The Penguin

Sydney Crosby is not playing in tonight's game due to a reported groin strain. The Islanders don't get a shot for at least the first 7 minutes. Bruno Gervais gets stripped up of the puck twice in the defensive zone on one play. The Islanders successfully defended the one power play that they gave Pittsburgh on the Holding penalty taken by Dean McAmmond at 2:24. After one period, there is no score and Pittsburgh is out shooting the Islanders 8-6. The Islanders came out on their heals but picked it up in the second half of the period.

Josh Bailey gets a great chance at 0:53 of the second period. Fleury denies him. Isles are applying a lot of pressure in the first three minutes. Trend reverses and now Pittsburgh is dominating. Sean Bergenheim breaks out but can't get a shot off at about 5:00. Hooking on Bruno Gervais at 5:28. Bergy breaks out again at the end of penalty, but misses the net. Nevertheless, nice PK by the Isles. Holy postshot Batman at 7:32 by Radek Martinek. Jack Hillen is impressing at both ends of the ice. Hall Gil takes a hooking penalty at 11:59, but the Islanders do nothing. Ruslan Fedotenko takes a high sticking penalty at 15:36. Islanders get no shots. Pretty unremarkable play for the rest of the period. Pittsburgh is out shooting the Islanders 18-17 after two periods.

Play is sloppy at the start of the third period, but there have been chances for Pittsburgh. Eric Godard takes a penalty at 3:30. Play stops at after some mass pressure on Fluery. Brendan Witt plays forward again on the PP. Isles again no shots on the PP. Nice shot by Tim Jackman on a 3 on 2 at 7:47. Good pressure by the Isles during the eight minute. That shot definitely hit the cross bar. No way that is a goal at 9:56. Original on ice call is upheld, no goal. Tambellini takes a hooking penalty at 11:00. Still no score with 49 seconds left in the penalty. Yann Danis is rocking and to prove it a lil G'n'R come on the PA system at the Igloo. Great lead by Geno and the Penguins almost score. Danis gets lucky here and help from McAmmond. Bergy gets a good chance around 16:15 but is harassed and gets a weak shot. After a bad clearing attempt by Brendan Witt, the writing is on the wall and Petr Sykora scores to make it 1-0 Penguins at 17:32. The Isles do pull Danis and there is some offensive pressure by Pittsburgh but the game ends 1-0. I'm done.