Penguins clinch playoff spot in Tampa Bay

Nothing happens for awhile, then Tyler Kennedy breaks out down the right side boards but can’t get a shot off.

The Pens go down a man, and then down by two men. Pens kill the penalties…Mark Eaton was on top of his game.

Sid with the quick release just misses the net.

First period was boring.


Geno is working hard in this game, forcing turnover. Pens get a 5-on-3 but they can’t score.

There was some intense Penguins cycling going on. Then Tyler Kennedy gets the puck behind the net, and passes to Jordan Staal. Staal with the one-touch pass to Ruslan Fedotenko who outs it home.

Matt Cooke, Jordan Staal and Mark Eaton go in shorthanded but Karri Ramo makes the stop.

Holding is called on Tampa Bay. Then Kris Letang draws a hooking penalty.

Sidney Crosby is denied on the doorstep…and then he scores. Evgeni Malkin picks up an assist. Then Crosby scores another. Malkin picks up another point.

Eaton slams a huge hit on a Bolt along the boards. Malkin blocks a shot. Scrummage ensues. Gonchar goes to the box for roughing.

Matt Cooke scored a goal and is high sticked hard in the nose.

Halpern goes in on Marc-Andre Fleury but Fleury makes a huge save.

David Koci cross-checked Max Talbot and so Eric Godard steps in and drops the gloves with Koci. Koci gets the game misconduct. Halpern scores a shorthanded goal soon after.


Stamkos to St. Louis, Stamkos to St. Louis, past Fleury to cut the lead to two. Then Paul Szczechura scores. 3-4 Penguins. Zenon Konopka and Matt Cooke both rough it up, neither gets a penalty.

Ruslan Fedotenko goes in on Ramo, but lets a big rebound. Petr Sykora wrists it in…and then takes a high stick to the face. 300th career goal.

Max Talbot is called for hooking but Jordan Staal steals the puck in the neutral zone and nearly nets a shorthanded goal. Penalty killed.

Fleury makes some key saves.

Billy Guerin drops the gloves with Evgeny Artyukhin after Artyukhin dealt a blow to the back of Gonchar’s head.

Zenon Konopka tries to elbow Malkin. Malkin’s stick goes flying and he goes down. Matt Cooke has words with Konopka and then Malkin gets in his face.

Cooke goes off for interference and Ramo goes off in favor of the extra attacker. Fleury makes some great saves. Halpern with another goal.

Empty net again for the Lightning. Jordan Staal gets the empty netter.

PENS WIN!

Here we go!


Islanders (who were blown out 0-9 by the Canes tonight) Thursday.

Do it.