Skip to main content

Penguins look lost against Flyers

I had a little more rooting interest in the Pittsburgh Penguins this year than I have in the past.

It was nothing special, but for me it was added incentive to follow them in the playoffs this spring.

I got to the Consol Energy Center for the first time about a month ago and had excellent seats, just four rows from the ice.

Like I said, nothing special, but it felt like I had more of an interest in this year's squad. There was something special about seeing them in person.

The Penguins beat the Coyotes that night, playing wonderful defense and getting great goaltending from Marc-Andre Fleury.

Today, just a day away from Game 4 of the Penguins' series against the Philadelphia Flyers, I wonder what the heck happened to that team I saw a few weeks ago. The team I saw then wouldn't be trailing the Flyers 3-0 and be a good bet to book tee times as soon as Thursday.

I was fired up about the postseason. I thought they were a threat, but I wasn't as blinded by loyalty to pick them to win it all. The Penguins had a terrible first-round matchup and, if they got by the Flyers, they likely would be pared with the top-seeded Rangers.

So much for that.

This team looks nothing like the one I saw a few weeks ago:
  • For one, Sidney Crosby is back, and that should have made this team better.
  • The Penguins have scored 12 goals and Evgeni Malkin, the NHL's points leader, hasn't scored.
  • The simple fact that the Pens have 12 goals and three losses is a bit mind-boggling, then again, they've given up 20 goals.
  • I don't know where the defense has been.
  • I don't know what's happened to Fleury, either.
Speaking of Fleury, I was at a loss on the decision to pull him in Game 3. I thought it would have made sense to yank him after giving up four first-period goals to try to give the team a spark. The game was lost at the start of the third period.

Finally, it's funny looking back and writing "if they got by the Flyers" a few paragraphs ago. Now, this season has come down to, if they can get a win against the Flyers.

With the implosion of this team, I'm not sure that's possible.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Don't compare the Steelers to last year's playoff team

Embed from Getty Images I'm already hearing talk about this year's playoff is unfolding like last year. You know how that went: The Steelers lost their starting running back in Week 17, then lost in the wild-card round against a divisional opponent. This year, DeAngelo Williams was injured in Week 17. And the Steelers face a divisional opponent -- the Bengals. That's where it stops. Williams has a sprained ankle, and is considered day-to-day. They also face an opponent that has a rich history -- of losing in the postseason. That's not to suggest that this game is a gimmie and the Steelers should book a trip to Denver. This will present it's share of challenges, namely A.J. Green and tight end Tyler Eifert. The Steelers will need to slow them down, no matter who's throwing the ball. But, if A.J. McCarron is behind center, that should be in favor of the Steelers -- also something different from a year ago.
Post a Comment
Read more

Time for someone to suspend Roethlisberger

I hate prepared statements. Any time I see an athlete read from a prepared statement, I doubt their sincerity. Anyone can read from a piece of paper. Anyone can rehearse and deliver a speech written by someone else. I can't help but think that was the case Monday when Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger delivered his short words. Can't an athlete speak from the heart these days? I know, I know, there are those worried that an athlete could misspeak, so prepared remarks can keep him on topic. I don't buy it. And I hope the league or the Steelers aren't buying it either. One or both need to suspend Roethlisberger. I'm tired of his antics. I'm sure the Steelers are too. Probably throw in NFL commish Roger Goodell. Maybe the return of sensibility to the Steelers organization won't end with Sunday's trade of Santonio Holmes.
2 comments
Read more

Are the Steelers the team no one wants to face?

Embed from Getty Images There's a label attached to the Steelers this postseason: The team no one wants to face. Don't buy it? Monday Morning QB thinks so . Andy Benoit says an explosive passing game and creative defense makes Pittsburgh the most dangerous team in the AFC. I don't think the Ravens had any problems facing the Steelers two weeks ago. But, hey, the Ravens aren't in the playoffs, right? The problem with the Steelers is the defense. They might be creative, as Benoit suggests, but they're also vulnerable to the big play. The team seems to play up -- or down -- to its competition. So, again, there are no Ravens in the playoffs, so they can't be accused of playing down. However, the Steelers have to like their chances with the Bengals on Saturday. One Vegas line on Sunday night had Pittsburgh as a small favorite. Does that mean the Steelers could play down to Cincy? I'm sure the Steelers will be fired up. And it is the po...
Post a Comment
Read more