbed by Fleury right in front!

15:02- Crawford comes out of the net to play the puck, but it takes a weird bounce landing in front of the net. Perron gets the puck and stick handles around Crawford, but the puck just goes right through the blue paint!

18:24- The Pens come out and start crashing the net!

19:34- Bennett is back on the ice!

20:00- The final period of regulation has started! The Pens have to keep up the pressure and shot total! Lets Go Pens!


2nd Period
0:00- Second period ends and the Pens have tied up things at 2.

0:44- Kunitz feeds a beautiful pass to Crosby! He goes down to one knee to fire a hard shot, which beats Crawford, but not the post!

2:23- Bennett has gone down the runway to the locker room.

4:36- Fleury flashes the glove to grab up Hossa's shot!

6:24- Fleury stands strong on a Hawks breakaway!

7:35- DOWNIE SCORES!! Downie gets the puck to Harrington at the point! He fires on net! Goc and Downie crash the net! Downie finds the loose puck and puts it in! Acrobello gets an assist and it's his first point as a Penguin! 2-2 tie game!

9:01- Kunitz and Crosby get chances on net and they were right on the doorstep!

11:59- Hawks are able to kill the Pens power play. The Pens looked much better and shot the puck every chance they got.

13:59- Downie is highsticked on the play and the Pens get a power play opportunity!

14:39- SILL SCORES HIS FIRST NHL GOAL! Ebbett feeds the puck to Sill who rips one past Crawford! The Pens have cut the Hawks lead in half! 2-1 Hawks.

17:19- Hossa Scores on the power play. Hossa holds the puck, Bickell screens Fleury. As Fleury looks left (blocker), Hossa goes right (glove). Hawks up 2-0.

18:20- Perron is called for holding and the Hawks get a power play.

18:44- Perron and Crosby get a chance as Perron passes to the center. Crosby is flying down the slot, but misses the puck!

20:00- Now it't time for the second period! I hope the Pens come out with speed and pepper the net with shots! Lets Go Pens!


1st Period
0:00- First period comes to an end and the Hawks lead 1-0.

1:22- A issue with the scoreboard clock keeps the teams waiting. The refs get everything figured out and the game is back underway.

2:36- Mark that down as a successful penalty kill for the Pens.

4:36- Now the Pens will have to kill a Hawks power play as they are called for too many men on the ice.

6:39- The Hawks kill it. The Pens need to get in the mind sight to shoot the puck more and do less of setting up pretty plays.

8:39- The Pens will get the first power play of the game as Oduya sits for hooking on Bennett.

8:42- Saad is denied right on the doorstep by Fleury, who keeps his pads strong, as Saad takes multiple whacks!

10:12- Ehrhoff rings a shot off the goal post! Great shift by the Pens third line.

12:56- Rundblad Scores. The Hawks pin the Pens in their own zone on an impressive shift. Rundblad snipes one from the point and the Hawks take the 1-0 lead.

13:31- Saad fires a shot right in front, but Fleury directs it wide!

17:58- Arcobello rips a shot on net and Crawford makes the glove save.

20:00- Malkin is a late scratch! Puck drop at Consol! Pens take on the Hawks! Lets Go Pens!

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