John Toperzer: Game Night: Pens look to tame Panthers Tuesday Sidney Crosby stepped up with two goals and an assist Sunday in first game post-Malkin

They better come out strong tonight and not give the Panthers any life. Something tells me this game will be like going to the dentist - a tight game with painful moments.

They better come out strong tonight and not give the Panthers any life. Something tells me this game will be like going to the dentist - a tight game with painful moments.
- Oneonta Penguin

Yeah. We'll need a couple dirty goals and work in front of the net. Markstrom was really good for a season debut.

I'm amazed by Theodore's record against the Pens: 20-5-3-1. ..and he'll get the nod tonight.

First off wow Theodore. That is an amazing record vs any team let a lone a team that has been very good for the past 5 or 6 seasons. Second do you guys think someone fights Gudbranson tonight? No problems with the play just like a hey if you hit our stars you have to stand up.

First off wow Theodore. That is an amazing record vs any team let a lone a team that has been very good for the past 5 or 6 seasons. Second do you guys think someone fights Gudbranson tonight? No problems with the play just like a hey if you hit our stars you have to stand up.
- dbell646

dbell, if we were the Senators I'd say yes but I think it's unlikely.

dbell, if we were the Senators I'd say yes but I think it's unlikely.
- Orpik44

I think someone will go with him. I know Sens fans have been on here trolling a lot but I think any team fights cooke next meeting after that. Though I do know it was an accident but it's Matt Cooke and if he's not on your team you consider him a dirty piece of poop. I personally love Cooke but unfortunately that's the reputation he has. You could be right though on the fight tonight.

Hopefully, if there is a fight, it won't come when the Pens are up 3-0 and dominating the game, a la Joe Vitale. No problem with fighting. Just thought Vitale picked a poor time to oblige Hall on Sunday.

I think someone will go with him. I know Sens fans have been on here trolling a lot but I think any team fights cooke next meeting after that. Though I do know it was an accident but it's Matt Cooke and if he's not on your team you consider him a dirty piece of poop. I personally love Cooke but unfortunately that's the reputation he has. You could be right though on the fight tonight.
- dbell646

I know what you mean...and I really like Cookie's game as well. I'd roll with him on this lineup as long as he accepts a contract under his true value. He just reminds me one of the Detroit Red Wings role player (Drapper, Holmstrom, Kozlov). He just fits in nicely with our organization and should be around forever.

Hopefully, if there is a fight, it won't come when the Pens are up 3-0 and dominating the game, a la Joe Vitale. No problem with fighting. Just thought Vitale picked a poor time to oblige Hall on Sunday.
- Tiogadog

I guess the Tampa players were trying to pick a fight with him. Vitale was too comfortable, hitting everyone. It was a good hockey fight. If we could have avoid it, better for us

I guess the Tampa players were trying to pick a fight with him. Vitale was too comfortable, hitting everyone. It was a good hockey fight. If we could have avoid it, better for us
- Orpik44

Well Joe got into it with Lecalvier and had some big hits he had to answer for. One thing was evident the kid can scrap. Shouldn't have swung momentum given that it was the end of the period and they had intermission right after.

Does the Eaton signing confuse anyone else? Who is the odd D-man out? Engo? Weird move.

Does the Eaton signing confuse anyone else? Who is the odd D-man out? Engo? Weird move.
- nbartley9

Is it like a two-way deal?Maybe we are moving someone. I called Engo as well since he has good value around the league. I guess we'll need Niskanen around.

Edit: Engelland in a deal for Clutterbuck?

Is it like a two-way deal?Maybe we are moving someone. I called Engo as well since he has good value around the league. I guess we'll need Niskanen around.

Edit: Engelland on a deal for Clutterbuck?
- Orpik44

Pretty sure he is injured, and it would take a lot more then Engelland

Pretty sure he is injured, and it would take a lot more then Engelland
- kfinl170

I have no doubt about that.

Well Joe got into it with Lecalvier and had some big hits he had to answer for. One thing was evident the kid can scrap. Shouldn't have swung momentum given that it was the end of the period and they had intermission right after.
- dbell646

It may not have swung momentum... maybe it was just the dreaded second period or the way this team plays with a multiple goal lead. Oh well

I do like the fact that our 4th liners can scrap and contribute. To me that is more preferable than a Colton Orr or Eric Goddard type. That said, might not be a bad idea to have a heavy weight for the next Ottawa game.

Does the Eaton signing confuse anyone else? Who is the odd D-man out? Engo? Weird move.
- nbartley9

I was thinking that Eaton could end up back at WBS, but it almost sounds like Despres could be the odd man out, since he doesn't need waivers. Not sure I buy that, but often times contract situations and salary dictate roster moves.

That leaves Bortuzzo as #6 with Eaton as #7, and Despres on I-80 coming back and forth for injury call-ups.

Or maybe when healthy, they just carry 8 d-men, and someone rots in the press box with Boychuk?

I'm amazed by Theodore's record against the Pens: 20-5-3-1. ..and he'll get the nod tonight.
- Orpik44

He's always been strong against the Pens, no matter who he has been with.

I don't have the stats to look it up, but it seems like historically, the Pens have often had problems with right hand catching goalies.

Any word on Malkin? I guess being on IR means he'll be out for a few weeks.....Pens will be making some moves sooner than later now.

Any word on Malkin? I guess being on IR means he'll be out for a few weeks.....Pens will be making some moves sooner than later now.
- sammy87

IR only means that he is out for at least 7 days, so in theory he could play on Saturday.

I don't think Malkin's injury will affect any potential deals that the Pens do, unless his condition goes sideways for a long while.

IR only means that he is out for at least 7 days, so in theory he could play on Saturday.

I don't think Malkin's injury will affect any potential deals that the Pens do, unless his condition goes sideways for a long while.
- rival22

I hoped to see Kovalev-Malkin-Neal together but never happened. Now Kovalev is looking like an old fart.

I agree about the potential deals not being affected. Malkin should be ready in a few days (we said the same about Crosby)

IR only means that he is out for at least 7 days, so in theory he could play on Saturday.

I don't think Malkin's injury will affect any potential deals that the Pens do, unless his condition goes sideways for a long while.
- rival22

Yeah, IR can be pretty short term. Allows them to fill the roster space with a call-up if need be. They can make it retro active to even shorten the time-frame. I know Geno didn't make the road trip, so he'll at least miss the next 3.

GO PENS! Let's play more than 30 mins tonight.

Yeah, IR can be pretty short term. Allows them to fill the roster space with a call-up if need be. They can make it retro active to even shorten the time-frame. I know Geno didn't make the road trip, so he'll at least miss the next 3.

GO PENS! Let's play more than 30 mins tonight.
- madmike71

Odds are you'll be disappointed. On the other hand we seem to play a more complete game away from home.

Does the Eaton signing confuse anyone else? Who is the odd D-man out? Engo? Weird move.
- nbartley9

I don't think Eaton will be an everyday starter. I think you will see him get thrown into the mix along with Engo and Bortuzzo similar to what we saw with Ben Lovejoy last season.

Going to the game tonight! Excited because I haven't seen the pens in about a year and a half, and I've never been to the BBT center. I'm hoping the Panthers continue to struggle at home

Read this slowly..

Bryz is just as good as Price and Quick.
- KGBflyers10