Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Pens lose but get a point


Dan Bylsma's first game as head coach of the Pens didn't come with a completely different result than has been happening lately, but they at least gained a point. One point is better than nothing, right? We didn't think the Pens looked all that different for this game than their usual selves lately, but they didn't exactly get rolled over either. A few things seemed better and things COULD be looking up. But do we really need to say whether the ship has turned around after one game where the coach didn't even get a practice in or a morning skate? We realize everyone is frustrated with the Pens and then a major coaching change happens and everyone is all $@!#%& about everything, but after one game, people want answers. It's a little soon folks, sorry. We know the world seems to be all about instant gratification these days and no one wants to wait for anything, but this is a hockey team with real people and one game does not tell the story of a season. We have to be patient.

It may be true that the regular season will end and the Pens will not be appearing in the post-season, but the team has a bright future. How could a team with that much talent really continue to fail? Something obviously went wrong and it will be fixed. Besides, it wasn't all that long ago that the Pens were in the basement of the league, the reason they have players like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Marc-Andre Fleury. The Pens are spoiled with such talent and fans should be grateful. We just have to be patient. Sense a theme here?

Let's just all wait and see what interim head coach Dan Bylsma has to offer over the last 24 games of the season. We might see something we like.

By the way, the Pens lost to the Islanders 3-2 in a shootout. But you knew that.




A Malkin interview because they always cheer us up:




One last thing before we go. It's convenient that all the stories of Therrien not getting along with a lot of players are surfacing again. We're not saying they're not true, and they did consistently pop up from time to time, but now that he's been fired it's time to stir the pot again. Is this to get readers or because there is some truth to these stories? We may never know and it may not matter. Although in all reality, if they are true, that could mean a better future for this team if they can get the right mentality to go with all that talent. Patience...

2 comments:

Greg (Accessible Hunter) said...

I just hope they finish the best they can...

Faceoffs and First Downs said...

I agree Greg. I'm just glad there are still Pens fans out there that aren't swearing off the Pens. Fans stick with their team through thick and thin.

I also think watching Sid and Geno, especially Geno right now, is worth turning the game on.