Penguins Recap. I know you care.

The last two months have been complete chaos in the world of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

I know most of you don't care, but it's been monopolizing my thoughts (as usual). So, here is a brief summary of what's been going on with my favorite team:

- After an impressive start to the season without him, the Penguins were eager to finally have Sidney Crosby back in the lineup on November 21. His glorious return resulted in a 5-0 trouncing of the Islanders and Crosby himself earned two goals and two assists.

- The team continued to prove why they had been chosen by many as early Cup favorites. However, after only eight games and an impressive 12 points, Sid's concussion symptoms returned. He hasn't played since, but did skate for the first time yesterday.

- To say that injuries have haunted this team would be a severe understatement. The Penguins are currently leading the NHL with the most man games lost to injury or illness. Between concussions, upper- and lower-body injuries, and suspensions, this team has been decimated for a couple months now. Particularly detrimental to the team has been the loss of defenseman Kris Letang after he suffered a concussion and a broken nose shortly before scoring the game-winning OT goal against the Montreal Canadiens.



Half of them are out. Ouch.

- Plagued by injuries, the Pens have struggled (big time) against the top teams in the league. Slowly, they started to creep down the standings as the number in the loss column grew. With more players suffering injuries, numerous players being called up from the AHL, and no word on Crosby or Letang, things have started to look pretty bleak. With a loss to the Washington Capitals on Wednesday, the Pens fell to 9th place in the Eastern Conference and out of the playoff picture for the first time this season.

- Then, yet another tragedy struck. Jordan Staal collided with former teammate Mike Rupp and suffered a knee injury that will keep him out of the lineup for 4-6 weeks.



- The Pens lost four straight games at home during a six-game losing streak that they finally snapped last night against Florida.

- During the losing streak, Pens' fans lost their minds. No other explanation for the in-fighting between fans. Some suggested that coach Dan Bylsma be fired. Others questioned Crosby's dedication to the team, called him "weak," and started rumors of his retirement. Then, a troubling article caused the fanbase to collectively vomit. According to the article, some of the Penguins themselves questioned Sidney Crosby's injury and held a meeting to decide on a temporary replacement captain. Mutiny in the locker room wreaked havoc on the fans.

- Yesterday, however, my team proved the media wrong. Every member of the team showed up to the morning skate with a 'C' on his jersey (Geno had a 'K' for the Russian word for 'captain') and explained in post-practice interviews that absolutely no one would take Sid's place as team captain. Not only did this poke fun at the media, but it showed the team's cohesive support for Sid...and, like I said, Sid finally skated on his own. Maybe, just maybe, things are finally looking up.

- The rosters for the NHL All-Star game were announced on Thursday and only one Penguin made the cut. My beloved GENO, with his team-leading 46 points (18 goals and 28 assists), will join the league's best in Ottawa at the end of the month. Although I'm extremely happy for Geno, I'm pretty salty that James Neal and Marc-Andre Fleury were snubbed. Horrible oversight.

...and since there was nowhere near enough Geno in this recap, here is a fight between two former slices of Man Meat, Malkin and Rick Nash.



You know how guys always seem to love girl-on-girl stuff? Evgeni Malkin fighting Rick Nash is my own personal girl-on-girl action.

Fasten your seatbelts, friends. The season is only halfway over.