The Sports Monitor

Pittsburgh loves the Penguins, and rightfully so. A rough estimate of 375,000 fans gathered in the city Monday to celebrate the Penguins' Stanley Cup championship. There estimate was higher than the number of Steelers fans in February celebrating the Super Bowl championship. Monday was a great day for a party, much better than a cold February afternoon. Either way, the sight of fans lined up in parking garages, along streets and climbing on whatever they could to get a glimpse of their favorite players and Lord Stanley's Cup, was amazing. It was the same route and same scene as four months earlier, but I'm still amazed. The Pens' first Cup celebrating drew about 80,000 people at the Point in 1991. In 1992, they celebrated in Three Rivers Stadium. My, how times have changed. So after Monday's Stanley Cup hangover, I have a question about the Pirates. Would a Pirates celebration draw as many fans? Yeah, I know, the chances of the Pirates winning a World Series are as ...

For 20 minutes Tuesday night, the Detroit Red Wings were perfect. At least that's what some people were saying at intermission of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals. And the second period sure did look like a perfect effort, if you didn't glance at the scoreboard and see the game still tied 2-2. But it was tied and the Pens had life. They turned everything around, getting a power-play goal and empty-net goal to cap a 4-2 win and climb back into the series. I don't think this series is over. In fact, a win Thursday night and this series is the Penguins' to win. Why the optimism? The Red Wings got plenty of breaks and bounces in Games 1 and 2. Missed penalties? Check. Penguins' shots hitting posts instead of the back of the net? Check. 2-0 series lead like last year? Check. That's where the similarities end in my book. With all going right for the Wings, they should have won Game 3. Instead, the Pens' survived that second period Tuesday night and put on a displa...

The Wall St. Journal has an interesting article on the mistakes on the Stanley Cup trophy . I think there are a few copy editors available to help for this year.

Yeah, that's the way I like it. Just like Game 7 in the Capitals series, the Penguins jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period. That's good enough to grab another drink, kick back and relax while cheering every check, shift and shot by the Pens. Unfortunately, the Pens didn't rout the Hurricanes like they did the Caps. It would have been fun, but it wasn't necessary, either. Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury overshadowed Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and the Staal brothers with a strong 25-save performance. This could be a sign that Fleury is getting hot at the right time. A hot goaltender can carry a team. And not to get too far ahead of things, but if you look down the road, a potential matchup against the Red Wings looms. Fleury could be the difference if he's in the zone. But let's get back to Monday night. Malkin had a goal and an assist, Crosby didn't score (!) but he did have an assist, and the Hurricanes were stuffed on offense. The only problem is we'...

The Pittsburgh Penguins made a mad dash at the end of the season to grab the No. 4 seed in the Stanley Cup playoffs. After Wednesday's thrashing of the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 1 of their best-of-seven showdown, the Penguins are showing no signs of slowing down. Sidney Crosby and Evegni Malkin each scored a goal and assisted on one, and Marc-Andre Fluery was solid in goal in the team's 4-1 win that wasn't even that close. Pittsburgh improved to 19-3-4 under interim coach Dan Bylsma. The Pens dominated for most of the game and the Flyers tried to get dirty at the end to send a message. They finished the game with three players in the penalty box. "We know that's their style. That's how they play," Fleury said after the game. "But it's nice to see how the guys handled it with no problem and just moved on." The Pens' message was better. They'll move on to Game 2 Friday night. Expect the Flyers to come out with something to prove. Just...