Islanders 3, Pens 1

The basic stories out of this game were the Pen in ability to score a Power Play goal again, Crosby sat out his second consecutive game, and the very bad Refereeing this game got. First things first, if the Pens want to win another game this year they need to convert when they are given Power Play after Power Play especially if 2 of them are 5 on 3s. While some of this had to do with Crosby not being on the ice the other is they would either settle for the point shot or try to over pass to set up a goal. They never seem to react to what is happening on the ice. It seem that they go out there with a predetermined thing they want to do and will not change it for the entire 2 mins. It seems like simple hockey to me that if the other team is taking away the point shot the passing down low should be open and vice versa. The simple answer would be just to play hockey and not over complicate it because with raw talent alone they should go 2 for 8 on the Power Play.

Secondly, I think the Refs were still having some Thanksgiving dinner in between period because the tryptophan was kicking in during play. The game pretty much changed on a missed call then the worst thing in sports, a make-up call. DiPietro was playing a puck behind the net when Malkin ran into him, I think it was a little
over the top on DiPietro part on the fall but it was a penalty none the less. DiPietro not getting the call got frustrated and slashed someone which was called. The Refs feeling like that made a mistake on the play were just waiting for a Penguin to go near a Islander to even them up. Well turns out that Malkin was the one that wondered too close and was called for a phantom holding call. The 4 on 4 after that resulted in the Thibault not getting a puck past Satan and he was able to feed Yashin for the goal. After that point it seemed as if the Refs knew it wasn't going to get any better and allowed anything to go on or called a penalty for what ever rule popped into their head at that time.

The game finally fell apart after two lucky pucks that were tip and found the back of the net. Malkin was however able to ruin the shutout bid of DiPietro with a nice wrister from the high slot. It was a better goal the the one he tried to score earlier if just for the fact that they could not take it away. Malkin tried to score a goal by throwing the puck in while he was laying in the crease. It was called a goal but later reviewed and waived off. Malkin later left the ice after being hit by Witt. It was being called a shoulder injury by the Pens announcer team. It was later deemed that he had his bell wrung and not a shoulder injury. I don't think the Pens can handle being without both of their superstars for more then a game.

The Pens do have a chance for revenge with 2 more game with them in a short period of time starting Tue in Pittsburgh but first up are the Rangers tomorrow...