Penguins Improve to 4-0 in Preseason
by FrankD on Sep 28, 2010 9:27 PM EDT
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PrintThree of Pittsburgh's four goals in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Blackhawks were scored by guys who are all fighting for roster spots. Dustin Jeffrey, Nick Johnson and Mark Letestu each notched one, while Evgeni Malkin merely flexed his scoring muscle early on in the first to put the Pens up 1-0.
Oddly enough all of the assists, with the exception of one, came on behalf of roster locks who may just be looking to get their skates wet while helping some of the younger guys along. Paul Martin dished out two helpers on the night while Craig Adams, Mike Comrie, Chris Kunitz, Mike Rupp, Max Talbot and Eric Tangradi each had one.
For a preseason game, this one was pretty tame. Then again, anything will pale in comparison to Saturday's game against the Blue Jackets in which 10 fighting majors were handed out. Or perhaps the better word is "earned."
Nevertheless, Pittsburgh improved to a perfect 4-0 preseason record with Tuesday's win and will now hit the road for the remaining two against Chicago on Friday and Detroit on Sunday.
And then, my friends, we return to work Monday only four days away from the start of the regular season.
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Well
I didn’t hear it and haven’t seen it yet. I have nothing of value to contribute, so I’ll just throw up this pic of Letestu scoring his first NHL goal. May we see many more this season.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 28, 2010 9:59 PM EDT reply actions
That’s a great photo.
When will the season finally start, you ask? Well, here's your (new and improved) answer.
Nash says Malkin's fist has "big taste."
by PensFan8725 on Sep 28, 2010 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions
What kind of line-up did Chicago have out there? Any of their big guys play tonight?
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 28, 2010 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Did I mention I was too lazy to check the boxscore? I see they played Kane but no Toews.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 28, 2010 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Any of their big guys play tonight?
Nope. Byfuglien plays for Atlanta now.
Leafs fan living large in the Pitt and pretending like the drought is over.
by PopRocks on Sep 28, 2010 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
wellp, this is rec’d.
GET BETTER SOON, STAALSY. WE MISS YOU.
by katielynn906 on Sep 28, 2010 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed. Is that Miller or Lalime in net?
by stoopidtom on Sep 29, 2010 12:35 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Miller…Sid scored a HT on him that night. It was a sign of things to come (the game took place about a month before the Olympics).
When will the season finally start, you ask? Well, here's your (new and improved) answer.
Nash says Malkin's fist has "big taste."
by PensFan8725 on Sep 29, 2010 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Really encouraged by these games. Last preseason you could tell in hindsight just what kinda year the Pens were in for. This year the Pens are kicking ass. Hopefully it means good things.
I agree. I think the most encouraging thing is that guys that struggled last year like Fleury, Malkin Goligoski have all had great preseasons. I can’t wait for the regular season.
by genomachine-O on Sep 28, 2010 10:51 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Fleury, Malkin Goligoskihave all had great preseasons
Fix’d it for ya.
Gogo has a had a pretty terrible preseason on D.
When will the season finally start, you ask? Well, here's your (new and improved) answer.
Nash says Malkin's fist has "big taste."
by PensFan8725 on Sep 28, 2010 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions
. I thought he played a great game tonight. His skating as excellent he was making good descisions with the puck, and his passing was great.
by genomachine-O on Sep 28, 2010 11:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Tonight being the key word.
In all the other games he’s played, he’s been pretty bad.
I still don’t know about tonight’s game, though. I’m about to watch it.
When will the season finally start, you ask? Well, here's your (new and improved) answer.
Nash says Malkin's fist has "big taste."
by PensFan8725 on Sep 28, 2010 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions
So, do you get FSN out there? Is that through DirecTV? I’m stuck DVRing the game from NHL Network at 2am and watching tomorrow.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 29, 2010 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m watching on a feed….
http://www.justin.tv/stsn#/w/425752544
password:fuckjtv
When will the season finally start, you ask? Well, here's your (new and improved) answer.
Nash says Malkin's fist has "big taste."
by PensFan8725 on Sep 29, 2010 12:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Thanks
That’s some password ;-) Reminds of the one time I went with a dirty password at work, and of course that had to be the time where there were some access issues and I had to give my password over the phone to the security guy….oh man, very embarrassing.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 29, 2010 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions
don’t give out that link to anyone else…
I realize I just did, but hey, you’re not so bad =]
When will the season finally start, you ask? Well, here's your (new and improved) answer.
Nash says Malkin's fist has "big taste."
by PensFan8725 on Sep 29, 2010 12:43 AM EDT up reply actions
You gave the link out to anyone who reads Pensburgh. We’re not all as nice as PAYD ;D
"Hockey captures the essence of Canadian experience... hockey is the chance of life, and an affirmation that despite the deathly chill of winter we are alive." - Stephen Leacock.
I wouldn’t of given it out to you. ;]
When will the season finally start, you ask? Well, here's your (new and improved) answer.
Nash says Malkin's fist has "big taste."
You know you love me and my huskies <3
"Hockey captures the essence of Canadian experience... hockey is the chance of life, and an affirmation that despite the deathly chill of winter we are alive." - Stephen Leacock.
I hate you and your huskies.
When will the season finally start, you ask? Well, here's your (new and improved) answer.
Nash says Malkin's fist has "big taste."
by PensFan8725 on Sep 29, 2010 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions
One great game and one bad with two assists. Out of two games. If Goligoski plays 41 great games and 41 bad games with 2 assists in each, I will be very happy with him!
Did you watch the bad game?
The horrible D he played completely overshadowed his two assists. Trust me, you don’t want him to play 41 games like he did against Columbus; he was that bad.
When will the season finally start, you ask? Well, here's your (new and improved) answer.
Nash says Malkin's fist has "big taste."
Bad games or not, 82 assists in a season is pretty crazy for a defenseman.. and that’s just his bad games.
He might have been bad, but he must also have done something right. Just remember, it’s very easy to notice the screw ups defensemen make, while overlooking the rest.
But no, I didn’t watch the game, so you could very well be right.
So you didn’t watch the game? We seriously would not be having this discussion if you had watched the whole game and not just looked at the stat sheet.
It won’t matter how many assists he has, if he plays the way he did against Columbus, we will lose 41 games. He was really, really bad.
Trust me, you do not want him playing that way on a consistent basis. I’m not really sure why you’re trying to argue that his assists make things all better. It’s like arguing that a band-aid will help an open stab wound.
When will the season finally start, you ask? Well, here's your (new and improved) answer.
Nash says Malkin's fist has "big taste."
by PensFan8725 on Sep 30, 2010 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ll take your word for it, instead of trying to use band-aid on a stab wound. Thanks for setting me straight =p
Having a defenseman win the Art Ross would have been pretty neat, but obviously not worth losing 41 games over.
I still thought he played very well in the last game against Chicago, though!
He was good against Chicago, but I wouldn’t say he’s had a great camp.
I’m still curious if you watched that game or not.
Gogo would have to have at least 12 goals to win the Ross with Sid and OV around, unless you count the goals he’d let the other team have. He’d most definitely win the Art Ross then.
When will the season finally start, you ask? Well, here's your (new and improved) answer.
Nash says Malkin's fist has "big taste."
I said earlier I didn’t watch the game, which is why I said I’d take your word for it..
As for the Art Ross, if GoGo got 82 points in the 41 games he played poorly, I could easily imagine him getting at least 30 points in the 41 games in which he played great.
I’ve no clue whether GoGo has had a good camp or not, video footage has been sorely lacking on my side of the pond. The only time I got to watch him (or anyone for that matter!) was against Chicago.
But he should only be facing the other teams’ 3rd and 4th line guys right, so will the impact be as bad as you say?
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 30, 2010 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
First of all, he’s going to get more time than the 6th defender, at least in the beginning.
If you let your guard down, like Gogo did, any legitimate NHL player will make you pay.
When will the season finally start, you ask? Well, here's your (new and improved) answer.
Nash says Malkin's fist has "big taste."
Well, everybody has been saying he has to try to fill Gonchar’s skates, right?
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 30, 2010 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Uhh no…not right.
When will the season finally start, you ask? Well, here's your (new and improved) answer.
Nash says Malkin's fist has "big taste."
haha…maybe he can start playing like the 26-year old Gonch instead of the 36-year old version.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 30, 2010 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe. But, from what I’ve been hearing that load is being placed on Tanger, Martin, and Gogo. Michalek might surprise us too.
When will the season finally start, you ask? Well, here's your (new and improved) answer.
Nash says Malkin's fist has "big taste."
Yeah, this didn’t come across as well as I’d have hoped, but, in this case, I meant “fill Gonchar’s skates” as in “play the defensively sloppy” hockey that Gonch was accused of playing last year.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 30, 2010 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh haha…then I guess he’s taken over that role…
When will the season finally start, you ask? Well, here's your (new and improved) answer.
Nash says Malkin's fist has "big taste."
I’m expecting Goligoski to play as the sophomore offensive defenseman that he is, which is to say I’m expecting him to play well offensively, but have some hickups on defense.
It seems people forget, that he didn’t join the big league as early as Tanger did. He may be older than Tanger, but he’s a LOT less experienced.
Go look at how Tanger played in his sophomore year, if you want to see defensive zone hickups. It takes a lot of time for defensemen to evolve to “mature”.
Boy there are a few very good roster battles heading into the final preseason games. To quote DB the other day how do u look a guy like Letestu in the eyes and tell him he hasn’t done everything he’s needed to do to make the team, when he has. The thing I worry about with him is what happens when Staal comes back. I don’t think Letestu would clear waivers if he didn’t have a spot when Staal returns.
The battle for 6 and 7 D is extremely interesting.
by genomachine-O on Sep 28, 2010 10:36 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
IMO Despres has been far better than Lovejoy, Engelland or anyone else. Is he ready for a full NHL season, idk. But he has been extremely impressive, and looks like he belongs in the NHL. To me Id say Engelland would be the guy before. Lovejoy, BL has not had a good preseason.
by genomachine-O on Sep 28, 2010 10:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
While I agree that Lovejoy needs to make an impression in order to stick with the club, surely his play last season will count for something. He was extremely solid, and has proven that he fits on an NHL roster. Engelland has been okay, but not good enough for me to think they’d pick him over the others looking for a spot (except possibly as a 7th d-man, but even then I’m not sure). Also, I think there are teams that would pick Lovejoy off waivers, but Engelland would probably get through. Regardless, I’d rather lose Engelland than Lovejoy.
Then again, I’ve only actually seen one pre-season game, so I can’t say much about how they’ve been performing.
Leafs fan living large in the Pitt and pretending like the drought is over.
Im not sure if either Engelland or Lovejoy would haveto clear waivers yet. Engelland brings physicality and toughness to the blueline that the pens r truely lacking. That’s y I have him ranked higher than lovejoy. DE was also solid during his time up last year.
by genomachine-O on Sep 28, 2010 10:56 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Lovejoy has not looked good in a game hey . He looked ok in the few practices I’ve seen, but not better than Engelland IMO. DB and RS always mention wanting to be tough to play against, and DE adds to that. Im not sure the same can be.said for Lovejoy at this point. Camps not over yet, I would imagine both of thewill be around for the weekend so its not over yet.
by genomachine-O on Sep 28, 2010 11:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Sub “hey” with “yet”…Im still getting used to typing on my droid.
by genomachine-O on Sep 28, 2010 11:03 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I checked the CBA recently, and yes, both Engelland and Lovejoy will have to clear waivers. Anyone who is 25 & over and played just one game in the NHL last season has to clear waivers this year.
So Engelland, Lovejoy, Letestu, Potter, Hutchinson, Sterling, Craig, Conner & Wagner (I think) all have to be waived if & when they’re sent down.
Leafs fan living large in the Pitt and pretending like the drought is over.
Gogo did have a pretty solid game in his role as a puck moving d-man.
Despres had a better game, imo. His instincts and positioning made it look like he was on top of every play. In the times he joined the rush, he was reset to play defense well before a play got behind him. I would like to see him on the PP unit with his skill set.
I agree Despres was the best defenseman on the ice last night. Saturdays game id say him and michalek
by genomachine-O on Sep 29, 2010 12:49 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Pre-season games are always a little weird in terms of how well they can predict things. Minor league goalies and defensemen can make all the difference in a game (for good or bad), and if there isn’t much competition, then guys might just not play as hard during the game. The advantage for the Pens right now is that they have a bunch of guys vying for roster spots. Plus they have Sid’s work ethic to lead the pack, and from everything I’ve heard, Geno has been attacking training camp like a mad man. Hopefully they manage to carry this energy into the regular season, ramp it up another notch, and keep it going for the long haul.
Leafs fan living large in the Pitt and pretending like the drought is over.
Wow… It looks like it’s going to be a tough decision. Based on the preseason, I would set up the lines like this:
Kunitz-Crosby-Dupuis
Tangradi-Comrie-Malkin
Cooke-Letestu-Asham
Rupp-Talbot-Kennedy
Replacements: Adams-Craig-Jeffrey
Letang-Orpik
Martin-Michalek
Goose-Despres
Engelland-Hutchinson
Fleury
Johnson
by stoopidtom on Sep 28, 2010 11:50 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
’cept you can only have 23 guys on your roster.
Which 2 would you get rid of? [we should also probably do the math to make sure you’re cap compliant, but let’s just say you are …]
And I take it you would toss Godard? (And Lovejoy … which I don’t like … but okay … ) Would you send Godard to WBS, or would you buy out his contract (can’t remember if that’s allowed at this time of year)?
Leafs fan living large in the Pitt and pretending like the drought is over.
Dump the goalies. Who needs em?
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Agreed. Our D is strong enough. Let’s just skate with the extra man.
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by PensAreYourDaddy on Sep 29, 2010 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions
I can see it now...
Game one: Zbynek Michalek blocks 43 shots in penguins 1-0 win over flyers, without a goaltender.
by stoopidtom on Sep 29, 2010 12:38 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
We would have to bring Rob Scuderi back then
Michalek blocking and Scuds would be in goal
That's right.
When will the season finally start, you ask? Well, here's your (new and improved) answer.
Nash says Malkin's fist has "big taste."
by PensFan8725 on Sep 29, 2010 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
toss Goddard down to WBS… we don’t need him. use adams as a replacement. Send Hutchinson down. Use despres for a few games, send him back to saint john. Use lovejoy as #7. I probably should have said that…
by stoopidtom on Sep 29, 2010 12:25 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
That still leaves you with 25 guys (got rid of Hutchinson, added Lovejoy …) — or 24 once you send Despres back to the Q. Unless by “Replacements” you mean guys you’d call up as replacements when there are injuries?
Leafs fan living large in the Pitt and pretending like the drought is over.
yea, I meant as injury callups.
by stoopidtom on Sep 29, 2010 12:39 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Ah. In that case …
I really don’t see Adams being sent down. Yes, he should try to score more than zero goals this season, but he’s a really good role player who is an important part of the PK. Plus, DB really likes him. I do think, though, that there will be a nice battle among the fourth line guys for playing time every night, and that will be good for the team.
Leafs fan living large in the Pitt and pretending like the drought is over.
With Staal out, we need Adams.
When will the season finally start, you ask? Well, here's your (new and improved) answer.
Nash says Malkin's fist has "big taste."
by PensFan8725 on Sep 29, 2010 12:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Like it or not Godard and Adams are both going to be on the team.
by genomachine-O on Sep 29, 2010 7:32 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Watching the tape delay. Man, does Depres look good. That curl and drag to evade the poke check was just stellar.
I know right. He just looks so calm out there. I’m so stoked for this kid. He’ll fit right into this club within 2 seasons.
When will the season finally start, you ask? Well, here's your (new and improved) answer.
Nash says Malkin's fist has "big taste."
i think this is the first time a lot of us has seen him strut his stuff for the Pens right?
Rookie tourney not withstanding…
Is it October yet?
Just so I never have to answer this again. I'm from Singapore so whenever you see me online, I'm either sleep deprived or just waking up.
I agree I thought Despres was the Pens best defenseman last night. He did not look out of place one bit. With the camp he’s had I don’t see how he doesn’t at least get his 9 games. He has been far better than anyone else fighting for that 6 and 7 spot.
by genomachine-O on Sep 29, 2010 7:37 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Nope. I watched him play the jackets at home over the weekend.
I’m having trouble deciding which game he looked better in. I think he was more noticable in the jackets game, but made smarter, more subtle plays in last nights game.
When will the season finally start, you ask? Well, here's your (new and improved) answer.
Nash says Malkin's fist has "big taste."
by PensFan8725 on Sep 29, 2010 1:15 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yea his poise and patience with the puck was impressive for a 19yr old. Sometimes young d look to get.rid of the puck as soon as they get it.
by genomachine-O on Sep 29, 2010 2:53 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
That was definitely not the case last night. He seemed very comfortable out there.
When will the season finally start, you ask? Well, here's your (new and improved) answer.
Nash says Malkin's fist has "big taste."
Can't wait to see the Pens disappointment this year
Your time is over, no scrambling over FA’s can save you now.
I can’t wait for this.
You really can’t talk because of this and, more importantly this.
Finally, you need to watch, and abide by, this.
When will the season finally start, you ask? Well, here's your (new and improved) answer.
Nash says Malkin's fist has "big taste."
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