The Confluence
Next entry: A Penguins' void: 'The Voice' is muted
Previous entry: Confluence Soapbox: Pens' powerplay won't get better until Yeo isn't running it
Sharks down Penguins 5-0: Letang suffers injury
by Tony on 11/08/09 at 11:15 AM ET
Comments (34)
“Sometimes when you win, you really lose. And sometimes when you lose, you really win. And sometimes when you win or lose, you actually tie and sometimes when you tie, you actually win or lose. Winning or losing is all one organic globule, from which one extracts what one needs.” - Gloria Clemente, White Men Can’t Jump, 1992
Yeah, none of that applies to last night’s game in San Jose. Thanks anyway, Gloria. Say hello to the Stucci brothers.
And the hits just keep on coming for the Penguins. No pun intended. The Penguins gave up five goals for the second consecutive game, while they failed to garner a point in consecutive games for the first time in the Dan Bylsma era, as the Sharks dominated the Penguins in San Jose, 5-0. More bad news could be on the way in the next day or so when test results on Kris Letang’s upper-body injury are received.
Doesn’t matter whether you’re Stanley Cup champions or not, all teams go through bad stretches during the course of an 82 game regular season. So, it’s important to keep that in perspective.
That said, lots of ugly stats can be thrown out there: No points for Sidney Crosby for the 4th consecutive game for the 1st time in his NHL career. Marc-Andre Fleury was pulled in the second period after giving up three goals on fourteen shots. Forwards like Bill Guerin and Jordan Staal are so snakebitten they couldn’t buy a goal.
And yes, even though no one wants to attribute this bad stretch on the Penguins’ mounting injury list, it’s impossible not to. Not when the defense’s strategy is to surround Crosby with up to four skaters, basically because they don’t fear his wingers. Not when their powerplay is now to the point where they can barely get the puck in the opponent’s zone, let alone get scoring chances, let alone score a powerplay goal.
The ugliness started early for the Pens, as Chris Kunitz was strippped of the puck by former Ranger Jed Ortmeyer, who passed to Jamie McGinn. McGinn’s slapper from the left point was wide of the net, but Scott Nichol was there to corral the rebound. Nichol left the puck for McGinn, who followed the play around the net and simply threw the puck from the goalline towards Marc-Andre Fleury. Somehow, the puck squeezed between the post and Fleury’s pads and into the net, and it was 1-0 Sharks only 3:27 into the game.
That lead was doubled late in the first period on a Sharks’ powerplay, as Dan Boyle made a shot-pass from the right point to the stick of Joe Pavelski, who deflected it nicely into the net past Fleury, making it 2-0 Sharks.
Fleury’s night was finished early in the second period, when Boyle brought the puck into the Pens’ zone, made a sick move to clear him from Martin Skoula, then fired a wrister past Fleury to make it 3-0 at 1:41.
So Brent Johnson came in, but the goals didn’t stop. Not even two minutes later, Boyle dangled the puck around the Pens’ defense some more, then passed to Joe Thornton. Thornton then made a nice centering pass to Pavelski, whose one-timer squirted under Johnson, where Dany Heatley tapped it into the net easily. It was 4-0 Sharks, and the game wasn’t even 24 minutes old.
The Sharks finished the scoring on another powerplay midway through the third period, as Manny Malhotra gathered the rebound of a Marc Vlasic shot in the slot and fired a wrister past Johnson for the final score of 5-0.
Notes:
- Penguins’ powerplay - 0-for-4. Scoreless streak is now at 0-for-21.
- Speaking of powerplays, didn’t anyone else notice how well the Sharks moved and thereby passed the puck last night ?? Very impressive.
- Jay McKee received his 2nd instigator penalty of the season after his scrap with Jody Shelley in the third period. He still led the Pens with 5 blocked shots.
- A sliver of positive news: Crosby went 16-for-23 and Staal went 9-for-14 in the faceoff circle.
- Brooks Orpik and Craig Adams both had four hits.
- Letang only played 3:38 before suffering his injury. Let’s hope it’s not serious. Deryk Engelland, who was recalled to possibly replace a sick Alex Goligoski, may just be needed after all.
The Penguins now fly to the other coast now, facing the Bruins on Tuesday night.
Filed in: | The Confluence | Permalink
Tags: NHL-Hockey, Pittsburgh+Penguins, San+Jose+Sharks,
Comments
Quite a humbling west coast trip for the Pens.
Welcome to reality.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 11/08/09 at 12:37 PM ET
Can you say Blow Job Breath ?? Considering Sid Has 2 ghosts as his wingers & STaal is NEVER EVER going to be anything more than a very good 3rd Line center I think missing Geno, Sarge, Mad Max, TK & Now Letang is a pretty big thing, Now back to your Jr. High HOmework Young Man it’s Sunday it’ll be Monday before you know it
Posted by Evilpens on 11/08/09 at 12:38 PM ET
Says the 12 year old who just watched his team SHIT THE BED 5-1 against the Maple Laffs & lost another Player Long Term, Worry about your team making the Playoffs
Posted by Evilpens on 11/08/09 at 12:41 PM ET
Can you say Blow Job Breath
Crosby.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 11/08/09 at 01:09 PM ET
Thanks for the well wishes red winger, i’m surprised you got your head out of the sand long enough to check scores not involving 5-1 losses to the leafs! hahaha how many more tuesdays?
Posted by Greg on 11/08/09 at 01:10 PM ET
Says the 12 year old who just watched his team SHIT THE BED 5-1 against the Maple Laffs
Still doesn’t hide the fact you can’t beat the Sharks...but we can.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 11/08/09 at 01:10 PM ET
Thanks for the well wishes red winger, i’m surprised you got your head out of the sand long enough to check scores not involving 5-1 losses to the leafs! hahaha how many more tuesdays?
Outscored 10-2 in Cali...LOL
Basically you guys are useless without Malkin, and Rosby continues to show why he is the worst captain in sports history.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 11/08/09 at 01:12 PM ET
Try to get Laid before you die & try to see if your team makes the playoffs OK
Posted by Evilpens on 11/08/09 at 01:29 PM ET
Your captain still lives in a basement...you’re angry...it’s understandable.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 11/08/09 at 01:58 PM ET
Still doesn’t hide the fact you can’t beat the Sharks...but we can.
Too bad the Penguins can crush the Maple Leafs, but you can’t.
Posted by cs6687 on 11/08/09 at 01:58 PM ET
Outscored 10-2 in Cali...LOL
That’s news to me. So, please do share, how the Pens beat the Ducks without scoring a goal on Tuesday night in Anaheim?
Oh…
Basically you guys are useless without Malkin, and Rosby continues to show why he is the worst captain in sports history.
So last night must mean you guys are useless without Franzen, and Lidstrom is right up there in the running for worst captain in sports history, right? 5-1 to the Leafs who had only won 2 games all year up until last night or 5-0 to the team that’s 2nd place in the West. I guess there’s no difference there, right?
I know it’s hard for you to do while watching the Wings lose to the Leafs (who the Pens beat on October 10th, 5-2), but you should probably get your facts straight before you post here.
Posted by Flashtastick56 from Milford, CT on 11/08/09 at 02:02 PM ET
as the Sharks dominated the Penguins in San Jose, 5-0
Waaaa, how about reading the post before commenting on it, joke.
Posted by Flashtastick56 from Milford, CT on 11/08/09 at 02:05 PM ET
Too bad the Penguins can crush the Maple Leafs, but you can’t.
Which one of those two teams are a serious Cup threat?
That’s what I thought.
I know it’s hard for you to do while watching the Wings lose to the Leafs (who the Pens beat on October 10th, 5-2)
Congratulations.
Still doesn’t hide the fact you can’t beat the Sharks.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 11/08/09 at 02:47 PM ET
Which one of those two teams are a serious Cup threat?
That’s what I thought.
So, you’re saying the Wings aren’t a serious Cup threat?
Still doesn’t hide the fact you can’t beat the Sharks.
And the Pens loss to the Sharks still doesn’t hide the fact that the Wings can’t beat the Leafs. Or the Avs. Or the Blues.
But I digress.
You still didn’t answer the question about how the Pens could beat the Ducks on their three game west coast trip without scoring a goal, though. I’m guessing you’re conveniently ignoring that one.
Posted by Flashtastick56 from Milford, CT on 11/08/09 at 02:57 PM ET
Still doesn’t hide the fact you can’t beat the Sharks.
You’re right, I hope we’ll avoid San Jose in the Stanley Cup finals (if we even get that far). A better alternative would be Detroit, they’re beatable.
On the other hand, if we don’t both improve neither of us we’ll be anything but spectators.
Posted by Moq from Denmark on 11/08/09 at 05:06 PM ET
I’m guessing you’re conveniently ignoring that one.
Hey, you can use all the perfume you want, and try to make it all shiny and pretty, but the fact remains: The Pens laid a giant turd in California.
A big, stinkin’ turd.
Great Leadership, Sid.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 11/08/09 at 05:39 PM ET
if we don’t both improve neither of us we’ll be anything but spectators
Which would mean Wings fans would experience something they rarely go through, and the bandwagon fans of Pittsburgh will, once again, ignore the team, and put them on the verge of bankruptcy for a third time in their history.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 11/08/09 at 05:42 PM ET
Which would mean Wings fans would experience something they rarely go through, and the bandwagon fans of Pittsburgh will, once again, ignore the team, and put them on the verge of bankruptcy for a third time in their history.
because as we all know, it was a lack of fan support in both instances that caused the team to go bankrupt, not an owner who spent recklessly. you would think, since red winger harps on this all the time, he would get his facts straight.
Posted by pens fan in baltimore on 11/08/09 at 05:54 PM ET
it was a lack of fan support in both instances that caused the team to go bankrupt, not an owner who spent recklessly.
In 2003-2004, the Pens had the lowest average attendance of any team in the NHL. That has little to do with ownership, and a lot to do with the fact a football city is only interested in supporting its local hockey team if they are winning.
The people of Pittsburgh have a very poor track record when it comes to any kind of sustained support for their NHL team.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 11/08/09 at 06:07 PM ET
In 2003-2004, the Pens had the lowest average attendance of any team in the NHL. That has little to do with ownership, and a lot to do with the fact a football city is only interested in supporting its local hockey team if they are winning.
all right. so when did that lead to a bankruptcy? i won’t argue the fact that it was the lowest, i know it was, i was there for the games. but that season did not lead the pens into bankruptcy. it did not lead them to almost relocate. that would be a promised new arena that took 10 years to get finalized. so since you have become so obsessed with the penguins, it would be best if you got their history straight first.
Posted by pens fan in baltimore on 11/08/09 at 06:12 PM ET
it did not lead them to almost relocate
What???
LOL...denial isn’t just a river in Africa. 
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 11/08/09 at 06:15 PM ET
Kansas City?
Come on Red Winger know your history, before you start a debate.
Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 11/08/09 at 06:16 PM ET
it did not lead them to almost relocate
an obvious typo. i mean, did lead them to almost relocate. but im not a wings fan, so i can make mistakes
Posted by pens fan in baltimore on 11/08/09 at 06:20 PM ET
Rarely a news cycle went by a few years ago and whenever the name “Pittsburgh Penguins” came up, it was sure to be followed by the words “threaten” and “relocation”.
Where were all the fans during the lean days?
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 11/08/09 at 06:21 PM ET
but im not a wings fan, so i can make mistakes
Funny, isn’t it?
Why God chose us Wings fans to be perfect, and not you lesser fans of lesser teams, is beyond me.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 11/08/09 at 06:22 PM ET
Why God chose us Wings fans to be perfect, and not you lesser fans of lesser teams, is beyond me.
God doesn’t exist.
But Santa Claus prefer Pittsburgh Penguins due to the generosity shown towards California.
Posted by Moq from Denmark on 11/08/09 at 06:55 PM ET
Funny, isn’t it?
Why God chose us Wings fans to be perfect, and not you lesser fans of lesser teams, is beyond me.
at least he leveled the playing field with a devastating economic collapse. sorry, couldn’t help myself.
Rarely a news cycle went by a few years ago and whenever the name “Pittsburgh Penguins” came up, it was sure to be followed by the words “threaten” and “relocation”.
Where were all the fans during the lean days?
well, of course that would come up. it’s always a big deal when a sports team is going to move, regardless of sport. where were the fans? lets look at average attendance numbers:
2002 (first year out of the playoffs since 1990) - 15,649
2003 - 14,750
2004 - 11,877
2006 (first year with a cap that many teams needed, not just the pens) - 15,804
the rest of the years are well know, but those were the years out of the playoffs. other than 2004, the attendance hovered around 15k. im not one to apologize for other people. i hate it when fans in pittsburgh make fun of people in washington for being a bandwagon fan. but the same can be said of most american nhl cities. what will happen in detroit if the team does not make the playoffs this year? what happens if that extends to two or three years? i think joe louis will be just as empty as any other arena. and if its not, then it will be plain to see that detroit deserves the hockeytown moniker. is pittsburgh a true hockey market? that time will come when the pens are falling out of the playoffs again (which i hope is not for another 10 years minimum).
Posted by pens fan in baltimore on 11/08/09 at 07:07 PM ET
Hey, you can use all the perfume you want, and try to make it all shiny and pretty, but the fact remains: The Pens laid a giant turd in California.
A big, stinkin’ turd.
Great Leadership, Sid.
And the Wings laid a giant turd in Toronto with their almighty hockey in attendance. A big, stinkin’ turd.
Also, in Sweden against the Blues. Twice.
Great Leadership, Nik.
For the record, you still haven’t explained how the Pens beat the Ducks in Anaheim (California) without scoring a goal. Because apparently none of those goals they scored to beat the Ducks...in Anaheim, counted.
n 2003-2004, the Pens had the lowest average attendance of any team in the NHL. That has little to do with ownership, and a lot to do with the fact a football city is only interested in supporting its local hockey team if they are winning.
It had everything to do with the ownership, actually. At least I think so. Because they spent recklessly, giving their players back loaded contracts, they had to trade away all of the guys that they couldn’t afford to pay. For peanuts. Jagr, Kovalev, Straka. Tell me who they got in return for those guys. And it started happening right after Mario came back and they made that run to the ECF in 2001. I guarantee you that the attendance that year wasn’t near the bottom (middle of the pack, but that’s only because it’s only holds about 17,000—they were only a couple hundred away from capacity on average).
Let’s also remember that the city of Detroit (and Philadelphia, Montreal, Toronto, Dallas, St. Louis...) are all close to twice the size of Pittsburgh. That’s why we’re considered a “small market” team. Just look at the Pirates. They couldn’t afford to keep all their good players in the early 90’s when they were making the playoffs every year. Not because of poor attendance, but because of the small market.
And with Mario as the owner, the Penguins weren’t going anywhere. The only way they were moving to Kansas City was if he sold the team. He made the government officials in PA think he was being wooed, just to get them to FINALLY give Pittsburgh a new arena.
Since you have so much fun finding attendance numbers, how about you rustle up some for the Wings between 1967 and 1982. I would love to know how many people went to those games.
And really, if for some reason the ownership went to shit and couldn’t pay all of those long term contracts and traded away Zetterberg, Datsyuk, and Franzen while the Wings muddled along at the very bottom of the standings, you don’t think the attendance at the Joe wouldn’t dip significantly? If you think it wouldn’t, you’re probably more delusional than I thought you were.
Posted by Flashtastick56 from Milford, CT on 11/08/09 at 07:13 PM ET
Sorry, your post is too long. How about a quick synopsis?
I’m sure you avoided the fact you have a bandwagon fan base.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 11/08/09 at 08:33 PM ET
what will happen in detroit if the team does not make the playoffs this year? what happens if that extends to two or three years? i think joe louis will be just as empty as any other arena.
First of all, you’re delusional is you think Detroit won’t make the playoffs this year. The only given this year is that the Pens will not repeat. Not with Crosby at the helm. And as Malkin’s injury has shown, you’re a very average hockey team without your true best player.
Second of all, the Joe would not be as empty as the Igloo was in Pitt’s lean days. Even in an economic downturn that totally dismantled the Detroit economy, still the Wings are playing to 95% capacity. If that doesn’t turn the fans away, nothing will.
It’s really no use to compare Pittsburgh to Detroit in hockey. Detroit is steeped in tradition and history. Pittsburgh is just another American city that sees hockey as secondary, and their history is one of potential bankruptcies and threats of relocation.
Gary Bettman can stroke your collective egos until the cows come home, but the fundamental truth is that Pittsburgh is not a good hockey town, and in fact is just one in a long line of American cities that don’t really deserve an NHL franchise.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 11/08/09 at 08:40 PM ET
Sorry, your post is too long. How about a quick synopsis?
Short attention span or…
I’m sure you avoided the fact you have a bandwagon fan base.
Just avoiding reading my post because you’ll have no retort for sound reasoning and facts?
Either way, I’m definitely not surprised.
Posted by Flashtastick56 from Milford, CT on 11/08/09 at 09:32 PM ET
i still want to know how ownership mismanagement and politicians lies makes pittsburgh a bad hockey market.
The only given this year is that the Pens will not repeat. Not with Crosby at the helm.
you know, i’m pretty sure i heard that quote all last year too. only that the pens will never win a championship with crosby. he’s not a leader blah blah blah blah. we’ll see. i like the pens chances.
Posted by pens fan in baltimore on 11/08/09 at 09:43 PM ET
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Most Recent Blog Posts
Penguins tell fans “Leave Mike Yeo alone !!” for woeful powerplay
Penguins re-assign Letestu to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
Flat start costs Penguins in 3-2 loss to Hurricanes
Crosby back in lineup for Penguins tonight vs. Hurricanes
Niemi, Blackhawks nip Penguins in OT, 2-1
Capitals claim Bourque off waivers from Penguins
Crosby out for Blackhawks game with groin injury
About The Confluence
Welcome to The Confluence, a Pittsburgh Penguins blog since 2006. Originally at Blogspot, then at MVN, The Confluence has over 1000 articles reporting Penguins news as well as jumping on my soapbox to opine constructive Penguins criticism. My posts are regularly linked by hockey websites such as the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Empty Netters and Yahoo!’s Puck Daddy, and I’ve done guest blogger spots on such websites as the New York Times. I invite you to spend a little time and peruse the archives at all of the sites for some of my better work. I am a retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer, but don’t confuse me with my fellow Chief at A2Y.
Please feel free to send any comments to me at . If you’d like to befriend me on Facebook, click here. If you’d like to join The Confluence page on Facebook, click here. If you’d like to follow me on Twitter, click here.
The Confluence Links
Clark & Heptner (The Suburban Rob Rossis)
Confessions of a Hockey Fanatic
Official Pittsburgh Penguins Website
Waaah, Malkins not there.Waaaah, they put 4 skaters on Crosby and he didnt score. Waaah, we lost 2 games. Get over it. Can you say..........we lost to better teams.
Posted by jmiller on 11/08/09 at 11:23 AM ET