The Pens looked hung over, and the Ottawa Senators looked sharp in the opening game of the Eastern Conference Finals. To all the Yinzers out there….RELAX! It’s just one game. The Penguins were simply off their game and didn’t look like a team that had just defeated the team with the best record in hockey. The Sens looked like the club that has been one of the real surprises of these playoffs so far. Game One was a clunker, for sure. Fortunately, this is a seven game series. I think the Pens will be OK when it’s all said and done.
• I’m not a hockey expert but I can offer this advice for the Pens going forward…Shoot the puck! The Pens tried to get too fancy in Game One and passed up several opportunities to put the puck on net. Coach Mike Sullivan said as much after the game. Suggestion number two is convert on the power play. The Pens had four power plays in the first period, including a five on three, and got nothing. It’s hard to win when you don’t take advantage of those opportunities.
• The Penguins’ stars need to show up for Game Two of this series. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel weren’t very good in the series opener. You expect more from guys like this, who have performed in the playoffs before, and who have all been really good for the Penguins during these playoffs. Just like the team, I expect these Big Three to redeem themselves come Game Two, and for the rest of the series. Otherwise, the Penguins are in big trouble.
• Aren’t you glad the Pens held on to goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury? The Flower has been terrific in the nets for the Pens. He was outstanding in the Game Seven win on the road against the Washington Capitals. Yes, he gave up an overtime winner in the series opener against Ottawa. Nonetheless, Fleury was really good against the Sens, just like he’s been all throughout the playoffs.
• Face it, the Penguins own the Washington Capitals. They are the Caps’ Daddy. Pittsburgh has now beaten Washington in nine of their ten playoff meetings. I didn’t think the Pens would win Game Seven on the road the other night. Not after Washington had won two straight to even the series and force a Game Seven on their home ice. I think this was one of the greatest playoff wins in Pittsburgh history, and I’ve seen most of them. Now, after winning the President’s Trophy two years in a row but failing to advance past the second round, there could be major changes in Washington. There’s already speculation about the Caps trying to trade star Alex Ovechkin, a future hall of famer. This might have been Washington’s best ever chance to finally win the Stanley Cup. Instead, they are left to think what might have been.
• Nice to see the Pirates come back to win the last two in Arizona after six straight losses. Face it, it’s been a really bad season for the Buccos to date, and it only figures to get worse. The Pirates aren’t playing with a full deck and everyone knows it. Trevor Williams was brutal in Los Angeles last week, but came back to pitch well in the win against the Diamondbacks on Saturday. Sunday’s extra inning win was courtesy of Jose Usuna’s towering homer. Nice way for the Pirates to end the trip.
• Thoughts and prayers go out to Pirates’ pitcher Jameson Taillon, who this week underwent surgery for suspected testicular cancer. The Pirates will sure miss the big righty in their rotation. What’s more important is that Taillon gets the treatment he needs. It doesn’t matter if he can’t play baseball for a while. On a personal note, I got to meet Taillon when he was here at IRMC last December as part of our Teddy Bear Fund Drive event. He’s a good kid. Please say a prayer for Jameson Taillon.
• I love watching the Players’ Championship at TPC. It’s one of the really fun and challenging events on the pro golf tour. Hole 17, the famous water hole, is worth the price of admission and a date with the television set. Is there a more intimidating hole in golf?
• Congratulations to Yankee legend Derek Jeter. His Number 2 was retired at the new Yankee Stadium over the weekend. I was lucky enough to see Jeter play in person several times, including in the World Series. He was the consummate pro, on and off the field. Jeter is now hoping to become an owner, and is trying to buy the Marlins. Good luck, Jetes, you’ve earned it.
