Pens lose game 7

Usually when you experience something twice it's easier the second time. The Pens lost in a game 7 at home last year to the Montreal Canadians in the 2nd round of the playoffs. It sucked. This year the Pens lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning at home in a game 7, in the first round of the playoffs......It still sucks.

It sucks that the Pens powerplay went 1-35 for the series.
It sucks that James Neal and Alexie Kovalev didn't make those trades look any better.
It sucks that Marc-Andre Fleury gave a winning performance in a losing effort.
It sucks that the Pens couldn't score one goal on Dwayne Roloson.
It sucks that the Lightning blocked a million shots in the series.
It sucks that the Pens didn't have Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin.
It sucks that Eric Tangradi didn't dress.
It sucks that Dan Bylsma benched Alexei Kovalev in the 4
It sucks that the Pens were up 3-1 and lost the series.
All of these things suck.

How fitting was it that the Pens eneded the series and their season failing to score on the power play?
Almost makes me believe in fate.

Getting shotout at home in a game 7 is embarrassing. Almost as embarrassing as blowing a 3-1 series lead, and almost as embarasing as losing 8-2 at home in game 5.

What I didn't like

There was a lot that I didn't like from last nights game. Of course the power play, which got booed, was awful. Not a real surprise.

I didn't like the fact the Pens couldn't muster a breakaway or any odd man breaks. No 2-1's.
Even though the Pens registered 36 shots on goal, Roloson still had one of the easiest 36 save shutouts you'll ever see. Pens didn't generate any real scoring chances. Fleury only made 21 saves, but half of them were legit scoring chances, including a handful of highlight reel saves.

The only goal that Fleury allowed was not his fault. He had no chance at preventing Lightning left wing Sean Bergenheim from scoring into an open net. Bergenheim, positioned to the left of Fleury, was free for an open shot after the Penguins paid too much attention to center Dominic Moore from behind the cage.

Bergenheim, by the way, scored as many goals in this series (three) as arguably the Penguins' three top wingers — Alex Kovalev, Chris Kunitz and James Neal.That's ridiculous.

I didn't like that Alexei Kovalev got benched. I understand the frustration with him but he's still one of the Pens best threats to score. He at least should have been out there for the final power play.

Even tough Bylsma was probably the best coach in the NHL during the regular season, he coached a horrible series against Tampa Bay. He never found a way to improve the power play and I didn't like the fact that he didn't dress Eric Tangradi over Chris Connor. Bylsma got out coached by Guy Boucher of the Lightning. Bylsma is the Pens goat.

I also have to wonder what might have been if the Pens would have had a healthy Crosby and Malkin, along with Jeffery and Matt Cooke.

The Penguins really missed without them was a forward capable of backing off opposing defensemen upon entry into the neutral and defensive zones. Also, obviously, guaranteed production.

They missed having a forward that could take over the game and put the offense on his shoulders. 

Crosby and Malkin have played 62 postseason games together. They have averaged .952 goals and 2.5 points in those contests.

Still a good season

Now I'm really proud of the Pens season considering all that happened. Sidney Crosby getting the worst concussion in pro sports history and missing the final 41 games of the regular season. Evgeni Malkin might as well of not even played this season at all. Jordan Staal missing the first half of the season.

Yet with all of that, the Pens still managed to finish with 106 points, second-highest in club history and in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

Dan Bylsma should have been the coach of the year in the NHL. Hands down. 

Marc-Andre Fleury had a Vezina type season, making the All-star team and being named team MVP. 

Kris Letang had a huge season, also making the All-Star team, and being in the Norris Trophy talk for most of the year. 

Tyler Kennedy proved his critics wrong scoring 21 goals and totalling 45 points. Who saw that coming? 

A lot of the young guys looked good and should give Pens fans even more to be happy about in the future. 

Marc Letestu, Eric Tangradi, and Dustin Jeffery. 

And who can forget Sidney Crosby's 25 game point streak? Had Crosby not gotten hurt he would have ran away with the scoring title. 

Win or lose, if you're a Pens fan or a fan of any team, you should never boo them or over criticize them. We all want our favorite teams to win. That's why you're a fan. Some of us or more passionate then others. But win or lose, enjoy the ride, enjoy your team, enjoy the memories. If you're a Pens fan be a Pens fan.