Pens Last Regular Season Meeting against the Panthers! 4/13/13

The Pens conclude their Florida trip tonight as they face the Panthers. The Pens beat Tampa on Thursday 6-3 and look to sweep Florida with a win tonight against the Panthers. Sid and Martin made the trip to support their team. Tanger had a great comeback game against the Lightning and is a big boost in the Pens lineup. Unfortunately, the Pens will lose another key member in their lineup as Geno will not play tonight due to an upper-body injury. He was hit by Labrie during the game against Tampa and looked to be in some discomfort. Hopefully it's nothing serious and they are just being cautious. Should be an interesting game and hopefully the Pens are in control of it!

The Pens lineup is as follows:

Forwards
Kuni, Jokinen, Iggy
Morrow, Duper, Bennett

Cooke, Sutter, TK
Glass, Vitale, Adams

Defense
Orpik, Tanger
Niskanen, Murray
Despres, Eaton

Flower starts in the net!

Play By Play
Pens 3 Panthers 1

3rd Period
0:00- PENS SWEEP THE SOUTHEAST WITH A 3-1 WIN OVER THE PANTHERS! 

0:20- MORROW SCORES!!! Just as Markstrom gets to the bench, Morrow gets a breakaway chance and puts one in the empty net! Pens lead 3-1!

1:00- Flower stops a Panthers short-handed breakaway chance! The save of the game!

1:48- Gudbranson launches Cooke into the boards from behind and was a nasty hit. Vitale takes exception to the hit and goes after Gudbranson. He gets a boarding penalty and the Pens get a PP

2:39- Pens with another great PK effort as the Panthers PP expires!

4:39- Flower doing everything he can to keep the Panthers from scoring. Throwing his body all over to stop the puck!

5:20- Morrow will head off to the box and the Panthers will get yet another PP. Pens were really getting some good chances on net, but now they have a big PK ahead of them.

8:15- Pens kill off the Panthers PP. Great PK by the Pens and the Panthers didn't get anytime to set up in the zone.

10:15- Cooke gets a high-sticking penalty and the Panthers get another PP chance.

13:08- Sutter with a hard shot that is stopped by the pad of Markstrom. Panthers clear the loose puck from the front of the net.

15:15- Pens playing a physical game as they lead with 37 hits to the Panthers 17. Pens just hitting everyone that gets in their way.

18:38- Pens PP comes to an end. Bennett had a great chance on the Panthers net.

19:20- Bennett gets a wrist shot off at the half circle and Markstrom makes the glove save.

20:00- Third period time! Pens have a 1:22 PP to work with to start! Lets Go Pens!


2nd Period
0:00- Second period ends and the Pens still have the lead 2-1 over the Panthers!

0:38- Panthers get a too-many-men-on-the-ice penalty and the Pens get a PP chance!

5:16- Pens kill off the Panthers PP. Laying some big hits on the Panthers.

5:30- Orpik just laid out Kulikov on the boards. Kulikov was ran over by the truck of Orpik. Huge hit!

7:16- Morrow is sent to the box for boarding and the Panthers will get a PP.

Root Sports is having technical difficulties...so television feed is down.    

11:00- Pens going on the PK! Vitale for slashing

11:47- Pens put on a clinic in the Panthers zone. Kuni's shot is gloved down by Markstrom!

15:50- UPSHALL SCORES! Flower makes the first save and the Panthers crash the net! Scramble ensues and Upshall is able to backhand the loose puck into the net. Panthers cut the Pens lead in half 2-1!

16:10- Campbell's shot from the slot hits the goal post!

20:00- Second period is underway! Pens have to keep this game in their control! Lets Go Pens!


1st Period

0:00- First period ends and the Pens have the lead 2-0 over the Panthers!

1:25- MORROW SCORES!!! Bennett with some crazy skill gets the puck to Morrow right by the net. Morrow tries two backhanders and the second one goes off the back of Markstrom and into the net! Pens lead 2-0!

5:11- TANGER SCORES!!! Bennett at the half boards finds Tanger at the point. Tanger lets go of a nasty wrist shot that blows pass a screened Markstrom! The Pens take the lead 1-0 over the Panthers!

6:44- Both teams look good to start this game. Close checking game right now and the first goal will be a big one.

9:02- Orpik takes a shot from the point and it finds its way through traffic, but Markstrom makes the save.

12:39- Flower with a nice save on Fleischmann, coming out to cut down the angle.

15:30- Panthers have looked good to start this game and getting some quality chances. Pens have been working hard and not letting the Panthers get any breathing room.

18:01- Duper fires a hard shot and it just goes wide of the net. Pens getting some good quality chances to start this game.

20:00- Puck drops and it's on! Lets Go Pens! 

The Pens Weather the Storm!

The Pens get their revenge tonight with a 5-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes and clinch the Atlantic Division title! The Canes came out hard and got the first goal. Pens were able to stay in the game and tie it up, but the Canes didn't give up. The Canes got a late goal in the third and look to have the game in hand. However the Pens scoring exploded with two goals coming from Bennett and Geno! The teams looked rather sloppy in most of the game plays, but turned it around in the third. Great to see the Pens get another Atlantic Division title and now it's time to get the Eastern Conference title!

Game Summary

Pens 5 Hurricanes 3

Scoring 

1st Period
Joe Corvo (snap shot) from J.Staal - PPG
Bortuzzo (tip-in) from Duper and Adams
Morrow (snap shot) from Jokinen and Duper
Bobby Sanguinetti (snap shot) from E.Staal

2nd Period
None

3rd Period
Riley Nash (wrist shot) from Ruutu and LaRose
Bennett (backhand) from Adams and Engo
Geno (wrist shot) from Iginla 
Duper (wrist shot) unassisted - EN

Penalties 

1st Period
Engo - fighting (major) - 5 minutes
Kevin Westgarth - fighting (major) - 5 minutes
Adams - slashing - 2 minutes
Eric Staal - slashing - 2 minutes
Kuni - tripping - 2 minutes

2nd Period
Riley Nash - high sticking - 2 minutes
Jeff Skinner - slashing - 2 minutes

3rd Period
None

Shots were 33-28 in 
favor of the Pens! 

Pens Looking for Some Revenge! 4/9/13

Tonight the Pens are in Carolina to face the Hurricanes. The last time these two teams met, the Canes came out on top. Well things have changed since that game. The Canes were in the middle of a streak where they ended up winning six of seven games, but now they look to snap franchise tying losing streak of seven straight games at home tonight. Jokinen is now a Penguin and will face his former team for the first time. Hopefully he gets a goal against his former team tonight. On the injury front: Neal, Sid, and Martin are out of the lineup for awhile, nothing new on their injuries. Tanger practiced and traveled with the team, but will not suit up tonight. Also Despres is out of the lineup as a healthy scratch. Lets see if the Pens can exact some revenge on the Canes tonight!


The Pens lineup is as follows:

Forwards
Kuni, Geno, Iginla 
Morrow, Jokinen, Duper
Cooke, Sutter, TK
Glass, Adams, Bennett

Defense
Orpik, Eaton
Niskanen, Murry
Bortuzzo, Engo

Flower will be between the pipes!

Play By Play
Pens 5 Hurricanes 3

3rd Period
0:00- PENS WIN 5-3!!!!! Pens get the win and came out flying in the third after the Canes took back the lead! Pens clinch the Atlantic Division lead!!!

0:08- DUPER SCORES AN EMPTY NETTER!!! Pens lead 5-3!

0:50- Canes empty net!

1:50- Jokinen looks hungry for a goal on his former team, but Peters denies him.

4:00- Time is whining down and Pens turned a bit defensive. Sutter comes flying into Canes zone and gets off a nice shot that Peters makes a pad save on.

9:58- GENO SCORES!!! Iginla gets the puck off a Canes turnover in the neutral zone. Iginla passes to Geno and he goes back to Iginla. Iginla takes a shot and it's saved, but Geno pokes in the rebound! Pens take the lead 4-3!

8:47- BENNETT SCORES!!! Bennett goes to the front of the net and backhands a shot towards Peters. It jumps up in the air and goes over the back of Peters into the net! 3-3 tie game!

11:14- Duper with a chance and his shot just goes wide of the net on the stick side of Peters (barely).

13:31- Flower with a huge pad save on Bowman, who was right on his doorstep!

18:00- NASH SCORES! Canes work behind the Pens net and Flower makes the intial save, but gives up a rebound. Nash, in the slot, is able to get to the rebound first and puts it pass Flower. Canes take the lead 3-2!

19:20- Pens ice the puck and Canes will get another offensive zone faceoff opportunity. Pens call a timeout.

20:00- Third period time! Pens need to take back the lead and keep it! Lets Go Pens!


2nd Period
0:00- Second period ends and it's still tied at 2!

0:05- Murray makes a great defensive play by blocking Semin's pass attempt to E.Staal!

1:01- Pens ice the puck and Canes get an offensive zone faceoff. Been dangerous win they win them. Both there goals were off offensive zone faceoff wins.

3:02- Pens PP is killed off by the Canes. It wasn't the best looking PP for the Pens. The best chance was at the end of the PP. Jokinen had a nice shot on net, but Peters made the save.

5:02- Skinner is called for slashing and the Pens will get another PP chance.

6:02-Pens make a sick play. Morrow gets to the puck first and makes a cross ice pass, behind the net to Jokinen. He gets a pass to Duper in the slot and he lets go of a quick one timer. Peters comes up with the save.

8:33- Pens PP comes to an end. They had some great chances on net, but Peters came up with the saves.

8:54- Duper with a sick backhanded shot that is saved by Peters.

10:33- Pens will get a PP chance as Nash is sent off for high sticking penalty.

11:11- E.Staal gets a pass and he is all alone at the side of the net. Flower dives backwards and gets the save stretching out his glove hand. Scary play.

13:50- TK takes a backhanded shot that goes off the stick of Peters and over the net to the corner.

15:40- Flower makes a quick pad save on Skinner's sneaky shot!

17:40- Pens ice the puck and Canes get an offensive zone faceoff.

20:00- Second period is underway! Time for the Pens to take command of this game and the lead! Lets Go Pens!


1st Period

0:00- First period ends and it was an action filled period. It's a 2-2 tie game!

0:29- Niskanen fires a hard, laser shot from the point and it's redirected wide of the net!

4:26- SANGUINETTI SCORES! Canes win a faceoff in the Pens zone and Sanguinetti shots from the point after the faceoff win. The puck finds its way through all the traffic in front of net and goes pass the glove side of Flower. 2-2 tie game.

5:25- Flower makes a sick pad save on Skinner's point blank shot!

6:11- MORROW SCORES!!! Jokinen makes a sick, no look, backwards pass to Morrow. He turns around, stick handles around Canes defender and snaps one over the blocker of Peters. His first goal as a Penguin! Pens take the lead 2-1!

7:45- Geno gets going and comes into Canes zone working the stick handling. He looks ready to go tonight, I can feel a goal coming from him tonight.

11:04- Flower comes up with a big pad save on E.Staal's hard wrist shot at the side of the net.

14:32- BORTUZZO SCORES!!! Duper comes flying down the boards and makes a great cross ice pass to Bortuzzo, crashing the net. Bortuzzo sneaks one behind Peters! 1-1 tie game!

14:37- Pens are back to full strength!

14:57- Canes now get a short PP for 20 seconds.

15:54- CORVO SCORES ON THE PP! J.Staal screens Flower big time and Corvo goes top shelf on the Flower. Canes take the lead 1-0! 4 on 4 hockey for 57 seconds.

16:38- Dang another penalty as Kuni gets a tripping penalty. 4 on 3 Canes PP for 1:08.

16:57- Now E. Staal gets a slashing penalty. Some 4 on 4 hockey for 1:26.

17:31- Adams is sent to the sin bin for slashing and Canes get a PP chance.

17:58- Ding! Ding! Engo and Westgarth drop the gloves and go at it. Nice scrap between those two tough players.

20:00- The puck has dropped and here we go! Pens ready to exact some revenge on the Canes tonight! Lets Go Pens!  

Injury Updates 4/8/13

On the injury front there is some good news and some bad. First the good news: Tanger, who has missed the last five games due to a lower-body injury, joined the team practiced session today. This is a great development and next thing we know he will be game time ready. Also Sid talked to the media today after the Pens practice and looked in good spirits. It was great to see the captain talking and joking with the media. The bad news in all this is that Neal was diagnosed with a concussion, after being on the receiving end of an elbow to the head, during the game against the Rangers Friday night. He will miss the Pens upcoming three game road trip. We all wish Neal and Sid a speedy recover.

Rematch Time! Pens vs. Rangers 4/5/13

The Pens are set to take on the Rangers again after a hard lost to them Wednesday night in Madison Square Garden 6-1. Pens look to snap their two game losing streak with a win tonight at home. No new injury updates to report. Jokinen will make his debut as a Penguin tonight, centering Duper and Kuni. Welcome to Pittsburgh! Lets give him a warm welcome and get a win tonight! Lets Go Pens!


Pens lineup is as follows:

Forwards
Iginla, Geno, Neal
Duper, Jokinen, Kuni
Morrow, Sutter, Cooke
Glass, Adams, TK

Defense
Orpik, Eaton
Murray, Niskanen
Engo, Bortuzzo

Flower in the net!

Play By Play
Pens 2 Rangers 1

Shootout
Callahan misses the net and PENS WIN 2-1! Flower is the player of the game and deserves to be the first star of the game!

Duper is stopped by Lundqvist!

Zuccarellos is stopped by Flower!

Geno is stopped by Lundqvist. Lundqvist looks to be in some discomfort.

Flower stops Nash!

Jokinen scores!


OT Period
0:00- WE ARE HEADED TO A SHOOTOUT!

1:54- Geno and Duper exchange the puck behind the net being sneaky! Lundqvist with the save as Duper tries to jam one in. Impressive play.

3:13- Flower makes a pad save!

5:00- OT time! Come on Pens, lets win this one for Flower!


3rd Period
0:00- We are headed to OT! 1-1 tie game!

1:07- Flower with a pad save on Stephan's shot!

2:46- Flower comes up with another huge save. Boyle gets a breakaway chance, but Flower denies him with a stick save!

4:47- NASH SCORES! Nash fires a quick shot through a screen off the faceoff win. Nothing Flower could do on that one. 1-1 tie game!

4:50- Rangers PP ends.

4:52- Flower makes a great save and lays down on the puck to keep it out! Play is reviewed...NO GOAL!!!

6:50- Duper is sent to the box for unsportsmanlike conduct and Rangers with the PP chance.

7:42- Pens PP comes to an end. Boyle is just sent flying by Murray, what a hit! Bulldozer! "He went down like a the Empire State Building" Bob Errey

8:42- Neal gets an elbow to the face from Del Zotto and goes down hard. Trainer comes out to help him. Neal looks disoriented and is still wobbly as he his helped off the ice. He heads to the locker room.

9:45- Boyle cross-checks Kuni into the boards and he goes down hard. Kuni is slow to get up. Boyle is sent to the box for cross-checking penalty and the Pens will get a PP chance.

11:39- FLOWER WITH SOME HIGHWAY ROBBERY! Flashes the glove and makes a split pad save on Stephan's shot! Amazing! Flower Power, he is in beast mode right now!

12:06- Flower with a nice pad save on Nash's shot!

14:32- Neal is back on the ice for his shift. Very good sign and he looked good on that shift.

17:25- Neal goes to the bench and looks to be in some pain.

19:30- JOKINEN SCORES!!! Jokinen with a sniper shot that goes pass Lundqvist and into the net! His first goal as a Penguin and the first of the game! Pens lead 1-0! Welcome to the Burgh Jokinen!

20:00- Third period time! Pens looks to get the important first goal on the board, lets do it early in the third! Lets Go Pens!


2nd Period
0:00- Second period ends and it's still scoreless! Both goalies have been sharp in their nets! Flower was amazing and Pens look to get more offensive plays going.

0:31- Flower makes a huge pad save on Richards' shot!

2:40- Flower ends up losing his glove on a play, but plays on. He even looks ready to make a save without the glove! When the play is clear the ref helps him out. Dedicated goalie

4:45- Rangers kill off the Pens PP. Iggy had a great chance in the slot, but Lundqvist made the save. You can feel how important the first goal is in this game. Lets get it Pens!

6:45- Powe gets a delay of game penalty and the Pens will head to the PP!

9:55- Flower denies Asham's one timer shot! Really holding down the fort for the Pens!

10:06- Lundqvist is caught moving to anticipated and Iggy almost jams one in from the side of the net! Crazy battle in front of the net there.

11:17- The Pens with a great PK effort and Flower was solid in the net. Rangers PP comes to an end and Pens are back to full strength.

12:33- Stephan is left all alone in the slot and gets a wicked shot off. Flower comes to the top of the crease to challenge and flashes the glove to make the save. Amazing save by the Flower!

13:17- The Rangers will get the first PP of the game as Eaton is sent to the box for holding.

13:21- Sutter is back on the bench for the Pens.

15:50- Sutter takes a faceoff and ends up skating to the bench after losing the faceoff. He looks to be in pain and heads down the runway to the locker room. Stephan's stick hit the hand of Sutter on the faceoff.

19:35- Pens come out right away and pressure the Rangers. Jokinen fans on a shot right in front of Lundqvist.

20:00- Second period time! Pens really need to get the first goal and take control of this game! Lets Go Pens!


1st Period

0:00- First period ends and it's scoreless. Pens had some good chances during that first period and Flower was strong in the net. Shots were 13-11 in favor of the Rangers.

1:18- Flower looking really sharp in this game. Reason Rangers haven't scored, they have had some quality chances. Pens with their own quality chances on Lundqvist, but he has come up big for Rangers.

2:37- TK crashes the net for the rebound chance. Lundqvist makes the pad save on TK's shot deep in his own net.

6:40- Rangers D-man breaks his stick and the Pens get an odd man rush. Geno makes the cross ice pass to Neal, flying down the left wing. His shot is saved by the stick of Lundqvist. Nice chance for Pens there.

7:30- Jokinen gets a chance right in front of the net, but he over skates the rebound. Kuni gets the puck, but Lundqvist makes the save with his head.

9:20- Duper's backhander shot goes pass Lundqvist and goes across the crease. Then Rangers transition to the Pens zone, but Flower makes the save.

10:32- Flower with a great save on Nash and he makes sure there is no rebound.

11:47- Engo and Clowe drop the gloves. Great scrap.

14:07- Jokinen has been flying on his two shifts as a Penguin. Pens looking better to start this game. They have come out hard and been battling. This is Pens hockey, lets continue it!

17:20- Morrow comes out and has a great shift. Battling hard for the puck and laying two huge hits on both ends of the ice.

20:00- The puck has dropped and here we go! Welcome to Pittsburgh Jokinen! It's Hockey Night in Pittsburgh! Lets Go Pens! 

Pens Visit Madison Square Garden to take on the Rangers! 4/3/12

The Pens have traveled to Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Rangers! Ray Shero made one last move before the trade deadline acquiring Jokinen from the Carolina Hurricanes. No changes on the injury front. Hopefully the Pens can get back on track after a lack lesser performance last night against the Buffalo Sabres. Lets Go Pens!

The Pens lineup is as follows:

Forwards
Kuni, Sutter, Duper
Neal, Geno, Iginla
Morrow, TK, Cooke
Glass, Vitale, Adams

Defense
Orpik, Engo
Murray, Niskanen
Despres, Bortuzzo


Flower in the cage!

Play By Play
Pens 1 Rangers 6

3rd Period
0:00- That's it as the Rangers get the win 6-1 over the Pens. Pens didn't come with the same energy and let the Rangers take control of the game. Hopefully this is a different story on Friday.

1:39- Boyle goes around Despres and Flower stands strong in the net to make the save.

2:46- Flower with a lighting fast glove save on Rangers shot. Impressive.

5:42- Pens are able to kill off the Rangers PP and are back to full strength.

7:42- Orpik gets a cross-checking penalty and Rangers get yet another PP.

10:13- MOORE SCORES! Moore fires one from the blue line and it is goes off Cooke right through the five hole of Flower. Rangers lead 6-1!

12:15- Murray pinches in and keeps the play alive in the Rangers zone. Kuni gets behind the defense and is alone in front of the net. Lundqvist robs Kuni!

12:32- Flower makes another nice pad save on a shot from Richards.

13:51- Glass and Asham finally get the chance and drop the gloves. Nice fight and they head to the box.

15:00- Neal gets a nice shot in the slot that is saved by Lundqvist. Geno picks up the rebound, but his pocket is picked before he can get a shot off.

15:44- Flower makes another great glove save on Rangers shot.

17:01- TK takes a shot and it goes up high over the net.

20:00- Third period is underway! Pens need to put some points on the board and clean up their defensive play this period. Lets Go Pens!


2nd Period
0:00- Second period ends and the Rangers deliver another dominating performance to extend their lead t 5-1 over the Pens.

1:54- Flower comes out to make a huge pad save. Puck trickles pass the goal post and Pens can clear.

4:37- Geno crashes the net and gets a great chance. Three Rangers bring him down, so he is unable to try to wrap the puck around Lundqvist's pad.

8:08- CLOWE SCORES ON THE PP! Flower is caught to one side of the net and Clowe is left wide open at the other side of the net. He is able to put it into the net. Rangers with their third PP goal lead 5-1.

8:37- Cooke gets a tripping penalty, so Rangers will head to the PP. Asham gets a unsportsmanlike conduct penalty as well as Glass, who also gets a game misconduct.

9:02- Bortuzzo with a hard shot that is blocked. Rangers ice the puck and have tired players on the ice.

12:23- Flower comes up with a huge save on a point blank shot by Callahan. Really solid and making good saves, game could be way worse.

15:22- Geno crashes the net, but just can't get the puck into the net.

17:33- DUPER SCORES!!! Duper crashes the net and picks up the loose puck. He roofs one over the pad of Lundqvist! 4-1 Rangers

18:07- BRASSARD SCORES ON THE PP! Brassard crosses into the slot area and takes a hit right after staying in the area to fire the puck. It finds the back of the net. Rangers lead 4-0!

18:33- Geno is sent off for tripping and the Pens will bring out their PK unit as Rangers head to the PP.

19:49- Pens PP ends and the Rangers are back to full strength.

20:00- Second period time! Pens have 11 seconds left on their PP. Alright Pens it's time to pick up your game and show the Rangers who is the best team in the league.


1st Period

0:00- First period ends. Rangers dominated that period and as a result have the lead 3-0 over the Pens.

1:49- Del Zotto takes a seat for tripping and Pens get a PP.

2:15- Rangers get a 3 on 1 chance and Nash is left wide open. Flower denies him with a blocker save. Amazing save by the Flower.

3:00- Pens finally get some good offensive zone time, but need more of this and they have to result in goals.

5:30- Flower comes up with a huge save to keep the Pens from falling any further down this hole they have dug. Goal update: Boyle is now credited with the Rangers first goal.

5:41- CLOWE SCORES! Orpik is beat for the puck and Clowe is all alone to get the puck. He takes it right to the net and sneaks it pass the skate of Flower. Rangers now up 3-0. Pens call a timeout.

7:41- MCDONAGH SCORES! Richards wins the puck off the boards and passes to McDonagh in the slot. He was left all alone and is able to put one top shelf on Flower. 2-0 Rangers

8:20- Solid pad save by Flower and he directs it into the corner. Pens sloppy in their defensive zone right now.

9:59- RICHARDS SCORES ON THE PP! Rangers are able to keep the puck in the zone after Pens fail to clear it. Richards gets the puck and fires one from the point. It gets redirected as it travels through the traffic in front of the net and goes pass the glove side of Flower. Nothing Flower could do on that one. 1-0 Rangers

11:24- The Rangers will now get a PP chance as Kuni is caught for slashing, away from the play.

13:38- Stephan gets speed down the right side into the Pens zone and lets go of a wicked wrist shot. Flower is able to get a piece of it and direct it up into the netting.

15:36- The Rangers are able to kill off the Pens PP. Some nice looks at the net, but the Pens only register two shots on net.

16:36- Lundqvist makes a sweet glove save on Niskanen's shot from the point. Then Iginla gets a shot off that hits the goal post!

17:36- The Pens will get the first PP of the game as McDonagh will be sent to the sin bin for high sticking.

18:31- There have been three icings already in this game. Neither team getting anything going yet.

20:00- The puck drops and this game is on! Lets Go Pens! 

Shero Makes Another Move!

So it seems that Ray Shero has made yet another roster move before the trade deadline expires. The Pens have acquired Jussi Jokinen from the Carolina Hurricanes for a conditional 6th or 7th round draft pick. Jokinen is 30 years old and has racked up eleven points, so far this season for the Hurricanes, six being goals and five assists. Jokinen has skill and is good in the faceoff circle, with Sid being out, Jokinen will be able to help fill the hole left in Sid's absent. Welcome to Pittsburgh Jokinen!

Pens Host Sabres! 4/2/13

After a perfect March the Pens look to continue into a April with their current fifteen game win streak, as they host the Buffalo Sabres at Consol Energy Center. On the injury front: Sid is out with a broken jaw, Martin had a success hand surgery, Tanger has skated on his own, and Flower will backup Vokoun tonight again. Iginla finally praticed with the team and looks to be fitting right in, which is great. The Pens are down three key players, but they have depth in their lineup that will be tested tonight. Lets see if they can answer the call. Lets Go Pens!

The starting lineup is as follows:

Forwards
Kuni, TK, Duper
Neal, Geno, Iginla

Morrow, Sutter, Cooke
Glass, Jeffrey, Adams

Defense
Orpik, Eaton
Murray, Niskanen
Despres, Engo

Vokoun will start in the net!

Play By Play
Pens 1 Sabres 4

3rd Period
0:00- SABRES WIN 4-1! The Pens fifteen game winning streak has come to an end, but what an amazing streak it was. Pens still the best and the Cup is what truly matters! Go Pens!

2:35- Flower comes up with a huge save on Portor. Amazing work by the Flower in the net.

2:50- Pens PP ends.

4:50- Pens getting some good offensive zone time and they draw a penalty to head to the PP as Hodgson gets two for hooking.

9:11- Time is whining down and the Pens still trail the Sabres 4-1!

11:38- Pens kill off yet another Sabres PP. Time to get some offensive going!

13:48- Kuni is in the box for tripping and Sabres get fifth PP in a row.

13:51- Neal gets a shot in the slot that is deflected into the netting.

14:45- Pens kill off the Sabres PP and are back to full strength.

16:45- Sabres get fourth PP as Neal is sent to the sin bin for interference.

20:00- Third period is underway! Pens have to crash the Sabres net if they want to comeback in this game! Lets Go Pens!


2nd Period
0:00- Second period ends and the Sabres lead 4-1! Pens better come out better and ready next period!

3:28- Pens are able to kill off the Sabres PP! Flower was strong in the net for the Pens.

5:28- Sabres will get their third PP as Morrow is called for cross-checking.

6:00- Pens getting a few chances on net, really need a goal to cut Sabres lead in half before the period ends.

7:36- Pens kill off the Sabres PP. Flower makes two quick left pad saves that keep the Pens in this game. Holding down the fort.

9:36- Sabres shot rings off the goal post, but Pens are able to kill the PP. Despres is called for boarding and the Sabres will head right back onto the PP. Huge PK for Pens.

11:38- Sabres get a PP as Engo goes to the box for roughing. Pens bring out the PK!

16:32- SABRES PORTOR SCORES. Portor really making a pass instead of a shot, but it goes off Engo's skate then off the back of Vokoun's leg and into the net. Flower replaces Vokoun. Sabres now lead 4-1!

17:39- SABRES HODGSON SCORES! Hodgson is able to put one behind Vokoun on a wraparound attempt. Sabres increase their lead to two goals over the Pens. 3-1 Sabres.

20:00- Second period time! Pens need to take back control of this game and the lead! Lets Go Pens!


1st Period

0:00- First period ends. Iggy has his first goal as a Penguin, but the Sabres have the lead 2-1 heading into the locker room.

1:50- SABRES OTT SCORES! Ott comes into the Pens zone late and gets space. He blast one from the top of the faceoff circle and it blows pass the blocker of Vokoun. Sabres with the goal ahead goal, 2-1 Sabres.

6:33- IGINLA SCORES!!! HIS FIRST AS A PENGUIN!!! Kuni throws the puck to the front of the net as Iginla is crashing the net. He pushes the puck right pass Miller and in to the back of the net! 1-1 game time! It was a PP goal! Welcome to Pittsburgh and the Penguins Iggy!

9:36- SABRES PORTER SCORES SH GOAL! Iginla breaks his stick, but is able to kick the puck to Niskanen in the defensive zone. Niskanen makes a backward pass, but it finds Porter instead of Geno. Porter fires one right pass an unsuspecting Vokoun. The long shutout streak ends. Sabres up 1-0!

10:21- Pens will get another PP as Weber is called for boarding and gets an extra two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct. Four minute PP for Pens.

10:45- Sabres are back to full strength. Pens didn't get much on that PP and the game is still scoreless.

12:45- The Pens will get a PP chance as Stafford is sent to the box for slashing.

13:36- Sabres haven't gotten any real offensive zone time, but the Pens have had a few good chances to start. Mostly back and forth hockey going on.

16:48- Geno does work behind the Sabres net and feeds a pass right in Iginla in the slot! Iginla gets a piece of it, but Miller makes the save.

20:00- The puck has dropped and the game is underway! Time for the Pens to light the lamp up early and often! It's Hockey Night in Pittsburgh! Lets Go Pens!