Game Day #8: Penguins @ Wild

The Penguins take on Mikko Koivu and his crew tonight at 7:30 (EST).

After meeting the Wild this pre-season, we know what to expect from their team. The problem is, our squad is already substantially different. Geno is out, Kennedy is out, and Letang will be attending a disciplinary hearing instead of gearing up tonight.

Under these circumstances, it might not be so easy to look forward to tonight’s matchup as an easy win.

Game Notes:

• Mike Yeo, former coach of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pens is now the head coach of the Minnesota Wild. This gives the team an advantage in terms of knowing our players and our system. For you ROOT Sports watchers, this also means you will hear Steigy and Bob repeat this fact at least 1,500 times.
• What exactly is a “Wild”? I, personally, would like to know.
• I’ve got nothing else. We want to come back after last night’s loss. Let’s do this.

Where to Watch/Listen:

The puck drops at 7:30 (EST)

ROOT Sports (Pittsburgh), TSN2 (Canada), Versus, Penguins Radio (Online)

Game Day #7: Penguins @ Jets

Tonight, the Penguins take on the newly-christened Winnipeg Jets in Winnipeg, Manitoba! True, the team may be made up of the generally unsuccessful remains of the Atlanta Thrashers, but the wave of excitement the city is riding seems to be bringing out the hidden talent of many of Winnipeg’s players.

Game Notes:

• Tyler Kennedy will be missing tonight’s game due to “concussion-like symptoms” — unfortunately, TK is usually the guy that steps it up when others are out. Who will be out to prove himself tonight?
• We’re playing hockey in Winnipeg! When was the last time that happened?
• You’re not a bad person if you love Dustin Byfuglien. We do, too.
• Aaron Asham hails from Winnipeg. He’s pretty pumped to be back in his homeland. With the spotlight already on him after the Washington game, this could be a standout moment in his season!

Where to Watch/Listen:

The puck drops at 8:30

ROOT Sports (Pittsburgh), Penguins Radio (Online)

The C Word

Every time Pittsburgh hockey fans hear the word “concussion” our hearts drop. We thought with Sidney Crosby slowly making his come back, we would hear it less often. Wrong!

Unfortunately, we have to hear it again. Head Coach Dan Bylsma announced today that after sitting out practice this morning, Forward Tyler Kennedy has been experiencing concussion-like symptoms.

NOT ANOTHER PLAYER!

Apparently we have not been on the hockey gods good side recently. Kennedy joins Crosby, Malkin, Orpik and Jeffrey on the Pens who are currently injured.

Bylsma said it was not immediately known what is causing the symptoms, but said team doctors will evaluate him.

Well, with another man down, this gives some other players an opportunity to show what they got and hopefully not get hurt in the process.

Enough Already!

As a Penguins fan, I do not need you to remind me every other minute that Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are out. I know they are. I’ve known this for about 6 months now and nothing much has changed since then.We know that Sid and Geno are our star players, and when star players are out, it usually sucks for the team. But the Pittsburgh Penguins are not just Crosby and Malkin. We also have one of, if not the best, third line center in Jordan Staal (sure, he hasn’t been playing 3rd line recently, but it sounds better in the article). After returning from injury in January, Staal was given the heavy burden of carrying the team on his back in the absence of Crosby and Malkin. While many so-called fans criticized him for only scoring 11 goals, the team quickly came to his defense, saying that he had matured and was truly a leader in the locker room, earning that ‘A’ on his chest. With a full summer of training and training camp this time around, Staal is sure to lead the team until Crosby and Malkin return.

After a shaky start last season, goalie Marc-Andre Fleury quickly rose from the ashes and played one of his best seasons ever, earning him the team’s MVP title. Even though many wins were earned in shoot-outs, Fleury managed to keep the Penguins on a winning streak.

After only scoring one goal last season, James Neal seems to have finally found his footing. He currently leads the NHL in goals (5 games in, but whatever) and finally seems comfortable with the team.

There are a ton of other players on the team who are ridiculously talented, but are sadly in the shadow of the Two Big Stars. However, with the Two Big Stars out, they have a chance to shine. Hopefully, the media will finally back away and see that, even without the Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, the Penguins are a winning team and we can do it without them.

 

 

Game Day #6: Sabres @ Penguins

The Penguins host the Buffalo Sabres at Consol Energy Center tonight.

It’s pretty good to be a Sabres fan this year. The team is now under the management of Terry Pegula, and he seems to have brought a renewed vigor to the already exciting Buffalo fanbase.

The Sabres have been spending years building depth, and they can now boast an incredibly solid lineup, all backed by star goaltender Ryan Miller. Sheesh, we’re starting to sound like a Sabres blog, aren’t we? In fewer words, the Sabres are one to watch this year.

Game Notes:

• The Winter Classic jerseys–now the official alternate uniform–will be sported tonight. Important because they are beautiful, but also because we have yet to win a game while wearing them.
• There will be a fundraiser held at Consol to support an officer killed in the line of duty this week. From the Penguins’ website:

“Local police officers will hold a collection to benefit the family of fallen officer Derek Kotecki before the game.  Officer Kotecki, an 18-year police veteran, was killed Wednesday in the line of duty while attempting to apprehend a suspect.  He is survived by his wife and two young sons.”

• James Neal is currently leading the NHL in goals. Okay, now take a moment to go spaz; I’ll wait here…Back? Okay. Neal is gaining confidence and looks better with every shift. A matchup of Neal and Buffalo’s Thomas Vanek will be fun to watch!

Where to Watch/Listen:

ROOT Sports (Pittsburgh), Penguins Radio (Online), 105.9 (Pittsburgh Radio)

Asham vs. Beagle

Arron Asham fights Jay Beagle of the Washington Capitals. A very concerned-looking Tanger watches on.

No beautiful goal or spectacular save was the highlight of last night’s game against the Capitals. Rather, it was the fight between Arron Asham and Jay Beagle that had everyone talking.

Beagle, after roughing Kris Letang and knocking his helmet off, asked Arron Asham to dance. Watch the full fight here.

While some feel the fight and its aftermath are simply aspects of the game that should be expected, others felt they have no place in hockey. Asham did apologize for his gesture, calling it “classless,” but he explicitly stated he was not sorry for fighting.

Those are the facts, take ’em or leave ’em.

What we want to know is what you think! Sound off in the comments!

Classless or part of the game?

Game Day #5: Capitals @ Penguins

Look at Ovechkin...trying to charm us with his charity work. We'll show him we can build a house, too...OF PAIN!

Though we look forward to a match between Pittsburgh and Washington as an opportunity to see some great, rivalry-fueled hockey, tonight’s game isn’t about that. Rather, the Penguins and the Capitals, via the friendship of Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin, are teaming up to support families affected by the Lokomotiv tragedy this summer.

All players from both clubs will be wearing commemorative patches on their jerseys. The jerseys will then be auctioned off, with all proceeds going to Lokomotiv families.

Tonight isn’t about bone-crushing checks or trash talk. It’s about coming together as a hockey community to enjoy the game we love and support our friends in the KHL.

Where to Watch/Listen:

7:00 game time.

NHL Network (US), ROOT Sports (Pittsburgh), Penguins Radio (Online)

Crosby Cleared for Contact

Sidney Crosby--cleared for contact!

He’s back (almost)!

It was an early Christmas for Pens fans everywhere after hearing the news that Sidney Crosby has been cleared for contact this morning after being out with a concussion since January. Practicing with his teammates at the morning skate today before the game against the Caps, Crosby actually blended in with his teammates. Well, maybe not blended in as in skill, but blended in as in his uniform. This was the first time we have seen Crosby don the black helmet instead of the white non-contact lid.

The captain practiced with wingers Pascal Dupuis and Matt Cooke on the top line. He also spent some time working on the Pens top power play unit with Chris Kunitz, Kris Letang, Steve Sullivan, and Evgeni Malkin.

Although, there is not a specific timetable for when the captain will return, it is just comforting to know that he is taking steps to a comeback.

Plus, when is a better time to be cleared for contact than the morning before the Pens take on the Caps, right? Now, too bad David Steckel still isn’t with the Caps. I think Steve MacIntyre would have enjoyed being put on the ice the same time as him.

Anyway, the season is still early and it is important not to rush a recovery, especially a concussion, and the Pens recent play will probably not rush the comeback.

I think hockey fans across Pittsburgh have never been happier to see a black helmet than they were today.

Wednesday Links: 10/12/11 Edition

-Did you see yesterday’s Penguins Report? There was definitely some sort of office party happening because that thing was cray cray. We’d still love to be besties with those guys, though.

– Watch Kunitz and Dupuis play soccer kick-around before the Calgary game.

–The fans have spoken and the Penguins are making some changes this season… For the record, they completely ignored my plea to start a “Buy Todd Reirden a Toupee Fund”…

–A picture of TK looking especially Who-like.

-I’m sure you saw all of that hullaballoo about Ryan Kesler being featured in the Body Issue of ESPN magazine. Well, apparently Fleury was asked and declined…

–Rob Rossi loves Dan Bylsma and we do, too.

-Finally, we dug up Jagr’s Rookie Card…

We should have known there was something fishy about that guy…

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Have any fun links to share? Let us know!

Dan Bylsma is Flawless.

"Hello, I am Dan Bylsma and I am charming!"

What can I say? I just really like Dan Bylsma, okay?

Also, Tony Granato’s nose is more crooked than I thought, but he totally works it.

Go Pens.