Daily Clips 11/28/11

Penguins: Letang, team's core survive blow to nose Little-seen lineup of key players intact Monday, November 28, 2011 By Dave Molinari, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Things can change quickly in this game, and the Penguins were reminded of that Saturday night. One moment, defenseman Kris Letang was in the Montreal zone, trying to get off a shot that would break a 3-3 tie at the Bell Centre late in the third period. The next, Letang was on the ice, bleeding heavily from his nose which had just been broken by a hit from Max Pacioretty of the Canadiens. Letang was escorted to the locker room, had his nose realigned, received medical confirmation that he hadn't sustained a concussion and was back on the ice for the start of overtime. And 129 seconds later, he ended the game by tossing a puck past Montreal goalie Carey Price. Letang, then, got some revenge for the head shot he absorbed from Pacioretty, and Pacioretty - who was not penalized for the hit -- should learn today if he'll be getting some unscheduled time off. He has a phone hearing scheduled with Brendan Shanahan, who handles supplemental discipline for the league. Early indications were that Letang came through the incident with nothing more serious that his fractured nose, although it's worth noting that Sidney Crosby said he didn't experience any concussion symptoms until several days after then-Washington center David Steckel had laid him out with a blindside blow to the head Jan. 1. But even if Letang's injury doesn't prove to be one of the lost-time variety -- his absence Saturday lasted just over three minutes -- it easily could have been. And that would have put the Penguins back in the all-too-familiar position of being without one of their core players, which has been the case most of the time since the start of the 2010-11 season. Oh, their lineup was intact for a few days in early January, when Jordan Staal returned after missing 39 games because of a foot injury and its complications and Crosby had yet to be diagnosed with his concussion, but that was the only time it happened until the past week.

Assuming that Letang is able to dress when the Penguins visit the New York Rangers at 7:38 p.m. Tuesday -- and that none of his high-profile teammates has an undisclosed injury that would force him to sit out -- it will mark the fifth consecutive game the Penguins have been able to dress something awfully close to their lineup of choice. Coach Dan Bylsma and his staff likely would try to find a spot for forward Dustin Jeffrey or defenseman Ben Lovejoy if they weren't on injured reserve, but both are complementary players on this team, and it's rare for any club to be injury-free at this point of the season. For one of the few times in more than a year, however, the Penguins aren't missing one or more of the players who form the foundation of their team. They are 3-1 in the four games since Crosby and defenseman Zbynek Michalek returned to the lineup against the New York Islanders last Monday and have, at times, been even more impressive on the ice than they are on paper. "This is the first time in a couple of years that everybody's in and playing to their full potential," winger Pascal Dupuis said. "Everybody's in, and it's fun to play." The impact of having the lineup intact has been most obvious in the offensive zone, and a lot of that has to do with Crosby. He has scored or assisted on eight of the 17 goals the Penguins have manufactured the past four games. Since Crosby resumed playing, Bylsma has deployed some imposing groups of forwards -including units featuring Crosby with Malkin, Malkin with Staal, and Crosby, Malkin and Staal together -- that give opponents little opportunity to recover from one offensive assault before the next one forms. "The team comes in waves," winger James Neal said. "It's one line after another. With all the great players, you can put any combination together. It's a fun hockey team." As the Letang-Pacioretty incident illustrates, the Penguins' run of good health for the players who make up their nucleus could end at any time, and it wouldn't necessarily require a nasty hit to someone's head to make that happen. All it takes is for a guy to catch his skate in a rut. For one to fall awkwardly into the boards. For one to be struck by a shot that hits a half-inch away from a protected area. But for now, the Penguins are healthy, and playing with the confidence of a group that grasps just how deep and talented its lineup is. "We're playing well, but there's always room for improvement, always things we can do [better]," Staal said. "But I feel like that comeback feeling is there, that we're never really out of a game and there's always an opportunity to win games.

"We haven't really dominated games, but we've done a lot of good things."

Penguins not satisfied with play this season By Rob Rossi PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW Monday, November 28, 2011 The Penguins surely have not had it easy to start the NHL season. In October, they played games in four time zones, and they opened November with a second trip to the West Coast. Their top four defensemen, who combine to count $16.25 million against the salary cap, have been together for all of nine games. Center Evgeni Malkin's anticipated bounce-back return from last year's season-ending knee surgery lasted six periods before he aggravated the right knee. Only last week, with eight points in four games, did he start producing at an elite level. Also, some player named Sidney Crosby missed the Penguins' first 20 games. Still, as of Sunday, the Penguins owned the NHL's highest point total (32), a penalty kill ranked second (91.2 percent) and a power play that is a respectable ninth (18.6 percent). There is much to like about coach Dan Bylsma's club, which was: Fifth in fewest average penalty minutes at 10 per contest, despite ranking fourth with 531 hits. Sixth in average goals for (3.1) and ninth in goals against (2.8). Second to Detroit with 10 wins by two or more goals. All of these stats were being dismissed Saturday night by Penguins players after an inspired comeback from a two-goal deficit for a 4-3 overtime win at Montreal. "It's about dominating games," center Jordan Staal said. "We've got to find a way to take control of games. Look at (Saturday night). It was close to a 50-50 battle, and we certainly had

opportunities we didn't capitalize on. We've got to find better ways to wear other teams down and really give them no chance to win the game." The Penguins' opening-period goal differential is plus 1, compared to plus-17 over the final two periods. They have allowed opponents to score first in 11 games. "We can start better, that's pretty obvious," winger Arron Asham said. Before Crosby's triumphant return last Monday, Asham said the Penguins "weren't playing their best," and he did not stop with a generalization. "Our defensive zone was a mess, and we were trying to get too fancy," he said. "That's been better the last couple of games, but we can't get caught looking too far ahead." That view might prove enough to shake even the most confident group. Starting with a game Tuesday at the New York Rangers, 10 of the Penguins' next 20 games are against teams that began Sunday in the top eight of the Eastern or Western Conference. Sixteen of those games are against teams playing .500 or better. The Stanley Cup isn't won during 20 games from the end of November through mid-January. However, this stretch, which players drolly described as "the grind" of an NHL season, will provide these Penguins with an opportunity to show their best against their stiffest competition for the ultimate prize. "We've got our team together right now," winger Pascal Dupuis said. "Let's see what we can do when we're healthy." Assessing the Pens About 30 percent of the season is complete for the Penguins (14-6-4, 32 points). Beat reporter Rob Rossi's five observations: Best player: Jordan Staal >> He has developed into the total package befitting a former No. 2 overall pick. His defense (15 takeaways) remains elite, and his offense (12 goals) is nearly at that level. Biggest surprise: Pascal Dupuis >> Wrestling this away from Matt Cooke (6 goals compared to 8 penalty minutes) wasn't going to be easy, but Dupuis' 19 points and plus-12 rating gives him the nod. Best development: Forward depth

>> All anybody needs to know about this group of forwards is that Mark Letestu, who scored 10 goals last season, was traded because he wasn't a candidate to be a 13th forward. Six forwards have scored at least 5 goals. Worst performance: Paul Martin >> His 39 blocked shots confirm his stick-on-puck skill is ideal for what coach Dan Bylsma wants from defensemen. However, he still doesn't look comfortable in this system, and glaring gaffes have appeared to contribute to his minus-9 rating. Worst trend: Lack of dominance >> The Penguins have surrendered the opening goal in 11 games, going 5-5-1 in those contests. Also, they have trailed after two periods in seven games.

Discipline hearing set for Letang aggressor By Rob Rossi PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW Monday, November 28, 2011 All may be forgiven between the players, but the NHL wants to hear from Montreal Canadiens winger Max Pacioretty for his hit to the head against Penguins defenseman Kris Letang on Saturday night. Pacioretty will have a hearing by phone this morning with league discipline czar Brendan Shanahan. Another dose of the regret that Pacioretty displayed Saturday night could serve him well with Shanahan, who in his first season handling supplemental discipline has gained respect among players for his perspective on topics such as illegal hits to the head. Pacioretty caught Letang in the face with his upper left arm late in the third period at Bell Centre. No penalty was called. Letang's nose was broken and he required assistance to the training room, but he returned for overtime and scored to deliver the Penguins a 4-3 victory. "I lost my breath and was just trying to figure out what happened," Letang said, adding that he passed a concussion test administered by an undisclosed physician. "It's the protocol. You go

back in, get the test done. Obviously, I had my nose broken and the doc put it in place, so I was ready to go." Letang said he did not see the Pacioretty hit because "(my) head was down" while attempting a shot in the offensive zone against Canadiens goalie Carey Price. Letang said Pacioretty apologized in person after the game, calling it "a nice gesture." Pacioretty, who famously was carried from the ice on a stretcher in March after a blindside hit from Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara, said he "(felt) terrible about what happened." "I know that feeling," Pacioretty said. "I know (the NHL) is probably going to want something to be done." In question is whether Pacioretty violated Rule 48 for illegal checks to the head. According to league rules, a player can be suspended or fined for being in violation of Rule 48 even if no penalty was assessed during the game.

Madden: They're back: Penguins notes Posted: Sunday, November 27, 2011 11:00 pm Mark Madden Times Sports Correspondent | 0 comments Sidney Crosby is back. Is he better than ever? So far, so good. Also back: Refreshing Penguins notes, cool as a Zamboni's tires. Better than ever? You be the judge. -What I like best about James Neal may be how he plays when he doesn't score. Neal displays the same dynamic, the same desire. He's constantly looking for the next goal and doing his best to manufacture it. No boo-boo face when breaks go bad. Witness his spin move that set up Kris Letang's overtime winner at Montreal Saturday. Neal's a whirlwind. -Ultimately, Neal should play on Crosby's line. The best scorer should skate with the best playmaker. That's just common sense. -Jordan Staal has 12 goals, tying him for sixth in the NHL before Sunday's action. He netted with 4:30 remaining in regulation to tie Saturday's game at Montreal. At 23, he's maturing into an offensive force, a true power forward. He shouldn't be a third-line center now that Crosby has

returned. Put Staal on Evgeni Malkin's wing. Let Staal get his stats. Move him back to center for the playoffs, if need be. *In terms of potential to injure, Max Pacioretty's check on Letang Saturday can't be compared to Crosby elbowing Ottawa's Mike Foligno on Friday. But a hit to the head is a hit to the head. The way to eliminate the problem is to eliminate the gray areas. *Crosby has two choices when it comes to head-shot repellent: Play nasty as a deterrent, or play ultra-clean to avoid targeting. So far, he's chosen the first option. That's the correct pick. Nobody's going to take it easy on Crosby. He needs to create his own force field. *Crosby roughing up Foligno was justified. Crosby was protecting his goalie and himself. But, given Crosby's situation, incidents like that will always attract lots of extra attention. *Matt Cooke was in the neighborhood when Pacioretty crushed Letang. His expression suggested mayhem. Cooke's mind reeled him back in. Good move. If Cooke executes the same check Pacioretty did, it's a game misconduct and a 15-game suspension. Cooke's reformation should be the pride of the NHL. But he's still on the most-wanted list. *Paul Martin's run of poor play is leveling off. After going minus-8 over five games, Martin is plus-2 with four assists over his last seven games. Baby steps. Martin is an excellent two-way defenseman who got stuck in a rut. Overreact if you like. But Bylsma won't. GM Ray Shero won't. Martin is an integral part of what the Penguins do. *That said, an established defenseman will be traded at season's end to create both cap space and room for either Simon Despres or Joe Morrow. It won't be Letang or Brooks Orpik. Martin will be the most likely candidate. But it won't be because of poor performance. *If there's a feel-good story on the Penguins, it's Pascal Dupuis lighting up the scoresheet. Hard work has to be its own reward for a player like Dupuis, but points are nice, too. Dupuis is getting every bounce imaginable right now, and he's cashing them in. The puck keeps finding him in the slot, and he's burying his chances. *There's no secret to Crosby's incredible backhand: He uses a straight stick, and works on his backhand like an obsessed lunatic. It's amazing that more players don't follow Crosby's lead. But velocity equals masculinity, so bent blades are the order of the day. *The Penguins occasionally display a persecution complex the Steelers would envy. But sometimes, they get a break. The whistle should have blown before Letang's OT winner in Montreal. The puck was frozen. The Canadiens were right to go nuts. Quel dommage.

Sens GM warns Crosby, Pens Murray sounds off after superstar, coach defend elbow to Foligno's head By Bruce Garrioch ,Ottawa Sun Bryan Murray fired back at Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins Sunday. The Senators GM warned the Penguins superstar and coach Dan Bylsma they might want to watch out the next time the teams face off on Dec. 16 at Scotiabank Place because it could get rough. Murray sounded off after Bylsma and Crosby, speaking in Montreal Saturday night, defended his actions in elbowing winger Nick Foligno to the head Friday in Pittsburgh. The rules are very clear now, said Murray. If you fall into a goaltender and touch a goaltender, an elbow to the head and a butt end to the head is fair game. Dan Bylsma said thats OK for them. Sidney said Nick Foligno is that kind of player. I wish (Foligno) was that kind of player. I thought the referees in that game, watching it and hearing the comments, it was 2-on-2. He fell over the goaltender. He was cross-checked four times. There was no question, did he get pushed? I dont know. He got cross-checked, I thought he got a butt end, but it might have been a full elbow. (Chris) Kunitz comes in with a crosscheck and the penalties were even. So, (NHL disciplinarian Brendan) Shanahan said thats a good play. Thats a hockey play. Dan Bylsma said its good for them and Pittsburgh were the biggest ones on the head injuries. Im remiss. I made a mistake. We didnt have (Chris) Neil and (Matt) Carkner play in the game. We didnt have enough toughness, so when we play Pittsburgh thats something you can bring up to me again. Bylsma told Pittsburgh reporters he didnt like Folignos actions and claimed he was trying to take out Marc-Andre Fleury with the Senators trailing by four goals. Were talking about a player that bumped into our goalie three times, Bylsma said. With the score 5-1 and intentionally going into our goalie, he can expect more than Sidney Crosby coming at him and talking to him during the game. Thats how we feel about those situations. He was in our net falling over our goalie, and I dont think there was any question about the intent.

Crosby, who received a minor for elbowing Foligno in the head, responded after beating the Habs. I dont (know) what hes talking about. I was preaching about the hits like (Max Paciorettys hit on Kris Letang (Saturday), not a scrum, said Crosby when asked about Folignos comments after the game Saturday in Montreal. I dont know what he expects after he runs a goalie three times. Hes probably lucky it was me that was handling it and not someone else. I think if hes going to do that, he should be ready to expect a response. Crosby claimed Foligno was trying to make a big deal out of nothing. I think hes blowing it totally out of proportion, said Crosby. Two nights before that I go into a scrum and I get punched in the head. I accept that. Im going into a scrum thats part of playing the game.

Del Zotto stands out in Rangers surge Last Updated: 8:55 AM, November 28, 2011 Larry Brooks Theres nothing easier than picking out the flaws of a NHL team you see every day, and, in this case, nothing easier than pointing out what the Rangers dont do. But of all the things the Rangers do not do, chief among them is that they simply do not allow goals. In going 12-5-3, the Rangers have recorded an NHL-leading 2.05 GAA in surrendering a sum of 41 goals and only 29 at even strength as they prepare for tomorrow nights Garden showdown against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins. Again: 29 goals at even strength in 20 games. Marc Who?

No, of course, the Rangers miss Marc Staal, but the job theyve done without their No. 1 defensemen is all but remarkable. The goaltending has been at a supreme level with Henrik Lundqvist off to the best start of his career you can count the number of questionable goals on one or two fingers and Martin Biron as reliable an understudy as there is in the league. But that was expected. It was not, however, expected that a defense corps operating without Staal, who emerged last season as a towering presence, would become as effective as it has been thus far, hiccups acknowledged. For the most part, they keep it simple by putting the puck in safe areas, making short passes and taking care to support one another and the puck without drifting. Yes, the backchecking forwards help, but thats universal. Its more than Dan Girardi picking up the baton and taking it to an All-Star plateau, which is exactly what he has done in his partners absence. There is the continued maturation and development at both ends of the ice of Ryan McDonagh and Michael Sauer, both of whom, it is nearly impossible to believe, are in their respective second big-league seasons with a combined 154 games of NHL experience. (By the way, if justice is served when the NHL goes to Sochi for the 2014 Olympics as it must, Canada will have a defense pair of Staal and Girardi while the U.S. has a defense pair of McDonagh and Sauer.) Theres the effectiveness of the third pair consisting of Steve Eminger and Jeff Woywitka, who despite limitations have been on the ice as a tandem for only three goals against. But perhaps as gratifying, maybe as surprising, as any development is the bounce-back firstquarter from Michael Del Zotto following last years humbling sophomore season. At 21, still just 21, Del Zotto is re-emerging. He is reminding everyone of the high ceiling that exists in his game. But in addition to that, he has avoided going through the floor while reestablishing a foundation for a long NHL career. Theres been a sense of stability and toughness to Del Zottos game as he has been paired for the most part with Sauer. Indeed, that pair has been on the ice for just four goals against all season while generally matched against the oppositions second line. Im back to where I wanted to be, but by no means am I satisfied or willing to settle, Del Zotto said. Ive already learned how things can change in a hurry by letting things slip even a little, so Im aware every day of putting in my work and doing whatever is necessary to improve.

I appreciate every day. Just as everyone can appreciate what the Rangers do not do.