Covering in Buffalo: Penguins 2, Sabres 0

I'm blaming you if the Pens lose. ;-)

How can the NHL Network not show this game in favor of Islanders versus Columbus? Islanders only playing for seeding.

Hope they all spent the night sleeping in hyperbaric chambers or had lung transplants....they all looked gassed last night. Case in point Grabner goal, I know he is fast, but Cole looked liked he was skating in sand.....and he has excellent since he was acquired.

Do or die (Boston aside). Who saw this coming when it was still 2014?

DK, with Letang done for the season, are they able to place him on LTIR and get cap space? Or is there only one LTIR spot and occupied by Dupuis already?

So the PP with 4 forwards has been awful and hasn't worked since December and then the Coach says the 4 forward format is the reason we are giving up so many short handed chances.

There must be something that I am missing here. Do we not have anybody in this organization of 4 coaches and 9 GMs that get it?

I seem to recall a certain independent columnist saying back in the fall that the playoffs were a lock for this team and that regular season should be all about working on a system that would pay dividends come playoff time. Hmmmm....who was that? The same guy who assured his readers of the Bucs finishing above .500 back in 2012.

Just goofing around. There wasn't a Pens fan in the universe who would have predicted tonight's scenario even if Sid and Geno had both gone down like they did that one year.

I understand all the frustration and angst about this team, but some of the venom I just don't get. The Pens have made the last 9 winters wonderful for this Pens fan. Plenty of blame to go around on where they are now, but I just can't get that pissed about what has transpired. They'll be back in the mix next year.

Even if… the Pens clinch a spot with a W or a Boston regulation loss… they play the Rangers.

How can the Coach say the break out has not changed? Anyone watching can see they are using the long stretch pass almost exclusively now.

I hope Uwe Krupp isn't playing for Buffalo tonight...

Is using Winnick for a few shifts in an emergency defensive role more risky than letting your completely gassed veteran D-men double shift for the nth game in a row?

Can't catch a break DK, knew you would cover this.
If they woulda won last night you coulda had this one off.

Welp. The Sens carry their insane run right through to the 7th seed!

So even if we back in somehow, we've got the Rangers.
"OY gevalt" as my Gramma used to say !!

Seriously, what an insane last 6 weeks. When it all settles down I'd like to know if a team has come from as far back as OTT to get in....and, I suppose, if a team has come from as far ahead as the Pens to miss.....

Trying to look it up....does today make the Sens 20-3-3?...(and Hammond 20-1-1 maybe?). ...not sure.

It just sorta makes me giggle....in an insane sort of way......

Just like Mark Madden says, the only thing Craig Adams does better than the PK is kiss ass.

Watching both games on my puter simultaneously!

Why in the heck are we wearing the third jerseys? Unbelievable

Picking Adams for the GW. Go Pens!

Amazing. Full house for 30th team in league.

SC playoffs are better with certain organizations in it. The Kings are one and they are out. The Pens are definitely another. Just get in.

Let's do this!

Arrgh.....post....
Hockey Gods please have mercy on us.....

So is Winniks job to pass the puck to Crosby as soon as and each and every time he gets the puck?

I am assuming we are bringing our very best to this pivotal contest ... but I can't help but see an individually talented squad struggle with the worst team in the league right now.

Winnik almost killed SID with that grenade pass.....

Good Lord, SMH.

Just look at them. They can't wait for it to be over.

Buffalo goalie looking really cocky or is it me?

The old James Neal face off play and Kunitz airmails 5 feet over the net

Said it last night that you can get 50 shots per period but as long as you shoot at the logo on the goalies chest much like Perron did tonight and Kunitz last night when wide open; you ain't ever going to score.

It's not the quality of the opposing goalie but the quality of the shots.

I've seen more inspired play at a nursing home bingo.

Did the Pens throw more than 3 checks that whole period?

With 12 seconds left in the period I thought it might be a good time to drive the net and shoot ... nope, dump it in (again)

For the love of God get Kunitz away from Geno.....bring up anybody, Downie, Bennett, my Aunt Sally.....just NOT Kunitz.....

I hope Mike Johnston rented.

That first period will not be used to show great hockey being played, that's for sure. I hope this picks up. Right now it's the kind of game Buffalo can win.

If the Bruins don't win the Pens may be forced into the playoffs.

0-0 in Tampa. Bolts on PP.

Bourque just called for Malkin to play with Crosby but why should HCMJ change anything..................its all been working so well.

Love joy over 9 minutes in 1st period, yikes

My God..,,all alone in front of MAF. Looks like what i see I Warrendale beer league....

So I guess unless you draw blood there isn't gonna be a PP in this game.

No matter the outcome, Crosby and Hornqvist have both been simply outstanding the last 3 weeks.

The other 18 players on the team..................not so much.

Does Adams have a shift yet? 35 seconds last night. Just freakin drop him. They could have 6 D and not be ready for a nap already

30 minutes in almost and they finally cycled the puck in the offensive zone

That was not pretty. Glad it wasn't a d-man.

Uwe Krupp isn't dressed for the Sabres tonight, is he?

So are the pens just running into a hot goalie? Or can we finally drop that stupid argument every game.

DK implies this feels like a preseason game. It does.

DK. I havent posted in a long time but this now drives me insane. First line winnik crosby hornqvist. That would allow one to think winnik gives anything on offense however when power plays occur downie makes it onto at least n2 unit but winnik is on bench. If downie is deemed a worthwhile option to score on power play how is he seen less at even strength but winnik plays even though more effective in a 3rd line role. I dont demand johnston being fired but he is basically byslma lite. Playing favorites not best for team

Sutsy!

Hallelujah!!!

Hey, hey. So that's what cycling the puck will do for you.

Staal for Sutter actually was a pretty good deal, as much as I hated to see Jordan go.

Refs suck, but that's never news.

We scored ? I can't be seeing things, I haven't started drinking yet.

Shades of 1989 when the Pens needed to beat the Sabres to get into the playoffs. That game was my first hockey experience and I was hooked immediately.

Winnick allergic to shooting my goodness.

Bruins score to tie. 1-1 mid-2d.

For what it's worth, there is a fantastic NCAA Hockey National Championship game on ESPN right now.

Sutter 20 goals.pretty good.year

Tavares with a goal tonight. Looks like he'll win the Art Ross.

Man a little breathing room

Well, speaking of beer leagues, good Lord, I see those kinds of opps too. TG Sutter buries it!
Man these Sabres are bad.
And TG for that too....

Its pretty great that the Bruins including those cheap shots Lucic, Chara and Marchand are going to miss the playoffs.

If Pens win, let's celebrate responsibly. No mobs on Grant Street, no couch burning in Oakland.

Your honor the defense needs to rest. Look at those ice time charts my goodness

So now what, how can things change between now and Wed/Thurs.
- Can Malkin get healthy
- How can PP change in 4 days
- Who and how many players from WBS will be involved
- Will Kunitz get young again or be moved to 3rd line
- Can Martin and all D recover

1) Fleury needs to be his ansolute best from here on out
2) Team needs to convert shots into goals
3) Need to be disciplined mentally, because we will be trailing often and need to have the heart to come back

I honestly am a little surprised they are gonna survive this and sneak in.

Well that was eventful.

Time for some healing.

Well, they're in. Anything can happen now I guess.

Detroit wins. It's Pens vrs. Rangers

Hard part's over. Now we just need to cobble together sixteen wins.

Don't remember a hockey game without a single penalty called. There was a strange feel to this one.

Bring up Kaspari Kapanen.

"We had em all the way"
It is quite possible that a number of adult beverages prompted myself and the Gunner to make the above statement.

Well the Pens will be huge underdogs against the Rangers deservedly so. Over/under on Marc Staal using SIDS head for a punching bag?

New Season. Lets Go Pens!

Remaining Eastern Conference match-ups:

Montreal gains OT point to win the Atlantic and will play Ottawa.
Detroit will play Tampa.

All you negative pricks can get back on the wagon again.

Is there any way the Pens do not get swept by the Rangers?

I thought it was interesting that Steigy said during the broadcast that Chorney and Dumoulin gave up only five even strength goals all year in WBS. Might be a nice third defensive pairing in the playoffs.

Will MJ have the cujones to bench the plugs. Kunitz, Scuderi come to mind.

Excellent Frozen Four game going on.

Be real happy to get in the playoffs by beating the mighty Sabres. Was there any champagne in the locker room after this titanic win. Maybe the mayor will throw a playoff party for the team on Monday.......

Special props in order for Crosby, IMHO. He practically dragged this organization into the playoffs, against their will it seemed at times.

Just curious. They didn't want to lose anyone to waivers to bring up a 6th defenseman. So I am guessing Adams makes less than Dumoulin and Harrington at the NHL level. Because why worry about losing a guy who doesn't play in a game with the season on the line. But surely you could have expended Adams, if they think so little of him, to have 6 real defensemen in the lineup. Just asking...

I think this might have been Adams' best game all season!

Talk about bridge jumping in pgh
What are they jumping off in Boston?
Wharves?

That was like watching Therrien's 2009 Penguins, passive 1-2-2, no fore-check, and just trying to gain lines in transition. Given the roster I guess that isn't the worst option, but it sure was dull.

They don't ask how you got to the playoffs, right?

I certainly hope we see major roster changes before Thursday because this team has nothing to lose so go with the young guys. At least it gives them some layoff experience.

Pens haven't been this big an underdog since 98-99 when they upset top seed Devils thanks to 68.