Pittsburgh (11-3-0) at Anaheim (4-6-2)

  • Game info: 10:00 pm EST Tue Nov 3, 2009
  • TV: FSPI, FSPT

By BRETT HUSTON, STATS Writer Nov 2, 4:08 pm EST

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The Pittsburgh Penguins’ unblemished road record in October helped them match the best opening month in NHL history. Their visits to California in recent years, however, have been anything but pleasant.

The Penguins have one road victory against the state’s three clubs in the past decade, a trend they’ll look to change on a four-game trip that starts Tuesday night in Anaheim, where the struggling Ducks have won five straight versus the Stanley Cup champions.

Pittsburgh (11-3-0) has been both impressive and a bit fortunate away from Mellon Arena this season, winning each of its first six games but needing a shootout to escape three of them.

The Penguins’ first road game in 16 days - and their first game without the injured Evgeni Malkin(notes) - came Friday in Columbus, where two goals in a 39-second span late in the third period helped them bounce back from a 3-1 deficit to force overtime. After five scoreless minutes, Sidney Crosby(notes) scored the lone shootout goal to give Pittsburgh a 4-3 win, lifting its record to 4-0 in games decided that way behind his four goals in as many attempts.

That victory gave the Penguins 22 points, tying them with seven other teams for the best opening month in league history. Back home Saturday, however, they couldn’t break the record. Pittsburgh outshot Minnesota 35-15 and played what coach Dan Bylsma called “as close to a perfect game of 5-on-5 as we’ve played,” but lost 2-1.

“It’s weird how hockey works sometimes,” said Crosby, who had a six-game point streak snapped. “We played probably one solid period (Friday) and found a way to get two points, and then tonight we played three good periods and they kind of steal one from us.”

The Penguins can match Toronto (1940-41), Philadelphia (1985-86), Detroit (2005-06) and this season’s New Jersey Devils for the second-best road start in NHL history with a win against the Ducks, but they’ll have to reverse some recent history to do so.

Pittsburgh is 1-11-3 with a tie since Jan. 16, 1999, at Anaheim (4-6-2), Los Angeles and San Jose - its first three opponents on this trip before closing in Boston.

They’ll also be without Malkin (shoulder), defenseman Sergei Gonchar(notes) (broken wrist) and perhaps forward Tyler Kennedy(notes) (undisclosed injury).

“We should have some time to focus on our game and this is a trip you circle,” Bylsma told the Penguins’ official Web site. “This is a good time for our team to go out on the road.”

Anaheim has hardly lived up to its own expectations early on after taking Detroit to seven games in last season’s Western Conference semifinals. Yet, while the Ducks are 1-4-1 in their last six and tied for the fewest points in the West, they have earned points their last two times out.

Corey Perry(notes) and Bobby Ryan(notes) each scored twice in a 7-2 rout of Vancouver on Friday, but Perry’s eighth goal of the season wasn’t enough Saturday in a 3-2 shootout loss at Phoenix.

“Right now, we’re taking one shift at a time and small steps,” said center Todd Marchant(notes), who has no points. “We just need to keep moving forward. I thought we played a solid road game, and can take positives from the effort.”

Crosby has two assists in two games against Anaheim, while Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf(notes) has two goals and two assists in three versus Pittsburgh.

Updated Nov 2, 4:08 pm EST
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Team Comparison

Team G W L OTL Pts Standings GF GA Road/Home
Pittsburgh 27 18 9 0 36 1st, Atlantic 87 75 9-5-0 Road
Anaheim 24 10 11 3 23 5th, Pacific 69 77 8-7-0 Home

Notes

The Penguins outshot the Flyers, 15-5, in the first period but managed just 13 over the final 40 minutes. ... C Evgeni Malkin registered a team-high four shots on goal. ... C Sidney Crosby was impressive in the faceoff circles, winning 15 of his 22 draws. ... D Philippe Boucher was in the lineup in place of D Kris Letang, who has an undisclosed injury. RW Miroslav Satan made his first appearance for Pittsburgh since being sent to the minors on March 4. Satan replaced RW Petr Sykora, who failed to record a point in the first four games of the series.

Apr 23, 10:55 pm EDT

Anaheim made the only roster adjustment for either team from Game 3, scratching C Petteri Nokelainen and putting Ryan Carter on the ice for the first time in the series. ... A 3.8-magnitude earthquake hit Orange County about 2 hours before game time, and an aftershock gently rocked the Pond between the first two periods. ... D Francois Beauchemin is the only other Ducks rookie to score two goals in a playoff game, doing it April 25, 2006, against Calgary.

Apr 24, 1:36 am EDT
NHL

83 Comments

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  1. Poopfacez
    83. Posted by Poopfacez Thu Nov 5 12:31pm EST

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    What so if you haven't 'strapped on the skates' you're not entitled to an opinion?

    Cry more lol
  2. Geronimo
    82. Posted by Geronimo Thu Nov 5 11:20am EST

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    Have to love how envy by fans who never stepped on the ice once think they know about hockey.

    I challenge idiots like these to spend 2 minutes on the ice with people plowing into you driving you into the boards or taking your feet out from under you with a skate or stick, maybe a nice slap in the face with a sharp stick or in the side or a back check that catches you when your off balance or making a play on the puck. None of these weenies would last two minutes against a professional like Sid or the big O. These guys would send people like the all knowing "impeach" crying to his mommy!!!!! Both these men are to be admired for the effort they put out.

    Any player who is willing to get on the ice at the NHL level is more of a man then 95 percent of the fans who think they understand what it takes to play the game and never stepped on the ice.

    So for all the crybaby fans, ignorant people claiming to be fans and the just plain stupid ones out there, go back to your mommies and let her continue to breast feed you.
  3. Dutch
    81. Posted by Dutch Wed Nov 4 10:16pm EST

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    @78 Duck B, Hello to one of the good guys in the Red Wings camp, (Doc and a select few others as well) I think you're short selling Sid, look at all the Hockey Legends who are so high on him, he is a leader and a much stronger, tougher player than his critics dare give him credit for. AO is a great player but he tries to do too much himself, hence the lack of team success to this point. As for the Wings, I am getting worried, they seem to be turning it around and they've still yet made the call to Delmore! The guy is literally a Freezer on skates, look for him to be sending Brad Stuart to the 3rd line or the Minors soon! BTW Kathy S. AGAIN Bull Dozer is a bozo Caps fan, yapping about how great OV is! Wake up, Pens fans aren't wishing him to be out so that Malkin (out as long or longer than OV) and Crosby can catch up in the scoring race! Looking forward to going to the Kings-Pens game tomorrow, hope it's a good game, this game v. the Ducks was about as exciting a regular season game as you are going to see!
  4. Big Al
    80. Posted by Big Al Wed Nov 4 9:46pm EST

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    Right on Impeach #67. Cindy sandbags at the left post and waits to cherry pick.
  5. da fat man
    79. Posted by da fat man Wed Nov 4 9:33pm EST

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    @Plutaris....I will give you this, I certainly wish my team was playing like the Pens. They are looking unstoppable right now. Crosby is a great player and anyone who disagrees is simply envious. Is he MY favorite...No. But neither is Ovechkin or Malkin, yet I have no problem acknowledging their greatness.
  6. DuckBasher
    78. Posted by DuckBasher Wed Nov 4 8:54pm EST

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    Dutch, where are you buddy? Waiting for your input!
  7. Impeach
    77. Posted by Impeach Wed Nov 4 8:51pm EST

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    Trippie you are dead nuts accurate! I tell my football fan friends all the time that hockey is just as tough, if not tougher than football. Except the NHL players do it 82 nights a season. Could you imagine the NFL playing 82 games a year? Basketball, AKA tree hockey, sux! The NFL is a money making machine. I compare it to Disney. As far as Crosby goes, he has a lot of maturing to do. Your team is a hard working team that is lead by a great leader in Bylsma. He turned that team around. This point will never resonate with Pens fans: but Crosby is a very immature player. He did not come into the league with the same veracity as other star players before him. If he becomes more disciplined and develops his defence he will be a force that will be hard to stop. As an Avs fan that has no bias to dislike him; I must say that I dislike him. In previous season’s he dove, he cried, he threw his arms out and b!tched like a little girl.
  8. La La Land
    76. Posted by La La Land Wed Nov 4 8:50pm EST

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    Ovie and Crosby started playing around the same time. Since they started Crosby has

    1 Art Ross Trophy (Sciring title for you newbs)
    1 Lester B. Pearson (MVP voted on by players)
    1 Hart Trophy (MVP)
    3 All Star game appearances
    1 Mark messier Leadership Award

    He has played 305 Games and has 141 goals, 272 assists for 413 points. Thats 1.35 points per game.

    Ovechkin has

    2 Harts
    1 Art Ross
    2 Lester B. Pearsons
    3 All Star Game selections

    He has played 338 games has 233 goals, 210 assist and has 443 points. Thats 1.31 points per game.

    The facts are clear that when we include the fact that Crosby has a Stanley Cup and was in the finals twice, while Ovechkin has never been to the finals and in fact was eliminated from the playoffs by Crosby, as well as the fact that Crosby is a captain and has been awarded for leadership while all of Ovechkin's awards are individual and he has never been recognized as a leader. Factor into it a higher offensive output by Crosby (1.35 vs 1.31 points per game) and there is no conclusiuon one could draw from it other than Crosby being better.
  9. trippiehippie71
    75. Posted by trippiehippie71 Wed Nov 4 8:26pm EST

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    With all of the bashing and harrassment that The Kid gets from most non- Pens fans...it's good to see that he's still being a productive, unselfish leader...I mean..he's barely old enough to drink..and he's carried the responsibility wearing the 'C' for some time now...that's impressive enough..I've been a Pens fan..and a hockey fan...for a LONG time now..and even though it doesn't always get the love it should around the country...it's really good to know the future of the NHL is in good hands. With the rivalries..Crosby vs. Ovechkin probably being the biggest..non-hockey fans don't know what they're missing...they can keep the freakin' NBA (BORING) and I've lost it for baseball too....it's scary to know that the Pens have started so good this season...now that they KNOW what it takes to win it all....good luck to all here and their respective teams...I'm just soo glad hockey's back...:)
  10. iron
    74. Posted by iron Wed Nov 4 7:53pm EST

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    face the facts the pens are like steel.. just like the steelers . champs of PITTSBURGH
  11. DuckBasher
    73. Posted by DuckBasher Wed Nov 4 7:15pm EST

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    It's nice talking hockey without the BS name calling and crap. U make a very good point fender. we will see as the season progresses. I look foward to the rubber match this spring. don"t count the Wings out just yet. As dutch knows the team has a secret weapon in A Delmore. Lmfao
  12. Geronimo
    72. Posted by Geronimo Wed Nov 4 7:05pm EST

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    How many of the top scorers are on the penalty kill for their teams.

    Bottom line is you don't see the teams putting top player at risk, you see players like that put on the ice when there are empty nets and their team is on a power play.

    So for all the experts who want statistics to say what they want, all I can say is you can make most numbers and statistic look however you want when you refuse to look at the whole picture.

    I will take Sid as a two-way player any day over anyone on the ice. 4 for 4 in shoot outs goals... Granted the last was a fluke.

    For scoring you have to love the O because that is all he really cares about.

    Team players last, showmen often find they end up on an island with few title and no cup....

    Go PENS.... defend the CUP and repeat with class.
  13. LOLGeek
    71. Posted by LOLGeek Wed Nov 4 6:57pm EST

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    I have been a Guins fan for 2 decades. I have seen Mario, Jager, and Ulf play some great hockey. 91-92. In my opinion Crosby still needs a lot of work. And he even admits it. When he gets to the point of veteran I think he will be an awesome well rounded player no matter what team he plays for. And yes last year he was a cherry picking non defensive player. But this year is a different story. He is learning what he needs to do to become that player that he wants to be. That goal save last night shows that he is starting to become more defensive minded. He had some great passes last night to.

    On another note I can't believe how the ducks played a kick ass game with their current standings. I thought it would be a shut out because of their standings. But they really gave the Guins a run for their money. But they are in last place in PAC. It seems they are a really good hockey club and can go toe to toe with any team they just need to get that puck in the crease. They crash the net very well but the defensive point can't get them the puck. They are very fast skaters and great forecheckers. Get that defense more offensive minded and I think they will start winning some games.
  14. fender b
    70. Posted by fender b Wed Nov 4 6:43pm EST

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    @Mike M.....the only thing Ovechkin owns is a ugly ass chink tramp stamp.
  15. fender b
    69. Posted by fender b Wed Nov 4 6:38pm EST

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    @Impeach.....Gretzky had Kurri, Zetteberg has Dasyuk, Forsberg had Sakic and Messier had Anderson. In the meantime, who was with Crosby most of last season!? Pascal Dupuis?! Not to bash Dupes, but he's nowhere near those other guys. +/- is very unreliable stat, as it does not reflect only your production but your whole line.
  16. Mike M
    68. Posted by Mike M Wed Nov 4 6:19pm EST

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    Crosby's save was more of a knee-jerk reaction.
    Ovechkin actually stood their willingly and took 2 slapshots with no fear.

    Ovechkin owns Crosby so bad, he's got receipts.

    -
  17. Impeach
    67. Posted by Impeach Wed Nov 4 6:03pm EST

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    Last year Crosby finished the regular season with 103 points and was a plus 3. that translates to a lot of goals against the Pens when he was on the ice. A player with a 103 points and a plus3 rating is far from a great two way player. It shows poor defence. Those are the stats of a pure goal Scorer with no mind at all for defence. Wayne Gretzky in his third year 109 points, plus 41. 3rd year Zetterberg 85 points +29, 3rd year forsberg 86 points +31, 3rd Mark Messier 88 points +21. I guess you can make a great case for Crosby being a great two way player a Pens Friendly blog, but anybody who knows hockey and is unbiased knows that Crosby is offence first and foremost.
  18. Poopfacez
    66. Posted by Poopfacez Wed Nov 4 6:02pm EST

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    "I only saw the highlights but props to Sid for making that save. That's what winners do. As opposed to certain other players who have to be introduced to their team's goaltender because they spend so little time helping out in the defensive zone. Not naming names. I'm just sayin'"

    -------
    1) Go to Youtube
    2) Type in 'Ovechkin goalie save'
    3) Admit error
    4) stfu
  19. WingeyDo
    65. Posted by WingeyDo Wed Nov 4 5:44pm EST

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    enjoy... *giggle* *giggle*
  20. <i>fde2gry</i>
    64. Posted by fde2gry Wed Nov 4 5:32pm EST

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    Why can't we all band together against the real enemy here: Duck fans?
  21. DuckBasher
    63. Posted by DuckBasher Wed Nov 4 5:30pm EST

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    I've watched at least 30 mins of every Pens game so far this year on the NHL center ice, due to the fact that my wife is a Pens fan. we flip back and forth. So let's just agree to disagree, you'll never convince me that Crosby is a great two player and i'll obviously never comvince you that he isn't the second comming. In the words of a politican and if spoken to Crosby, one could say...."you sir, are no Mark Messier"
  22. Monty
    62. Posted by Monty Wed Nov 4 5:00pm EST

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    @DuckBasher, don't know how much hockey that you watch but Crosby and Malkin are both unreal two way players. If you actually read the story you will see that Crosby dove in front of a puck to make a game saving play. And I have no idea where you are coming from with the finals comments, just check the stats. Quit hating and actually watch some games every once in a while.
  23. plutaris
    61. Posted by plutaris Wed Nov 4 4:46pm EST

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    The Guins win again.....without 2 All-Stars (Malkin & Gonchar) and getting no points from Sid the Kid.
    And yes we understand the frustration of NHL fans league wide, who wish they had players the caliber
    of Crosby, Malkin & Fleury. Here's a solution for you.........become a Penguins fan.
  24. DuckBasher
    60. Posted by DuckBasher Wed Nov 4 4:16pm EST

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    @Mark Yes the Pens won the cup because they are a very well rounded team. Crosby and Malkin were no shows in the finals, non-Factors, useless! It was the skill and determination of the teams secondary lines and defence; guys like Guerin and Scuderi won the cup for the pens. Crosby could've taken a vacation the last wo weeks of the season and the loss of his whopping two goals wouldn't of made a difference. Crosby and Malkin are awsome offensive players but lack the two way skills. Put either one of them on a team without the goaltending of Fluery, the defence and sencondary scoring and what do you have? Two average players floundering on a sub .500 team.
  25. J
    59. Posted by J Wed Nov 4 4:07pm EST

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    The Pens are the number 1 team in the league, and it will stay that way!!
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