GAMEDAY 39 - MAPLE LEAFS

Posted by Rick on Dec 27, 2009 16:30.

7:00 PM

Mellon Arena

Listen to the game at [WXDX]

If you have any questions for Mike Lange, Phil Bourque or Bob Grove join the Penguins Radio Network Facebook page.

You can submit questions via the discussion tab for the Crash the Net segments or Penguins Hotline after the game.

Penguins versus Leafs.

Jonas Gustavsson's heart is racing in anticipation.

Except he played last night against Montreal, so it looks like Vesa Toskala will be in net for Toronto.

On that note, this is from Bloge Salming and Down Goes Brown:

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Christmas Hangover

Posted by Rick on Dec 26, 2009 23:03.

We hope everyone had a great Christmas.

Here are a few things to read while digesting leftovers:

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Christmas Cards from All Around the NHL

Posted by Rick on Dec 25, 2009 09:35.

Merry Christmas everyone.

It's the time of year for loving and caring.

It's the time of year for presents.

It's the time of year for cards.

We've managed to intercept some cards sent by those around the NHL.

After the jump we'll show you what we found.

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'Twas The Night Before Christmas

Posted by #test on Dec 24, 2009 19:37.

From all of us, to all of you.

Merry Christmas.

Now a poem from reader Amy T.

Twas two nights before Christmas , when all through the town
People thought of the last game and said with a frown,
"What was with that game when you could have been best?
You picked a hell of a day to take such a rest!"

For the pregame nap, the players took to their beds
While visions of winning, danced in their heads
And Bylsma with his notes, and Yeo with no hair
Joined Tony Granato, with his Bond villain stare

When out of their brains came an astounding plan
"We should try to score when we are up by a man!"
Away to the drawing board, they flew like a flash
To tell all the players, they had solved it at last!

The players took to the ice as the first began
And executed the coaching staff's masterful plan
When, what to their wondering eyes should appear,
But a power play goal, the twenty-third of the year!

With a little net front presence, so lively and quick
The crowd knew in a moment, the goal would be sick
More rapid than injuries, the goals came and they came,
And that new announcer guy called them by name!

"Now, Crosby!" Now Malkin! Show me some power!
On Staal! On Rupp! Hell, the one they call Flower!"
To the top of the blue line! To the top of the crease!
Cradle that puck! Then rip that release!"

But unlike the Sharks choking come every spring
Multiple goal leads are not a sure thing
So on the defensive went the all mighty Pens
To dig in their ground as on came the Sens

And then, all alone, came Kovy on the fly
"Good heavens!" I thought. "He decided to try!"
As I drew in a breath, and turned toward the net
Fleury made the save without breaking a sweat

He was cool, calm, collected, and wore such a grin
That even those who saw the World Juniors believed in him
And into the second, he put the team on his back
And looked all the world like a young Tretiak

His eyes-how they focused! His dimples were merry!
(But it's Feds with the rose cheeks, and a nose like a cherry).
His painted mask was drawn to his head so tight
As they entered the third for the last of the fight

The fate of the game, he held in his glove
But alas, some pucks, went a little above
And so in the waning moments, the game stood even
They went into OT, with the Pens still believing

The Pens got the power play right off the draw
And I laughed when I saw it, in spite of it all
People yelled "SHOOT IT!" as the Pens made some passes
And I prayed for someone to come teach the masses

I spoke not a word, but followed the play
Hoping for a gift on this Pre-pre Christmas day
Crosby laid the puck right on Malkin's stick
And without looking up, he gave it a flick

As the goal light turned on, there came an uproarious din
And the team gathered together to share in the win
But as the crowd dispersed I heard Geno exclaim:
"Happy Christmas to all! I play good game!"

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Bill and Geno's Excellent Adventure. PENS WIN.

Posted by Pensblog Staff on Dec 24, 2009 08:24.

NHL.COM RECAP

PENGUINS.COM RECAP

(First off, anyone at the game, was there some unreal lighting going on in the arena?

And the recap was almost titled "8 Maids A-Malkin." H/T to Bob Errey.)

Lost in all the Hobey Baker blowback, people were actually upset about the Pens losing to the Devils on Monday. No idea why. Coming off an emotional week against the Flyers and a big road game in Buffalo, the Pens were due for a bit of a letdown. Playing against the trap sucks the life out of you.

In April, the Pens will be ready for the trap. Bet your ass on that. The Pens will have to play down to the Devils. It'll make for a boring series where the cream will eventually rise to the top.

As for this beatdown, The Senators have been one of the more underrated Penguin rivals in the latter part of the decade, so finally getting to see someone clean Daniel Alfredsson's clock is the best Christmas present we could have asked for.

Evgeni Malkin is coming out of his "slump."

Bill Guerin is on acid.

Kunitz gets assists by association.

And we're not getting tired of using this picture.

Hard to believe that a goalie gets the #1 star in an 8-2 game.

But Fleury deserved it.

First time the Pens have beat the Senators in regulation in the Mellon since October 16, 2001.

Take a look at the box score from that game:

One guy with a hat trick, one with two goals.

We're guessing you can read, but Toby Petersen. Jesus.

If you actually dig a little further, that game and the one last night share a lot of similarities. [ESPN]

But the greatness doesn't stop there.

At the game last night, there was a Festivus miracle.

The story of the miracle began at the Festivus bash at Calico Jack's on Tuesday night.

Frosty put on a hat and it made him dance and shit.

The hat in this Festivus miracle made you feel like you did coke.

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GAMEDAY 38 - SENATORS

Posted by Rick on Dec 23, 2009 16:40.

7:00 PM

Mellon Arena

Listen to the game at [WXDX]

If you have any questions for Mike Lange, Phil Bourque or Bob Grove join the Penguins Radio Network Facebook page.

You can submit questions via the discussion tab for the Crash the Net segments or Penguins Hotline after the game.

An ill-fitting helmet.

A malfunctioning microphone.

The words to the speech apparently written inside his shield.

The Pens coming onto the ice and the crowd booing right as he says "welcome our true heroes."

It's still awful after all these years.

The Ottawa Senators are actually in the playoff picture right now, and yet the biggest news to come out of Ottawa in a while is Mike Fisher getting engaged to Carrie Underwood.

Apparently the Senators are slashing ticket prices as well.

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Festivus Tonight, Hobey Baker Fallout, Staal's Face

Posted by Rick on Dec 22, 2009 16:04.

Tonight at Calico Jack's.

The Auction this year will include:

2 Mario Lemieux Celebrity Invitational Golf Bags filled with goodies
Pittsburgh is Hockeytahn tees
A 2009 Stanley Cup Final Program autographed by Mario Lemieux
Game worn Max Talbot gloves, autographed
An authentic autographed Mario Lemieux jersey
A Pittsburgh Pirates program from the 1987 Retirement of #9 autographed by Bill Mazeroski
Original artwork from The Pensblog's own Stephen S. (See above)
Penguins game tickets
Labatt Blue, Bud Light, Miller Lite, & Red Bull prizes donated from Fuhrere Wholesales & Wilson-McGinley

If anyone is interested in donating anything for the auction or helping out with the festivities in any way, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

It is an all-ages event, but please bring id for the adult drinky drinks.

$10 cover at the door that goes straight to the MLF.

Calico Jack's will also be donating $1 for every person that walks through the door. Their staff is also donating 25% of all tips collected throughout the evening so tip hearty, my friends.

DJ Dave will be spinnin' tunes all night while classic Pens games will run on all of their tvs.

Drink specials include $2 Labatt Blue & Blue Light and $3 Captain Morgan & Parrot Bay from 8pm-10pm.

Come on down anytime after 6:30. Winners of the auction will be announced by 10pm. You must be present to win.

Calico Jack's is located at 353 North Shore Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15212-5834