Pens play well during IUP spring break

A record of 3-1 over the past few games doesn't seem too bad.

While IUP was on spring break, the Penguins played four games. The first, a win against Boston, featured the goal scoring abilities of Dustin Jeffrey. The 600^th game for Matt Cooke went into overtime thanks to a late goal by Boston's David Krejci, his 10^th of the season. It was in the overtime that Jeffrey's unassisted wrist shot allowed the Pens to leave with a win.

Tuesday, March 8, left the Sabres feeling down, but James Neal and Zybnek Michalek had the joy of scoring their first goals as Penguins. The next game was not so kind to the team.

 The 3-0 loss to the Canadiens Saturday, March 12, would be redeemed the next day though when the Oilers came to town and left with a 5-1 loss. The Pens beat the Ottawa Senators Tuesday by the same score.

Upcoming games for Pittsburgh feature two sets of back-to-back games. Sunday the New York Rangers, Monday the Detroit Red Wings, Thursday the Philadelphia Flyers, and Friday the New Jersey Devils.

As of Wednesday, the Pens were three points out of first place in the division. Eleven more games before the playoffs begin for the Penguins. With the loss of both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin this can be called a surprise. Who would have guessed that Pittsburgh would continue to win and maintain their position in the standings?

Malkin is out. That's for sure. However, Crosby has taken the ice, though there is still no set return date for the superstar. Hopefully for the Penguins he will be healthy for the playoffs. Of the remaining 11 games, eight are against teams who, as of Wednesday, are in the playoff picture. If the Penguins can get past these teams without Crosby, imagine what the team will be like with its captain back.