Up next: Patrick Lalime, Tim Connolly and the Buffalo Sabres
by FrankD on Mar 2, 2010 11:15 AM EST
in 2009-10 game previews
21 comments
Well, well, well. If it isn't regular season hockey, back for it's valiant return to close out the 2010 season. For some teams currently sitting in playoff contention, the next month and a half plays out more like a marathon than a sprint. Sure, the schedule is packed, but the regularity of wins and most importantly consistent hockey can keep any team in the Top 8 (ok, maybe more like the Top 4) in playoff contention.
For others though, mainly teams landing right around the bubble of playoff contention, this is the sprint portion of the race.
Safe to say, Buffalo and Pittsburgh are two teams currently in marathon mode. While each sit just a point off from the lead in their respective division, this is potentially where the competition for home ice advantage begins. Consistent hockey will keep them where they are but phenomenal hockey can really make the difference. And if there's one thing that's been proven over the years, you'd much rather head into the playoffs winning. No team, for sake of home ice or morale, wants to back into the playoffs.
Following his outstanding performance in the Olympics, Ryan Miller will receive a much-needed rest on the bench tonight. When you also consider how poorly he's played against the Penguins this season (eight goals allowed over two games, one of which included an early dismissal in favor of Patrick Lalime), it would seem like the logical decision for head coach Lindy Ruff to go with former Pen Lalime instead.
There's something really strange about continuing the season again from this point. Under normal circumstances we'd just be coming out of the all-star break, bored to tears by the over-marketing of the league's best in a game of shinny played in front of some random fan base in some random city somewhere in North America. But this time around it almost feels like we're coming out of two weeks of playoff hockey and now we're returning to a toned-down version of competition. Obviously this isn't the case, and I'll likely think otherwise once the puck drops tonight and definitely one month from now when playoff hockey begins, but for the time being I guess I'm just anxious to see the season start again.
By the way, any thoughts on how the fans will react whenCrosby returns to the ice at Mellon? Think the team will do anything special for his gold medal? Oh yeah, and uh, Marc-Andre Fleury too.
0 recs |
21 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
It almost feels like opening night all-over again.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
the break definitely seemed longer that it was… and I’m excited (again) to watch some Penguins hockey
You have to see it for yourself...
I am ready to get back to normal
I just hope that the Olympic “break” did Geno some good and he is not in a funk about not winning a medal or poor performance. He looked like he was having fun out there
FYI – Seth from EmptyNetters just tweeted that Brent Johnson will get the start tonight.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
Physically MAF is fine, but mentally he probably could use the break as he gets back into the swing of things.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
yeah I figured. He also apparently had issues getting to practice today with traffic and stuff.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
Hello all!
Thought i’d introduce myself with my first post!
Can’t wait for the penguins to get going again!
heh you jumped right in, no worries. But welcome. Always happy to see new faces around here.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
I’m so thrilled to have the Pens back in action, but really bummed that I won’t be there tonight. If they are going to do something special to recognize Sid’s (and MAF’s) gold medals, can’t they wait until this weekend?
It’s probably better if they don’t make too much of it. I don’t want Geno and Sarge to feel any worse than they already do.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Mar 2, 2010 2:49 PM EST reply actions
I think you have to acknowledge it, just as you’d have to do the same if Russia won gold and Canada/USA didn’t medal.
Especially since Ryan Miller, the tourney MVP and new USA sports hero will be in the house.
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
Yes, do a little thing over in the corner before Jeff Jimmerson/Sarah Marince sings the anthem, just don’t make it a big spectacle.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Mar 2, 2010 3:08 PM EST up reply actions
ESPN is killing the Sabres
for not starting Ryan Miller tonight. They have commentators from all fields chiding the NHL for not capitalizing on the gold-medal game momentum. From Todd McShay to Herm Edwards the overall ignorance of the NHL is on full display. Of course, the cynic in me believes that they would find a way to bury the league no matter what Lindy Ruff does tonight. ESPN sees this as a zero sum game. They have clearly demonstrated that trashing the NHL is just as important to their promote-our-property approach as praising the NBA. What I would like to know from them is exactly who is tuning out the game tonight because Miller sits? The game is only televised in the Pittsburgh and Buffalo markets and they will be watching anyway. Otherwise, one has to be a Center Ice subscriber (like myself) in order to see the game. Does it seem reasonable to suggest that Center Ice subscribers need the NHL product promoted to them?
John Buccigross, Matthew Barnaby, and (cough, cough) Barry Melrose excepted from the above polemic.
"Never mistake motion for action." - Ernest Hemingway
Yeah that is bizarre. No offense to Herman Edwards, but WTF does he know about hockey or Ryan Miller? If anyone from that tournament deserves a night off it’s Miller. Goalies don’t play 82 games anyways and Buffalo’s on the road, it’s not like they’re letting down any fans.
Commentators need to stay in their comfort zone if they dont know what in the world they’re talking about
Wayne Gretzky had it wrong: 100% of the shots Gary Roberts doesn't take DO go in.
These are the times that I am glad the NHL is not ESPN property. Between the sad state of the Denver Broncos during the football season and the lack of anything relevant to hockey, it is nice to have no reason whatsoever to tune into the 4-letter network for the majority of the year.
by PensAreYourDaddy on Mar 2, 2010 3:51 PM EST up reply actions
I have mixed feelings on the sudden surge (and likely temporary) of interest in hockey right now on ESPN. On one hand, it’s nice to see the sport getting a little love. On the other, every idiot sitting at that desk is now a certifiable expert on the subject.
Ryan Miller just played some ridiculous games. He was in another time zone for two weeks, just flew back Sunday night/Monday morning and is likely in no position to play against the Penguins. Plus, as I pointed out in the preview (and they simply ignored on ESPN), he hasn’t played well against the Pens this year. AND he’ll likely start tomorrow anyway.
So basically what I’m saying is ESPN can shove it and stop playing make believe on their hockey coverage.
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on PensBurgh
Related FanShots on PensBurgh
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Fantasy Hockey Philosophy: How Darryl Dobbs builds his teams
- Puck Headlines: Return of Nordiques news; ‘Goon' movie casting
- Fight Video: Jonah Coonishish-Coon says hello with his fists
- NHL 2010-11 Season Preview: Wrestling with Carolina Hurricanes
- An Internet-owned hockey team, for the price of a few beers?
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
