Sid Crosby, Tomas Vakoun Lead The Penguins Past The Islanders

The Pittsburgh Penguins made a switch in goal before game 5 of their eastern conference quarterfinal match with the New York Islanders. It worked out. Now the question is will the islanders make a switch in their net for game 6?

Led by veteran netminder Tomas Vakoun, and a sweet goal by star Sid Crosby, the Penguins blanked the Isles 4-0 in Pittsburgh and now lead this best of 7 series 3 games to 2.

Vokoun got the start ahead of slumping Marc-Andre Fleury who had surrendered 14 goals in the previous 3 games. Vokoun stopped 31 shots in game 5. he looked ready to be had early when several times he looked behind him for pucks that stuck in his pads, but the isles couldn't maintain any offensive momentum. Instead it was the pens who gathered steam and then steamrolled the Islanders.

After a scoreless 1st period Pittsburgh struck 3 times in the 2nd period. The 1st 2 goals against Evgeni Nabakov were soft, the 2nd extremely soft as the puck bounced over him and behind him for a score by Douglas Murray, a seldom considered offensive threat. It was the 3rd goal by Sidney Crosby that really left you dazzled as he split the Isles defense, beat 3 guys, then beat Nabakov.

The Penguins added a 3rd period goal for good measure and the white wash, this 1 by defensemen Chris Latang.

For some reason Islanders coach Jack Capuano changed strategy, going from full out attack, to a trap form of "attack" called a left wing lock. they managed to get some early turnovers but Pittsburgh settled in and then made the Isles pay. Now the question is will the Isles coach change his goaltender? My money says he will not go to backup Kevin Poulin who finished up game 1 and game 5 for an ineffective Nabakov.

Game 6 is back on Long Island Saturday night at 7:00 P.M.