At least the Pens aren't playing Detroit, plus a thought on Jarome Iginla

By Finesse (follow me on Twitter)

We lamented the Pens' bad Game 3 loss, then quickly regained our perspective and realized things weren't that bad.  More evidence that things aren't that bad:  The Pens could be playing the Red Wings.

Good read from Dejan Kovacevic about the Pens' misuse of Jarome Iginla, especially on the power-play.  As we wrote yesterday, there's simply no point in having him stand on the goal line feeding Letang and Malkin for one-timers.  Beyond his points, Iginla had a dramatic effect on the Islanders series -- you'll recall he almost killed Evgeni Nabokov in the first period in Game 1.  And then the Pens went on to score at will against Nabokov for the next 6 games.  Coincidence?



There's an argument that was the simplest yet best play the Pens have run all postseason.

Again, please.

Pens blow Game 3, but we feel terrific about it: Here's why

By Artistry

Nothing is more annoying than Penguins fans who seem to relish complaining about the team more than they like celebrating watching the very best players in the world for most of the past 30 years and annually contending for the Stanley Cup. We know those people. And we don't like listening to them. But we do live radio shows immediately after every playoff game, when the emotion is most raw, and, well, it can sometimes be like sticking a microphone in front of two, more verbal John Tortorellas.

Artistry in a quiet moment with his dogs

Finesse gives a big thumbs up at a recent charity event

Then we get an email like the one from Graig in Columbus, and we're left asking ourselves a horrifying question: "Wait, are we those people?"

From Graig:

I have been looking for a long time for a Pens-specific podcast.  The Pittsburgh radio shows are fine, but I have to wade through a bunch of Steeler stuff to get to the Pens stuff(grew up in Eastern OH in the 80s about 75 mins. from Pittsburgh, am a Cleveland fan in everything else).  Pens 24/7 is fine for information, but the discussions are uninteresting.  I found yours because one of my favorites, Dave Dameshek, tweeted that he was on it, and I LOVED that show.  It was a great discussion of great memories from my childhood and teen years, and I stand behind the assertion that 66>99, always.  66 is my favorite athlete in any sport, and I consider it a privilege and honor to have seen him in person in his prime.  

That said, having loved the first show, I thought....Alright, here's what I'm looking for!  Well, sort of.  I love your names, you guys have interesting discussions, and have real personalities.  Plus, I love that Pittsburgh accent.  However, I can't help but notice there is a lot of negativity in your cast.  I get it.  Expectations are high, as we've basically assembled the NHL's version of the Miami Heat(I am still sorting out how I feel about that one).  However, I must ask the question....do you guys get any enjoyment out of watching our beloved Pens?  I'm not trying to be hostile, sarcastic, or a smart ass.  It seems that even with wins, there is about 75%(at least, sometimes more) talk about what we were terrible at.  I mean, you'll throw in something positive or a compliment while acknowledging your own negativity sometimes, but it is a little bit of a turn-off.  I get it, I understand being critical.  I really do.  Last night we had chances to put them away, and Letang was out to lunch on the tying goal.  However, nothing comes easy, and I'm not sure you understand what a difficult job it is that we're trying to pull off, and that the competition is actually worthy.  Maybe it's just my background as a loser Cleveland fan in everything else that skews my perspective.  I'm happy to have won anything in my lifetime.  I could really live off of the three Cups for my lifetime, mainly because I don't know when or if it will happen again.  I'm actually happy to have a team that is a perennial contender....trust me, in my pro sports fandom, you don't know when that will ever happen or for how long, so enjoy playing meaningful games in the playoffs.  

First, Graig is right on the money. We love watching and talking about hockey, we generally have good humor about and affection for our hockey team, and we think we can offer some genuine perspective in a universe of bad Pensblog imitations. If we've been getting away from the mission, that's on us.

Ben, after an email from Graig.

Second, let's be very clear: this was a bad loss, not a bad game. In fact, we're more encouraged after that Pens performance than we have been all season long. Get ready for a shot of positivity with a chaser of delight after the jump...

So, about that shorthanded goal ... Pens lose, 2-1

By Finesse (follow me on Twitter)

[Listen to the Raw Emotion recap podcast below or click here to subscribe on iTunes. For a read on why we actually feel terrific coming out of Game 3, click here]



When Matt Cooke devilishly drew a slashing penalty on Erik Karlsson with 87 seconds left in the game, we were fully prepared to lavish the Pens with praise after what may have been their best performance of the postseason.  A 1-0 win? With almost nothing to complain about? In what seemed like an actual normal playoff game after two straight series of sometimes bizarre play?  Sign us up!

One bad play doesn't erase 59 minutes of strong play. But man, did that suck.



This loss would go in the heartbreaking category if the Pens were underdogs, or if some Senator made a great play on the tying goal, or if the Pens had lost 1-0 in overtime with Craig Anderson shutting the door all night.  But when the Pens, from the coaching staff to every player on the ice except Vokoun, make a series of inexcusable decisions on the tying goal, the Raw Emotion reaction is to be disgusted.  And when you feel yourself not being surprised that it happened, because the Pens cling to mental errors like a baby clings to his blankie, it raises serious questions about whether this team has the mental discipline to pay attention to all the details necessary to win the Cup.

Everyone says it and it's a boring cliche, but it's true -- if the Pens just cut back the mental errors, there's no one that can play with them.  The problem is that there's limited evidence they can do this.  We're still hopeful that the Pens can win the Cup and VERY optimistic that the Pens can still make short work of the Senators. The overwhelming talent should be plenty to do the trick.  But if the Pens somehow fall short, then we already know why.

Read on for a full breakdown of the Alfie's shorty ...

Podcast: Disgusting loss; Pens fall, 2-1 in double OT

Just a ridiculous game to lose on every level. Experience it all over again with the GTOG Podcast.

Click here to subscribe on iTunes



**If you're listening on your smartphone, the best ways to make sure that you have an uninterrupted experience are: 1) download the podcast from iTunes OR 2) download the Spreaker app by going to the App store and searching for "Spreaker" then "Get To Our Game"**

First Overtime Recap: We all know how this should end

Still have no clue how this game is tied.  Malkin is the best guy on the ice by a mile.

Third Period Recap: Free Hockey, can we send it back? 1-1

If the Pens lose this game we will do a 30-for-30 documentary on all the breakdowns on that Alfredsson shorty.

Second Period Recap: Pens up, 1-0. Choke 'em out

Perfect time for a third line goal.  Pens are playing very well, IOO.

It's time to put Ottawa to bed.  Should never let them think they can win this series.