Sunday, 5/11 -- 10:26 PM

Max Talbot wanted nothing more than to get on the ice and help his team in the Eastern Conference Final. Broken foot or not - he got his chance tonight in game two and with 45 seconds to go - the Penguins energy forward may have the game winning goal.

He will - Jordan Staal has just put the puck in an empty net - Penguins on top 4-to-2.

Talbot wanted to bring the energy and he did - Penguins win!

The Penguins lead the series two games to none.

Sunday, 5/11 -- 8:07 PM

If you like playoff hockey - no matter which team you are pulling for in the Eastern Conference Final that was a great second period. It had a little bit of everything.

Marian Hossa puts the Penguins up 2 to 1 and it looks like the Penguins maybe able to really take the Flyers out of the game ....... it doesn't happen - the Flyers come back Mike Richards turns a turnover into a goal.

If your a Penguins fan - you can't question the heart of the Flyers.

2-2 heading to the third.

Sunday, 5/11 -- 8:07 PM

The Scarecrow didn't like playing with fire so why would the Flyers!

I don't know but if the Flyers continue to take penalties they will be blown out of the Igloo. They put themselves on the 5 on 3 penalty kill and the Penguins didn't wait long to put the puck in the net.

Sidney Crosby gets the goal and the Penguins have a 1-0 lead.

Way to play with fire - Scarecrow!

Sunday, 5/11 -- 7:52 PM

It is amazing to me that more players don't take a puck or a stick in the face - Braydon Coburn of the Flyers took a puck to the face - blood on the ice never a good thing.

The energy has just been lifted by Scottie Upshall and Tyler Kennedy are trading fists. It looked like Upshall would take a decision but Kennedy comes back and takes it on the scorecard.

Wild start to game two - the teams that keeps its cool will win this one.

Sunday, 5/11 -- 7:29 PM

The National Hockey League forced me to cut the grass in the rain today. I will be leaving with my photographer - Richard - in the morning for Philadelphia, we will be gone for the entire week so something had to be done or the grass would have been three feet high when I got back.

I could have cut the grass Saturday but I was out with my daughter getting ready for Mother's day and didn't get it done so I cut the grass in the rain. It wasn't to bad until the lightning started but what is a little lightning - it was enough to get me inside for about 10 minutes.

The grass is done and looks good so maybe I should be thanking the NHL.

Sunday, 5/11 -- 7:20 PM

I don't know if they really need one but the Penguins should get a lift tonight from Max Talbot. The Penguins Forward is set to return to the line-up after recovering enough from a broken foot. Talbot suffered the injury during Game Three of the Penguins second round series with the New York Rangers while blocking a shot.

Talbot is an energy guy and he plays very well on the Penguins penalty killing unit. Talbot thinks he should be able to play 16 or 17 minutes. To make room for Talbot in the line-up tonight Adam Hall will be scratched.

The Penguins can take a two games to none lead in the best of seven series with a win.

---

Friday, 5/9 -- 10:28 PM

Game over - The Penguins go up one game to none on the best of seven series.

To my eyes the Penguins look like the better team that said the Flyers lost game one to Washington and Montreal.

Mike Tomlin the Steelers Head Coach just came by with his sons all decked out in Penguins jerseys!

Game two Sunday! Friday, 5/9 -- 9:50 PM

3rd Period - The penalty is over!

Friday, 5/9 -- 9:48 PM

3rd Period - Under 10 minutes to play - Penguins picking their spots on offense in the third but its more about the defense and they are playing that very well.

The "D" will be tested... Ryan Whitney just took a penalty.

Friday, 5/9 -- 9:11 PM

2nd Period - Alby has all of the ushers fired up over a couple of plays. We may need to calm them down before they leave tonight.

1:55 left in second first chant of Flyers suck in the Igloo!

Friday, 5/9 -- 9:04 PM
It's Alby Oxenreiter, putting my two cents in on Bill's blog!
Mellon Arena is rocking! The Pens look like they're gong to be tough to beat. Plum's R.J. Umberger assisted on the first 2 Phila goals, but too much Malkin tonight!

~Alby

Friday, 5/9 -- 9:03 PM

2nd Period - The Russian bear is still upset over the Richards hit. On his last shift Malkin was looking to hit anybody and he did, smoking Braydon Coburn!

Friday, 5/9 -- 8:57 PM

2nd Period - My Dad just called - not a big hockey guy, he is at home in Connecticut watching the Yankees game. He loves his baseball. Heck of a pitcher in his day!

Friday, 5/9 -- 8:52 PM

2nd Period - Don't poke the bear! Mike Richards drilled Evgeni Malkin into the boards - thirty seconds later Malkin drilled the puck into the back of the Flyers net! 4-2 Penguins.

Friday, 5/9 -- 8:22 PM

Wow - what an end to a very entertaining period of hockey Malkin from Malone.

Malkin goes low with a wicked wrister!

3-2 Penguins after one - both teams had their moments of great and sloppy play.

Friday, 5/9 -- 8:13 PM

Sidney Crosby's Dad told him if he worked he would be rewarded - he is and he has tied the game on his third goal of the playoffs from Hossa.

2-2 ...

I really like what the Penguins are doing, honoring the military during games the crowd loves it too.

Friday, 5/9 -- 8:07 PM

1st Period - So much for the great start .. Mike Richards has posted two goals and the Flyers have taken a 2-1 lead...

Plum native and a distant Rich Walsh relative RJ Umberger has two helpers.

Friday, 5/9 -- 7:53 PM

1st Period - 1-0 Penguins - Petr Sykora from Ryan Malone and Evgeni Malkin....

Sykora had the time to drag the puck to the net on his forehand forcing goaltender Biron to make a move - he did and Sykora went backhand upstairs...

Friday, 5/9 -- 7:48 PM

1st period - first three minutes of the game the Penguins a bit shaky - but killing off the first penalty of the game seems to have settled them down.

Fleury off to another great first period start.

Friday, 5/9 -- 7:38 PM

Just spoke with two time cup champion Bob Errey and he says the players will need to be careful not to get to charged up - that has to be tough to do -- the Penguins have just hit the ice and the igloo is rocking with chants of lets go Pens!

The scoreboard is calling for more noise and its getting it - the white out is blinding!

Friday, 5/9 -- 7:32 PM

Small world - speaking of Gordie Howe his son Mark road up in the elevator to the press box with me. He is scouting for the Red Wings.

I said hello and told him I enjoyed watching him play with his brother and his Dad for the Whalers.

The line-ups were just read and the crowd booed throughout the Flyers line-up. The fans are ready!

Friday, 5/9 -- 6:50 PM

At 6:42pm - I heard my first lets go Pens chant!

Fans have started entering the Igloo dressed in white for tonight's White Out!

Here come the Cow bells! The energy is starting to build for the game one match-up between the Flyers and Penguins.

Just finished breaking down the equipment we used for tonight's Penguins special with photographer Tim Holoman - I hope you saw it.

Tim tells me the first Penguins game he ever saw was in 1967 he was ten years old ... Some guy named Gordie Howie led the Red Wings to a win that day.

No Gordie Howe to worry about tonight but there is an Umberger!

Friday, 5/9 -- 6:02 PM

The Big Screen in front of the Mellon arena is quickly becoming the place to be... With a very good chance for rain a few hundred Penguins fans have already gathered to watch tonight's playoff game. If it doesn't rain it could be a few thousand.

The organist here at the Igloo is warming up - still no players on the ice.

Earlier today I spoke with Sidney Crosby's Dad Troy - he says Sidney is superstitious, so much so that he won't talk to his Mom on game days so his Mom shouldn't expect a Mother's day call.

Whatever works! Mr. Crosby says Sidney just needs to work all game to have success.

Friday, 5/9 -- 5:45 PM
It's Alby Oxenreiter, putting my two cents in on Bill's blog!
It's raining! So what else is new? I'm outside Mellon Arena as we await the start of our "11 On The Ice" special. I'm ready to see the Pens and Flyers start this series. We've all talked about it way too long. By the way, Photographer Richard Kenyon was thinking ahead. He brought an umbrella. Thanks Richard. The rain is getting worse-I have to go. Pens in six games!

~Alby

Friday, 5/9 -- 10:40 AM
Eastern Conference Finals - Game One - Flyers vs. Penguins

Morning skate: The Penguins are ready to go, today's morning skate was set to start at 10:30 a.m. but the Penguins players were on the ice at 10:20 a.m.

Even from the first two rounds of the playoffs there is a different energy at today's skate. Not a nervous energy but energy that is confident - lots of smiles on the Penguins.

---

Wednesday, 5/7 -- 11:51 AM
The Penguins took the ice for practice at 11 a.m. and all of the teams players are on the ice except Max Talbot.

Talbot is hopeful his foot injury will heal enough by game one Friday to play.

Practice has been full of drills the require end to end skating. Coach Therrien is making sure his team keeps its condition.

Marc-Andre Fleury, the Penguins goaltender, was just runover by three of his teammates ... Practice came to a stop .... Everyone was fine.

I'm sure that will happen to Fleury a few more times over the next couple of weeks.

Wednesday, 5/7 -- 11:38 AM
The media group at Penguins practice is bigger than usual - no surprise there with each passing round it will continue to grow.

Local media outlets are sending about the same number of people but a few extra writers have come down to the Igloo and the out of town folks are starting to show up from Ohio, West Virginia and Philadelphia.

The TSN reporter out of Canada will be on the road following the Penguins and Flyers for the next 19 days before he goes home.

---

Tuesday, 5/6 -- 3:20 PM
Post-Practice :
While the team's fans and media are reveling in the fact that arch rivals Philadelphia and Pittsburgh will meet in the NHL's Eastern Conference Final, the Penguins following today's optional skate said it wouldn't have mattered which team was in front of them at this point.

One player that doesn't seem to be a little more excited than most about playing the Flyers in Defensemen Ryan Whitney, he says the two teams have a healthy dislike for each other but also a respect for how they play the game.

Sidney Crosby doesn't think the series will be one big brawl - he says the both teams have to be disciplined because it is to costly to take penalties.

The Penguins have torched the Flyers this year when they have had the man advantage.

Game One of the best of seven series is set for Friday night at 7:30 p.m. in the Igloo.

The Penguins will be back on the ice Wednesday for an 11 a.m. workout.

Tuesday, 5/6 -- 11:20 AM
The Penguins first practice since clinching a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Philadelphia Flyers is an optional skate.

It is optional, but very well attenned - in all 21 players are on the ice.

One notable exception is Max Talbot who missed the final two games of the Rangers serious with a foot injury after blocking a shot in game three.

Following Sunday's game with the Rangers Talbot told me the foot is feeling better and the fews days off between series will help the foot heal.

So far today's practice has featured a game of four on four. The Black jerseys are currently beating the White jerseys 2-1.

---

Sunday, 5/4 -- 5:06 PM

Hossa! Hossa! Hossa!

Penguins Wins!

Sunday 5/4 -- 4:49 PM
Down in the bottom of the Igloo will have to watch overtime on a television.

Rich found a good one - a big flatscreen in the Igloo club.

Sunday 5/4 -- 4:45 PM
The Rangers go over 100 minutes without a goal in the Igloo and then start the third with two goals in the third just 1:22 apart. We are headed to overtime

Sunday 5/4 -- 4:29 PM

Perhaps a mental lapse by the Penguins to start the third and suddenly we are tied at 2!

Sunday 5/4 -- 3:58 PM

One solid period away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals.

Rich Walsh has a new title today - the next time you see him - don't call him Mr. Nascar - call him the Godfather!

Congrats to Rich and his God daughter!

Sunday 5/4 -- 3:44 PM

Malkin is the best player on the ice today and it isn't even close.

His goal was amazing - you are not supposed to react in the press box but when his goal went in I let out a big OHHHH - the goal was that good.

2-to-0 Penguins!

How about the defense - Penguins out-shooting the Rangers 25 to 11 with 4 minutes left in the 2nd period.

Sunday 5/4 -- 3:35 PM

Penguins Flying!

Kiss cam here at the arena - people never seem to get tired of it.

Sunday 5/4 -- 3:30 PM

Wow - What passing on the Penguins Power Play goal - Malkin to Crosby to Malone to Hossa and he slams it home.

Is this the goal that breaks the Rangers spirit?

1-to-0 Penguins!

Sunday 5/4 -- 3:21 PM

Sunday bloody Sunday - Chris Drury takes Ryan Malone's stick to the face and it cuts him open - after a few stitches he will be back. Most of us would be done for a day or two.

Sunday 5/4 -- 2:59 PM

The Penguins for 95 percent of the period - I felt dominated the play.

Late in the first Nigel Dawes should've given the Rangers a 1-to-0 lead but somehow miss a wide open net. A little luck never hurt anyone..

Sunday 5/4 -- 2:40 PM

1st Period - Fans booed hightlights of the Flyers clinching their series with Montreal here inside the arena.

Sunday 5/4 -- 2:32 PM

1st Period - 6 minutes gone - the Penguins have dominated the play.

Jagr has come to play - very strong with the puck but he just took a penalty.

Former General Manager Craig Patrick who put two Stanley Cup teams together here in Pittsburgh is on hand for today's game.

Sunday 5/4 -- 2:25 PM

Max Talbot won't play but his tradition of bouncing off of Marc-Andre Fleury in the Penguins runway to the ice continued before the Penguins took the ice.

Sunday 5/4 -- 1:50 PM

A great day to watch the Penguins and Rangers on the big screen outside of the Igloo. A big crowd has already gathered - maybe a record crowd to watch on the big screen.

I was over at the Steelers Complex for Mini Camp this morning Big Ben did practice after missing Saturday's workout. First round pick Rashard Mendenhall didn't because of a sore hamstring. Sorry - the reason I started to write about the Steelers was the fact a couple of players told me to get the Penguins to win the series today - I don't know how I will do that but I will figure something out. Scott Paxson who hails from Philadelphia told Jason Capizzi who is a Pittsburgh guy the Flyers will take the Penguins in five games if they meet in the Eastern Conference Final.

The Penguins and Rangers have hit the ice for warm-ups. Game Five in just about twenty minutes.

---

Thursday, 5/1 -- 10:10 PM
Give the Rangers credit just when you think they will fold and go home, they get the job done. Jagr was fantastic for New York.

The Penguins face a question they haven't had to this postseason and it's - how will they deal with a loss?

Playing at home Sunday should help - a win in game five isn't a must, but I don't think the Penguins want to head back to New York for game six.

Thursday, 5/1 -- 9:56 PM
1st/2nd Periods - On the road to the Stanley Cup literally! Spent the first two periods in the car listening to the game on the radio. Very enjoyable other than the Jagr goal. When he wants to play, he is still as good as anyone offensively.

Thursday, 5/1 -- 3:33 PM
Game Four - Penguins vs Rangers

Fired the painter!

As you may recall in my last couple blogs my wife and mother-in-law were picking out paint for the kitchen. It took a while but they final found something they liked. They thought everything would be ready for the painter but the painter started having issues so the painter is gone.

Does anyone know a good painter?

What about the game?

Do the Rangers have the heart to comeback in this series? Maybe, but I don't think it will happen. The Penguins showed everyone that they have the killer instinct in Ottawa and I think they will find a way to eliminate the Rangers tonight.

---

Tuesday, 4/29 -- 9:48 PM
Don't look now but the Penguins are looking at back to back playoff series sweeps.

Jagr was great, and the Rangers came at the Penguins with everything they had, but for a third straight game it wasn't enough.

Malkin with two goals and Malone, the hometown Penguin, gets the big third period goal. Fleury proving to everyone he is a big time goaltender.

The Penguins go for the sweep Thursday night!

By the way - still no decision on which paint is going on the wall!

Tuesday, 4/29 -- 9:18 PM
The second period belonged to the Rangers - what a goal by Jagr. But after making it 3-to-3, the Rangers take a bad penalty and pay for it giving up the power play goal.

The kids are in bed and my wife is still looking at paint - it should be a good third period.

Tuesday, 4/29 -- 8:19 PM

Nothing like watching a playoff game at home with the family.

My wife and mother-in-law can be found in the kitchen testing paint colors.

My son is making as much noise as possible with an electric car, while my daughter, who is battling a cough, reads me the book Stellaluna, which is about a bat.

All that -- while I watch the game or bits of it as we go.

From what I saw the Penguins have all the answers and it starts not with their offensive weapons but goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury who is playing well again tonight.

When Georges Laraque scores you know things are going your way - Pens 3-to-1 after one period - have to run and give a paint color opinion.

---

Monday, 4/28 -- 7:29 PM

The Penguins held an optional practice at the Mellon Arena before leaving for New York this afternoon.

Sidney Crosby skated early before the 11:30 a.m. optional skate time.

13 players were on the ice for the optional skate. The skate ended with six players (4 skaters and 2 goaltenders) playing a game with the nets pushed up against the boards in one end of the rink.

Gary Roberts was one of the skaters in the game of 3 on 3. He is still a question mark for game three in New York tomorrow night, but it looks promising for the veteran. Roberts wouldn't do any interviews but did tell a group of reporters I was with that he expected to make a decision on his status for game three after Tuesday's morning skate. Roberts has been bothered by a sore groin.

The Penguins are winless in Madison Square Garden this year. Sidney Crosby said today that a couple of those loses came before Christmas when the Penguins were struggling - he feels the Penguins team that will skate in New York in Tuesday night will be ready to play and ready to win.

---

Sunday, 4/27 -- 4:45 PM

3rd Period - The Penguins take advantage of a big break - the Rangers goal which was waved off should counted, it didn't and the Penguins go onto a 2-0 win and a two games to none lead in the series.

Adam Hall gets the empty netter and Fleury the shutout his second of the playoffs.

Sunday, 4/27 -- 4:08 PM

No fights in the second period but the Penguins did get onto the scoreboard thanks to a Jordan Staal (pp) goal.

Friday the Penguins were able to come from behind to win - the question today is can they hold a lead.

Scott Gomez told me after Friday's game that the Rangers were not concerned about their failure to hold the lead because they just need to take one game here in Pittsburgh - maybe he didn't realize that might be the Rangers best chance at a win.

Now the Rangers have to find a way to comeback.

Marc-Andre Fleury has been solid making 19 saves - credit his defense for playing well in front of him.

1-to-0 Penguins heading to the third period.

Sunday, 4/27 -- 3:07 PM

1st Intermission - Both teams played a much crisper 1st period of hockey today than they did in game one.

It is however starting to get very chippy. We will have at least one fight by the end of the game. Just a feeling I have.

Both goaltenders look sharp. Scoreless after one.

Sunday, 4/27 -- 2:49 PM

6 minutes left in the first and Sidney Crosby draws a penalty - the Rangers think he took a dive and Jaromir Jagr is giving Crosby an earful.

Now the crowd is giving it to Jagr more than usual.

Still scoreless!

Sunday, 4/27 -- 2:20 PM

Game Two - Rangers vs. Penguins

My vantage point for this game is up top and it allowed me a view in the Penguins walk way ... Max Talbot and Marc-Andre Fleury were bouncing off of each other like pin balls just before hitting the ice.

You can feel the energy in the building - the puck is in play.

---

Friday, 4/25 -- 9:37 PM
Sid the Kid!

Mike Tomlin and Kevin McClatchy just walked by, so no big Steelers trades on the eve of the draft.

Penguins win - what a game!

Friday, 4/25 -- 9:22 PM

3rd Period - Rangers vs. Penguins

Gomez!

4-to-4 ! Overtime?!

Friday, 4/25 -- 9:15 PM

What a start to the third period. The Penguins big boys on offense have taken over. Hossa gets the third goal to tie it from Malone and Scuderi and just about ten seconds later... Sykora from Malone and Malkin.

Can they finish it off?

4-to-3 Penguins!

The crowd is on fire lots of dancing in the seats!

Friday, 4/25 -- 8:52 PM

2nd Intermission - Hey! The Pirates are back on and back in the game with the Phillies 6-to-5 Phillies in the sixth with two outs - Luis Rivas grounds out first on the first pitch of his at-bat.

Like the Penguins, the Pirates battle on!

The Penguins are back on the ice!

Friday, 4/25 -- 8:52 PM

2nd Intermission - Not in the press box tonight - sitting in sectoon C-31. Not a bad seat and you get a great feel for exactly what the crowd is feeling.

The crowd right now is very happy to still be in the game - expect the crowd to really bring it in the third!

Friday, 4/25 -- 8:47 PM

2nd Intermission - Wow! What a wild second period - it looked like the Penguins might be done.

You hear guys talk about the character on their team all the time - the Penguins' character was on display in the second period.

Do they have enough to complete the comeback?

Friday, 4/25 -- 8:36 PM

2nd Period - Credit Ruutu with the turn around! I don't know if they showed it on television but right before Ruutu's goal - Jarkko was on the face-off circle with Michal Roszsival of the Rangers and he was holding the blade of his stick in Rozsival's face - a linesman came over and warned him but he just kept doing it finally one of the refs skated over and got in his face and told him he would kick him out of the game - the gestures he was making with his hands told the story of the conversation.

Ruutu put his stick down and a few moments later he scored the Penguins first goal - he brings the energy and tonight the spark for the Penguins.

A few seconds later that energy carried over to Pascal Dupuis who fired in the Penguins second of the night.

3-to-2 Rangers.

Friday, 4/25 -- 8:14 PM

That wasn't it - Sean Avery makes it 3-0.

The energy line featuring Talbot and Laraque is out and trying to get something going.

Friday, 4/25 -- 8:10 PM

2nd Period - Rangers Chris Drury just deflected one home - it was reviewed but allowed.

The Rangers fans in the section I'm in are getting fired up - the Pens fans are trying to shout them down.

The crowd is being taken out of the game the Penguins need a spark.

Friday, 4/25 -- First Intermission

1st Intermission - The television monitor just came on in front of me with Pirates/Phillies game - 4-to- 0 Phillies . Check that... a double to the gap, 5-to-0 Phillies.

Painful!

1st Period - Would the Penguins have any rust after a nine day break between rounds one and two? Yes, and so did the Rangers after an eight day break.

Uneven play from both teams at best.

Despite that fact the Penguins used the crowd's energy to dominate the action early, but Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist was up to the task.

No surprise - Jagr gets booed every time he touches the puck.

Tough first period for Ryan Whitney of the Penguins - he gave the puck away a couple of times and takes a penalty that leads to the first goal of the game - Martin Straka from Jaromir Jagr.

The goal is the first Marc-Andre Fleury has allowed in the first period this postseason.

The crowd provided the Penguins with a tremendous amounts of energy in the first period. The whiteout seems to be a big hit.

The Penguins are playing with the energy and passion they need, they just need to tighten things up.

Friday, 4/25 -- 6 PM

A fresh sheet of ice has been put down. None of the players for either team have found their way to the ice.

The fans have just started to file into the Igloo and everyone is in white for tonight's white out!

The fans have no doubts and expect a big win - one fan just shouted at me - ALL THE WAY PENGUINS!

Friday, 4/25 -- 5 PM

We wrote about the cooling system for the ice here at Mellon Arena in our last blog - well that cooling system is on high trying to keep the Igloo cold.

Just ran into two time Stanley Cup Champion Phil Bourque and he says that's the way he likes it. He says the ice should be as hard as nickels.

A soft ice surface helps nobody and can become dangerous for the players.

Game One is just a few hours away!

Friday, 4/25 -- 1:45 PM
Round two is upon us! It seemed like it would never arrive.

The Penguins and New York Rangers will answer a number of questions tonight like:
Which team will handle the long break between rounds better?
Which goaltender has kept his edge during the break?
What adjustments have they made for each other since they last played at the end of the regular season?
How will Jagr handle playing against his old team? (This is the first time he has done that in the playoffs.)
Will the young Penguins fold under the greater pressure of the second round?
How do we stop global warming?
Which player will the Steelers take in the first round?

I don't really think they will answer the last two but you never know!

The Penguins should have some big support tonight. Big Ben Roethlisberger told me earlier this week he wants to be at all of the Penguins home games so look for the Steelers QB. It might be tough to spot him, thanks to an expected white out!

Speaking of weather, ice conditions could be a factor tonight thanks to the warm weather. The Penguins will try and counter that with some extra cooling systems.

It should be an exciting series!

---

Monday, 4/21 -- 6 PM

The Penguins held an off ice workout today at the Mellon Arena. The Penguins will hold a full practice Tuesday at 11 a.m.

At this point the Penguins still don't know which team they will face in the second round of the playoffs. The Boston Bruins could be that team if they beat Montreal tonight in Montreal.

Marc-Andre Fleury told me he will have a few teammates over to watch tonight's game seven between the Bruins and Canadians. I asked the Penguins goaltender what he thinks the goaltenders will go through tonight, he says he expects them to both play well but just one mistake could be the difference in advancing to the second round of the National Hockey League Playoffs.

The Penguins have already reached the second round so like the rest of us - they will just kick back and watch tonight's action.

Saturday, 4/19 -- 1 PM
The Penguins could know later tonight which team they will face in the next round of the playoffs but it seems like most of the players believe they will see the New York Rangers in round two. I asked a few players after today's practice if they find out tonight that it is the Rangers when will they start looking at tape - Ryan Malone said the two teams know each other so well that it won't be critical to look at game tape until it gets a little closer to game one.

To a man the Penguins were all very happy to have a couple of days off after their sweep of Ottawa. The rust question was asked today - the Penguins don't think it will be an issue to have a few days of before round two.

The Penguins will practice Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m.

Saturday -- 11:40 AM
The Penguins took the ice 11:00 a.m. For their first practice since their sweep of Ottawa in the first round of the NHL Playoffs.

The majority of the practice was spent playing four on four hockey. The players were into it but also having a good time with it.

Still waiting to find out which team they will face next?

Conditioning drills were run at the end of the Penguins workout.

---

Thursday, 4/17 -- 10:15 AM
Back in the United States.

Crossing the Thousand Islands Region Bridge, one of the Canadian toll workers was telling us how good he thought last night's game was. He thinks the Penguins will win the Cup! We will find out soon enough.

Pittsburgh is just about six hours down the road and the second round of the NHL Playoffs is a few days away. So, at this point I would like to thank you for checking out the blog. We will blog again somewhere on the road to Stanley Cup.

Just loook for us - Richard, my photographer who did another tremendous job this week, will be the one driving. He never lets me drive.

Thursday -- 8:15 AM
I had hoped to blog about the Penguins SWEEP of the Senators last night when I arrived back at the hotel after our late shows but the hotel computers were down. Thanks for your patience. I really do appreciate it and thanks for checking out the blog.

The Ottawa fans were at their best last night, but their team just didn't have it. Early in the game the Senators weren't moving their feet and cruised through the zones. If it wasn't for Martin Gerber, the Senators goaltender, this series would have been really ugly.

The Penguins did exactly what they had to do. Sidney Crosby talked about the team taking care of the little things after the morning skate and they did exactly that in the game.

Marc-Andre Fleury was solid again making a number of big saves early, for the fourth straight game he did not allow a goal in the first period. After the game all of his teammates made a point to give Marc-Andre props.

The Penguins really do have scary young talent. After the game in the press conference, the two Penguins at the table were Marc-Andre Fleury and Sidney Crosby. I see them at practice and in games all the time but you don't really see them off ice together doing interviews and it just struck me how young they really are. I think they are maybe a combined 42 years old. They could play together for a long, long time and that is going to be very tough for all of the teams in the NHL.

So, what were the Senators thinking?

You know how teams will use movie clips to get the team and its fans cranked up? Well, Ottawa did that in game four. One clip was from the movie “We are Marshall” and that worked, but the first one didn't make any sense. It was from the movie "Miracle" and it featured the pre-game talk by Herb Brooks. Tremendous stuff but lets break this down.

1. "Miracle" is about the 1980 United States Hockey team that wins Olympic Gold.
2. At one point, Herb Brooks was the Head Coach of Penguins.

I just thought it was odd that Ottawa would use a story about a team from the United States and a speech from a former coach of the Penguins to inspire a team from Canada and its fans. I just don't get that one. I should have known the game was over when they played that clip.

Why did the Penguins win this series? A man after the game said they all said experience was the key. They learned from a year ago what the playoffs are all about and what you have to do as a team to have success in them. Last night they showed a killer instinct that could carry them a long way.

It is on to the second round of the NHL Playoffs for the Penguins!

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Wednesday, 4/16 -- 3 PM
The Penguins held an optional skate before tonight's game with the Senators. Every player practiced, including Ryan Malone who did not practice Tuesday. He was given the day to rest some bumps and bruises. He told me all systems are go for tonight's game four.

The Penguins are very confident. Max Tolbot told me the Penguins need to be more desperate than Ottawa tonight even though it is the Senators facing elimination.

The message from Head Coach Michel Therrien today -- if his team continues to do what it has done throughout this series and his team will be fine.

Ottawa plans on putting its top line back together tonight. It's a line that features Captain Daniel Alfredsson, Dany Heatley and Jason Spezza. It can be very productive, but the Penguins coaching staff will make no specific changes to counter that line.

One of the messages in the Penguins room is this - Good is the Enemy of Great. So far, the Penguins have been very good and from traveling with them this week it is easy to see they are relentless in their quest to be Great.

Game Four tonight -- check in with you later.

Wednesday -- 10:55 AM
The Penguins can sweep tonight. The Penguins will hold their morning skate at 11:30 a.m. Ottawa Senators Captain Daniel Alfredsson says he expects to play. It should give Ottawa a lift as they try to stay alive in the 2008 playoffs.

Heading to practice. We will check-in later.

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Tuesday, 4/15 -- 10:30 PM
Some exciting action. I don't know if you saw it but what a great game in Boston - a 1-0 thriller that goes to Montreal. The Flyers looked impressive knocking off Washington. Wow! Are the Ducks all over the Stars early!

Heading back to the hotel now, I will be watching the late games from my room. If you love hockey, it doesn't get any better than being in Canada for the playoffs. It is wall-to-wall hockey.

Tuesday -- 7:30 PM
We are back in Kanata at Jack Astor's. It's a bar and grill that has every hockey game you can find playing on what seems like 100 TV sets. We are ready to watch the Montreal/Boston game, the Flyers/Capitals game and some of the Dallas/Ducks game when it comes on in about an hour.

Lots of Montreal fans looking on.

Tuesday -- 6:30 PM
Done for the day. Time to get some dinner. Last year, Richard and I tried the Empire Grill, which is located just down the street from the United States Embassy. It was great last year so we are going back for more.

Richard goes with the pork tenderloin. He enjoys it and the rest of the meal very much.

I go with the Alberta Bison - try something new - very good! If you find yourself in Ottawa try the Empire Grill. Good service - great food.

Tuesday -- 4 PM
We arrive in downtown - a busy day in the big city, but no one is talking about hockey. The hope that we've talked about is all but gone for the Senators fans so we don't here much hockey talk on the street. Inside the CBC building the Montreal fans are thrilled with their team and their chances to win it all.

They expect to see the Penguins down the playoff road.

Tuesday -- 3:30 PM
Richard and I are done putting together our packages for the early shows and we are on the road to downtown Ottawa and the CBC broadcast facilities.

It is a day full of Sunshine in Ottawa.

Tuesday -- 2 PM
The Penguins have to meet with the media. No earth shattering or sensational comments but you just get the feeling that they know exactly where they stand and what they have to do to move to the next round of the National Hockey League playoffs.

Ryan Whitney responding to my question about the state of the Senators said, "They are in a fragile state."

If the Penguins score first and grab an early lead game four could get ugly.

Tuesday -- 1 PM
The Penguins take the ice for practice. As usual, they seem loose but focused. I'm sitting close enough to the ice that I can hear Penguins Head Coach Michel Therrien tell his players "Don't be your own worst enemy." It is a simple message, but a good one. If the Penguins just do what they are supposed to do, they should be able to close out Ottawa in four games.

Tuesday -- 12:10 PM
The Explorer's brakes are fixed and we are ready to roll to Penguins practice at 1p.m. A big thank you to Kanata Ford getting the Explorer in and out so quickly.

Tuesday -- 11 AM
We have not heard from the Ford dealership. We will need the Explorer in about an hour and a half so we can get to the Penguins afternoon skate, which is set for 1 p.m.

We will be blogging when and where we can. We will need to get some international service on the Treo so we don't have these same issues if the Penguins face Montreal down the road.

Tuesday -- 10 AM
Tough times at home. Just took a call from my wife - I was able to pick up the phone this time - she is dealing with my little girl who is not feeling well. So much so that they spent part of last night in the hospital. Turns out everything is going to be just fine. She is tough! She got on the phone and told me she had to have a shot and that her brother spent the night next door.

It is fun to go on the road with the Penguins, Steelers, Pirates and Pitt and cover the big events, but it can be tough to be away from family.

It makes you realize how much you love your family.

Tuesday -- 7:30 AM
At breakfast, I read the Ottawa paper and it appears that hope is dead. Everyone seems to be resigned to the fact that the Penguins will close out the Senators and that it may be better for all involved if it is done quickly - so they are looking for a sweep!

I respect what Senator Defenseman Chris Phillips said in the paper and not just because of his quality last name. He said the three games to none deficit is just an opportunity for something special to happen.

Hope is trying to be revived! I don't think it has much of a chance.

Tuesday -- 7 AM
Richard and I took the Explorer to the Ford dealership. They were very helpful and got it right in and gave us a ride back to the hotel. We will wait for their call.

Tuesday -- 6:45 AM
Wow - did that wake-up call come early. I couldn't pick the phone up to stop the phone from ringing. I think I slept on my right arm and my right hand was numb and when I tried to pick up the phone my hand didn't work and after taking three shots at picking up the phone, I just knocked the handset off of the phone. The handset went behind the nightstand so I had to dig that out while the wake-up call recording played over and over!

Happy Tuesday morning everybody!

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Monday, 4/14 -- 10:30 PM
Experience pays off. A man said the Penguins were ready for whatever energy the Ottawa fans could throw at them in the first period and they were unfazed by Alfredsson's return. They always say it is about what we do not what the other team does.

After the game three win, I asked Marc-Andre Fleury how long he and his teammates would enjoy the win before focusing on game four. He said up until Tuesday's afternoon skate.

The Penguins are just one win away from claiming their first post-season series win since the 2001 NHL Playoffs.

Monday -- 9:45 PM
The Penguins win 4-1. Jordan Staal and Marian Hossa both pick up goals. Postgame.

Monday -- 9:15 PM
Bourque and Errey maybe wrong! Sidney Crosby has just opened the third period with a goal just 12 seconds in. It is the fastest goal in franchise history at the start of a period in the postseason. 2-1 Penguins.

Monday -- 9 PM
Almost forgot, the second period ends tied at one. What a tremendous goal from the Penguins. From behind his own net Ryan Whitney hits Rob Scuderi with a pass. Scuderi hits Pascal Dupuis, Dupuis passes to Marian Hossa, Hossa makes a nice little pass to Max Talbot, who hits the back of the net. Great goal.

Just ran into Phil Bourque and Bob Errey. The Stanley Cup Champions tell me to get ready for overtime.

Monday -- 8:45 PM
I don't get it - I never will. Why do people in this case Senators fans insist on booing and chanting nasty things at Sidney Crosby?

I know the fans believe it will get into his head and it will put him off of his game but it doesn't. It just sounds stupid. Ottawa's fans tried it last year and got taken to task in their own papers over it. They are back at it again tonight.

The booing doesn't make any sense and tonight they have gone over the top chanting "Sidney Sucks, Sidney Sucks" over and over - come on! He is a big boy and he can handle it, but it just sounds so rediculous.

To be fair, I don't agree with Penguins fans booing Jagr when he plays in the Igloo. He helped win two Stanley Cups and the team at the time could not keep him. He was going to get too much money as a free agent, so they traded him. It was just business. Don't tell me about a hometown discount at the time Washington was willing to pay 10 times what the Penguins would have and if we were in the same position as Jagr, we all would have been ready to cash in. You don't have to cheer him but do you really have to boo him every time he touches the puck?

I will say this though, the fans pay big money to get into the games so if they want to boo or chant things I think they have the right - just keep it clean.

Monday -- 7 PM
The captain of the Senators will play. The Senators respond with arguably their best period of hockey in the series but they can't grab the lead as the teams head to intermission it is scoreless.

As inspiring as Alfredsson was to his team and the fans, I thought the crowd would have been much louder.

Monday -- 6:30 PM
The shows go well. The crowd outside of the arena doesn't have nearly as much energy as it did a year ago. I know that has alot to do with the Penguins leading two games to none but it was still a surprise. It seems as if they want the series to end so they can move on from a disappointing finish to the season.

Monday -- 4 PM
Heading back to the arena to send out our packages and stories for the early shows on WPXI, Channel 11. We are working with the CBC again this year. They have been just great to work with.

Monday -- 12:30 PM
We may need new brakes. The brakes on the Ford Explorer we are driving sound terrible. We first noticed a noise when we came across the border. Richard and I thought it was no big deal but every time we got in the car that noise was louder.

So we went to the Kanata Ford dealership to see if they could look at the car. No go until Tuesday morning and early Tuesday morning when the doors open at 7 a.m.

You have to be safe on the road.

Monday -- 12 PM
You can't miss it and its brand new for the playoffs - The Ottawa Senators have put up a big photograph of their series-clinching handshake from last year's postseason win over the Penguins on the wall just outside the Penguins lockerroom.

When I say big, I mean BIG -- perhaps 20 feet high by 20 feet wide. Big!

The Senators are doing anything they can to get into the Penguins minds - it doesn't seem to work. Marc-Andre Fleury says its a nice art and Ryan Malone says they could paint the walls pink and it wouldn't bother the team.

Monday -- 11:30 AM
I walk into the Ottawa lockerroom and I step right on the Senators logo! I'm in trouble - in hockey lockerrooms that is a major sin!

The media relations person for the Senators tells me nicely to watch my step. Ottawa tough guy Chris Neil has some fun and starts screaming at me to get off of the logo. I don't know how I missed it but I did and walked all over it.

This isn't just an Ottawa thing, the Penguins have the same rule in their room. You don't walk on the logo or you can be fined. I haven't seen a fine yet but I have seen members of the media yelled at by the Penguins.

While in the lockerroom, Jason Spezza does confirm that his leg injury won't keep him from playing.

Monday -- 10:30 AM
The Ottawa Senators are currently on the ice taking their morning skate before game three.

Good News for Ottawa fans the teams Captain Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza both take part in the skate leading everyone to believe that they will both play in game three. It could give the Senators a big emotional lift if these players - banged up players - can go in game three.

Monday -- 8:56 AM
The Blogging Gods have not been with us on this trip to Ottawa for the Penguins/Senators playoff series. The Treo doesn't work for e-mails north of the border, but the phone on the Treo works.

After using the Holiday Inn computer to send in some Blogs very early Monday morning, I thought we were back in business, but that wasn't to be due to a network problem Monday afternoon that didn't allow me to send out the blog.

We fight on! Back for more blogging on Tuesday morning! We have a great deal to share with you. Thanks again for your patience.

Monday -- 1:15 AM
Just one more thing before I go. The computer I'm currently working on, which has been a tremendous help, does have one flaw -- the screen saver is the Ottawa Senators team photo. Tough times - tough times - but we will overcome.

I will check in later this morning following the Penguins morning skate.

Monday -- 12:28 AM
So those were my blog thoughts from Sunday afternoon. I'm glad the Holiday Inn has this business center so we can continue to try and bring you the best coverage of the Penguins on WPXI.com and WPXI-TV. Again, I hope I can blog right from Penguins practice if not as soon as I can get to a computer I will blog away. Thanks for your patience.

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Sunday, 4/13 -- 4:45 PM
We have arrived! When we checked into the Holiday Inn, it was assumed by the front desk that we must be Ottawa fans because we were told that if the boys play just a little bit better they can comeback and win this series.

Hope lives in Ottawa! I will check in Monday from the Penguins morning skate until then have a good night.

Sunday -- 3:50 PM
The Penguins are up two games to none but Ottawa fans still think they can get it done. Two Ottawa fans just drove up along side of us so they could wave a Senators flag at us. The Penguins better be ready for a wild crowd Monday night.

Sunday -- 3:30 PM
Sorry about the delay in my latest blog page - the reason why you ask - no we were not arrested at the border but apparently my Treo is having problems adjusting to a new country so blogs that were meant to go out Sunday afternoon just sat in the outbox. We are working on solving the problem. But let’s not let those blogs go waste. Let’s take a look at what was going on Sunday afternoon on our trip into the Great White North!

I don't know why but for the second straight year the government of Canada has seen fit to allow us across the border. The Canadian Border Patrol moved everyone through very quickly. Last year the CBP officer talked a little hockey with us - not this year - this year it was all business all the time. It may have something to do with the Penguins leading the series.

Seriously, the CBP people we have dealt with have been very professional and as far as I can tell do a very good job.

The Thousand Islands Region is even more beautiful on the Canadian side of the border.

Upset of the playoff season so far - Richard who never gives up the wheel, let me drive for three hours today. That never happens and frankly I'm worried the sun may fall out of the sky.

Sunday -- 3:15 PM
Oh Canada!

We have reached the border and apparently so has everyone else … lots of Sunday travelers.

Just passed through the Thousand Islands gegion of New York. As I said last year, it is beautiful. A great part of the drive up.

Two cars away from inspection!

Sunday -- 11:20 AM
Driving through Buffalo, site of the Winter Classic! The Penguins beat the Sabres in a shootout - if you recall Colby Armstrong scored the first goal of that game.

Buffalo just missed this year's playoffs they could have used that extra point.

Sunday -- 10:06 AM
Just about 80 miles outside of Buffalo.

Just drove by what has to be a fantastic town - Phillipsville! What a name!

Sunday -- 9:55 AM
A wintry mix - that's what we've run into just outside of Erie.

Its big trouble for Richard - his wiper can't seem to handle it, fortunately my view on the passenger side is tremendous.

Although I would rather have the good wiper on the driver's side of the car.

We will fight on.

Sunday -- 9:33 AM
On the road again!

Photographer Richard Kenyon and I left WPXI for Ottawa this morning at 8 a.m. - We made the same trip last year and had a great time covering the Penguins while experiencing the sights and sounds of Canada's capital city.

We drove up last year in bright sunshine, this year its gray and rainy.

I'm excited to be going on this road trip but it is tough to leave home - my son was excited about being the man of the house last night until he went to bed and then the tears came because I was leaving. His little sister was fine with it and colored me a picture for the trip. It is one of the all time great works of art.

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Saturday, 4/12 -- 2:18 PM
Following today's optional skate Penguins Head Coach Michel Therrien meet the media. Therrien says his team is playing well in all aspects of the game. He wasn't happy that his team gave up a three goal lead but he said it could give them some more confidence because they were able to comeback from that and still win.

I asked a few of the Penguins players about having two days off - normally the playoffs feature games every other night...... Jarkko Ruutu says he likes to play every other night but agreed with Jordan Staal that any extra rest you can get at this time of year is big. Coach Therrien said he thinks the two days off will give the Penguins a chance to get their emotions back in check after two big wins.

To a man everyone in the Penguins locker-room believes this team has the killer instinct to finish off the Senators as quickly as possible.

The Penguins will have a morning skate Sunday before flying to Ottawa at 2pm.

WPXI will be on the road with the Penguins - I will be traveling with photographer Richard Kenyon to Ottawa for games three and four. We will be leaving early Sunday morning so look for blogs right here on WPXI.com and of course coverage on WPXI Channel 11 from Ottawa.

Saturday -- 11:55 AM
The Penguins now have 11 players on the ice for today's morning skate - Gary Roberts has taken the ice.

While his teammates play a game of four on four at the other end of the ice Roberts is skating alone at the other end - hold on - Ty Conklin has arrived and is in net taking shots from Roberts and Ryan Whitney.

Updates as they happen on the Penguins Blog.

Saturday -- 11:43 AM
The Penguins took the ice for their optional skate this morning up two games to none in their best of seven playoff series with the Ottawa Senators.

Ten players took part in the optional skate - the lone goalie was Danny Sabourin.

Crosby, Malkin, Malone, and Roberts to name a few took the skate off.

The Penguins have another skate set for Sunday here at the Mellon Arena before they leave for Ottawa and game three which is set for Monday.

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Friday, 4/11 -- 2:15 PM
Before we blog Penguins, I have to send out a big Happy Birthday to my brother David, who in my opinion is the greatest brother of all time! That's just my opinion and I'm sticking with it.

At lunch today everyone was talking Penguins and no one is giving Ottawa a chance to make any type of a comeback. Most everyone says it will be a five game series but I think they really want to call for the sweep!

The sweep could be the right call. Ottawa doesn't seem like they have any answers to the Penguins questions, or at this point the hunger to make it a tight series. Again, just another one of my opinions and I'm sticking with this one, too.

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Thursday, 4/10 -- 12 PM
My mailman is changing things up; normally the mail comes in the afternoon but the past few days it has arrived in the morning and that was a good thing today because the Sports Illustrated arrived and in it was an article on playoff goaltending and how important it is!

Last night, Marc-Andre Fleury looked tremendous against against Ottawa pitching his first playoff shutout. Some will say he wasn't tested enough - I don't buy that. He was asked to make 26 saves and he did; and if they weren't the toughest shots, give some credit to the defense.

Back to Sports Illustrated - in the article on how important goaltending is, Pierre McGuire ranks the playoff goaltenders. Martin Brodeur was number one, as you would expect. Marc-Andre Fleury of the Penguins was ranked 12th. If he continues play like he did last night he will be moving up the charts quickly.

Fleury and his teammates are on the ice right now for a between-game skate.

I'm on my way to pick up my little girl from school so I will taking a break from the blog the rest of the day, but Rich Walsh will have you covered on his blog.

Thanks checking us out on WPXI.com. We will be blogging throughout the post-season. Have a great day!

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Wednesday, 4/9 -- 11:25 PM
The Penguins began their playoff series with the Ottawa Senators with a resounding 4-0 win. Gary Roberts picks up two goals and Marc-Andre Fleury makes 26 saves.

The Penguins also sent a message to the Senators - they won't be pushed around. It was a complete win - exactly the type of win a club looks for when it opens a playoff series.

Wednesday -- 8:59 PM
The Penguins are held off of the scoreboard in the second period but they still out play the Senators with outstanding defense. 2-0 Penguins After Two

Wednesday -- 7:38 PM
Taking advantage of home ice - great crowd - two quick goals ... Just about the best start the Penguins could have asked for. 2-0 Penguins

Wednesday -- 7:22 PM
After practice today Gary Roberts said he would be looking to make up for lost time in the playoffs, if you recall Roberts missed the majority of the season with a broken leg, he already has picking up a goal on his first shift. 1-0 Penguins

Wednesday -- 12:15 PM
Another sign its the playoffs - there was a omlete station set up in the Penguins locker room. Special orders were being accepted.

Wednesday -- 12:05 PM
Max Talbot is ready to go following practice today. He said, for a hockey player, the playoffs are like Christmas -- you work all year long for this moment.

Sidney Crosby said his team is less nervous and more confident this year. For the second straight day Crosby and his teammates had to answer questions regarding the Senators comments that the Penguins tanked their fianl game against the Flyers.

Wednesday -- 11:55 AM
The Penguins were on the ice for the game day workout at 10:30 a.m. Most of the players were off the ice by 11 a.m.

The Penguins seemed loose flashing a number smiles. Sidney Crosby and Jordan Staal spent some extra time working on face-offs.

Crosby also had Sergei Gonchar shoot pucks behind him while he was in front of the net so he could reach behind his back and deflect the puck through his legs and into the net. Those amazing plays don't happpen by accident. The Pens look ready.

Wednesday -- 11:15 AM
The Igloo ice has a couple of new images on it or in it I should say - at both ends of the ice the NHL has placed this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs 2008 logo.

Wednesday -- 11 AM
If you have tickets down low to tonight's Penguins-Ottawa contest you should have a great view the glass is being cleaned. Doesn't sound like a big deal but I have been to the majority of the Penguins game day morning skates this year and this is the first time the glass is being cleaned.

It is a clear sign that the National Hockey League Playoffs have arrived.

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Tuesday, 4/8 -- 1:30 PM
The Penguins have completed their first practice of the 2008 postseason. It was a crisp high energy workout.

Two-time Stanley Cup Champion Phil Bourque told me at today's workout that the biggest differences between a regular season workout and a postseason workout is the speed and intensity - he also said players are starting to sharpen that healthy edge that they play on.

Following todays practice the Penguins talked with the media - the number one question - did they tank against the Flyers - that's what Ottawa Head Coach Bryan Murray thinks - the Penguins to a man said its just not true and Pens Head Coach Michel Therrien wouldn't comment on it.

The one thing a few Penguins admitted to was perhaps not being mentally sharp enough for the game but a tank job - no. With those questions now behind them they are focused on the playoff opener against Ottawa tomorrow night in the Igloo.

The Penguins will have a morning skate Wednesday at 10:30 before their NHL Playoff opener with the Senators at 7:10 p.m.

Tuesday -- 11:30 AM
The Penguins dropped the puck on their first playoff workout at 10:30 this morning at the Southpointe Icoplex. All available Penguins are on the ice including Sidney Crosby, who was held out of Sunday's regular season finale against the Philadelphia Flyers. About 20 fans and the same number of media types are watching today's practice.

Rich Walsh and I will be blogging everyday throughout the postseason. We are looking forward to sharing our experiences with you.