Yikes. This wasn't pretty. It probably won't even be the best game the Pens play in the series. Neal and Jokinen looked to take some shots.

New York Islanders @ Pittsburgh Penguins
Series Tied 0-0

ROOT, NBCSN, MSG Plus, TSN, RDS2 - 7:30 pm/et

Consol Energy Center - Pittsburgh, PA

April 22, 2012. That's the last time the Pittsburgh Penguins suited up for a playoff game. They walked into Philadelphia with their backs against the wall and they proceeded to be slammed face-first into that wall. Repeatedly. It was another Penguins' playoffs that ended on the disappointed side of a handshake line.

That was 374 days ago.

The last NHL playoff game played at the Consol Energy Center took place two days earlier. 376 days ago. 

The NHL lockout officially began at midnight on September 16, 2012. It was 227 days ago. The first regular season games were cancelled 209 days ago, on October 4, 2012. On November 2, the NHL cancelled the Winter Classic. On the 23rd, the NHL cancelled all games through December 14 and the NHL All-Star Game. Then, finally, on January 6, 2013, a tentative deal was reached.

It's been a long time. It's been a tough time. But here we are. Back in the playoffs.

The last time the Penguins played a playoff game in Pittsburgh, we remembered the Igloo. In that gameday post, we said that it was time to make some Consol memories. It was time to build the legacy of the Penguins' current arena. That happened.

Now tonight it's time to remember the Consol of game five.

It's official: Sidney Crosby will miss game one of the Penguins/Islanders series.

Via the Pens' website:

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said he will not play in tonight’s Game 1 of the Pittsburgh’s first-round series against the New York Islanders.

Crosby saw the doctor on Tuesday. He worked on a fifth line in Wednesday’s morning skate and did not practice on the power play after working one-on-one with strength and conditioning coach Mike Kadar before team practice.

“I’m not in good (enough) of shape yet,” Crosby said. “Obviously not going to play tonight. Whenever I kind of take a regular morning skate, I’m sure that will be a pretty good sign I’m in.”

Crosby said while the doctor’s visit went well, his physician was just not ready to clear him for a return to game action.

“He said everything looks good, he just wasn’t prepared to clear me to play,” Crosby said. “Obviously I would have loved to have the chance to play tonight, but it’s not the way it is and I’ll make sure I’m ready when the time comes.”

There is no timetable for Crosby’s return and he does not have another visit to the doctor currently scheduled, but he is certain they will be in communication.

The NHL made the "2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series" official today. The Pittsburgh Penguins will meet the Chicago Blackhawks at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 1, 2014, at Soldier Field.

This could be the most unnecessary event that we'll ever watch with great intensity.

NHL’s Coors Light stadium series: water down your event like Coors waters down their beer.

— Chemmy (@felixpotvin) May 1, 2013

We've never claimed to be hockey experts, good writers or even above average people. We barely qualify as bloggers. So, with this playoff series against the Islanders coming up, we decided to lower the bar even further.

Enjoy our post of incredibly immature and stupid insults directed towards the New York Islanders. This is a joke. A bad joke.

Last year's Flyers series did a number on us. It psychologically damaged us in so many areas. One of those areas involves not having any confidence in the Pens heading into a playoff series. We got to get over it sometime. This series should do the trick.

Here is what we know. The Pens are a better team on paper and on ice. We also know that the Islanders aren't your typical 8th seed. They were another win away from drawing a first-round opponent like the Capitals. But they didn't get that win. They didn't get that extra point in the standings, wherever it was during the regular season, to get out of the 8 spot, and they are now standing on the tracks of the Pens' train, and it's not gonna be pretty.

With our final mention of the Flyers series, we'll say you'd have to be pretty obtuse to completely ignore it. If it's a fluke, it's a fluke. Only time will tell.

And you'd have to be equally obtuse to ignore how much better the Penguins are than the Isles. This series won't be a cake walk, but the better team wins a series 100% of the time.

The Blues were killing a double minor in OT. Steen picked John Quick's pocket.... game.