Ladies and Gentlemen, introducing your 1st place Pittsburgh Penguins

OK, OK, so it may only last a day or two.

This may only last until the Devils host Florida on Thursday night.

But dammit Pens fans, let's gloat while we have a chance, whatcha say ??

In another complete team effort, the Pens defeated the Devils 4-2 and overtook the Devils for 1st place in the Atlantic (I almost called it the Patrick) Division and because of that, 3rd place in the Eastern Conference.

And, as if that weren't enough, if anyone has happened to check out the various hockey websites and talk radio stations today, the talk of the NHL without a doubt is the absolutely SICK goal by Geno in the 3rd period against Brodeur.

I've watched it about 30 times since last night, and I'm still shaking my head. The moves against the D-men were outstanding enough, but it was pulling the puck back to the backhand and somehow getting it past Marty was the incredible part in my mind.

Also, I just have to keep mentioning this, the chemistry factor between Crosby and Malkin is just uncanny. The pass from Malkin to Crosby for the one-timer, the two-line pass from Crosby to Malkin for the aforementioned undressing of the Devils, it's getting to be a regular occurence, isn't it ??

But I would be remiss if I didn't give props as well to the 2nd line, who contributed 2 big goals as well. Staal didn't look out of place at all centering that 2nd line. The big decisions on Staal and Letang should be made sometime after the Philly game, and before the Pens head out West for their 3 game road trip. My guess, and it's no shocker, Staal stays, Letang goes home.

Good to see the Pens getting some love around the hockey world. It's not '91-'92 revisited just yet, but the Igloo is starting to get that electric atmosphere, at least it seems that way to me.