I love games against the Ducks, its always fast paced, insane amounts of shots, and has potential to get a bit nasty. It has the makings of a playoff game every time; even if its the first game of the season. Getz is a monster, no way around that; the guy has the build of Lemieux and the skill set of a LeClair in his prime; the guy is hell on ice. He will take a toll on our D-men tonight, this is the first real look at what its going to be like in the playoffs; will speed and skill beat physicality and skill? We shall see...

We need to keep Perry out of MAF's face tonight (assuming that MAF gets the nod), Perry is the best garbage man in the league; the shots he can get off at ground zero are amazing. If I were the HCMJ I would try and get Cole on the ice as much as I can against Perry. Cole wont light you up flying down center ice but he sure as hell wont let you touch his goalie. Cole is going to be a lot of Pens fans favorite D-man by the end of the playoffs, the guy battles hard and we all love that.

Sid needs to net one tonight, either that or pot 2 or 3 assists. This is the kind of high intensity game that Sid needs to show up for. If he doesn't look effective tonight, something is bothering him; injury wise.

So tonight we find out who didn't like Despres, with Despres' hack and slash style it will become very evident very quickly.


F Sutter
- nbartley9

This is nice in theory, but which d-man of ours is capable of clearing the net now that our 2 most physical d-men are gone? Our current d is soft for the most part.

Beau Bennett is outperforming his role significantly.

We must be watching a different Beau Bennett, because the one that is on the pens rosters sucks. The dude has had like 2 or 3 decent games this year.
- joescullz

Well, he is. He hasn't been team band aid for a while now.

Performance wise he needs to be in the AHL. Give me Rust, Wilson or even Adams over him.

(frank) your corsi. Not even a peep about the game tonight. Does anyone remember the days where blogs were about the game etc. and not just corsi and fenwick?
- znagle

Those were the days...

This is nice in theory, but which d-man of ours is capable of clearing the net now that our 2 most physical d-men are gone? Our current d is soft for the most part.
- joescullz

Like I said, watch tonight; Cole. The guy is a tough SOB, and big. He can and will keep the net front clear.

Corsi Fenwick have become a source of secondary income to those that can't actually write about hockey. Its a major crutch for those who can't think the game themselves.
- Grinder47

Agree 100%!!! I skip over every graph and chart and there's pretty much no meat left after that. I liked the guy from last season much better.

At this point of the season let's compare all the charts and award the cup. We can do it in a conference room with a spread of dried out bake goods and luke warm watery coffee.

Johhny T wont be laughing when Downs slots in on that first line for 3 or 4 shifts.

Downie was fantastic in TB with Stamkos and Little St. Louie.
- nbartley9

I really don't understand why they don't utilize him in that role with regularity.

1.Bennett is? 2. these are bad things?
- Grinder47

Verdict is still out on Bennett... He shows some flashes, but we are all still waiting on him to live up to some of his potential.

Those are bad things when you are out on the ice with Crosby or Malkin. The idea is to keep them out of harms way, but if you stir stuff up, they have proven that they can't control themselves and will end up in the box as well.

Verdict is still out on Bennett... He shows some flashes, but we are all still waiting on him to live up to some of his potential.

Those are bad things when you are out on the ice with Crosby or Malkin. The idea is to keep them out of harms way, but if you stir stuff up, they have proven that they can't control themselves and will end up in the box as well.
- rival22

Bennett shows roller hockey hands sometimes that's about all the flash I have seen. I'd rather have Downie out there starting the chaos than us out there reacting to it.

Agree 100%!!! I skip over every graph and chart and there's pretty much no meat left after that. I liked the guy from last season much better.

At this point of the season let's compare all the charts and award the cup. We can do it in a conference room with a spread of dried out bake goods and luke warm watery coffee.
- scorpio333

The problem i think that exists with our fan base here is that we just want to read hockey blog in a more traditional way. Our designated blogger's style is obviously based on probability and statistics. Unfortunately only a few on here can accept that. While I'm sure most of us appreciate our blogger's work and effort, we probably would like to hear penguins/hockey news from a more traditionalist way of thinking.

Despres is going to end up killing one of our players tonight.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Yep. I can see him being physical and boarding one of our guys for sure. He's not only a good skater and big, he's also a pest. Be prepared to look at his grin after an altercation. That's why I miss a Barnaby on our team

The problem i think that exists with our fan base here is that we just want to read hockey blog in a more traditional way. Our designated blogger's style is obviously based on probability and statistics. Unfortunately only a few on here can accept that. While I'm sure most of us appreciate our blogger's work and effort, we probably would like to hear penguins/hockey news from a more traditionalist way of thinking.
- joescullz

I agree. Like I said earlier, #fancystats are fine in the blog, I do enjoy them but once that gets to the point that it is the only thing talked about in every blog then it's annoying. Not even a peep about the game tonight. Not even a Penguins head to Anaheim tongight comment. These are two of the top teams and it's always exciting hockey.

Yep. I can see him being physical and boarding one of our guys for sure. He's not only a good skater and big, he's also a pest. Be prepared to look at his grin after an altercation. That's why I miss a Barnaby on our team
- Barnaby36

It's gonna be interesting for sure. I wonder who steps up to him of he takes a hit? Downie obviously would, but it'll be interesting to see say, 58 14 or any of the guys who've played with him for years.

I just hope he gets walked time and time again tonight

Yep. I can see him being physical and boarding one of our guys for sure. He's not only a good skater and big, he's also a pest. Be prepared to look at his grin after an altercation. That's why I miss a Barnaby on our team
- Barnaby36

Maybe it'll be Scuderi... and then he will be out for the season... "Hey Scuds, (frank) you for making JR think you were more valuable to the Pens than I was"

I agree. Like I said earlier, #fancystats are fine in the blog, but once that gets to the point that it is the only thing talked about in every blog then it's annoying. Not even a peep about the game tonight. Not even a Penguins head to Anaheim tongight comment. These are two of the top teams and it's always exciting hockey.
- znagle

This conversation is going nowhere really. Lets appreciate what we have in RW's blog and ask for adjustments/give new ideas "privately". No need to bash the guy.

Maybe it'll be Scuderi... and then he will be out for the season... "Hey Scuds, (frank) you for making JR think you were more valuable to the Pens than I was"
- Guile

lol Since the deadline has passed I wish nothing but the best to Scuds tonight

Yep. I can see him being physical and boarding one of our guys for sure. He's not only a good skater and big, he's also a pest. Be prepared to look at his grin after an altercation. That's why I miss a Barnaby on our team
- Barnaby36

I hope Downie just ends him first shift. That would be awesome. We won't let Downie blossom into the maniacal beast hes capable of though so maybe just a slight knee on knee.

I'm excited for Despres tonight. I enjoy watching guys get some vindication against former teams. As long as he doesn't hurt anyone and we win

lol Since the deadline has passed I wish nothing but the best to Scuds tonight
- Barnaby36

I'm on the fence about a season ending injury to Scuds or not... moreso on... "will he just retire if it occurs or not". If retiring, then yeah... I'm a horrid person but want it. If no retiring, nope, keep him healthy.

It's gonna be interesting for sure. I wonder who steps up to him of he takes a hit? Downie obviously would, but it'll be interesting to see say, 58 14 or any of the guys who've played with him for years.

I just hope he gets walked time and time again tonight
- znagle

Sid and Geno will sure go hard against him but I doubt anyone would try to fight him. It would be cool if Lapierre did something FFS. I'd have so much more respect for him moving forward.

Yep. I can see him being physical and boarding one of our guys for sure. He's not only a good skater and big, he's also a pest. Be prepared to look at his grin after an altercation. That's why I miss a Barnaby on our team
- Barnaby36

You guys can have one used Zac Rinaldo for a signed Tom Barasso 5x7 and a bottle of Heinz ketchup.

I hope Downie just ends him first shift. That would be awesome. We won't let Downie blossom into the maniacal beast hes capable of though so maybe just a slight knee on knee.
- Grinder47

haha we are not in a position to lose Downie now. I hope he doesn't do anything stupid. I love Despres but f*k it. Drop him.

You guys can have one used Zac Rinaldo for a signed Tom Barasso 5x7 and a bottle of Heinz ketchup.
- jmatchett383

Take Scuderi and we have a deal

This conversation is going nowhere really. Lets appreciate what we have in RW's blog and ask for adjustments/give new ideas "privately". No need to bash the guy.
- Barnaby36

Not bashing him at all. Just stating his style of presentation vs the fan base's style of acceptance. I am very appreciative of his work and daily blog.

This conversation is going nowhere really. Lets appreciate what we have in RW's blog and ask for adjustments/give new ideas "privately". No need to bash the guy.
- Barnaby36

I'm not bashing him, I went back and edited to say I do enjoy the corsi etc in the blogs, but it's literally the only thing in the blogs for months. It's been masked with trade options, but now that that is gone, he will have to move away from the bottom 6 bashing at some point. Daily blogs bashing the bottom 6 with the same advancesd stat numbers and advances stat numbers from the night before gets old quick. We all know our bottom 6 is anchored by Sutter and that Lap hasn't been much of a factor besides some hits in limited numbers in his tenure here. I think in 2 weeks our team will be in a much better place once the new guys get fully acquainted.

Sid and Geno will sure go hard against him but I doubt anyone would try to fight him. It would be cool if Lapierre did something FFS. I'd have so much more respect for him moving forward.
- Barnaby36

Agreed on that. I don't think he'll fight anyone tonight at all. Despres will try his hardest tonight playing wise as a statement kind of game. Did anyone see Bortz last night? The play was over and he went out of his way to cross check a Flyer and layed him out, no penalty. He's still got Penguins blood