Pens 4, Stars 3 (SO); There's a first time for everything...

Yup, that is a correct score.

For the 1st time ever at home, the Dallas Stars lost a shootout, going down 4-3 to the Pens.

MAF stoned Zubov, Jokinen and Ribiero during the shootout, while the most reliable Penguin on the shootout, Erik Christensen, scored again on his attempt, and that was all the Pens needed.

To be quite honest, I'm in a state of shock.

The best shootout team in the NHL, against one of the worst ??

What was that saying about the sun shining on a dog's ass ?? Well, let's not go that far, but this was a great two points to get.

Pretty physical game, some good checks on both sides of the ice. That former Capital punk-ass Jeff Halpern and Sid were sparring quite a bit early in the game.

And congrats to the old man Mark Recchi, who got two more goals tonight for #500 for his career. Class act, and a great role model for the youngsters, some of which are young enough to be his sons.

What a pleasant surprise, and sure to be a great confidence boost to the young Pens, who have to get right back on the plane and head west once again to take on Phoenix tomorrow night.

The Confluence's Blurbs from the Burgh

• You have to forgive the Buccos for continuing to be absolute giddy after the announcement of the LaRoche trade. I'll admit it, I was pretty damn excited myself. But let's not kid ourselves; This trade simply makes the Bucs a closer bet to finish .500 or better, and that's about it. At the very best scenario, it may give the Bucs an outside shot at a wild card spot. Come on people, after 14 years of futility, let's not get carried away.
• Seems that as soon as the 'Burgh press started mentioning the renewed possibility of signing Trot Nixon, the Indians signed him. Coincidence ??
• Speaking of coincidence, isn't it a small MLB when immediately after the LaRoche trade was announced, the Braves signed Craig Wilson. Decent signing for the Braves, I just hope they realize he hasn't hit a curve ball since his wiffleball days.
• Bucs also signed Shawn Chacon to a ridiculous 1 year, 3.825 million dollar contract today. Ya know, I knew when I joined the Navy in '83 at the age of 19 I was going into the wrong line of business. I wish I would've known how much they were looking for left-handed junk pitchers, 'cause I would have stuck with it.
• Still no news from Steelers HQ after the Round 2 interviews of Tomlin and Grimm. Who knows, maybe the Steelers will be waiting until after Ron Rivera and the Bears are eliminated (which I really hope is Sunday). As I told my buddy Pojo Risin the other day, something seems fishy to me about Grimm. Russ has had several interviews over the last few years, and not only hasn't he gotten a head coach job, he hasn't gotten a 2nd interview yet. That isn't adding up to me, and makes me think that maybe Grimm isn't the #1 choice. I could very well be wrong, we'll see.
• Looks like new Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt will grab Steelers special teams coach Kevin Spencer. Two words; Good Riddance.
• How about that Michael Vick. What an idiot. Enough said.
• I've read a lot of the comments concerning the Pens inability to win shootouts. There's one common theme I agree with, especially thinking back to the Pens' recent shootouts; Get the Puck up. Really seems like the Pens shooters are deking the goalies well enough that the goalies must sprawl, but the shots are simply not high enough. Take a look at Christensen's goals, top shelf. Remember Malkin's successful shootout goal; deke, then roof it. Even Sid's jock drop on Theodore last year; deke, then backhand top shelf.
• Shero poo-poo'd the trade rumors for Malone going to the Rangers recently. I'm not buying it just yet. I agree with some of the other bloggers recently who say that Malone was propped on the 1st line to boost his trade value, and even that the trade rumors may have been put out there on purpose as a motivation tool, although I feel that eventually he's going to pull the trigger on the deal.
• I was probably a little harsh on MAF last night, trust me it was only 'cause I was pissed off. MAF stood on his French-Canadian head last night.
• I continue to love that 2nd line of Staal/Malkin/Ouellet.
• Part of me wants to see Petrovicky given more of a shot. It's not like Ruutu is really doing anything recently.
• The Pens not cashing in on that 5 on 3 for 1:50 last night absolutely lost them the game. Once again, they're way too reliant on Gonchar on the PP.
• More negotiations last night on the new arena deal between the Governor, city officials, and the Pens. More progress, but no new deal just yet. Getting some impatient fans out there, but everyone needs to realize, there's dozens of details that need to be negotiated, one by one. The deal's gonna get done, just be patient.
• And when the deal's done, I'm gonna be firing off some emails to some "experts" who were so sure the Pens were gone. I can't wait for that.

Thrashers 4, Pens 3 (SO); We'll take the one point..

It certainly didn't look good for most of the game.

Hitting posts left and right.

Goals coming courtesy of Jocelyn Rebound.

Looked like it just wasn't in the cards.

But give them credit, the Pens got a couple of garbage goals in the 3rd period, the last one coming with 15 seconds left it the game by Sid, and got a point out of the 4-3 shootout loss.

Speaking of the shootout, I know I'm sounding like a broken record (showing my age), but the Pens in the shootout is just getting depressing.

Is it just me, or do the opposing players appear to put the puck in the net with so much ease, while the Pens have a helluva time just getting the puck to the goalie.

That vaunted Penguins powerplay was 0 for 7. Something needs to be done, they have too many weapons to be that poor on the power play.

The Pens are off now until the 26th, when they're at New Jersey.

I'll be back home in PA next week, including 5 rows from the ice on the 29th against the Leafs.