Since the return from the Olympic break the Pens, with the toughest strength of schedule in the NHL and without the Capt’n for 11 of 12 games and Agent 101 for 5 of 12 games; have posted a 5 win 7 loss record. They captured 14 out of a possible 28 points and in doing so retained 2nd place in the Metro.

That is all very commendable and WE’re all proud of them. But they need to be better now. Crosby and Malkin both performed very well in the games they have played since returning. But they need to be even better now. Rusty, MoMantha, Karl’sSon, RikRak, LilBen and Yesvak along with STU and SheLuv have held the team together during this time… BUT NOW THEY ALL HAVE TO BE BETTER. MUCH BETTER!

I place FULL RESPONSIBILITY on Muse, Nelson, Stothers, Clune, Chiodo and Bonino to get this team across the finish line to make the playoffs and secure some home ice advantage. 1st place in the Metro is NOT out of the picture, however I’d settle for retaining 2nd place at this juncture. It starts this weekend.

WE have 14 games remaining on the regular season schedule and I’m not saying WE need to win them all, but WE need to win more than half of them. I’d be happy with 10-4 or 9-5 but no less than that will do. The Canes will be hard to catch without some serious help but WE really need to make sure that Comeblowus don’t catch us and be aware that the Islandterds aren’t out of the picture yet either.

I know it prawlly won’t happen but Muse needs to demote LeBooBoo to only 3rd line minutes and PK duty. He is killing us. Somehow, Muse must convey to these guys that TURNOVERS are not allowed. I watched the replay of that last game against Carolina and they were LUCKY to get one point out of it.

Skinner and Silovs are both playing well and it’s not fair to place any real blame on them for the skater’s inability to manage the puck. And they they have been really bad at it over the course of the last few games. DO BETTER.

5 of the next 7 games are at home and WE need to win most of them. Jets, Canes, Avs, Stars and Wings. All top ranked teams. Sens and Islanders are the two away matches in this “End of March” stand but they need to win those as well. It’s a BIG ask, but they can do it. WE all know they can do it. so, DO IT.

The first leg of our B2B Afternoon Weeekend matchup. My fingers are in my ears and I’m sining the Oscar Meyer Weiner song as loud as I can to not hear all the fekin whining aboot how bad WE are in afternoon, games. The Jets are, for all intents and purposes, out of playoff contention. WE need to pummel them.

I am sick to death of not beating this team. WE hammered them in December and lost two, one gola games to them this month already. I know they’re a good team…but they’re NOT THAT GOOD. WE need to show these AHO’s that there’s a new power in the Metro… US!

It sucks that our 4th line is messed up with Lizzot out of action for the next 4 weeks or so but WE’re getting Girard back so that’s something, I guess? Gawdam, why didn’t WE send LeTwang packin’ at the trade deadline for a real d-man? Guess WE gotta dance with who brung us. YeeeeeHaw!

LGP