So apparently, the Penguins management is talking to Jaromir Jagr. To be a Penguin again.

Rumor or truth?

If Hossa splits town for more money (pretty good bet, there), the Pens are going to need another physical presence with a scoring touch to replace the combined loss of Hossa and Malone. Even if Jagr’s not in his prime (he’s not), it’s still some points on the board.

The real question is, is Pittsburgh ready to embrace our once-revered winger?

What do you guys think - would Jagr be welcome back in the Igloo and the Golden Triangle again?

IMG_4727_resize, courtesy of apachicz.

It’s over.

I’m calm enough now to actually write about it; I was a hyperactive wreck last night for about an hour after the game finished.

So after the dust has settled, a new day begins in Pittsburgh with the Pens failing to capture Lord Stanley’s Cup.

And you know what? That’s ok.

C’mon, raise your hands - who among you thought the Penguins were finished after Game 2? I’ll admit I was seriously concerned: no goals in nearly 135 minutes? A powerhouse, cloying defense that attracted the puck like a magnet pulls on iron?

Yeah, I think even the most diehard of us were freaked out.

But thankfully, our boys didn’t disappoint. Sure, we lost a close one on Saturday in Game 4, but the fire was back.

Game 5? Hope reborn. A hammering, solid, pugnacious game in the heart of Wings country that jolted into three overtimes - I know I wasn’t the only one reminiscing during the intermissions about the 6 OT wringer with Washington and the brutal 5 OT with Philly so many years ago. Watching Sykora and Gonchar slam that puck home was pure, sweet joy so early in the morning.

And then, Game 6. There was a buzz. We could take it! The Cup really could come back to the Iron City!

But after 60 minutes of brutal, fast, slash-attack hockey that featured amazing displays of skill on both sides of the red line, fantastic goalie acrobatics, fluke goals and a last-minute frenzy that put the waning minute of Game 5 to shame, the Wings scratched out the win.

And thus ended the Penguin season.

But we do not need to hang our heads.

Those guys - those twenty guys who skated their hearts out - gave us the thrilling season we all secretly hoped for at the start. They never, ever gave up. That’s what makes our Penguins special to us. We’ve all adopted them in our homes and televisions and magazines and hearts in one way or another; we talk about them excitedly at the water cooler and over a cold Yuengling, we scan the internet for highlights and stories, we know all their names and vitals better than we do our friends and neighbors. They’re “our boys” and that doesn’t end today.

Regardless of what happens now, as Ray and Mario and the rest of the management sort out and prepare for next year’s campaign, this season will remain etched in our minds as one of the Penguin’s finest. Oh, I know many of us still remember fondly the Cup years of ‘91 and ‘92, but this year is special. It’s a year of comebacks, of proving themselves, of bonding with this town that has wholeheartedly adopted them as their own.

Sidney said it best last night when a reporter asked him for his reaction to us, the fans:

“They’ve been great all year. We appreciate their support. And it doesn’t make it any easier for sure. But they stuck through with us all season, and a long time before that, and so we appreciate it.”

Hold your heads high, Penguins Nation. Talk proudly of our boys. Remember the excitement of this playoff run. Don’t let this for-a-moment pain dampen what these guys have accomplished. And finally, remember this:

The Penguins are back. For good.

Is it October yet?

Our House, courtesy of macwagen

Got it. Go Pens., courtesy of michael and anna

Sheesh, I go away on vacation for ten days and the ice caves in.

So we now find our once-indomitable Penguins in the odd position of being behind in this year’s playoff run. By two games.

And scoring no goals.

Someone check the Mellon Arena basement; did the right team show up in Detroit on Saturday and Monday?

I’ve watched the Finals with two hands planted firmly in front of my face. My nice big LCD screen looks weird when framed by my fingers, letmetellyou.

But take heart, fans - all is not lost.

It’s only two games. With two quick, solid wins here at home, the Penguins will be right back in it. Remember, Detroit went up 2-0 on Nashville in the first round with complete dominance of the Predators. And then promptly lost the next two in Nashville; the “inevitable sweep” predicted by analysts died a quick death.

And don’t forget Dallas; Detroit had them on the ropes 3-0 when the real Stars finally arrived and took two games before giving up in Game Six.

There’s two big keys to tonight’s game:

1.) SCORE GOALS. Not much to say here.

2.) Dump-n-chase the puck. It’s clear Detroit’s booooooring trap style is just too stifling (and proves this is only New Jersey in different uniforms) to keep carrying the puck in. Dump it deep off the boards and follow through and they’ll generate the possession and scoring chances they need to take the win.

Honestly, once the ’stigma’ of Osgood’s invincibility is broken, the dam will bust and we’ll see a scoring rampage from our key players.

So don’t lose faith, Penguin fans. It ain’t over until the final horn sounds.

Watch for Penguins, courtesy of jomilo75

Two down, two to go as the Penguins made my weekend that much cheerier, despite all the rain. Hammering the Flyers - in more ways than one - was one of many highlights to a great Mother’s Day weekend.

As I’d predicted earlier last week, the Pens relied not only on Malkin (Game 1 - 2 goals) and Crosby (Game 2 - 2 points) but also their other offensive threats to elevate Penguins play; players who bear “marquee” names such as Talbot, Staal, Dupuis, Roberts, Kennedy…heck, the list pretty much includes the whole team. It may not have the rhinestone name glitter of the Red Wings’ roster, but just like our hometown, the Pens are all blue-collar, get-it-done players. And that’s what matters in this series.

(Congrats, by the way, to the Penguins for the impressive seven straight playoff wins at home!)

You know the Penguins making an impact when my own wife knows who Maxime Talbot, Tyler Kennedy, and Pascal Dupuis are. That’s saying a lot for the team-spirited play the Penguins have been exhibiting since Game 1, Round 1. The Flyers have quite the challenge ahead of them - keeping Malkin and Crosby down isn’t going to cut it, as they’ve shown in the past two games. And now that they’re missing Timonen and possibly Coburn…

If the Pens can keep up their physical play as well as scoring when Hatcher keeps going to the box, the ‘burgh boys may well sneak one (if not both!) game out of the Wachovia Center in Philly. The Penguins are only halfway there, but at least they can see the end of the series.

The Flyers need a telescope and a way to curve time.

It’s not over yet, fans. But it’s getting close. Is it Tuesday yet?

Roberts for Prez 08, courtesy of daveynin

Yep, that’s right. The “City of Brotherly Love” is anything but, when it comes to NHL hockey. One of the longest anti-social rivalries between teams in the modern NHL, this series is going to have it all: goals, goaltending, grit, fights and fan-smack.

Considering the Flyer’s ‘theme’ for this year has been “Vengeance,” paraded around town with gigantic bilboards of Riley Cote and his raised fists, it appears to all that the Broad Street Bullies never really left.

So Friday at 7:30 we’ve got Game One of the Intrastate Beatdown. Let’s look more in-depth at what the Flyers are going to have to face - and what the Pens have to look forward to, after the jump.

One-two punch: You cannot deny the power duo of Crosby and Malkin, especially since they’re usually on two different lines. Malkin caught fire during the Rangers series, knocking out seven points in five games (including two game-winning goals). Sid had three two-assist nights as well but more importantly, didn’t get derailed when the Rangers and their fans tried (unsuccessfully) to get under his skin. Crosby’s blue-collar approach to the game keeps the Pens grounded.

The most telling stat, though? Malkin and Crosby have a combined total of 28 points in only nine games. The Flyers are going to have to cycle Coburn and Timonen a LOT against both of these lines just to have a chance at shutting them down.

Fleury fire: Leading the NHL with a .938 save percentage, his 1.76 GAA is third in the playoffs (behind the Stars’ Turco and the Wings’ Osgood) and has been phenomenal in the clutch moments. While Biron has been equally impressive in his playoff debut, he’ll have to face the constant pressure of the Penguin forwards - and at some point, that rookie luck will crack wide open.

Power play: The Pens have scored at least one power play goal in every playoff game; this trend won’t stop. As long as the Flyers keep generating penalties (they’re the most penalized team in the playoffs thus far with 57 whistles in 12 games), they’ll give the Pens scoring chances. And if the Pens fight back and get sent to the box? Well, remember, they killed 22 of 25 opportunities against the Rangers. Winning the special teams battles is a key to this series, and one the Penguins have a solid grip on.

Flying Flyers: Unarguably, Daniel Briere is on fire. And so is Pittsburgh native R.J. Umberger, having stepped up in the Montreal series. But where the Flyers have just one top-flight scorer, the Penguins have two. Support-wise, the Pens edge the Flyers, giving more opportunities for scoring chances if the defensive pressure shuts down Crosby or Malkin. Who’s going to step up for the Flyers if Orpik and Gill shut down Briere?

I’ll be honest, I’ve been looking forward to this matchup since the end of the regular season. Penguins-Flyers playoff hockey is always a guaranteed good game (followed closely by the Penguins-Capitals games of yore) and this series promises to maintain that wonderful Pennsylvania tradition.

Penguins in six.

Now excuse me while I find my old ‘DVE CD that has the classic tune of “We’ll Kick Yer Arse…” A classic made new!

Cote vs Laraque, courtesy of jeletsgoflyers

Sid’s faceoff, courtesy of Cruel Britannia

and you SHOULD., courtesy of brett_gullborg

All Hossa doubters can now be quiet.

After Hossa’s 2 goals yesterday afternoon, he’s put any and all doubt about his playoff contribution ability to rest; the clincher was the OT goal scored that sealed the Penguins victory on Sunday as well as finishing off the Rangers in the semi-final round.

Next up? The reviled Philadelphia Flyers. First game is on Friday at the Mellon Arena, time TBD (but most likely a 7 or 7:30 pm start).

Now, here’s a question for you Pens fans - especially those who’ve been watching NBC’s coverage of the games. Are you or are you not annoyed with Eddie Olczyk’s apparent anti-Penguins bias during commentary? His shameless pulling for the Rangers highly annoyed me, especially during yesterday’s broadcast. I’ve always respected him as a great Pens blue-liner and then commentator on the radio (before he took the coaching job) but after he was fired, it’s like he has this chip on his shoulder…

Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like he’s just bitter because Therrian has turned the team around so quickly. Agree? Disagree?

Meantimes, it’s Flyer-stomping time. I’ll get a match-up breakdown later in the week, along with my prediction.

hossa, original photo courtesy of jcardinal18

So Pittsburgh beat Los Angeles yesterday…

…and no, not in sports.

According to the latest American Lung Association report - “State of the Air 2008″ - that determines the nation’s most polluted cities, Pittsburgh has been named the “sootiest in the nation.”

Wow, what an honor.

What is this, the 1970s all over again?

The category Pittsburgh claimed top spot in measures short-term particle pollution, or ’soot.’ However, Janice Nolan, the assistant vice president of national policy and advocacy for the ALA, said that “it’s not that Pittsburgh has gotten worse; it’s that Los Angeles has gotten better.”

Small comfort, that.

Oh, and she said that “if the trend continues, Pittsburgh will top two lists, and LA will only be leading the nation in ozone.”

I see. So if the Steel City just keeps status quo, then we can’t make fun of LA-ites any more for being smoggy people. Great. Not to mention that everyone else in the country will revert back to the post-70’s assumption that Pittsburgh was a dirty, polluted city.

Guillermo Cole, a spokesman for the Allegheny County Health Department, told the Post-Gazette that Pittsburgh didn’t deserve the ranking as the high soot readings come primarily from emissions from U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works. “The fact of the matter is that the ranking only applies accurately to the Liberty-Clairton area, and Pittsburgh, the rest of the county and the surrounding counties have much better air,” Mr. Cole said. “Liberty-Clairton is a unique situation. We have a large source, the coke works, sitting in a river valley, so it’s a real challenge. There’s no other area of the U.S. like that.”

The Liberty-Clairton area does not meet federal air quality standards for soot by far, but neither does the surrounding five-county metropolitan area - though soot levels are lower. Plans are in place, however, to improve the city’s overall air quality, especially for the Coke Works.

U.S. Steel has a $1B upgrade in the works for the site which will put the Liberty-Clairton area into attainment by 2015. The rest of the region should hit attainment by 2010.

Even if the area surrounding the Coke Works was removed from the data, Pittsburgh would still rank in the Top Twenty - 16th, to be exact.

So while the news is indeed hard to swallow, remember this: in traffic and commute, Pittsburgh is the fifth BEST city; L.A. is the ninth WORST. And when it comes right down to it, Pittsburghers get more quality time at home and not lodged on the Parkway inhaling exhaust. (Well, except when the “tunnel monster” is running loose.)

Commute vs. pollution? Yeah, I think Western PA wins that round.

Blast furnaces and iron ore at the Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corporation mills, Etna, Pennsylvania (LOC), courtesy of The Library of Congress

They entered enemy territory.

They suffered over 40 hits.

They saw over a five minute stretch of penalties, including nearly a minute of two five-on-threes.

They saw Jagr in prime early-90s form.

And yet…they scored 5 goals. Went 2-3 on the power play. Faced 39 shots, including a furious shot-clogged second period. Nine Penguins had at least a point tallied in the game. Malkin netted two power play goals; fitting in many ways, since news came earlier yesterday that he was one of the three finalists for the Hart trophy.

Once again, the Penguins come out on top.

If you saw the game last night, you know the feeling all of us are having today. If you didn’t, watch the highlights, because honestly, words can’t do it justice.

I’ll admit, Jagr looked great - it was like watching him back in ‘92, tearing up opponents and being a menace to the opposing netminder. But the Penguins defense held up; Jagr only netted one goal on the evening despite putting out nearly 25% of the Ranger’s shots on goal. (And I’ll give him credit, his wraparound was a beautiful goal. Almost brought a tear to my eye…) But in the end, Fleury was a wall when needed, and that made the difference.

Game Four on Thursday, 7 p.m. Let’s finish this, Penguins!

080228 Marc-Andre Fleury, courtesy of Dan4th

Thank you, Penguins!

Thank you, Pens fans!

The last three days have been fantastic for me and my Penguins-crazed family in more ways than one.

Shall I count them?

Two wins over the hated Rangers, a furious and awesome comeback in Game One, a stonewalling shutout by Fleury in Game Two, and an Avery beatdown to segue into the next two games in New York. (The best view of the fight is at 1:15 in the video clip.)

What more could a Pens fan ask for?

Being at the game.

Well, ok, so I didn’t get that far.

Still, in watching the game from the comfort of my living room, surround sound on full blast, it felt like I was right there amongst the crowd at the Mellon Arena yesterday afternoon. The energy was electric, the noise awesome, and the outcome outstanding.

And I was thrilled to see my prediction come true. In the waning seconds of Game Two, Sean Avery did his usual annoying play and roughly tapped Fleury on the back as he moved to the front of the crease. As play wound down, Fleury did as any goalie would do defending his turf and slapped Avery in the back of the legs. Avery turned and tried to spear Fleury and was met with the fury of Hal Gill’s fists as they came flying out of his gloves. The shining moment? As Avery hit the boards, Laraque had skated over and grabbed him just as Gill led with a right.

Make note, New York: don’t mess with the Penguins.

The hockey world sat up and took notice after last night’s shutdown of the New York trapping game. The Pens didn’t just defend against it, they practically broke it. Transitions in the center were plentiful, the energy was 100% from start to finish, and the press into the Ranger’s zone was relentless. In this game, the Penguins proved that Ottawa wasn’t a fluke.

These guys want the Cup. And you know what? Every game they play, I think the reality is that much closer.

Now the quest to find a good location to watch Game Three on Tuesday. If any of you have suggestions to pass onto your fellow fans, please do so below. Until then, keep them towels waving!

It’s Towel Time!, courtesy of Sgt. Pepperedjane

Ok, Penguins Nation, it’s been decided.

After Joffrey Lupul’s game winner in OT last night over here in Washington, the stage has finally been set for a standard playoff rematch for our beloved Penguins. Next up? The New York Rangers.

You may commence booing and hissing. I’ll wait, since I’ll join you.

Ok. Feel better?

So, are we looking at another Ottawa-style rollover? Probably not. This’ll be a hard-fought series, in my opinion, but won’t go to seven games. And I’m confident - like all of you, no doubt - that our Penguins shall triumph over the Blue Shirts of Broadway.

So let’s look at the nitty-gritty, shall we?

Both teams have strong depth down the line. Our stars are younger, for sure - this is Sid’s, Gino’s and Staal’s second year in the playoffs. We’re facing down some playoff veterans on the other side of the ice, and these names are familiar - Jagr, Straka, Gomez. But as you compare lines, it’s close to even. Both teams have size, strength, speed, and depth. Talent, I think, is really going to play a factor here.

Sid’s on fire, appearing everywhere on the ice in the Ottawa games. And Gino’s been nothing short of fantastic; clearly a level above last year’s failed run. Staal and Gonchar are steady, Hossa’s been phenomenal, and Roberts is just stellar in his return to the ice - despite the recent groin injury.

On the Ranger’s side, Jagr’s apparently woken up from his emotional slumber, no doubt in the wake of unconfirmed rumors that he’s abandoning the NHL next year for Russia. The Devils couldn’t stop him - but then again, all the Devils really had to begin with was Broduer.

Our former glory-hound has eight points in five games. And during the regular season, Jagr’s knocked out seven points against the Pens in eight games (2 G, 5 A), with five of them on the power play.

Other standouts for the Rangers? Scott Gomez, a solid center, knocked in seven points with a +/- of five. And Straka assisted on five goals (six points) during the Devil beatdown.

I think, however, the biggest matchup is going to come down to the netminders. Fleury vs Lundqvist. Henrik’s put in a respectable 2.36 GAA and .917 save percentage so far in the playoffs. He’s shown himself to be flexible as well, but I don’t think he’s capable of surviving a Crosby / Malkin / Hossa onslaught night after night.

So what about Fleury? He’s faced less shots - and played one less game - than Henrik, but has posted a 1.26 GAA, a .955 save percentage and a shut-out. And, more importantly, he’s been on fire since his return earlier this year.

It’s going to be a brutal series, no question. Lots of hitting, lots of scoring. And lots of animosity between us and them. I’m sure many stalwart fans remember Grave’s chop on Mario’s hand back in ‘92 (I still do!) - and if something like that happens here, well, I don’t know if there’ll be much left after Hal, Georges and Jarko get ahold of them.

My call? Penguins in six. And Jagr goes home a crybaby. Again.

Eye contact, courtesy of SouthCentral