Sorry for the late start gang… been one of those nights with a little too much going on around me, which has kept me from firing it up!
We have already seen two goals in the game, one on each side, with the Thrashers taking an early 1-0 lead on a goal by Bryan Little and the Penguins quickly answering off of the blade of Sidney Crosby. The goalies for tonight’s affair: Marc Andre Fleury for the Penguins and Ondrej Pavelec for the Thrashers.
The key match-up to watch for is the Penguins penalty kill versus the Thrashers power play. Each has been electric as of late…
Speaking of power plays, the Penguins will get the first of the evening as Andrew Ladd has been whistled for tripping.
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The Thrashers did a nice job of disrupting the Penguins set up on the power play and got the kill. The Birds did get some great puck movement, but didn’t get enough pucks to the net. Kris Letang did make a great play in keeping the puck in near the right point early in the power play.
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One period in the books here and the teams are tied. The Penguins are leading on the shot clock 10-8, but both sides have had some great chances. The goalies are likely going to be the difference here tonight…
Kris Letang and Dustin Byfuglien are tied with three shots a piece to lead the game.
The second period is seconds away… stay tuned…
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Press row is freezing once again. It is seemingly getting worse the colder it gets outside. We need space heaters!
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Neither side is getting much going right now… funny how that is always the way with games like this. HOLD THE PRESSES!
As my fingers finished typing those words, Arron Asham got a puck to Sidney Crosby that put him in behind the defense all alone. He walked in made a couple of dekes and slid the puck between Pavelec’s legs to put the Pens up 2-1.Wow…
20th of the season for Crosby and 43rd point.
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Crosby is now just one goal behind Steven Stamkos and three points ahead in the scoring race…
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Sid is on fire… he just notched the hat trick. Tipped in an Orpik shot from the left side of the net. Pulls four points ahead in the scoring race and ties Stammer in goals…
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Did I ever mention that I despise the fact that the public address announcer here at the CEC does commentary of the Kiss Cam.
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Nik Antropov… who has been a long time Penguin killer just pulled the Thrash to within one… he worked a nice give and go with Nik Bergfors, who is also known for tormenting this team.
3-2 Penguins
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The second period is in the books and the Penguins are holding onto a 3-2 lead. The Thrashers got a late second period goal from Nik Antropov that could potentially bring some momentum the Thrashers way in the third. It is exactly what they needed after watching Crosby take over and push the Penguins ahead by two.
The Penguins are still leading in shots 20-17…
One of the wackier media folks that I work with here in Pittsburgh just came over and said: “Imagine if Sid had signed with Atlanta in the off-season…this would be his first game back in Pittsburgh, just like Lebron back to Cleveland…” Wow…
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The Thrashers have been pressing, but have yet to get the equalizer. They have also given up a couple of breaks out of the zone to the Penguins… though the Birds have yet to get anything going their way either.
Crosby’s line just had a shift that had goal written all over it, but they weren’t able to put the puck past Pavelec. The ice also looks like it might be getting a bit choppy, as the puck is starting to bounce around a good bit.
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Geno Malkin just came close to duplicating his slick backhand goal from the Eastern Conference Final two years ago… he came out from behind the net and didn’t have a great option with the puck, he quickly looked over his shoulder and threw the puck towards the net. Unfortunately it was a bit too sharp and headed wide, but still went through the crease. None of his teammates were there to knock it home…
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Down to 7:14 remaining in regulation time…
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Steven Stamkos and the Lightning are on the wrong end of a 7-1 score right now… he doesn’t have any points in the game.
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Crosby is feeling it right now… just turned on the jets and outworked the Thrashers and came close to his fourth goal of the game… worked down the wing, gathered the puck, fired it off the side of the net. They kept the puck working around the zone for 20 more seconds…
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I am headed to the rooms… stay tuned for more post game! Can the Penguins hold on???
