Wasted Weekend

This is what Hell looks like.

What a discouraging weekend.  After a throw-away game in Montreal Saturday, the Pens appeared charged to right the ship and reestablish themselves as a force within the Eastern Conference before a national television audience Sunday afternoon.

In the end, however, Pittsburgh took its place firmly behind the streaking NHL-best Washington Capitals and choking in the wake of another sickeningly freakish performance from the grossest man in the league.  That bearded being just happens to be the most dominating and explosive offensive player right now.  Vomit.

Ovechkin’s hat trick and post-ringing assist on the overtime game-winner did its best to make my lunch reappear.  Hey, at least we won game seven and the Cup last year.  We still have that to hold on to, right? And oh yeah Pittsburgh, we are still the defending Super Bowl champions for a few more hours as well. Yippee!

Doc Emrick, an accomplished and pleasure-to-listen-to announcer, made at least one error on this afternoon.  He commented early in the third period how he thought the Pens still had juice in their skates despite playing a game and traveling nine hours in the previous 24.

Maybe their legs were still working but I thought their mental capacities took the final 20+ minutes off.  The sharp and smart play that characterized the first part of the game put the visitors in front 4-1, but it was the stretch drive that doomed the Pens in the 5-4 overtime defeat.

Fleury wasn’t terrific and couldn’t steal the victory on this afternoon.  Washington has now won 14 straight and is three shy of the 1993 Penguins record of 17 straight wins.  They are a scary club to be sure.  NHL.com asks what it takes to beat them, certainly 60 minutes of sound hockey wouldn’t hurt.

As for Saturday, chalk that up to “looking ahead.”  The Penguins had their minds and effort focused on the match-up with the Caps.  Unfortunately for them, they couldn’t get that win either.  Brian Gionta, college teammate of Brooks Orpik at Boston College, scored twice and added an assist in the Habs 5-3 triumph.  Ho hum.

Blew A Tire This Weekend: Kris Letang, -4 in the two contests.

Here are the highlights.  If you can watch these, you are a better person than me.