Blogs

The Penguins suffered a serious blow when center Jordan Staal, a finalist for the Selke Trophy as the NHL’s best defensive forward, left in the second period of Game 1.

The bloody dimple on his chin told the tale of why Sidney Crosby skated off the ice for an extended absence midway through the second period.

Bill Guerin scored an empty-net goal – his third of these playoffs and 39th of his postseason career – to give the Penguins a three-goal lead at 19:11 of the third period of Game 1.

Montreal cut its deficit to 5-3 on a power-play goal by Brian Gionta on a one-timer from the left circle at 12:29 of the third period.

The Penguins scored a power-play goal for the fourth time in as many opportunities – an unbelievable statistic.

The Penguins just announced in the press box that center Jordan Staal will not return for the third period of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinal against the Montreal Canadiens at Mellon Arena.

After going without a goal during the regular season, Craig Adams has two in seven playoff games.

Montreal’s leading goal-scorer in the playoffs, Mike Cammalleri, is a lot better at finding the net than the team bus.

Jordan Staal – who has never missed a game, let alone a shift in his career – took the brunt of a collision in the neutral zone during a penalty kill.

Montreal goaltender Jaroslav Halak became the toast of the NHL by stopping the NHL-leading Washington Capitals on 131 of their final 134 shots in the last three games of the first-round upset. Now, he’s got a new streak going.