1/10/12 vs. Ottawa Senators [First Period Recap]:
- James Neal is wearing a protective device on his left skate for protection, after the apparent break [that turned out to be just a deep bruise] from a Henrik Tallinder shot in the Penguns last game. His skating ability will surely be monitored heavily over the next several games. Apparently the initial look at his injury that revealed a break was merely detecting either 1) a birth defect or 2) a previous condition Neal suffered that caused an inconsistency on a weight-bearing bone in his foot.
- Ben Lovejoy is such an important piece of this Penguins team right now, especially considering all the injuries the club is going through right now. The pairing of Niskanen-Lovejoy possess such great speed, quickness, and solid puckmoving ability and I’ve been very pleased with the play of both D-men.
- Malkin line with some decent pressure about 5 minutes into the period. Malkin especially strong fighting for the puck to create offense from below the goal line… classic Geno. Neal doesn’t look too bad either.
- Tangradi/Dupuis/Kennedy followed up with some good pressure; however a turnover to Spezza around the 5 minute mark almost cost the Penguins. Big save from Johnson though. Game still scoreless at 6 minutes of the period.
- Vitale with a sneaky opportunity around 7:30 of the period, but the puck goes right through the crease on his stuff attempt from around the net. Things are starting to heat up after a relatively slow start. Sustained pressure leads to a Penguins PP at 7:41 of the 1st period as Brian Lee goes off on a holding call. Penguins are 1-13 on their last 14 PP chances.
- Despres seemingly hurt on a hit around the 10 minute mark as the Penguins first PP chance expired. Hoping for the best as Despres goes down the runway to the dressing room. Penguins are now 1-14 on their last 15 chances on the man-advantage. Yikes.
-Chris Neil stuffs in a puck on a second opportunity right on the Penguins doorstep gives the Senators a 1-0 lead at 11:13 of the period. Matt Cooke was a bit late on his defensive responsibility and on the Senators’ sixth SOG of the game, they take the lead. Penguins lead 8-6 in SOG, but have been unable to convert. Same old story lately…
-Nick Foligno dishes a pass across the slot to Bobby Butler after a beautiful deke move around Lovejoy for an easy one-timer goal at the 14:03 mark to give the Senators a 2-0 lead. Penguins call Timeout in attempt to shift momentum and figure out the situation.
- Since the Senators first goal, the Penguins have not been able to create any offense, and have seemed a step slower on 1-1 puck battles. Early in the period the Penguins were leading 8-3 in SOG; however, as the period expires the Penguins have failed to register a shot since just before Neil’s goal. James Neal credited with a SOG late in the period to make the total 9, although the shot was definitely going high.
-Senators lead 2-0 after the first period. Penguins lead 9-7 in SOG, although the Senators carried the play over the second half of the period. Same story for the Penguins, come out strong but fade over the course of play – for the past couple games it hasn’t been until the second period but I suppose they are starting early tonight.
-Malkin led all Penguins skaters with 7:53 TOI and 1:57 on the PP. Tyler Kennedy registered 2 SOG in 4:47 TOI and should see a bit more ice-time with Staal out of the lineup. Matt Niskanen led all Penguins defensemen with 8:00 TOI including 1:07 on the PP. James Neal skated for 6:35 with 1:26 on the PP.
First Period Totals:
Senators 2 - Penguins 0
SOG: 9-7 PIT
HITS: 15-2 PIT
FOW: 10-2 PIT
Statistical edge meaning very little for the Penguins yet again...
Tangradi has a really big opportunity to finally make something happen here. If he doesn't start to produce and show that he belongs in the NHL, he will probably be a bit of trade bait for the Penguins come deadline-time. It's been too long, and he's had too many chances to be given much more of a leash in this situation. If Tangradi can't become an effective NHLer this year or next, then the Penguins probably won't really want to keep him around too much longer. I would expect something to happen on that front; either Tangradi producing and fitting in with this club somehow, or Tangradi being traded to a rebuilding team for some immediate scoring punch.
Last edited by mounD; January 10, 2012 at 7:56 PM.
MounD - Double Threat FHL (18-19 champs)
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