UP NEXT: ATLANTA THRASHERS
(10-6-2, 22 points)
In net tonight: Johan Hedberg
Storyline: With another starting D-man returning (Orpik), can the Pens shake these injuries and pull out a win?

Atlanta Thrashers webpage
PREVIEW (11/20/2009)

Atlanta Journal Constitution
Penguins more than measuring stick for Thrashers (11/20/2009)

Check back for updates throughout the day!!

Orpik to Return If "All Goes Well"

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Brooks Orpik will return to the lineup tomorrow night against the Atlanta Thrashers. Orpik had been wearing a cast on his right knee.

"I think I'm in as long as all goes well tomorrow," Orpik said after the Penguins' practice in suburban Duluth this afternoon.

It looks like the Penguins are slowly getting back to "normal."

Off-Day Notes

[UPDATE]
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Crosby did not participate in practice due to illness and Orpik took a puck to the chin and needed 10 stitches "to close the gash."

• Crosby did not participate in practice today (a "maintenance" day for him)
  honestly, I'm not surprised by this (and wouldn't be surprised if he's injured) as my husband and I were talking during last night's game that he hasn't been playing "like Sid / himself" and that he may be hurt and with all the injuries on the team, he may just be playing through it
• Brooks Orpik left practice early; he had a cut that needed stitches, but is OK
• Nate Guenin was re-assigned back to the baby Pens

Pens
(14-8-0, 28 points)

Pens - 2, Sens - 6

Ottawa Senators webpage
RECAP (11/19/2009)

The Intelligencer
Sens goals don't impess Bylsma (11/20/2009)

National Post
Phillips waits 800 games for double (11/20/2009)

cbc.ca
Senators sock it to Penguins (11/20/2009)

The Globe and Mail
Senators pick apart Penguins in third period (11/20/2009)
Senators roll past Penguins (11/19/2009)

Ottawa Citizen
Sens soar over flightless Penguins (11/19/2009)
Game file: Senators vs. Penguins (11/19/2009)
Senators' Kovalev to leave for Russia after game agains Pens (11/19/2009)
Faceoff.com
Senators pick apart Penguins in third period (11/20/2009)
Unlikely snipers lead Sens over injury-plagued Pens (11/19/2009)

PENGUINS PLAYLIST -- Kris Letang

(these playlists also appear as a widget on the right-hand side of this blog)!!

Tangers enjoys pretty heavy music for seemingly such a soft-spoken guy!
SONG / ARTIST:

• Wherever I May Roam -- Metallica
• Sad But True -- Metallica
• Around the World -- Red Hot Chili Peppers
• For Whom the Bell Tolls -- Metallica
• Welcome Home (Sanitarium) -- Metallica
• Freak On a Leash -- Korn
• Falling Away from Me -- Korn

What I'm hoping to do eventually is find a widget that I can just load the songs of each player on my blog, so check back soon (I remember seeing / using one before, it's just a matter of finding it again!)!!

I compiled these lists by listening to the "Penguins Playlists" on Penguins HD2 radio station.

Talbot and Gonchar BOTH Return!!!!

The Penguins recalled defenseman Chris Lee (Penguins are reporting that Mark Eaton left practice early yesterday and did not participate this morning due to back spasms and will be a gametime decision after warmups) - if Eaton is out, that would mean ALL SIX of their starting defenseman are out - WOW!! AND (for some GOOD news!) ...

both Talbot and Gonchar will be in tonight's lineup against the Ottawa Senators -- YEESSSSSSSSS!!!

It IS official!!

Pre-Game Notes (Pittsburgh VS Ottawa)

GONCHAR
All over the internet / news yesterday, people were reporting that it's likely that Gonchar will be returning to the lineup tonight against Ottawa (also making it sound more probable then Talbot); I have yet to see anything about this on the Penguins webpage - even a mention. The only thing I have seen is HC Bylsma reporting his hope that either Gonchar or Orpik would be in tonight's lineup, so take it for what it's worth (I would think Gonchar would be more likely than Orpik for a return since Orpik just returned to practice yesterday) - even so, there haven't been any headlines on the Penguins site giving the impression Gonchar would be back, but we'll see tonight (it would be a great surprise / another boost for the Pens with all the injuries of the other players)!

LINE COMBINATIONS (projected)
Fedotenko-Crosby-Malkin
Dupuis-Staal-Guerin
Cooke-Adams-(Talbot)
Bourque-Rupp-Godard

TBD-Guenin
Skoula-Lovejoy
Eaton-Engelland

Fleury

Ottawa Injury / Line Info

• Anton Volchenkov, D (elbow) on IR

Crosby Nominated for SI 2009 Sportsman of the Year

Sports Illustrated writers posted their choice for this year's Sportsman of the Year. Michael Farber chose Sidney Crosby. CLICK HERE TO READ WHY.

My Sportsman: Sidney Crosby

Sports Illustrated will announce the Sportsman of the Year on December 1st.

VIDEO: Sid Carrying the Olympic Torch

For those of you who missed it (or those of you who just want to watch it again), here are two videos of yesterday's trek.

Sid discussing carrying the torch beforehand

UP NEXT: OTTAWA SENATORS
(9-6-3, 21 points)
In net tonight: Pascal Leclaire (projected)
Storyline: Will Talbot and / or Gonchar return to the Pens lineup tonight?

Ottawa Senators webpage
PREVIEW (11/15/2009)

Ottawa Citizen
Faceoff.com
Gonchar might bolster Penguins' battered blue-line (11/18/2009)

Ottawa Sun
Fans don’t faze Sens’ Kovalev (11/18/2009)
Volchenkov not ready to return (11/18/2009)
Sens get ready for some tough competition (11/18/2009)

Check back for updates throughout the day!!