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More photos » by Erik S. Lesser - AP

Just to clarify from the preview, before the puck even dropped we discovered that former Pen Johan Hedberg would be starting in net for ATL.

I don't want to jinx anything, but the Penguins PP might be on its way back. Not perfect yet, but definitely improving. Coming into tonight's game the Pens scored a PP goal in two-straight games. Eight minutes into this one they'd extend that to three-straight when Martin Skoula let one go from the point to put the Pens in front with the early 1-0 lead.
Honorable mention on that goal: Chris Bourque picked up his third assist as a Penguin. Can't confirm it, but the pass may have been a shot that horribly missed the mark. Jay Kayyyyy
Former Pen Colby Armstrong looked ready to play early on when he led a 2-on-1 rush in on Fleury. Gonchar showed he's more than just a PP specialist, making a great slide/dive to shut Army down.
The Pens PK got put to the test around the nine-minute mark in the first. Great work by Max and co., especially when Max led a rush back the other way that just nearly missed putting the Pens up 2-0.
Announcer fail: Bob Errey makes reference to Atlanta's "sellout crowd." Judging by the look of the broadcast, you'd have a better chance counting the occupied seats than you would the empty ones.

After the jump: Pens get a penalty shot, Kovalchuk fights

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Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Atlanta Thrashers [Open Thread]

by Lavender on Nov 21, 2009 7:00 PM EST in Game Open Threads Comment 198 comments

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS vs. ATLANTA THRASHERS

IN ATLANTA @ 7:00pm ET

RADIO FEED ON WXDX.com

THRASHERS BLOG: BIRD WATCHERS ANONYMOUS

A part of me feels like a genius for thinking Rich Peverley was going to do well after he left my Milwaukee Admirals. Still, that's nothing compared to how the man who said this team would start off as hot as it did feels.

Cheers, and Let's Go Pens!

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Let's take a look at the Atlanta Thrashers

by FrankD on Nov 21, 2009 11:15 AM EST in 2009-10 game previews Comment 4 comments

More photos » by John Bazemore - AP

Ondrej Pavelec has stepped up big time in the wake of Kari Lehtonen's never-ending injuries. Lehtonen's return may still keep him out with a bruised ego.

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[SBN Atlanta Thrashers blog - Bird Watcher's Anonymous]

Last season the Penguins swept the Atlanta Thrashers in all four regular season meetings, outscoring them by a combined 18-8. This season it may not be as easy, especially when you consider Atlanta is playing with a healthy Ilya Kovalchuk and a stellar netminder who goes by the name of Ondrej Pavelec. More on him later.

But first, Kovalchuk. He's beast. He's dangerous. He plays with a ridiculous level of intensity. But did you really need me to tell you that? Since returning to the lineup, after missing nearly a month with a broken foot, it would appear as if the guy hasn't missed a beat.

Here are his numbers since returning (in just four games played):

	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
2009 - Ilya Kovalchuk	4	7	11	5	0

And here's where he stands on the season:

	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
2009 - Ilya Kovalchuk	13	8	21	4	8

Look at that assist total. It's scary to think seven of his eight assists this season came in just four games - his last four played since returning from injury. Is it possible this guy returned from injury better than before he went out? Perhaps, but I suppose that assessment leaves room to more or less conclude that he wasn't good before he left. That is, of course, not true.

On to Pavelec, who may be one of the better goaltenders to emerge from an injured roster in the very early part of this season. His 6-5-2 record indicates a winning percentage, just barely, but when you look at his other numbers (and the average of these numbers), the guy really works hard out there. Pavelec is averaging just about 32 saves per game over his last five appearances. And although he's giving up just about three goals per game during this same span, he is also managing to keep his team in it long enough to make a run at regaining the lead. Three games ago Pavelec recorded his first career shutout, a 7-0 beatdown of the LA Kings. Atlanta wound up victims of a shutout in the next game against Boston, and tonight look to pick up a win with Pavy in net.

With any luck Ruslan Fedotenko decides to not break his hand on Colby Armstrong's face again and the Pens leave this one free of pain, and hopefully with the 'W' as well. It's already a good sign that Brooks Orpik will return for this one.

Puck and thread drop at 7:00. Bring your A game.

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Brooks Orpik expects to play against Thrashers, Nate Guenin sent down

by FrankD on Nov 20, 2009 10:25 PM EST in 2009-10 injuries Comment 2 comments

More photos » by Nick Wass - AP

Orpik smash.

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Scratch another one off the shelf (or in the case of Pens Universe, remove a picture from the mantle). Brooks Orpik is expected to play against the Atlanta Thrashers, which I'm sure will send Hooks into a gitty fit as he takes this one in at Philips Arena.

As a result of Orpik's return, defenseman Nate Guenin was sent back down to WBS. Guenin played in two games for the Pens and picked up zero points, finishing only with a -2 rating.

For a team that has a lot of decisions to make on the blue line after this season, I have to say it's at least a benefit to see some of these younger guys filling in during this bout of injuries. Many of us can't catch WBS games anywhere, so to see them on the ice, no matter how short the stint may be, gives a decent reference point outside of just some preseason play.

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Penguins 5th in the league in man games lost to injury

I was curious where the Pens stood in this department but will also admit I was too depressingly unmotivated to do the work myself. Not to mention it likely would've changed and changed again by the time I actually pooled together all the information. So we turn to Mr. Mirtle. This is why he gets paid the big bucks.

1 day ago FrankD 7 comments 0 recs

Tales of the Tape: Ottawa Senators, Eric Godard vs. Chris Neil

by JDunman on Nov 20, 2009 8:10 AM EST in Fights Comment 2 comments

There's not much good to say about the Pen's game last night, but I'll do my best to try to raise the sagging spirits of the Pensburgh crowd. Would watching Eric Godard pound on Chris Neil make you feel better? Dry those eyes and take a look.

The fight started with Neil doing the increasingly popular move of grabbing the jersey and jabbing with the same hand, but Godard quickly got Neil's hand away from his face and came out swinging. Neil was switching hands, swinging with whatever he could get free, but Godard stayed dedicated to his right hand, and his right hand stayed dedicated to Neil's face. After blows back and forth with both players stopped and looked as if they were going to await the linesmen. Then Neil took the opportunity to take a cheap swing, and Godard answered with a direct shot to the face (or right in the button, if you're listening to the clip). At this point, Neil's face started bleeding, but he kept at it. The energy was sapped, though, and shortly the linesmen broke the two up.

What a bout from Godard. Neil came out with some quick jabs, but Godard just pounded his face over and over again. This is a solid win for Godard - just look at the blows he connected! By the end of the bout, Neil's left cheek was swollen and bloody, but that can be expected when one gets repeatedly punched in the face. Definitely a good fight - I just wish it had come in a better game.

Next up is Atlanta, who thus far have 9 fights this season (coincidentally, the same number Chris Neil has) - five of which coming from Eric Boulton. You may recall a memorable bout last season in which Ruslan Fedotenko broke his hand on Colby Armstrong's face. Let's hope any fights that we may see have similar results without the unfortunate effects.

(Thanks to GhostWalker40 for the video!)

Poll

Who won the fight?

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Sergei Gonchar and Max Talbot return but it's not enough, Senators smoke Pens 6-2

by FrankD on Nov 19, 2009 10:03 PM EST in Game Recaps Comment 6 comments

Check out Senators coverage over at Silver Seven

Hooks is out of the Pensburgh lineup for the next three to five days, so I'll be standing in for recap action tonight and Saturday. Following the Atlanta game, it is believe he'll be listed as day to day.

The awesomeness that is Lindon Slewidge rocked the anthems before the puck even dropped. The guy's got a set of pipes, that's for sure. Always great to see him during Ottawa games.

Pittsburgh's first goal was fast and pretty thanks to the long reach from Jordan Staal and a great set up on behalf of Pascal Dupuis from Sergei Gonchar. Definitely the sort of thing you wanna see your returning defenseman get involved in right off the bat. And hey, for all the times we've knocked Dupuis, that was one hell of a pass.
Unfortunately the highly anticipated return of Max Talbot was stalled by two minutes when he went to the box for tripping. No worries though, as the PK killed that one off with ease.
With roughly eight minutes to go in the first, Ottawa showed some serious puck control in the Pittsburgh zone. What felt like too long wound up being just that, as Matt Carkner got an angle on Marc-Andre Fleury and sent one home to tie it at one a piece. In 2006-07 Carkner played with the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Pens, so his ability to score against Pittsburgh should stand as no surprise to anyone. These things always happen.

The second period and depressing third after the jump

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Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Ottawa Senators [Open Thread]

by Lavender on Nov 19, 2009 7:30 PM EST in Game Open Threads Comment 181 comments

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS vs. OTTAWA SENATORS

IN OTTAWA @ 7:30pm ET

RADIO FEED ON WXDX.com

SENATORS BLOG: SILVER SEVEN

So, amidst the injuries, isn't great to get our QB of the PP back, and then Mr. Superstar? I'm interested to see how they take to the ice tonight, tentative out there or not, it's great to see both out there!

With the Penguins having a certain amount electricity jolted to the system when Geno returned, I got to believe this will only be a plus with that. This will be a lot of fun to watch, having them back to the mix.

Cheers, and Let's Go Pens!

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