after reward comes harm

The Pens worked so hard for what they got in this game, which was: nothing, as the long, slow death of God continues this season.
What's it worth? What was it for?
Pride. No points, just pride.
Onward.
LEAST REALITY
Versus keeps calling Pittsburgh "a big opponent." We should just try to cede Wilkes-Barre into the NHL because apparently they are a major offensive threat or something.
It is then reported that Sidney Crosby is "excited" about James Neal. It's then you realize that Sid isn't, in fact, dead.
The skies get gloomier and some badass snowstorm rolls its way into town:
it's basically on. we are trapped.
and Brian Strait is making his NHL debut since we dumped Gogo. all right.

LOUDEST MICROPHONES
Versus has some loud-ass microphones. Making a CEC with a lot of empty seats due to weather sound loud and excited. Chances are, the people who were there were also jacked out of their minds about the trade. Sterling and Staal make a perfect play on Neuvirth early, but he doesn't even give a fuck.

k.

Shortly before that, the Caps first shot came from Ovechkin trying to cherrypick up ice when Fleury totally owned him.

wooooooo.
As a fan, which play do you circle?
For what it's worth, we circled the Fleury play. We suck.

BEST WORD CHOICE
The Pens continue to work their asses off in ways that make you want to sob. Michalek has a shift that got you pregnant possibly three times over. If you were lucky.
The ensuing pile-up is described by some guy on Versus as "Greco-Roman." Sure.
Failing a picture of that, here's a great body shape by Mike Rupp:

Stunning lines.
Pens had unlimited chances but nothing happened. Should have seen this coming.
Greco fucking Roman.

When Letang plays his sac off and we still don't really get anything going on the PP, and the period ends with the shots 18-7 and nothing happening, we really should have seen this coming.

WORST PERIOD FOR WHICH THERE WILL NEVER BE REDEMPTION
Michalek has Period of Life right here, blocking centering passes and defending the everloving shit out of everyone.
Matt Bradley does something Matt-Bradley-ish to Matt Cooke and everyone cares.
Then there's some fight:

whatever.

Jordan Staal had a breakaway chance there, man.

absolutely not. Best moment of the period was when Engo hit the post. Pens lose whatever hopes they had when Ovechkin scores some ridiculous power play goal that was the exact opposite of everything that this game was about for the Pens. Ovechkin didn't work hard for the goal, he used his talent. Not a crime, but certainly a discrepancy.

Great focusing???? Some people suck at their DSLRs.

Fleury is possibly like:

rage. But then he's okay afterwards. Play continues. Towards the end, the officials put 0.9 seconds back on the clock so everyone can have an incredibly meaningful faceoff and then discuss its ramifications afterwards. To the locker room, despondent.

WHATEVER
After Pierre interviews Brooks Orpik, oblivious to the danger he was putting himself in, you probably do yourself the favor of muting Versus intermission report or whatever the fuck and getting down to business. Which is, probably thinking about the Neal trade.
You don't wake up from reverie until Talbot falls down on a breakaway chance. yeesh.

Bench was "emotional" all game according to Pierre. We like to think of it like this: the Pens, for 60 minutes of play, wanted nothing more than to show they weren't fucking useless, and to get a chance at a point.
The third period didn't bring that.
But it did bring a certain feeling.
We compete.


fighting for every inch.

Neuvirth is just one of those guys.
Pens lose,
1-0. Eat it.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
PRETTIEST EYES OF THE EVENING

Joe Vitale

ALTERNATIVE THREE STARS
1. Jordan Staal - if you don't know why, you already suck.
2. Zbynek Michalek - only remaining question is, will he pay child support for all the triplets?
3. Kris Letang - beast. Sharks on Wednesday apparently.
Start building a shrine to James Neal in your closet.
Go Pens.