I’m just going to file this with my “Sidney Crosby Is A Robot Theory”.
Malkin suffered a torn ACL/MCL in his right knee on February 4th against Buffalo. An injury that was slated with a 6 month recovery time. Reports are mixed when it comes to whether or not it’s normal for someone who has suffered this type of to be back on the ice 9 weeks after surgery but regardless this is definetly an amazing sign for Pens fans.
While listening to the CBC broadcast of today’s game it was said that there is a slight possibility of Geno returning to the lineup if the Pens advance and, for those of you hanging on to this info and thinking it’s possible, let me bring you back down to earth a little. Yes, it is great news that he’s back on the ice but for him to return to the lineup if the Penguins make it to the conference finals or possibly beyond is a little farfetched. I guess it all depends on how advanced the nanotechnology and computer science is in Pittsburgh.
In 43 games played this season, Malkin has 15 goals and 22 assists.
The Stanley Cup playoffs are here. I don’t know if I can even describe in words how excited I am. We all remember the NHL commercial campaign at the opening of the ’10-’11 season with the tag line, “questions will become answers.” That ad campaign got me so psyched for the season but that feeling can’t compare to the thrill I feel during the playoffs. The regular season, no matter how important or exciting can’t hold a candle to the post-season. Every goal, every game, all lead up to this. Coming off the regular season with four straight wins, the Penguins look to kick off their 2011 playoff run strong.
Regular Season Stats
Still still still without top scorers Evgeni Malkin and captain Sidney Crosby the Pens have found a way to stay strong. Mostly due to several players stepping up to fill those skates. Tyler Kennedy has become synonymous with goal scoring in Pittsburgh and Jordan Staal has also stepped up into a major leadership role for the Penguins. Without his former line mates present, Pascal Dupuis has also emerged as a key player for Pittsburgh. Kris Letang has really stepped up for Pittsburgh as the D-Corps has become a focus for the Pens without their top scorers.
The Lightning have been impressive all season and Pens fans should not underestimate this talented Tampa Bay team. This seven game series will definitely be one of the most watched and most exciting series of the first round. Prepare for a gongshow every night.
The month of March, so far, has been a double-edged sword for the Pittsburgh Penguins. On one hand, the lion-esque Penguins have welcomed several new acquisitions who have seamlessly injected themselves into the depleted lineup and ignited the Pens offense on every line, like in yesterday’s win over the Edmonton Oilers where the Pens scored five goals. The Penguins have had to dig deep to produce wins without their backbone of superstars Evgeni Malkin and captain Sidney Crosby but they’ve been managing. On the other hand, the Penguins, at times, look sheepish and lost without their captain and have embodied the proverbial lamb of March. The Pens have won three of their last six, not great by any standards, let alone the standards of Pens fans who have grown accustomed to consistently high performances by their beloved flightless birds.
However, despite the unpredictability of which version of the Penguins fans will see on the ice come game time, the lions or the lambs, getting a W and two solid points is a step in the right direction for the Penguins. They have battled back from losing consistently after facing adversity, to only being able to say “at least we got a point†after every. single. game, to being able to handle tough cup contenders like the Boston Bruins. If the Penguins can keep making steps forward like they have, a deep playoff run is not out of the question. So keep the faith, fans, and march on!
The Penguins have faced two great teams in the Chicago Blackhawks and the Washington Capitals and felt the unpleasant sting of a loss in both games. The shootout loss to Chicago was huge for the struggling Blackhawks who, before the win, were four points out of a playoff spot. The Penguins showed that they aren’t done with this season despite facing adversity through injuries and suspensions recently. The Pens battled back from deficits twice. Pittsburgh still managed to squeeze out a point. Matt Cooke, who made his return to the ice that game even had a shorthanded goal, proving that he can be a playmaker without playing dirty, which is what Pens and hockey fans like to see. Brett Sterling scored the other goal for the Pens in the 3-2 loss and has earned a point in each of the five games he has played in for the Penguins since being called up. The Pens have proven that even without their superstars they can be agressive and  competitive.
Alex Ovechkin shoots on Marc-Andre Fleury. Ovechkin was named second star of the game and Fleury was named third star.
Something they showed in their excruciating loss to the rival Washington Capitals on Monday. Not for lack of opportunities and physical effort, the Penguins got shut out at home. Capital’s captain the Chernobyl Hockey Miracle, I mean, Alex Ovechkin had the only goal of the intense battle between these two top teams. Marc-Andre Fleury and Michal Neuvirth put on a clinic in fantastic saves on Monday night, each with impressive game-saving and game-changing saves in net. Neuvirth was named first star of the game and Fleury was named third star, respectively. The Penguins were gritty and physical and impressive despite their inexperienced lineup. Jordan Staal stepped up as a reliable and dominant force for the Penguins and will hopefully continue to maintain that role on the team in the future.
James Neal
And now onto the good news! We have two new players and I couldn’t be more excited. The Penguins have acquired forward James Neal and defenseman Matt Niskanen from the Dallas Stars for defenseman Alex Goligoski. Goligoski, affectionately known as “Gogo” to fans, will undoubtedly be missed but the two new acquisitions are very exciting. Neal, a left winger standing at 6’2″, had 39 points and 21 goals with the Stars. The Pens need a forward that can put up numbers like that in the absence of Evgeni Malkin and captain Sidney Crosby among the other top scorers out with injuries. Although it’s tough to see Goligoski go, adding Niskanen to the D-corps should be good for the team and will be exciting to watch.
Tyler Kennedy’s OT goal put the Pen’s over the Colorado Avalanche in yesterday’s game. It was a back and forth battle and the Avs managed to still grab a point as the game went into overtime. It’s not secret that both teams have been struggling as of late, and as a fan of both it hasn’t been fun to watch. Young Avalanche star, Matt Duchene is out indefinitely with a hand injury and obviously the Penguins are still plagued with numerous injuries.
The Toronto Maple Leafs try out the hockey equivalent of the infamous "rally cap"
With captain Sidney Crosby saying he “hopes” to play this season and with Evgeni Malkin’s season-ending surgery, not to mention the other top scorers that are still being bothered by nagging injuries. The Penguins are hurting and this win will hopefully be a confidence boost in the locker room and in the stands. It feels like all I write about is injuries and how Crosby still isn’t back on the ice. Fans are losing hope and watching games, it is looking like players are losing some of their motivation.
I’ve heard so many Penguins fans (and haters) saying that the Penguins’ chance of winning the cup is long gone. I say, keep the faith and don’t give up hope. True, our team is down on their luck but we have one of the best coaches in the National Hockey League and still have some incredible talent going out on the ice every game. Earlier this season, Marc-Andre Fleury was having some struggles of his own, but with his teammates’ and fans’ support, he bounced back and is having an incredible season. baseball doesn’t need to hog the “rally cap” so Penguins fans, turn your caps upside down and inside out and lets get two points on Sunday in Chicago.
How quickly did things turn around for Evgeni Malkin and the Penguins? With Geno returning for the 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres, things were looking up for Pittsburgh. In that victory, Malkin suffered torn ligaments in his knee. He had torn both his MCL and ACL and will most likely be out for the remainder of the season with surgery and rehab. However, Coach Dan Bylsma said there is still no official decision about whether Malkin will have surgery or not. Still, the tides have changed for the Penguins, evident in a 3-0 loss to the Washington Capitals in a Winter Classic rematch. The Penguins will try to snap back from the loss on Tuesday at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Here’s the video of Malkin’s injury during the game vs. the Sabres:
Fans at tonight’s game in Pittsburgh between the Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres will welcome back Evgeni Malkin after a lengthy bout with a sinus infection. With Geno back in the lineup (at practice he was 1st line center) look for the Penguins to have a strong offensive showing. Pittsburgh has been dominant in the series versus the Sabres, winning five of the six trips the Sabres have made to the Consol Energy Center. Jordan Staal will be available to play tonight after his one-game suspension was rescinded. Sidney Crosby is still out.
Eric Tangradi and Evgeni Malkin skate at Penguins practice on Wednesday
GENO IS BACK! Malkin is scheduled to play in Buffalo against the Sabres on Friday. Much rejoicing. Girls love. Etc. Etc. Having Malkin back in the lineup with be crucial to the Pens offensive play. With Letestu out and Crosby still not cleared to play, Pittsburgh needs as much depth up front as they can get. Malkin’s presence on the ice should take the pressure off the secondary scorers. We’ll definitely be seeing more opportunities for the Penguins offensively with Geno back skating.
Evgeni Malkin practiced today after missing the Penguins’ last three games. He has been out with a sinus infection and unspecified knee issues. Malkin will travel with the team to New York for the game against the Rangers but coach Dan Bylsma said that Geno will not play. While he is still not completely over the sinus infection Malkin has reported that he feels he is on his way to a full recovery. Can’t wait to see him back on game days!
Many complained that Pittsburgh Penguins’ center Sidney Crosby’s absence would take away from the prestige and excitement of the NHL All-Star game. Ohers noted another prominent Penguins’ player, Evgeni Malkin and his absence in Raleigh and it’s effect on the exposure of the game. Well, the haters were absolutely wrong.The NHL All-Star game was phenomenal. The Skills Competition was entertaining and exciting and the actual game itself was high scoring and riveting. However, despite the absence of a certain two all-stars, the real star of the All-Star weekend was the draft. Captains of Team Staal and Team Lidstrom selected players one by one to their respective teams until Phil Kessel was the proverbial cheese standing alone with a new car. The new format made for a great media weekend and great time for the players and fans. The location of the All-Star weekend was equally important. Carolina Hurricane fans are known to tailgate before Canes games and they brought that to this weekend, too. And obviously it wasn’t just Canes fans lighting up the grills and playing a little parking lot puck. Fans from all over came to what was definitely one of the best All-Star weekends in recent memory. So even without all of our boys representing the Pens in Raleigh, the weekend was a success.
