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Thursday, April 3, 2008

Division Champs!

Despite numerous injuries to key players that threatened to derail their season, the Penguins clinched the Atlantic Division last night with a 4-2 win over the Flyers. Crosby and Fleury are getting back in the groove just in time for the playoffs after they both missed alot of time this spring. Crosby had 2 goals and an assist last night and Fleury did his part on the other end of the net stopping 27 shots as the Penguins won their 8th home game in a row while also clinching their first Division title in 10 years.

Evgeni Malkin added another goal and assist and was named team MVP after the game. Malkin has also made a serious case for himself as a Hart Trophy candidate. Although he has fallen behind Alexander Ovechkin in the scoring race, you can't overlook the way Malkin stepped up during Crosby's absence, especially when you consider that without Crosby, defenders were focusing alot more on Malkin. Plus, the Ovechkin-led Capitals have some work to do just to make the playoffs, while the Penguins can do no worse than the 2nd seed in the East. A win in their last game(against the Flyers again on Sunday) would guarantee the Pens at least a share of the top spot in the East(After going to wins, I have no idea how the NHL tiebreakers work, so we'll have to wait and see), while a Montreal loss would clinch the first seed for them.

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