Pens win home opener

The Penguins beat the Ducks 5 - 4 last night. It was an exciting game. The goals were coming in bunches. They definitely looked better than they did against the Canes, but not quite in mid-season form yet.

A few observations:

• Hate to talk trash on the refs, but the officiating was not good last night.
• Georges Laraque has really shown up so far. Working hard, flashing some skill. We approve.
• Darryl Sydor has been less than impressive so far.
• Mark Eaton was unstoppable.
  
• MAF: 4 goals on 23 shots? Isn't someone trying to earn a big contract this season?
• That said, he was hung out to dry by Gonchar on the Ducks shorthanded goal.
• Colby Armstrong's goal was awesome.

3 Stars

1. Petr Sykora
2. Colby Armstrong
3. Chris Kunitz
   

Pens fall to Canes in season opener

Eric Staal scored two first period goals in the Carolina Hurricanes' 4 - 1 decision over then Pens. Mark Recchi scored the only goal for the Pens on a power play late in the third.

The Pens didn't look great out there last night, but that's not to take away from Carolina's defense and Cam Ward's unbelievable play. They were all over the loose pucks the Pens were leaving all over the ice, creating turnovers on our multitude of bad passes, blocking shots and smothering Crosby and Malkin every time they went over the boards.

The Ducks fell to 1 - 3 last night with a 4 - 0 shellacking by the Columbus Blue Jackets (you know, the "We're the only team in the NHL to never make the playoffs" Columbus Blue Jackets). Something tells me they won't be happy when they roll in to the Igloo tonight. Let's hope for a better showing from the Pens for the home opener.