A very positive West Coast tour for Sid and the Pens. Even though Sid didn't register a point in Calgary or Vancouver, the Pens still won both which is a very good sign for the team. They have now won 6 of 7 and are 3 points out of first in the Atlantic. As Darren Elliott at si.com points out, this season has been very streaky throughout the NHL and the Pens can be thrown in with everyone else. It will be a very close race throughout, especially in the East - the Atlantic is a very strong division. If nothing else, the Pens run through the Pacific showcased the strength of the East. Granted, the Oilers and Flames aren't strong this year but the Canucks lead the division. Maybe the Pens got lucky to catch them in that dreaded first home game after a road trip.
All of this should make for a good game on Tuesday vs Philly. The Pens are playing better now than earlier while the Flyers are not playing as well. With the Devils also on a roll, is there a tougher 4 team group in a division than the Rangers, Flyers, Devils and Pens?
-Kudos to Empty Netters for finding this video of a very young Sid the Kid. The on ice moves are the same, his basement reminds me of what Mario's looked like, his media presence is unwavering, the only difference between young Sid and today is his voice:
-Do you think fans in Calgary are more disappointed that their teams lost or that Sid didn't get a point in either game?
-Letang! Does he now belong in the top 3 shootout shooters? Methinks so. My first three shooters: Christensen, Sykora, Letang. Yep, no Sid, no Geno, no Ruutu. Has Christensen surpassed Jossi Jokinen as the best shootout artist in the NHL?
-Crosby vs Luongo. Penalty shot in OT. Great drama. Good move by Sid, better save by Luongo, who based on this one game, deserves every accolade he gets. He's scary good.
-Cool list of Sid's points in each NHL city posted by James Mirtle:
City GP G A PTS +/- PIM SOG
1
2 Long Island 8 3 12 15 1 14 30
3 Philadelphia 9 8 7 15 4 14 33
4 New Jersey 9 4 5 9 2 10 22
5 Washington 5 3 5 8 1 6 18
-Sid vs Vinny? It's a fair argument. Better make them while it's still reasonable, before Sid turns 21 and outdistances everyone and makes questions like this look silly. But for now, fair question.
-Kind of overlooked in winning 7 of 8 is that Geno Malkin has been generally quiet. He continues to get goals but doesn't seem to dominate at times like he has earlier in the season. Of course, that doesn't prevent people from making the "If Sid is Gretzky, Malkin is Messier" comparisons.
-What has gotten into Big Georges? Love the way he's playing, but am still concerned he's going to take a penalty at any second, kind of like Gary Roberts.
-Goodbye Recchin Ball. Good luck in Atlanta. Hope it will work out in the South.
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