The Penguins are in Chicago!

By: MF,

Good afternoon everyone! Today we have a rare afternoon game as the Pittsburgh Penguins take on the Chicago Blackhawks. The Penguins are coming off two great back-to-back game wins and will look to keep that streak going. This will be only the second meeting, this season, between these two teams.

Going into this game the Penguins have only allowed one opposing power-play goal to the Blackhawks over Chicago's 16 previous opportunities on the power-play, dating back to February 27, 2009. Also, Zach Sill scored his first National Hockey League (NHL) goal against the Blackhawks earlier this season. This game will have superstars up against superstars. The Penguins Captain Sidney Crosby has 24 points in the first period, which is ranked first in the NHL. Not to mention, Patrick Kane (Blackhawks) currently leads the NHL in the scoring race at 63 points, but Crosby is fourth with 58 points. Crosby has been on fire lately and will be right at the top in no time. Since January 1st, the scoring leaders in this game are Patrick Kane with 23 points, Kris Letang 21 points, and Crosby with 20 points. It will be a test for the goaltenders today.

In addition, the Penguins defense has been key to the Penguins last two wins. First, Rob Scuderi has recorded three assists in his last four games. The team has a record of 6-0-1 when Scuderi records a point. Paul Martin is a plus six, which ties him with Letang for second in the NHL since February 4th. No time to talk about the main guy who has been on fire, Kris Letang. He has 19 assists since January 13th, which leads the league and the next closest defensemen is three assists away. He also has the most multi-point games since January 1st among defensemen at seven. We can't talk defense without mentioning the amazing goaltending by Marc-Andre Fleury. Fleury in his last five starts is 4-1, has a 1.19 goals-against-average, .943 save percentage, and two shutouts. When it comes to the West, the Flower is 9-2-1, has a 1.56 goals-against-average, .943 save percentage. During the month of February the netminder has a 1.26 goals-against-average, which puts him in the top spot in the NHL. The Penguins will rely heavily on Fleury during this game, but he looks up to the task.

Now the Penguins practiced yesterday and Christian Ehrhoff was there. He has been undergoing the concussion protocol, since January 28th against the Washington Capitals. He took part in a partial practice and didn't take part in contact drills. It's good to see him getting back into practice with everyone else. The only one absent during the practice was Paul Martin, who suffered a undisclosed injury Wednesday night. However, Martin will be in the lineup for today's game.

The Penguins have to play a smart defensive game and take it to the Blackhawks! This should be an interesting game! Lets Go Pens!

The Pens lineup is as follows:

Forwards
Kunitz, Crosby, Perron
Comeau, Geno, Hornqvist
Spaling, Sutter, Bennett
Adams, Lapierre, Downie

Defense
Martin, Letang
Pouliot, Bortuzzo
Scuderi, Despres

Fleury in the net!

Play By Play
Pens 1 Blackhawks 2

Shootout
The Blackhawks come out with the 2-1 shootout win. Fleury was amazing in this game and kept the Pens in this game. Good afternoon game, but the Pens just couldn't get the win.

Sharp Scores.

Letang is stopped by Crawford.

Kane Scores. 

CROSBY SCORES!

Toews Scores. 

PERRON SCORES!


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

0:57- Fleury with two awesome saves on Hossa! Unreal goaltending today by the Flower!

2:35- Letang with great skating moves to keep the puck safe.

4:15- Fleury with a huge save on Toews!

5:00- Time for some extra hockey! The Pens have to hold strong and not let up on Crawford! Lets Go Pens!


3rd Period
0:00- 60 minutes of regulation wasn't enough as things are still tied up at one! We are headed to overtime!

1:58- Letang lays out Kane at the blue line.

3:48- Awesome penalty kill by the Pens! Fleury was on point and makes a save at the end. Pens with another successful kill.

5:48- Crosby will now sit in the box for tripping on Toews. The Pens bring out their penalty kill unit.

7:13- Fleury losses his glove as he tries to cover the puck. The Pens were finally able to get his glove back to him with no harm done.

8:28- The Hawks pressure the Pens and Fleury comes up big. The Pens end up icing the puck.

10:32- The Pens better be thanking Fleury big time after this game.

12:41- The Pens power play comes to an end. Crosby's power play unit was flying.

14:41- Seabrook will take a seat for cross-checking and the Pens head onto the power play.

16:04- SPALING SCORES! Bennett makes his way through the Hawks zone and battles to get a shot off! His shot is saved by Crawford, but Spaling fires home the rebound! 1-1 tie game!

18:44- Some 4 on 4 hockey time as Bortuzzo and Kane receive matching slashing penalties.

20:00- Third period time! The Pens have to come at the Hawks and not let up! They have to get in on Crawford and shake things up! Lets Go Pens!


2nd Period

0:00- Second period ends and the Hawks lead by one after two. Fleury big reason for the Pens still being in this game.

2:00- An official calls Crosby for tripping and then the officials huddle up. Then the call is changed. Good call in the end. Oduya fell on his own and Crosby had nothing to do with that.

2:51- Malkin finds Comeau driving down the center and gets the puck to him. Comeau rifles one just wide.

4:36- Fleury makes a pad save on Hossa's shot/drive to the net. Hawks crash the net, but Fleury holds strong!

4:43- The Pens have a successful kill.

6:43- Sutter is now called for hooking and Hawks get their own power play chance.

7:28- The Pens power play ends. Malkin and Crosby were on two different units this time.

9:28- Kane goes for hooking and the Pens get the first power play of the game.

10:53- The first line of the Pens is absolutely flying on the ice.

12:40- Crawford has been huge for the Hawks and keeping the Pens at bay...for now. Fleury has also been solid in net.

15:11- Crosby is robbed once again by Crawford! Perron tires to jam in the second chance, but the pad of Crawford gets out.

16:38- Hjalmarsson Scores. The Hawks win an offensive zone faceoff and Saad goes back to Hjalmarsson. He fires from the point and it goes high past Fleury. 1-0 Hawks.

18:00- Scuderi tries for a center pass. It gets picked off by Shaw who fires a wrist shot. Fleury comes out to challenge and makes a beautiful glove save!

20:00- The second period is underway! The Pens have to keep up the hard work and get in the dirty areas to get one past Crawford! Lets Go Pens!

1st Period

0:00- First period ends and this game is scoreless!

0:10- The Hawks get a 2 on 1 chance. Letang has other thoughts and makes a sliding play to deny a shot or pass. 

1:13- Malkin comes flying down the right wing, but is dragged down by the goal. He is able to get a shot off and Crawford makes the save. 

2:55- Shots are 12-8 in favor of the Pens. 

4:01- Hornqvist rings one off the crossbar!

4:34- Toews tries for a redirect up front, but he directs the puck wide.

5:19- Crosby snipes, but Crawford robs him! The Pens had a set faceoff, which created the opportunity for Crosby. 

7:18- Hornqvist and Comeau get another 2 on 1 chance, Hornqvist passes, but Comeau fans on the shot. 

9:34- Smith backhands the puck towards the goal, but Fleury makes the save!

12:23- Comeau and Hornqvist get a 2 on 1 opportunity. Comeau holds the puck, but Keith slides to block his shot attempt.  

13:57- Hossa finds a shooting lane, but the shot goes wide of the net. 

17:24- Good start this game, but there is a lot of icing calls. It's hard to get a rhythm going. 

20:00- Puck drop and here we go! The Pens better be ready! Lets Go Pens!