The Penguins need a much awaited 3 days off to rest and recooperate.  In the last three games, the Penguins have scored a dismal 1.3 goals per game average.

SABRES 4 PENGUINS 1

RANGERS 6 PENGUINS 1

PENGUINS 2 RANGERS 1 (SO)

Though the Penguins still ranked third in the NHL in goals per game with 3.2 goals, things have not looked good.  One of the issues I have seen is there is often too much passing which cancel scoring changes.  The more shots taken, then the more rebound changes the Penguins would have.  The Penguins should shoot the puck more, and this will alleviate some issues.

Another criticism is that the line-up is filled with so many stars that no one wants to step-up and shine.  Now with the addition of  Jussi Jokinen, the Penguins have a new line dilemma.   Where should each new acquisitions be put in the line-up?  By any means,  Jokinen is excited about the opportunity on Tuesday to gain revenge against the Carolina Hurricanes.  The last time the Penguins played the Hurricanes, the Canes dismantled them 4-1.

The Penguins need to get it together going into the playoffs.  Right now, if the playoffs began today, the Penguin would face the NY Rangers who they have been struggling with as of late.  There is also a chance that the New Jersey Devils could be an #8 seed.  If this is the case, the Penguins will be certain of an early exit.

What?  The Penguins have done a complete 360.   The Penguins went from an amazing 15 game winning streak to getting blown out not once, but twice.  The sad part is that this happened on back-to-back nights.

TUE, APR 2: SABRES 4          PENGUINS 1

WED, APR 3: RANGERS 6       PENGUINS 1

The second half of the Penguins home-and-home series against the Rangers will resume on Friday, April 5.  My suggestion is for the Penguins to stop worrying about Morrow, Murray, and Iginla, and start focusing on the goal tending and scoring.  We have given up an average of 5 goals in the last two games, while only scoring a dismal one goal in each contest.  We need to get it together and fast because momentum means everything.  Who cares if we have all these superstars on the ice if we cannot score and lose in the playoffs.   Heck, the Yankees have the highest payroll in Major League Baseball, and they cannot buy a win; therefore, superstars alone do not guarantee victories.

The Penguins need to settle down and get back to basic fundamentals.  For starters, we can stop giving the puck away in the oppositions lead.  This only leads to breakaway scoring chances.  Since the Rangers kicked their tail tonight, the Penguins smell blood at Consol Energy.

The Penguins are going for their 16th win in a row, while the Sabres have lost four in a row.  The Penguins will be without "Sid the Kid"; however, they are riddled with superstars.  Although it may be a game time decision, Fleury is expected to play.  Is this a good decision, or should we go with the "hot hand" or Tomas Vokoun?  Vokoun is coming off  two shutout victories.  See the tale of the tape below:

Team Stat Comparison

Bill Withers wrote the song "Lean on Me," which was used in the 1989 movie about a crazy principal who used unorthodox methods to get a urban school to change.  In the song states:

Lean on me, when you're not strong 
And I'll be your friend 
I'll help you carry on 
For it won't be long 
'Til I'm gonna need 
Somebody to lean on

Who will the Penguins lean on now that Crosby is down?   With Sidney Crosby out indefinitely with a broken jaw, the Penguins will have to "lean on" Evgeni Malkin as their go to Center.  In the case of goal tending, Vokoun has been exceptional, coming off of two back-to-back shutouts (4-0 WIN, 2-0 NYI).

The Penguins (26-8) have their next match-up tomorrow night against the dangerous, Buffalo Sabres (13-17-6).  The Penguins will be trying for their 16th consecutive win.  This is one win away from tying the most wins in a row.  This streak was done by the 1992-1993 Pittsburgh Penguins.  That previous streak was made possible by Mario Lemieux.  The Penguins game tomorrow night will be nationally televised on the NBC Sports Network and ROOT.  Goals have been at a premium recently; therefore, take the Penguins to win and under 5.5 goals.

In the 1986, the band, Europe, released the hit song song, "The Final Countdown."  We are on the brink of the final countdown between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers.  Thus far, the advantage has gone to the road team.  However, this game will be much different because the Penguins are going for their twelfth win in a row.  See the 2013 history of these two teams below:

                PENGUINS (24-8)                               FLYERS (13-16-1)

GAME #1 (JAN 19th): PENGUINS 3           FLYERS 1

GAME #2 (FEB 20th): FLYERS 6                PENGUINS 5

GAME #3 (MAR 7th): PENGUINS 5         FLYERS 4

GAME #4 (MAR 24th): ????

The Flyers are will probably not make the playoffs this year; however, they are playing for pride.  Pittsburgh hates Philly, and Philly hates Pittsburgh.  Don't miss this exciting game.  The game will be nationally televised on the NBC Sports Network at 7:30 PM EST.

Prediction: All you Vegas watchers listen carefully.   Take the Penguins to win a close match-up and score over 6 combined goals.  Penguins 4 Flyers 3.

The Penguins will face the New York Rangers today at 1 PM, and then the Boston "Bah-stun" Bruins tomorrow at 12:30 PM.  The Penguins are atop the Atlantic Division, and with a win today, they will secure their 8th win in a row.  Today's game can be seen on ROOT, and tomorrow's game will be nationally televised on the NBC Sports Network.  Both of these games are home, so if you have never watched a Pens game, you are in for a treat.  See the particulars for today's game below courtesy of ESPN:

The Penguins have had much success with playing against Floridians.  See below:

February 22: Florida Panthers (W 3-1)

February 24: Tampa Bay Lightning (W 5-3)

Interestingly enough, both of these victories had Marc-Andre Fleury in goal.  However, tonight’s match-up with start Tomas Vokun in goal against Jose Theodore (e.g. pronounced tay-a-door).  The Panthers are coming off a 4-1 loss against the Boston Bruins, while the Penguins are coming off of a 5-3 win against the Tampa bay Lighting.  The Panthers are 2-6 when facing teams twice within the same season.  The Penguins are 7-4 when facing teams twice in the same season.

Florida Panthers (5-9-4)

• Goals Scored Per Game: 2.3 (25^th ranked in NHL)
• Goals Against Average: 3.6 (30^th ranked in NHL)
• Power Play Success Percentage: 16.2 % (24^th ranked in NHL)
• Power Play Kill Percentage: 73.21 % (29^th ranked)

Pittsburgh Penguins (13-6-0)

• Goals Scored Per Game: 3.3 (3^rd ranked in NHL)
• Goals Against Average: 2.6 (15^th ranked in NHL)
• Power Play Success Percentage: 27.5 % (2^nd ranked in NHL)
• Power Play Kill Percentage: 82.6 % (13^th ranked)

Theodore is a better goal tender than Scott Clemmensen; therefore, I predict a close decision: Penguins 3 Panthers 2.  For all you sports gamblers out there, take the Penguins and under 5.5 goals.

Even though the records may not show it, this is an interesting match-up.  The Panthers are coming off of a 5-2 debacle of the Flyers, while the Penguins are coming off a 6-5 thriller to the Flyers.  What is more interesting is that fact that Panthers are struggling on the road (3-5), while the Penguins are struggling at home (3-4).  The comparisons are below:

Florida Panthers (5-7-4)

• Goals Scored Per Game: 2.4 (24^th ranked in NHL)
• Goals Against Average: 3.6 (30^th ranked in NHL)
• Power Play Success Percentage: 17.7 % (15^th ranked in NHL)
• Power Play Kill Percentage: 74.6 % (27^th ranked)

Pittsburgh Penguins (11-6-0)

• Goals Scored Per Game: 3.3 (3^rd ranked in NHL)
• Goals Against Average: 2.6 (15^th ranked in NHL)
• Power Play Success Percentage: 27.5 % (2^nd ranked in NHL)
• Power Play Kill Percentage: 82.6 % (13^th ranked)

Based on the above statistics, I am predicting a close match-up.  The Penguins will finally get it done at home winning by a score of 3-2 in OT.  What do you think?

No, I am not referring to a necktie, but I am glad that I have your attention.  According to most dictionary definitions, a tie is defined as “being equal in contest; having the same score.”  Prior to the 2005-2006 NHL Season, a tie was determined if two teams remained scoreless after the completion of the overtime period.  In this case, both teams would earn a point for the tie.   However, it is not that simple when figuring out today’s hockey tie.  The new scenarios are listed below:

1.        Penguins 3 Flyers 2 (OT)

In the first example above, the Flyers actually lost the game, but would earn one point since they made it to overtime period.  Since they earn a point, their record will record this as a tie, not a loss.

2.        Penguins 2 Flyers 1 (SO)

In the second example above, the Penguins and the Flyers were tied 1-1 after the overtime period ended.  While many scenarios could occur next, the Penguins scored more goals than the Flyers did.  This gives the Penguins one goal for a final score of 2-1.  In the case where each teams goes 0-3 in the shootout, then “sudden death” occurs.

I hope this article answers questions on the confusion of a tie.   Basically, if you can get to the overtime period, and you lose the match, then a tie is recorded.  Still confused?  My brain is all "knotted up" too.  LOL!

How about those Penguins?  While most of America has been patiently waiting for the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens, there was actually a hockey game today.  This was not just any hockey game.  It was an absolute debacle over the Washington Capitals with a final score of 6-3.  Previous to destroying the Washington Capitals, the Penguins blanked the New York Rangers 3-0 and “steam-rolled” the New Jersey Devils 5-1.  Next up for the Penguins are those “pesky” New York Islanders.

Unless, Dan Bylsma decides to switch things around, we will see Marc-Andre Fleury in goal against the Islanders as the “every other game” goalie rotation has been the on-going trend.  For more information, see my most recent article, “Go with the ‘Hot Hand’” for a comparison of Marc-Andre Fleury and Tomas Vokoun.

Back on Tuesday, January 29, the Islanders defeated the Penguins by a final score of 4-1; however, the Penguins have won three in a row since then.”  The Islanders, however, have a record of 2-1 coming off today’s 3-0 shutout loss to the New Jersey Devils.  See the Penguins-Islanders match-up below:

(Courtesy of NHL.com)

Pittsburgh Penguins (6-3-0)

• Power Play Score Percentage   19.4% (14^th)
• Penalty Kills Percentage            82.8% (10^th)
• Goals Per Game                              2.9 (12^th)
• Goals Against Average                2.4 (7^th)

New York Islanders (5-4-1)

• Power Play Score Percentage   37.5% (1^st)
• Penalty Kills Percentage            96% (1^st)
• Goals Per Game                              3.9 (2^nd)
• Goals Against Average                3.3 (24^th)

The Penguins need revenge I say, revenge. Though the statistics clearly favor the Islanders, I am predicting a very close game this time around with a final score Penguins 3 Islanders 2.   After the Penguins play the Islanders, they will face the Washington Capitals, and then the New Jersey Devils twice.