Up next: Scott Gomez, Jaroslav Halak and the Montreal Canadiens

by FrankD on Feb 6, 2010 7:00 AM EST in 2009-10 game previews Comment 24 comments

[SBN Habs blog - Habs Eyes on the Prize]

Record: 27-25-6 (6th in the East)

Scorers: Tomas Plekanec (14g, 41a), Scott Gomez (7g, 30a), Marc-Andre Bergeron (10g, 18a)

(Edit: for the Pens, Mark Letestu and Ben Wallace get the call. Thanks Hockey Beard in SLC)

Earlier this week, after the Canadiens discovered they would be without their second-leading scorer Mike Camalleri for six weeks with a knee injury, Scott Gomez remarked in the post-game that it was just "one of those years." Every fan base sees it: injuries pile up (as do losses), the team drops a few spots in the standings and memories of a healthy team seem like a distant memory.

Fact is, even in the face of injuries the Habs are still finding ways to win. Or at the least, slip away with a point. Thursday night in a shootout against the Boston Bruins, Jaroslav Halak stepped up big to secure the 3-2 shootout win. Two nights before that, it was a 3-2 win over Vancouver. Before that, a 3-2 OT loss to Ottawa that came THIS close to snapping the Sens' win streak.

Guess they're enjoying these 3-2 games lately. (By the way, what was the score last time Pittsburgh and Montreal met? 3-2, Pittsburgh.)

Yet despite their success in two straight, the Habs will have to call upon some reserves to step it up today against the Pens. Unless these two teams meet in the playoffs, this will officially be the last regular season match between them. Pittsburgh currently leads 3-0 and will look to sweep the series today.

Whether or not we'll see Halak or Carey Price in net is still up in the air as of right now. I'd suspect Halak will get the start, seeing as how Price is 0-for-2 in starts against the Pens this year and gave up two goals in one period of relief for Halak back on October 28. Not to mention Halak has been in net for the past three and may be the hot glove at the moment.

Also just a reminder, this is an afternoon game, 2:00 to be exact. So come by and join in on the thread.

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After watching Pens games (seemingly) every other night for the past two months, this 4 day break has felt like three weeks.

Let’s get this started!

Eaton for Mayor! (Not really. Just caught up with some of the Eaton hate from yesterday’s posts, which I don’t agree with at all).

by Link_Gaetz on Feb 6, 2010 8:56 AM EST reply actions

I don’t understand the Eaton bashing either. I don’t think it’s a coincidence he’s a plus 9 this year which is the best among the pens D men

by Randy F on Feb 6, 2010 10:55 AM EST up reply actions

This really was a long break without a Pens’ game. Hard to find a lot of other reason to cheer for during another week at the office, so no matter the starting hour I’m glad we have two games this weekend.

And about Mark “Unspectacular” Eaton… yes he’s a +9 player among a group of Dmen that averages around +3, but he’s doing very little to attract attention on a positive note – no scoring, no big hits, not so many blocked shots… so he’s mentioned only when “failing to clear the front of the net” and “makes a giveaway” and it’s difficult to have a lot of love for such a player. I always try to convince myself to appreciate his contribution, but if I have to be honest I won’t have a lot of trouble if the Pens let him walk in the summer…

You have to see it for yourself...

by Bla Razor on Feb 6, 2010 12:37 PM EST up reply actions

In my opinion Eaton’s been one of the most steady and reliable D-men during his tenure here. Also before he got those 2 big injuries, he was on the top unit with Gonchar and was a big reason for the D’s improvement. Don’t underestimate his contribution.

by ipenguin67 on Feb 6, 2010 1:21 PM EST up reply actions

I agree.

by Link_Gaetz on Feb 6, 2010 1:24 PM EST up reply actions

Good luck today. The rested Caps await tomorrow.

by Moonage Daydream on Feb 6, 2010 9:30 AM EST reply actions

At 12:00 no less. On Super Bowl Sunday. Questionable programming?

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Feb 6, 2010 9:33 AM EST up reply actions

I would rather watch the 95 Devils play the 2003 Wild than watch the Super Bowl.

Maybe.

by Link_Gaetz on Feb 6, 2010 9:57 AM EST up reply actions

So I guess Caps-Pens blows the SB out of the water? For me too, though I’d like to catch the last few mins if nothing else, especially since Caps-Pens is regular season.

Ovechkin = Green Backs

by red army line on Feb 6, 2010 10:19 AM EST up reply actions

It’s just that every year, I become less and less of a football fan. I like real football (soccer) better than the NFL now. The whole NFL/Football player mentality drives me insane. But we won’t get into that on a hockey blog.

by Link_Gaetz on Feb 6, 2010 10:53 AM EST up reply actions

^^ This

I have been having a slow, subtle transition to hockey since 1990. It was easy to watch both football and hockey, religiously, in my teens and twenties. Now that I am a little longer in the tooth, I watch hockey almost exclusively. The culture of hockey coincides more with my personal opinions of things than football ever will again.

I like real football (soccer) better than the NFL now.

Other than Mike Silver on Yahoo (awesome writer, questionable politics) I have read more on UEFA and the 2010 WC than any sport but hockey for the past year. I am starting to think it is a flowing sport vs. a static sport mentality. Even when I do watch football, I find myself flipping the channel between plays. (A.D.D.?)

by Ulf Murphy on Feb 6, 2010 11:19 AM EST up reply actions

Me too. Hockey’s breaks are so short and infrequent compared to other sports that I can’t even watch basketball, let alone football. Unless I’m eating something or doing homework or reading Pensburgh or something. Then it’s bearable.

Ovechkin = Green Backs

by red army line on Feb 6, 2010 12:27 PM EST up reply actions

I think it’s the flowing sport thing, too. I hate when people say something along the lines of “You watch hockey (or soccer)? They are so boring!”

I always want to say “That’s because you’re a meathead who can’t pay attention and you need those 10 seconds spurt of action, and then the 3 minute break in between to high-five your boys wearing flat-brimmed hats.”

But I don’t.

by Link_Gaetz on Feb 6, 2010 1:26 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

It’s almost like how people criticize people for their choice in food. I’ve been known to experiment with some really cardboard-like health food, but when people criticize me or ask “How can you eat that?” I just remind them they don’t have to do it so why bother me for it? Kinda the same with people who ask me, “How can you watch hockey?!” I didn’t ask you to do it so stop criticizing me or trying to figure out why I like it. I just do.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Feb 6, 2010 2:05 PM EST up reply actions

Unless I’m eating something or doing homework or reading Pensburgh or ~~something~~. Japer’s

Fixed. and you are the enemy starting at 5 today and ending at 3:30 tomorrow!! :)

by Ulf Murphy on Feb 6, 2010 2:19 PM EST up reply actions

Moonage Daydream? Bowie fan? White Stripes fan?

by Link_Gaetz on Feb 6, 2010 9:58 AM EST up reply actions

Yes to both

by Moonage Daydream on Feb 6, 2010 10:03 AM EST up reply actions

Nice. I am still a big Stripes fan, but I used to be borderline obsessive. Everything they did from 1998-2004 was just unbelievable. Love the early recording of their Moonage Daydream cover.

by Link_Gaetz on Feb 6, 2010 10:10 AM EST up reply actions