Sharks vs Penguins Recap. Tyler Kennedy tries his best Crosby impression.

Tyler Kennedy... He continues to be essentially the biggest threat offensively for the Pens. In the past 10 games, Kennedy has scored 6(14th of the year) goals and 2 assists(17th came in Chicago). In this game against the Sharks he scored not only the opening goal of the period off a nice rebound, he picked up another rebound with only 50seconds left in regulation to tie the game up. The magic after that had faded with the exception of a couple of phenomenal saves by Fleury that unfortunately weren't enough to bring home a win for the Penguins.

The Penguins came away from this game with just a point, after San Jose scored with 4 seconds remaining in the Overtime period, after those two amazingly show stopping saves Fleury made, sadly the last save he made was a beauty, but it was one that left a rebound, and that rebound was put into the net by the Shark's Marleau, the same Marleau who sent Brooks Orpik to the doctor after a blocked shot in the final 2 minutes of the first period. Brooks as we know now, has a broken finger and will miss 4 weeks.

The first period wasn't bad except for the injury the team took with Orpik. Kennedy scored his first goal of the game in the first which started with a huge shot by Engelland that gets on net to create the rebound opportunity. The rest of the period is essentially uneventful. Neal was beginning to get his wheels moving.

In the second period the Sharks decided that they were hungry and took a huge bite out of the Penguins momentum with a powerplay goal, a rare goal given up by the top PK unit in the league. Most likely has a lot to do with Orpik being gone this period. Admittedly it came off a pretty smooth pass from behind the net for a one timer. Not too long after that Dupuis makes a huge accidental save with the blade of his skate in the crease. Keeps the Penguins 1-1 and Fleury continues to play out of his mind like he has all season.

In the third period the Sharks beat Fleury early after a pass from the side of the net to the slot to Marleau... 2-1 Sharks and Marleau gets his first of two goals in the evening. Not to be out done, Tyler Kennedy decided that he would also put the Penguins nation on his back and attempt yet again to carry the team to victory. After Kris Letang broke his stick on a wild shot from the blueline with an empty net on the opposite end, the Sharks retrieve the puck and dish it towards the empty net but miss just wide. Then with just 50 seconds left Tyler Kennedy finds a way to get the puck into the net in very dramatic fashion. Staal gets a pass from Cooke from behind the net, takes a shot and puts up a rebound, T.K is there to grab it and send it home giving the Pens a point in a tie game and sending it to Overtime.

In overtime Neal really showed his determination and amazing ability even against a team that sees him 6 times a year and knew how to defend him all night. Neal was making plays and creating space for the Pens in the OT period that with more time together will surely result in a lot of productivity. T.K and Pascal Dupuis missed several passes that could of gotten to Neal throughout the game, so it is hopeful with the injuries that are about to come off the list, and one name everyone really hopes to see off it, could result in a lot of offense for the Penguins. Sadly this game went to the Sharks even after a glove save and a hell of a beauty by Fleury. The Shark's Marleau, the nuisance of the night, rings one home after a rebound Fleury left with just 4 seconds left in Overtime.

Pens get a point, but still are on a 3 game losing streak. They'll head to Carolina tomorrow night to face the Hurricanes at RBC Center. This will be the third game of the season that I will thankfully get to be in attendance.

Orpik has broken finger and will miss 4 weeks.

After blocking a shot in the first period of the game against San Jose last night, Brooks Orpik has officially been added to the ever increasing injury list. A list that hopefully is going to decrease after this weekend's games. Brooks had left the game early in the first after diving to block a shot from Marleau. It hit him in the hand and he never returned to the game.

Bylsma after this morning's practice finally let out the news that he has a break in one of his fingers and he is going to miss at least 4 weeks. Thankfully Paul Martin was back at practice this morning and was skating with Letang, it looks like Paul will be in the number one defensive pairing. Thanks to having Niskanen acquired we have a full squad of NHL D'men, so here is hoping Martin can get back into his wheels and Niskanen can get used to the system.

You will be sorely missed Crazy Eyes...

Alexi Kovalev is once again a Penguin.

In Shero we trust...

The once great wingman for the Penguins, has returned after 8 years with other clubs, including international play. He spent time with the Rangers, Canadiens, Senators, and participated in Russian cups and the Russian olympic team. Kovalev played for the penguins from the 98-99 season onto the 02-03 season. He was dished to the Rangers during the 2003 season after 54 games.

Kovalev as a Penguin scored more than 60 points four times, including a monster season in 00-01 where he scored 44 goals and had 51 assists for 95 total points. In his career as a Penguin he has 149 goals 198 assists and 347 total points. Numbers all of Penguins nation hope to see increase now that he will be wearing a Pen's sweater again.

Pittsburgh only gives up a 7th round pick for Kovalev, however if they do get past the first round of the playoffs, and Kovalev plays in more than 50% of the games, he will then command a 6th round pick instead. Kovalev, unlike James Neal is a wingman rental and not long term, Alexei will become an unrestricted free agent after July 1st.

With Letestu, Kunitz and Jeffrey coming back from injury soon and two new wingmen for them to work with, here is hoping they can both get the Center back they really want to play with in Sidney Crosby before the end of the season.

Sharks vs Penguins Game Day 62

Tonight marks the first and only match-up between these two clubs during the '10-'11 regular season. San Jose currently is streaking winning four straight, going 8-2-0 in their last 10 games, and winning 13 of their past 16 games with Niemi in net. Niemi has recorded three shutouts in this span and has five so far this season, Niemi was the rookie goaltender who won the Stanley Cup last year with the Blackhawks.

Pittsburgh is coming into this match-up 4-5-1 in their past 10 games, playing to no ones surprise, .500 hockey. This club unfortunately is on a 2 game losing streak, with both losses coming in back-to-back games, Sunday against Niemi's former team Chicago, then only to be shutout the next night 1-0 again by Michael Neuvirth and the Capitals. Tonight's game is the third this week for the Penguins, in a long week that has a game on the schedule five out of the seven days, the 'guins will face the Hurricanes and Maple Leafs in another set of back-to-back games Friday and Saturday.

Two new players joined the Pen's this week in James Neal and Matt Niskanen from the Dallas stars in exchange for Alex Goligoski. Essentially the biggest focus this game is going to be getting the newbies acclimated to the system and their teammates. Neal is expected to play his game and continue to be an offensive threat. Neal has a lot of experience against the Sharks and was included in helping prepare for tonight's match-up.

The Penguins will be wearing their Powder Blues for the second to last time this season, they're 7-3-0 when wearing the light blues so far this year. They are 1-1 when wearing the new dark blue Winter Classic jerseys. 

Actual lines and defensive pairings for the Penguins based on tonight's broadcast:

James Neal - Jordan Staal - Pascal Dupuis
Matt Cooke - Craig Adams -  Tyler Kennedy
Mike Rupp - Max Talbot - Chris Conner
Brett Sterling - Joe Vitale - Tim Wallace

Brooks Orpik - Kris Letang
Deryk Engelland - Zbynek Michalek
Matt Niskanen - Ben Lovejoy

Marc Andre Fleury will be between the pipes for the Penguins tonight. 

Win this game and get off the snide, then show me what you've got in person on Friday when I'm at RBC Center enjoying the game from my box seats.

Lets go Pens!

Penguins injury news 2-23-2011

This injury list keeps getting longer, and the Day to Day, is week to week. Upper Body injuries are codeword for Concussion, and bodies are hitting the floor instead of gliding over the ice majestically. Practices don't make perfect, they make players audition for mayor of Injury city, currently held by Evgeni Malkin and his season ending knee injury.

Ten players this list is up to now with it's most recent addition of Paul Martin after taking a hit by Patrick Sharpe in the game against the Blackhawks sunday. Martin did not play against the Caps, and isn't set to play against the Sharks either, he is listed Day to Day. Martin did however skate prior to practice this morning, along with Chris Kunitz, Arron Asham, and Mike "Hillary wants me traded to San Jose" Comrie. Mark Letestu has also been working out more and could possibly return as early as Friday against Carolina, but more modestly some time next week.

Letestu does feel confident in his knee however, "It's been 18 days today," he said, "and I don't feel (discomfort in the left knee) anymore." Mark has stated several times he feels like he could play as soon as this weekend, which is pretty good for an original 4-6 week prognosis of his condition. The rookie was producing very well for the Penguins in the face off circle winning more than 52% of his faceoff's taken and putting up 20 points (10g 10a) in the 50 games played this season. When asked about how long he felt he needed to return? "Next week, I don't doubt it. That's a modest goal."

Four players are suffering from concussion like symptoms. Arron Asham, Eric Tangradi, Nick Johnson, and Sidney Crosby. Nick Johnson was listed as an upper body injury up until Bylsma recently admitted that he is actually suffering from a Concussion. There is still no word on Crosby if he'll be back in March or not, speculatively he may not even be back this season period, let alone for the playoffs.

So now the Penguins look to their new additions in Neal and Niskanen to help right the ship and keep a team healthy and getting healthier by the day. The two had not yet seen time on the ice until last night, but did get a chance to practice this morning with the team and are going to be in the starting line ups against the Sharks. Neal will be on the first line with Staalsy and Kennedy. Niskanen will be doing 3rd line Defensive duties with Engelland and Lovejoy with some P.K sprinkled in for good measure.

Trade Magic or Fuel for a Dallas run? Goligoski to Stars for Neal and Niskanen.

In Shero we trust.

Though, there went Goligoski out the door after three years with the Penguins, his 31 points and +20 are gone for a winger in James Neal and a defenseman in Matt Niskanen. Neal is going to apparently be the wing man that goes in for Crosby (Staalsy) and produces the big time offense we're looking for.

So what message is this sending. In the beginning of the season we had a focus on revitalizing our defense. We succeeded exceptionally in building a team with a top five GAA, and the number one PK unit in the league. Now the club has let go of one of it's better, and younger defensemen in Goligoski. Alex may not have always gotten every puck on net, or kept the puck on his stick in the defensive zone without coughing it up consistently, but he didn't get a +20 for no reason. In addition to his 9 goals you have the 22 assisted scoring opportunities. Thats a lot of extra scoring chances he set up for another teammate in the zone to send home a goal creating an opportunity to win a game.

Though we don't have that now, and admittedly I don't know much about the two new players we have obtained. So with the coming day off for the 'guins after this past weekend's losses it will a be a good time for the team to get a solid practice in and teach these guys the system they only see once or twice a season. It'll be an adjustment for the rest of us too I'm sure.