Paul Martin

The New York Islanders were hosting a playoff game on Nassau Coliseum ice for the first time in six years in front of a sold out crowd that was salivating for the puck to finally drop. Unfortunately for the Isles, they fell to the Penguins in overtime by a score of 5-4 on a power play goal that came from forward Chris Kunitz just 8:44 into the extra frame.

Special teams would ultimately play the deciding factor in the game, as the Islanders penalty kill only went 2-5, surrendering two additional power play goals in the first period that allowed the Penguins to get into the hockey game.

The Isles came out of the gates with energy and intensity, racking up hits, shots and goals immediately. Within the first two minutes of the game, Matt Moulson would slam home a rebound after Kyle Okposo would get the first few initial chances. Lubomir Visnovsky would be credited with the second assist.

When a team finds success in the NHL on a consistent basis, it is very difficult for GM’s to tinker with said success in order to find greater success. It is the easiest explanation as to how the NHL has witnessed such playoff parity. In the modern cap era it has become even more difficult to place a team on the ice that has a continued shot at a championship. So with all of this in perspective, is it possible that we see a Stanley Cup champion this season that has also won the cup within the past five seasons?

It is the question that seemingly everyone in the NHL is waiting to see. With Pittsburgh and Chicago pushing the boundaries of greatness, the NHL might finally witness ...

It was Rival Night on NBC, and the Flyers and Penguins delivered.

Jakub Voracek's hat trick goal proved to be the game-winner in a wild 6-5 victory for the Flyers at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh. The game featured lead changes and blown leads,

The opening 10 minutes of the first period looked to be damning for the Flyers.

Playing completely flat-footed against a faster team almost spelled their early demise. Pittsburgh scored two quick goals, and possibly a third, jumping out to a 2-0 lead and 12-2 shot advantage.

(Pictured: Jakub Voracek celebrates with Braydon Coburn after scoring the winning goal late in the third. AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Opening the season with back to back games in consecutive days is a difficult task. The kicker would be taking on two division rivals poised at humiliating you in their respective home openers.

The Pittsburgh Penguins, however, were poised in their own right.

The Penguins would beat the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday and then follow up their performance with another victory against the New York Rangers on Sunday. Despite sloppy play and some new faces, Pittsburgh appears to be one of the more congealed teams early on. 

With a 3-1 victory on Saturday against Philadelphia, Pittsburgh exercised some early demons. Establishing the lead early on, Pittsburgh scored off o...