Faceoff Factor

Blurbs From The 'Burgh: On The Verge Something Special

Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins

Apr 30, 10:44 AM | Hype this story!

Tough Break For Talbot

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that Max Talbot is believed to have a broken foot stemming to a blocked shot during the second period of last night’s game.

Dave Molinari reports that Talbot was wearing a walking boot this morning while the team practiced.

He wrote that, “Team officials declined to discuss the precise nature of Talbot’s injury, or his prognosis.

“Talbot also declined to talk about it, but when asked if he expects to be able to play again — albeit not at a specific time — he responded simply, ‘I hope so.’”

A Historic Spring

May doesn’t start until tomorrow and the Stanley Cup Finals likely won’t begin for another two or three weeks, but the Pittsburgh Penguins already are having a spring for the record books.

No Penguin team has ever won their initial seven games of the playoffs. In fact, just eight teams in NHL history have done so. Of those eight teams, seven finished the playoffs with the ultimate prize.

If the Penguins win Thursday, they will be the first team in history to win eight games in the first two rounds. It is important to note that, in the past, the first round was a best-of-five series, thus making it impossible to win eight games in the first two rounds. Regardless, this is a significant feat for the young Penguins who promise to get even better as the years go on.

Gary Roberts Scratched?

Those three words may sound a bit strange to Penguins fans, who are accustomed to seeing the warrior dressed when healthy. Even Roberts himself admits he can’t recall hearing his name as a healthy scratch during his career.

But that was the case last night, as the Penguins held him out of the game, even though his injured groin apparently was good to go.

Coach Michel Therrien said the decision was not made in response to anything Roberts had done, but rather in response to the way the team — primarily Roberts’ replacement, Adam Hall — has played in Roberts’ absence.

Malkin, Crosby, Fleury Lead The Way

It should come as no surprise that several Penguins have put together impressive stats relative to the small number of games they have played.

What may (or may not) be surprising, however, is that Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby are leading several offensive categories despite playing in fewer games than their opponents.

Malkin’s 13 points rank first in the playoffs and are tied only with Mike Ribeiro of the Dallas Stars, who have played two more games than the Penguins. His five goals are tied for third. And then there are his 1.86 points per game, which are the most of anyone in the playoffs.

Crosby’s 10 assists rank first and also are tied with Ribeiro, while his 12 points are tied for second. His 1.71 points per game rank second only to Malkin.

Lastly, Marc-Andre Fleury has remained near the top in goalie stats, including goals-against average (1.72), which is second only to Chris Osgood (1.44) of the Detroit Red Wings; save percentage (.940), which is third to Peter Budaj (.975) of the Coloarado Avalanche and Curtis Joseph (.970) of the Calgary Flames, both of whom serve(d) as backups with limited roles; wins (7), tied with Marty Turco of the Stars; and shutouts (2), tied with Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens.

Hossa Quietly Performs

Marian Hossa may not be among the league leaders in offensive categories, but he has been nothing short of spectacular as an all-around player.

He has contributed on the penalty kill, in the defensive zone and, of course, in the offensive zone. To this point he has three goals and five assists for eight points in seven games. He also has a plus-three rating.