The Pens are on the ice practicing. Only James Neal was absent. Paul Martin missed the early portion of practice (so he did not skate in rushes). Sidney Crosby skated with his former linesmates Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis. Here were the rushes...
The Pens opened the playoffs in grand fashion. Probably the best opening statement since Mattew McConaughey in "A Time to Kill." The only thing missing was a video stream of this turd watching the game and crying.
The Penguins outplayed the Islanders in every facet of the game. It actually looked kind of scary. As good as the Isles can play, they're gonna need their best every night and hope the Pens don't bring their own best. It doesn't look like that's gonna happen. If the Isles win a game this series, though, it will be Game Two.
Unreal crowds inside and out.
Marc-Andre Fleury with a minor statement of his own, recording a shutout after giving up 1,000 goals last year.
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.
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.
