Up next: Martin Brodeur, Zach Parise and the New Jersey Devils
by FrankD on Mar 17, 2010 1:45 PM EDT
in 2009-10 game previews
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Record: 41-24-3 (4th in East)
Scorers: Ilya Kovalchuk (36g, 34a), Zach Parise (32g, 36a), Travis Zajac (21g, 37a)
This is it. If the Penguins want to avoid being swept by the Devils this season then they have no choice but to show up for this game. Buckle down. Batten down the hatches. (Insert your own phrase here).
To say the Pens have struggled against NJ this season is a bit of an understatement. Actually, a lotta bit of an understatement. The Devils have outscored the Penguins17-3 over five games. Do the math, and you no doubt discover the Pens must've come up blank on at least two of those. You'd be right. Two consecutive games unfortunately. Yes, safe to say it has not been pretty.
Last week in NJ we witnessed what was easily one of the more aggressive meetings between the two teams. Legitimate or not, Craig Adams was sent off to the dressing room early after getting caught in a cross between a puck played with a high stick and/or icing. The refs' own confusion on the play may have very well led to his game misconduct, but at least the Pens were able to kill off the 5-minute major.
Matt Cooke drew Rob Niedermayer into a fight, his first in over three seasons. It's pretty obvious who the winner of the bout was, but I'd love to see Cooke draw him in again tonight.
The unfortunate outcome of Friday's meeting was, obviously, the loss. However, if you want to extract a positive from the game then at least focus on the fact that Pittsburgh managed to keep it close, heading into the third tied at one a piece. From there, of course, you know how it ended.
I'm not asking for a blowout. I'm not even asking for a shutout. I'm just asking for a win. But most importantly, above all, here's to hoping tonight's game is officiated a bit better than the last time around.
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Random Aesthetic Note
I am looking forward to the Christmas jerseys as well. I am also looking forward to the Pens winning a game against the devils tonight.
Please St. Patrick, grant this "Mick" his wish. Please one win over the Devils!!!
Slainte everyone!! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
The world is a dangerous place to live - not because of the people who are evil but because of the people who don't do anything about it. - Albert Einstein
I don't understand the anger over Adams
You draw blood on a guy, you get 5 minutes. You hit a guy after the whistle, and from behind, and a bit high, you probably deserve to get sent out.
I thought, that if anything was a fairly routine play. He even pulled up on the hit.
2 minute boarding at most, maybe throw in another 2 minutes for blood. But a major misconduct is a little excessive, IMO. Adams didn’t target Skoula or have any ill intent, it was a pretty routine play in hockey. It’d be great if no one ever hit near the boards but that’s not hockey.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
I think it was a combo of it being late, high and drawing blood. I don’t necessarily think it was deserving of a misconduct though. I think it was the NHL playing safe after the Cooke-Savard incident.
by Steve Lepore on Mar 17, 2010 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Just to clarify, it’s the blood that got him tossed. Once the ref decides it’s a major, any injury to face or head makes it an automatic game misconduct.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Mar 17, 2010 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Also, Paul Martin being back tonight marks the first time the Devils have been 100% healthy this season. How you guys aren’t 30 points ahead of us right now blows my mind after the injuries this season.
Guess you didn’t hear we played with one of our opening season roster of D for about two weeks in November and no more than 3 of 6 for about two months. (maybe exageratting a little, but that is how it felt)
The world is a dangerous place to live - not because of the people who are evil but because of the people who don't do anything about it. - Albert Einstein
When is any team really “100%” healthy? Don’t worry, it won’t last long.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Mar 17, 2010 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Anyway, and I'm rambling...
With the retro night, the fan fest, Martin returning, the chance to go 6-0 vs. you guys, all the stars out and everything else… the buzz for this game is as big for any regular season game in New Jersey since the Prudential Center opened, with the exception of Brodeur’s record-breaker. I’m really looking forward to it. I hope ya’ll are too. Good luck, and happy St. Patrick’s Day.
First game since Sunday, plus all the factors you mentioned….I can’t wait for this game!
by PensAreYourDaddy on Mar 17, 2010 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions
(Insert your own phrase here)
Show some desperation and play Katy-bar-the-door hockey.
"Never mistake motion for action." - Ernest Hemingway
WAH WAH DEVILS FANS
Im sick of hearing their fans boo everytime we crush their players with good bodychecks. Maybe they should watch a different sport where hitting isnt allowed
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