The [pre]season begins today

by FrankD on Sep 21, 2011 7:18 AM EDT

Happy day to you Penguins fans and loyal Pensburgh readers. For those who labored through the somber summer with us, to those who have read for a few years now and hey, to the newcomers who may very well be reading this as their first Pensburgh post, welcome to the official start of hockey season.

A lot can be said of preseason play, but few can argue with one true fact: from the second those guys hit the ice tonight, the switch is officially flipped from "offseason" to "hockey season."

Tonight, as the Penguins play host to the Red Wings, we'll all have a chance to see a few new faces amidst the crowd of returning veterans. Simon Despres, Joe Morrow and Scott Harrington may only play a game or two during this preseason, but now's a great opportunity to catch an early glimpse of what the front office saw in them in their respective draft years. Watch now, and soon you can say, "Yeah, I was a fan back when he wore (insert obscure number that he probably won't wear again) during the 2011-12 preseason." It's kind of like saying you liked a band when they were underground - before they got all popular and sold out to a record label.

Keep your eyes out for a roster that will likely hit the Penguins' site today a few hours before game time. I wouldn't expect many veterans will be in line to play, but there's always a few that look to hit the ice for at least five minutes or so in an effort to stretch out the legs. If I had to guess, I'd say Kris Letang and Jordan Staal may be two of those guys. Not sure yet if the Pens are looking to rush Evgeni Malkin in there just yet, but knowing what we know about his offseason work ethic, he probably wants the game to start the second he wakes up. If he sleeps at all.

Tonight's game is available on Root Sports in the Western PA area and on the US version of NHL Network. If you'd like we can shake off the dust from the open threads and get one rolling tonight.

Update: (Line combos courtesy of Staalkineal):

Kunitz-Malkin-Neal
Dupuis-Park-Asham
Gibbons-Vitale-McDonald
Thompson-Craig-Walker

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Tonights line combos:

Kunitz-Malkin-Neal
Dupuis-Park-Asham
Gibbons-Vitale-McDonald
Thompson-Craig-Walker

Per Penguins Official Website.

by STAALKINEAL on Sep 21, 2011 11:12 AM EDT reply actions

I don’t really care for that lineup.

Only interested in how the Koon-Geno-Real Deal line works out and the performance of Thompson other than that YAWNNNN.

I wanna see Koon2, Beast Mode, Tangradi, and N.Johnson hopefully next game

by Geno McFleury on Sep 21, 2011 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m interested to see what the D pairings look like.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com, twitter and now on the official Pensburgh Facebook page

by FrankD on Sep 21, 2011 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Hopefully they put a veteran with a rookie aside from the #1 PP

Martin-Sneep
Morrow-Letang
Samuelsson-Niskanen

give or take

by Geno McFleury on Sep 21, 2011 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions

10:43 AM:
Pens practicing the power play on both ends of the ice.

First unit is: Malkin, Kunitz, Neal up top, Letang and Martin on the points.

Second unit is: Asham, McDonald, Dupuis up top, Niskanen and Letang on the points.

Looks like some decent powerplay lines.

by STAALKINEAL on Sep 21, 2011 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, the first one anyways. That first unit could very well be the PP1 on opening night if Crosby can’t play.

Pensburgh

"You come at the King, you best not miss."

by Hooks Orpik on Sep 21, 2011 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I wanna see Mcdonald and see if he can score at the NHL level. Anyone who pots 40 goals in any professional league is definately an asset.

by STAALKINEAL on Sep 21, 2011 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions

unless you don’t have enough speed to keep up in the NHL like Alexandre Giroux

by AronV on Sep 21, 2011 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Right.

And also, McDonald scored 42 goals last season, but the season before he scored 12 in 76 games. The season before that he scored 10 in 77. Did he just have one of those years with the right linemates, the right amount of ice-time and just get a ton of bounces?

I have no doubt he should make a good AHL regular, but the 1 year goal total alone doesn’t mean too much tonight.

Pensburgh

"You come at the King, you best not miss."

by Hooks Orpik on Sep 21, 2011 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions

This has been the longest summer EVER. So glad this day has finally come, can’t wait to see the boys in action. I am absolutely hockey staaaarved…

Enjoy and GO PENS!!!

Hometown Proud :)
"He loves hockey. He has soul." Mike Babcock about Sidney Crosby :)
Get better soon Sid...

by mummabear87 on Sep 21, 2011 11:45 AM EDT reply actions

Complete roster

Forwards
9 Pascal Dupuis
12 Richard Park
14 Chris Kunitz
18 James Neal
23 Ryan Craig
38 Colin McDonald
45 Arron Asham
46 Joe Vitale
56 Paul Thompson
57 Brian Gibbons
67 Geoff Walker
71 Evgeni Malkin

Defense
2 Matt Niskanen
7 Paul Martin
55 Philip Samuelsson
58 Kris Letang
59 Carl Sneep
70 Joseph Morrow

Pensburgh

"You come at the King, you best not miss."

by Hooks Orpik on Sep 21, 2011 12:32 PM EDT reply actions

HALLELUJAH!!!!

Been waiting for this since last June!!! I have worn my Pens T-shirts all summer long. ..(with an occasional Penn State one)….Looking forward to spending 82+ nights here at the computer listening to Mike and Phil with an occasional trip to the TV set for the Versus games….

BUT I NEED SOME PENSBURGH FRIENDS SUGGESTIONS: What would you suggest as a Hockey Dinner?? Did Pizzas for the two Finals seasons including the CUP but 110 pizzas a season tends to add too much the body!!! Any ideas? After all, many of us are superstitious, and I do not want to feel guilty for any losses!!!! : )

LETS GO PENS!!!!!!

“Hockey is Life; the rest is details!!!”

by JUKEBOXHERO on Sep 21, 2011 1:43 PM EDT reply actions

What would you suggest as a Hockey Dinner??

Chicken parm.

Ohhh you mean to watch a game.

Pensburgh

"You come at the King, you best not miss."

by Hooks Orpik on Sep 21, 2011 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions

We like wraps when it’s warmer and chili when it’s cooler. Sandwiches can be both quick and healthy. Hummus is a real favorite of ours, because it can be changed a lot with seasonings and paired with all kinds of cut-up vegetables, crackers, and breads. (A child who comes to my house to watch the Penguins fairly often was surprised they didn’t have hummus at Nassau Coliseum!) Other Mediterranean spreads, like tzatziki, tabbouleh, and baba ganoush, are also good.

"This would have been a goal if it went in."--Paul Steigerwald, 2/10/11

Cocktails with the Penguins

On Twitter like everyone else.

by GreenEyedLilo on Sep 21, 2011 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Love the caption to the picture, hope they can bring it back this year.

by OhioPen on Sep 21, 2011 4:17 PM EDT reply actions

HOOKS....

LOVE IT!!! :)

“Hockey is Life; the rest is details!”

by JUKEBOXHERO on Sep 21, 2011 4:46 PM EDT reply actions

GREENEYEDLILO....

….sounds like a great idea!!! I can get hummus in about four different flavors, and with Pita bread and some cut up veggies (broccoli, cauliflower and the like) WOULD make for a healthy and quick dinner, since I usually get home just before or just after game time. My late wife was Greek, so I enjoy a lot of their and the Mediterranean foods…(think I can top it off with some Baklava and call it low fat???) : )

“Hockey is Life; the rest is details!!!”

by JUKEBOXHERO on Sep 21, 2011 4:54 PM EDT reply actions

Happy to help. I love cooking and mixing drinks (that’s what the “Cocktails with the Penguins” thing is about.) We had hummus and baba ganoush tonight!

"This would have been a goal if it went in."--Paul Steigerwald, 2/10/11

Cocktails with the Penguins

On Twitter like everyone else.

by GreenEyedLilo on Sep 21, 2011 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions

SOUNDS GOOD TO ME....

….But shopping day is Sunday, so I will adapt until then. Tonight was brats with all the fixins (esp the Heinz stuff). Am following it up with cinnamon smoothies…The rest of the week may have to be hot dogs and fish all with french fries…Got to go with comfort foods every so often and hit the exercise a little harder!!!

THANKS AGAIN!!!!

“Hockey is life; the rest is details!!”

by JUKEBOXHERO on Sep 21, 2011 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions