Friday, October 30, 2009

[UPDATE] Pre-Game Notes (Pittsburgh VS Columbus) - Johnson In Net

Pens will be wearing their blue alternate jerseys for tonight's game (don't be alarmed - they WON last time and that curse has been broken!)!!

AHL RECALL
[UPDATE]
official word from the Penguins that they've recalled Letestu this afternoon


missed this yesterday - Penguins recalled Chris Conner; no official word yet on any other players (yesterday Rob Rossi reported that there would be two AHL players recalled saying that TK would again be out of tonight's lineup - he had a few names, but the last name mentioned was Mark Letestu); however, it looks like Staal will center the second line and Bourque will continue to be a "suitable replacement."

LINE COMBINATIONS (projected) - [UPDATE]
Kunitz-Crosby-Guerin - confirmed by Bylsma
Bourque-Staal-Fedotenko - confirmed by Bylsma
Cooke-Adams-Dupuis - Bylsma confirmed that Cooke and Adams will stay together
Conner-Rupp-Godard

Orpik-Letang
Eaton-Skoula
McKee-Goligoski

Johnson (projected)

Jordan Staal is going to play center alongside Fedotenko and Bourque. Cooke and Adams will be together. Those are the two stable guys on the third line. Staal and Fedotenko will be the two stable guys on that line. We will rotate guys in and out of there.”

Bylsma went on to say that he gave consideration to keeping Cooke and Staal together based on the chemistry they built with
Tyler Kennedy (still out with an undisclosed injury). But he is intrigued with pairing Staal and Fedotenko, who played well together in spurts last season.

“It was a good offensive zone line, a good line at getting some chances with Feds being the shooter,” Bylsma said. “That is the thought process. Maybe we have Feds get some more offensive zone time with a guy who is real stable down low holding onto the puck as Jordan has shown this year.”
Blue Jackets Lineup / Injury Info
defenseman Jan Hejda (knee), and forwards Andrew Murray (muscle tear) and Fredrik Modin (knee).
UP NEXT: COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
(6
-5-0, 12 points)
In net tonight: Steve Mason
Storyline: Garon welcomes the Penguins to his new home in Columbus AND
first game WITHOUT Malkin


Check back for updates throughout the day!!

PENGUINS PLAYLIST -- Jay McKee (Part 2)

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

SONG / ARTIST:

  • Romeo and Juliet -- Dire Straits
  • The Venus Song (I'm Ready) -- Wyclef Jean (theme song for Venus Williams)
  • I Gotta Feeling -- Black Eyed Peas
  • Infinity 2008 -- Josh Guru Project
  • Whatever You Like -- T.I.
  • Disarm -- Smashing Pumpkins
  • When the Sun Goes Down -- Kenny Chesney
  • My Immortal -- Evanescence
  • Zoe Jane - Staind

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.

Alone with Rome

Sidney Crosby talks to Jim Rome on "Rome is Burning" (THANKS to GhostWalker40).

Thursday, October 29, 2009

[UPDATE] Malkin OUT?!!!

[UPDATE #2]
According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Malkin will be replaced on the second line by Jordan Staal and they'll recall Mark Letestu and Chris Conner from their AHL affiliate from WB / S (Kennedy will not be in the lineup again tomorrow night in Columbus).

[MORE from the Pens webpage]
Malkin is suffering from a shoulder strain. Again, the emphasis is on precautionary and the fact that giving it a few weeks will get him back to normal and not make things worse by continuing to play. He will be / is with the team in Columbus.
"I can play good, but it’s the early season," Malkin said about the injury. "I feel good. It’s not a big problem, and I’m fine. I’ll be watching and supporting the team on the trip. It’ll be fine."

"It’s okay. It’s not the pain. It feels good. It’s because it doesn’t feel comfortable now."
[UPDATE]
My immediate thought was the fact that I didn't see Malkin get hurt last night or take a particularly hard hit or anything; however, according to Rob Rossi, Malkin has been suffering with the injury for a few weeks and that Bylsma is forcing him to sit.

My next thought was TANGRADI (here we go!), but also according to Rossi, "Jeffrey or Smith likely to get the call" and that AHL call-up is not an ideal situation since the team is in Winnipeg right now.

Let's see what ya got, Staalsy - it may be your time to shine!!!

Now, I have to go concentrate on breathing and remembering, "depth, depth, DEPTH!" I'll post any updates I find as I get them, so check back!!

OK - I'm trying to be calm and not make a big deal out of this, but the Penguins webpage just reported that Malkin will be out 2 - 3 weeks with a shoulder injury (unrelated to the one he had in 2006) - the team is being cautious.

More later when I find out more.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

According to Bob Errey ...

screen cap of Bob Errey's artistry!!
THANKS to @wdsutherin
AWESOME!!!
Seriously, Bob Errey is my HERO!!!

Pre-Game Notes (Pittsburgh VS Montreal) - TK Out

MORNING SKATE
Dupuis returns, TK absent

TYLER KENNEDY
has an undisclosed injury and his status is "day-to-day"

LINE COMBINATIONS (used at this morning's skate; shuffling done in TK's absence)
Kunitz-Crosby-Guerin
Bourque-Malkin-Fedotenko
Cooke-Staal-Adams
Dupuis-Rupp-Godard

SIDE NOTES
Bill Guerin is to appear on NHL Live this afternoon at 1:00 PM

Habs Injury / Lineup Notes
Out of the lineup: defensemen Andre Markov (torn tendon in his leg when he was cut by the skate of Carey Price; underwent surgery and is expected to be out of the lineup until sometime in February), and Huge Ryan O’Byrne (knee injury two nights later in Buffalo and should be back in the lineup by mid-November)
UP NEXT: MONTREAL CANADIENS
(6
-5-0, 12 points)
In net tonight: Jaroslav Halak (projected)
Storyline: Hal Gill returns to Pittsburgh as a Canadien


Check back for updates throughout the day!!

DON'T FORGET: Support MLF's Playroom Project Today!

The Mario Lemieux Foundation has decided to participate in "America's Giving Challenge" and selected October 28th as the day to shoot for the goal of most donations generated for their cause (not dollar amount raised).

Non-profit organizations compete in this 30-day, national competition for daily and overall awards based on the number of donations generated for their cause, not dollars raised – so every donation truly does matter!
The daily prize is $1,000 and if MLF supporters join together to donate for 24 hours straight beginning at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, October 28th through 3:00 PM Thursday, October 29th, it would give the MLF's Playroom Project a chance to win that day's prize money which will benefit the Playroom Project initiative.

Visit The Playroom Project cause page on Facebook to participate and / or for more information (also visit the "America's Giving Challenge" webpage).

And / or to support the initiative directly, visit the MLF "The Playroom Project" page to purchase / donate toys for future & existing playrooms from the foundation's Toys-R-Us Registry.

PENGUINS PLAYLIST -- Eric Godard

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

[VERY broad spectrum of music here - HEAVY heavy & LIGHT light - COOL!!]
SONG / ARTIST:

  • Tweeter and the Monkey Man -- Headstones
  • Runaround Sue -- Dion (and the Belmonts)
  • Rough Hands - Alexisonfire
  • The Hand that Feeds -- Nine Inch Nails
  • Papa Loved Mama -- Garth Brooks
  • Three Little Birds -- Bob Marley
  • Wait and Bleed - Slipknot
  • Times Like These -- Foo Fighters
  • Kids -- MGMT (formerly "The Management")
  • Electric Feel - MGMT
  • Big Me -- Foo Fighters

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.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Crosby to be Torchbearer in Nova Scotia

According to the Penguins webpage, it was announced today that Sidney Crosby will be one of 12,000 athletes to carry the Olympic Torch across Canada in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Relay which begins on October 30th in Victoria, BC. Crosby's portion of the relay is on November 18th in Nova Scotia. The torch was officially lit to begin it's journey on October 22nd in Greece where the relay is currently underway.
“I am honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame in my home province of Nova Scotia,” said Crosby. “The torch relay will pass through so many communities and hands on the way to Vancouver and I’m privileged to be part of that special group as the Olympic Flame makes its way to Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Games.”

That's So MAF (the musings of a Penguins Goalie)!

I'm sure you've all heard by now that the Pens held their Halloween party on Sunday and some of the players continued their fun at practice yesterday wearing their masks. First it was Godard with the Care Bear head and at the end of practice, Fleury decided to get into the act.
"I was just trying to give a different look to the shooters and mess with their eyes a little bit," Fleury said after practice. "It didn't work out well. I couldn't see."

I think the most HILARIOUS part of this whole thing is what Crosby had to say about Fleury and his Kermit mask!!

"I am not surprised he did that," Sidney Crosby said. "He talks about that a lot. I think he was pretty happy to be a frog.

"For some reason he is always wearing tights with his costumes," Crosby joked. "I don’t know why that is. He was Cat Woman before and now he was a frog with leggings so maybe it just means he likes to wear tights. I don’t know."
I can definitely see the green tights for Kermit the Frog (YEP - skinny green frog legs), but Cat Woman? Only MAF!!

[UPDATE] What a Few Other Pens Dressed Up As for the Party

[UPDATE]
Here's even more info on the Penguins' Halloween costume party thanks to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

Jay McKee actually won the award for the best costume at the party dressing up as The Joker. Here's what he had to say (get a load of his prize!):

"The party was a good time," defenseman Jay McKee said. "I guess some of it carried over to practice."

"We play the credit card game," he said, "when everyone's card gets shuffled around when we go out to eat, and the loser has to pay. I get a meal-for-free card."
Other costumes (other than Fedotenko as Letterman which we already knew): Jordan Staal was a yellow, peanut M&M. As for how Fedotenko decided to dress as Letterman:

"My wife's idea," Fedotenko said. "I think it went over pretty well."
Here's Skoula's take on the Penguins as a team:

"I really like these guys," defenseman Martin Skoula said. "They know when to be
serious, but they know how to have fun, too."
Here's a few of what the other Pens players dressed up as on Sunday for their Halloween party (sorry, no pics - the Penguins didn't post these!):


  • Kris Letang - Doofy the Cop from Scary Movie

  • Ruslan Fedotenko - David Letterman

Monday, October 26, 2009

Off-Day Notes (Monday) - Update

[UPDATE]
Kunitz and TK were given the day off as a "maintenance day" (given the day off to rest) while Dupuis is feeling ill.


The Pens had yesterday off and are back practicing today and tomorrow before the game on Wednesday against the Montreal Canadiens.

The webpage is reporting that Chris Kunitz, Pascal Dupuis, and Tyler Kennedy are not participating today and are to have an update as to these players' statuses / conditions later after checking with Coach Bylsma (I'll keep you posted).

Eric Godard has been known as somewhat of a "prankster" (we all remember the shaving cream pie to the face of Tyler Kennedy while he was being interviewed by Dan Potash last season). Today he decided to show up to practice keeping it light-hearted wearing a Care Bear "head" on the ice. He had the players guessing for awhile (long enough for some laughs) before the "mystery bear" was revealed.

Pens
(9-2-0, 18 points)

Pens - 1, Devils - 4


New Jersey Devils webpage
RECAP (10/24/2009)
Game Summary (10/24/2009)

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Pre-Game Notes (Pittsburgh VS NJ)

The Penguins held an optional skate this morning and they had a pretty good turn-out taking into consideration the back-to-back games and it going into a shoot-out last night. Those who took part were Tyler Kennedy, Jordan STaal, Eric Godard, Pascal Dupuis, Chris Bourque, Mike Rupp, Martin Skoula, Jay McKee, Kris Letang, Alex Goligoski, Sergei Gonchar, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Brent Johnson.

Gonchar, in a red "no-contact" jersey, was actually on the ice for this morning's skate which seems odd, but is a good sign - he still has a lot to go before his broken wrist is fully recovered according to the Penguins website and because his injury did not require surgery he took part in some skating drills. I honestly think he and the team will benefit from his face not totally disappearing during his rehab.

LINE COMBINATIONS
Kunitz-Crosby-Guerin
Dupuis-Malkin-Fedotenko
Cooke-Staal-Kennedy
Rupp-Adams-Godard

Orpik-Goligoski
Eaton-Letang
McKee-Skoula

Fleury

NJ INJURY UPDATE
Defenseman Mark Fraser has been taken off of injured reserve and is expected to take the place of Mike Mottau with a lower body injury (did not make the trip to Pittsburgh)
LW Patrik Elias is still recovering from a groin injury but will not be in tonight's lineup.
UP NEXT: NEW JERSEY DEVILS
(5-3-0, 10 points)
In net tonight: Martin Brodeur (projected)
Storyline: Mike Rupp welcomes old teammates to Pittsburgh



I'll be at the game tonight, so there won't be any updates posted!!

My Thoughts on Last Night's SO Win

Everyone can analyze last night's game all they want, but it wasn't about the absence of Gonchar or anything else. All it really comes down to is something quite simple and a fact that honestly won't take an entire post-game show to discuss -- the Pens just played badly - it's just that simple.

Last night was the first time that they didn't play quite "up-to-snuff" throughout the majority of the game. They looked nothing like the high-calibur team we've become so used to seeing that completely takes over their opponent giving them little room / time to skate let alone come up with any adjustments in time to make it a fair battle.

Pittsburgh has two players who had a significant role in last night's win - Sidney Crosby and Brent Johnson. Thanks to both of them, the Penguins were able to stay in the game and ultimately win. Although, I think I would advise Crosby against thinking about cutting his hair again anytime soon -- bad things seem to happen when he decides to "clean up" and that's really what I blame last night's bad play on!

Bottom line though, a win is a win and I'm pretty sure we'll take it regardless of how ugly it is. The Pens are 9-1-0 (the best record to start a season since the 1994-1995 lockout) and there's not too much to complain about with that kind of record, folks!

Let's enjoy it and LET'S GO PENS!
Pens
(9-1-0, 18 points)

Pens - 3, Panthers - 2 (SO)
The Sidney Crosby Show:
Sid scores
3 goals in 3 different ways in his 300th career game
(power-play, short-handed, shoot-out)

Florida Panthers webpage
Recap (10/23/2009)

The Miami Herald
Florida Panthers' low-scoring offense makes each game a struggle (10/24/2009)
Florida Panthers preempted by the Crosby Show (10/24/2009)

Support MLF's Playroom Project - EVERY Donation Counts!

The Mario Lemieux Foundation has decided to participate in "America's Giving Challenge" and selected October 28th as the day to shoot for the goal of most donations generated for their cause (not dollar amount raised).

Non-profit organizations compete in this 30-day, national competition for daily and overall awards based on the number of donations generated for their cause, not dollars raised – so every donation truly does matter!
The daily prize is $1,000 and if MLF supporters join together to donate for 24 hours straight beginning at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, October 28th through 3:00 PM Thursday, October 29th, it would give the MLF's Playroom Project a chance to win that day's prize money which will benefit the Playroom Project initiative.

Visit The Playroom Project cause page on Facebook to participate and / or for more information (also visit the "America's Giving Challenge" webpage).


And / or to support the initiative directly, visit the MLF "The Playroom Project" page to purchase / donate toys for future & existing playrooms from the foundation's Toys-R-Us Registry.

Pictures of a Few Promotional Items

The 2009-2010 promotional schedule has been out for a while now, but it doesn't always include pictures of the items when it is released. I just recently took a gander at it and wanted to share the pictures of a few promotional items they'll be giving away this season (in case you missed them) - pretty nice stuff!


SATURDAY, November 28th (NYI) - Penguins baseball cap presented by Highmark
THURSDAY, January 7th (PHI) - Penguins cooler bag presented by Consol Energy

That's So MAF (the musings of a Penguins goalie)!

When asked about not playing and what he does on "off game nights" like last night.

“I always like to play but ‘Johnnny’ has been working hard,” Fleury said. “It will be fun to watch him, encourage him, and enjoy the game.”

“I usually follow the game. You never know what will happen so I have to stay ready just in case. I am a little more relaxed. I will talk to the trainers who are standing by. I try to make it fun for myself, enjoy the game and be a fan for a night.”

Friday, October 23, 2009

Pre-Game Notes (Pittsburgh VS Florida)

From the Penguins webpage:
The Penguins rotated their blueliners regularly during their Friday morning skate. However, Bylsma did reveal his pairings after Thursday's practice (see below). The forward combinations did not change during the skate.

LINE COMBINATIONS
Kunitz-Crosby-Guerin
Dupuis-Malkin-Fedotenko
Cooke-Staal-Kennedy
Rupp-Adams-Godard

Orpik-Goligoski
Eaton-Letang
McKee-Skoula

Brent Johnson

Panthers Injury List
Nick Tarnasky, F (orbital bone) - out
  • they've been playing 11 forwards and seven defenseman
UP NEXT: FLORIDA PANTHERS
(2
-5-0, 4 points)
In net tonight: Tomas Vokoun (projected)
Storyline: Panthers coming off of a loss AND
Martin Skoula debuts for the Pens!


Florida Panthers webpage
Panthers GameCenter (10/23/2009)*
Preview (10/22/2009)


CHECK BACK FOR MORE HEADLINES THROUGHOUT THE DAY!!

Hockey Night in Canada Intro (Pens VS Leafs - October 10, 2009)

This is a pretty cool game opening intro I just came across on YouTube that aired on Hockey Night in Canada on October 10, 2009 when the Penguins played the Leafs.

Something to get you pumped-up for tonight's game!


Penguins Among WPA Salvation Army Dinner Awardees

The Penguins organization will be among a number of awardees to be honored at the WPA Salvation Army's this year's "Allegheny County Doing the Most Good Dinner." Former Pittsburgh Steeler, Lynn Swann, will be the featured guest.

The Penguins will be awarded with "The Project Bundle-Up Award" for their long-term service to providing needy kids and seniors with new winter outerwear.

The dinner will be held on Tuesday, November 17th at the Sheraton Station Square.

For reservations contact The Salvation Army's Divisional Director of development, Fran Brace at 412-446-1646 and for more information, CLICK HERE.

Talbot's Latest Blog Post

Talbot's most recent blog post (10/20/2009) talks about the team's amazing success and how it feels to get back on the ice after so long and being back with his teammates as well as Fleury's shot at starting goaltender in the Olympics for Team Canada.

Definitely a "must read!" {CLICK HERE}

Thursday, October 22, 2009

D-Line Pairings to Start Tomorrow Night's Game

Dan Bylsma addressed the media after this morning's practice (the first without Sergei Gonchar) and here's what the D-line combinations will be to start tomorrow night's game against the Florida Panthers as well as some of what he had to say regarding the changes:

Brooks Oprik - Alex Goligoski
Jay McKee - Martin Skoula
Kris Letang - Mark Eaton (line unchanged)

“That would be a tentative starting plan,” Bylsma said. “Again, we have talked about different scenarios within a game where that might change as well.

“I think it is probably too early to say ‘hey we are going with three pairings and this is how it is going to be.’ It may be a situation where the pairings start one way and a different situation lends to seeing a 3 (Goligoski) and a 58 (Letang) together more often. Right now we are going to see how that goes. We have talked about it and bounced some things out.”
Other interesting things from today's practice would be the absence of Jay McKee and Max Talbot. Nothing to worry about with McKee as he had a family issue to deal with, so he'll be in the lineup tomorrow night. With Max, it seems as though they're just being cautious.
"Max is still on the schedule that is mapped out for him for his shoulder injury. He is not skating. We’re taking him off the ice. Max wants to skate. He got a shot in the foot and he has some pain. He can focus on his off-ice with his shoulder and off-ice conditioning. Max wants to go out there. This is coach saying we have time to be cautious and not go on the ice."
Bylsma also reported that Brent Johnson will start in goal for Pittsburgh against the Florida Panthers tomorrow night.

Off the Ice: Evgeni Malkin

I'd say that Malkin is mastering the English language. This interview is the most I've heard him talk (and not just saying the same thing over and over again in different ways). It's from the NHL Network's "Off the Ice." THANKS to GhostWalker40 for posting this interview on YouTube!!

2009 Versus "Superstitions" Commercial

"I stick needles in my Sidney Crosby bobblehead."


Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Gonchar Out for 4-6 Weeks

One of our worst fears with Gonchar's injury has been confirmed. The Penguins webpage reported that Gonchar broke his wrist during the second period of last night's game against the Blues. He suffered it after a collision with a St. Louis player landing awkwardly. He will be out for 4 - 6 weeks which creates a spot that they have announced Skoula will fill while Martin Gonchar recovers.

UPDATE on Gonchar

From the Penguins webpage:
“We are going to evaluate him again (Wednesday) morning … We will see in the afternoon what he has.”

The Penguins played the first 56 games of last season without Gonchar, posting a record of 27-24-5.

Bylsma said Kris Letang will move up to the top power-play unit next to Alex Goligoski if Gonchar has to miss any action.

Veteran Depth: If Gonchar misses Friday night’s showdown with the Florida Panthers at Mellon Arena veteran defenseman Martin Skoula, the lone player on the roster yet to appear in a game in ’09-10, would take his place. Bylsma talked after the Blues game about feeling comfortable turning to a player with a resume such as Skoula’s.

“We have had the unfortunate circumstance of having to sit out a player who has played over 700 NHL games and played 75-plus games for many seasons. It looks like most likely he is going to get a chance to play in the next game. That’s a fortunate thing to put a guy like that into the lineup.”

While the Penguins struggled at the outset of last season playing without Gonchar, who was recovering from a shoulder injury, Bylsma believes his team is up to the
challenge this time.

“Our game, our execution, is not predicated by one player or around one player. Certainly Sergei Gonchar is a very good player, but even tonight you see the execution by guys like Jay McKee who add to how we play and how fast we play.

“If we do miss him, I think we are going to play a similar style and a similar way.”
Pens
(8-1-0, 16 points)

Pens - 5, Blues - 1

St. Louis Blues webpage
RECAP (10/20/2009)

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Penguins win 6th straight, top Blues 5-1 (10/20/2009)
Energy crisis hits St. Louis Blues (10/20/2009)
No waffling on St. Louis Blues goalie Chris Mason (10/20/2009)
Can you beat Chris Mason? PLAY BLUES SHOOTOUT!

Talbot's Return (November / December)

According to Grover and Bourquie on last night's post-game radio show, Max Talbot's return is looking more likely to be the end of November / early December from talking to him after he came back to practice the other day.

Talbot has the luxury of not rushing his return seeing as how the team's depth is so great that they've been "taking care of business" without him (although, with him, it could be that much better!)!!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Gonchar Injured During Blues Game

Gone unnoticed by me or my husband, Sergei Gonchar was injured sometime during the second period and did not return in the third.

EARLY uncomfirmed reports are speculating a broken wrist; however, NOTHING HAS BEEN CONFIRMED YET!! People calling into the Penguins radio post-game with Grover and Bourquie are saying that it was his left side and they're unsure, but it looked like it could be his wrist or shoulder (his left shoulder was what he injured during the pre-season last year).

This could be bad news although I'm not too sure much can stop the Pens at this point the way they're playing right now. The teams they're playing against aren't all that bad, the Penguins are just playing so well that they're making them look that bad.

They're a dominating force right now -- LET'S GO PENS!!!

FREE LIVE STREAM of Tonight's Game VS St. Louis

UP NEXT: ST. LOUIS BLUES
(3
-2-1, 7 points)
In net tonight: Chris Mason (projected)
Storyline: Jay McKee welcomes former team to Pittsburgh



CHECK BACK FOR MORE HEADLINES THROUGHOUT THE DAY!!

PENGUINS PLAYLIST -- Jay McKee

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

SONG / ARTIST:
  • All the Above -- Maino featuring T-Pain
  • It's My Time -- Fabolous
  • Snow (Hey Oh) -- Red Hot Chili Peppers
  • Life's Been Good to Me -- Joe Walsh (of the Eagles)
  • Twist My Arm -- Tragically Hip
  • New Orleans Is Sinking -- Tragically Hip
  • The Scientist -- Coldplay
  • Romeo and Juliet -- Dire Straits

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.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Sunday Day-Off for Malkin & Staal While Today Talbot Practices!

From the Penguins webpage --

The Penguins had a Sunday-morning practice yesterday with every player participating except for Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal. Dan Bylsma explained their absence to the media:

"Just bumps and bruises, a maintenance day, expect both of them to be on the ice (Monday)," Bylsma said. "That’s how we treat it today. There’s two days between games. Today was going to be hard for the short duration we were on the ice. Anybody that had an injury that didn’t need to be skating hard stayed off. It was just maintenance."
Today's practice was an exciting one as a familiar face returned to the ice to practice (donning a red, "no contact" jersey of course!) - Max Talbot. It was special because even though he has been skating on his own since September 29th, he actually participated in some of the work with the rest of the team today.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

UP NEXT: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
(2-2-2, 6 points)
In net tonight: Antero Niittymaki

Storyline: Pittsburgh Welcomes Tocchet & Malone

Tampa Bay Lightning webpage

CHECK BACK FOR MORE HEADLINES THROUGHOUT THE DAY!!

That's So MAF (the musings of a Penguins Goalie)!

The Penguins are wearing their baby blue alternate uniforms today against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The majority of fans feel that they're bad luck seeing as how the team's record isn't that great when they wore them last season (3-5-2); however, when asked, Fleury doesn't think it's a big deal.
"I think it's a coincidence, I guess," Marc-Andre Fleury said. "Maybe I will try wearing a black shirt underneath. Maybe a black shirt would be good luck."
And just as comical (so I'll include it in this post), HC Bylsma had a funny response (keeping in mind that teams tend to struggle after returning home from a long road trip):
"That’s why we’ve planned to wear the light blue jerseys (laughs). We figure two negatives make a positive. There is some evidence that coming back from a road trip, you’re back home, you take a deep breath and come out not as hard, not as focused. We’re talking about the mental side of it. Certainly different teams are different in that regard."

Pittsburgh Penguins Tidbits

  • Word is that Max Talbot is on track to return to the ice and the Penguins lineup in about 5 - 6 weeks.
  • Chris Bourque is to be getting his chance on Malkin's line (in place of Dupuis) sometime soon. The chance will be short-lived (quick turn-around) and if it doesn't work, speculation is that he'll be re-assigned to the Baby Pens.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Pre-Game News


LINE COMBINATIONS
Kunitz-Crosby-Guerin
Dupuis-Malkin-Fedotenko
Cooke-Staal-Kennedy
Rupp-Adams-Godard
Coach Bylsma has used these groupings at every morning skate for the past two weeks even though he has quickly changed them up during games. As usual, if
Bylsma is shuffling the lines, he wasn’t tipping his hand at the skate.
Orpik-Gonchar
Eaton-Letang
McKee-Goligoski

In goal
Marc-Andre Fleury

CANES PRE-GAME NEWS
Joni Pitkanen will not play (sore knee); after not practicing yesterday, Eric Staal was at the morning skate and will be in the lineup. According to Canes Country, the Hurricanes lines should be the same as in recent games.

Staal, Ruutu, Samsonov
Cullen, LaRose, Whitney
Brind'Amour, Jokinen, Walker
Yelle, Kostopoulos, Conboy

Corvo, Gleason
Ward, Wallin
Alberts, Harrison

Ward in goal

Change to Penguins Game in April

The NHL announced that the Penguins’ game on Tuesday, April 6th originally scheduled for 7:00 PM against the Washington Capitals at Mellon Arena will now start at 7:30 PM.

It will be televised nationally by Versus and is one of eight previously-scheduled appearances by the Penguins on Versus this season.
Pittsburgh Penguins v Carolina Hurricanes, Game Four

UP NEXT: CAROLINA HURRICANES
(2-3-0, 4 points)
In net tonight: Cam Ward (projected)
Storyline: 2009
Eastern Conference Final rematch

Carolina Hurricanes webpage


CHECK BACK FOR MORE HEADLINES THROUGHOUT THE DAY!!

PENGUINS PLAYLIST -- Mike Rupp

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

[he's a country kind of a guy!]
SONG / ARTIST:
  • Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go) -- Dierks Bentley (THANKS, "Nofaves!")
  • I Love Your Love the Most -- Eric Church
  • Sideways -- Dierks Bentley
  • Big Green Tractor -- Jason Aldean
  • What Was I Thinkin' -- Dierks Bentley
  • Check Yes or No -- George Strait
  • Welcome to the Future -- Brad Paisley
  • Boondocks -- Little Big Town
  • Hot Mama -- Trace Adkins
  • Honky Tonk Badonkadonk -- Trace Adkins
  • Lot of Leaving Left To Do -- Dierks Bentley

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.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Baby Pens Re-Assign Three Players

The Penguins AHL affiliate - WB / S Penguins, re-assigned three players to the Wheeling Nailers - Joey Haddad, Casey Pierro-Zabotel and Alex Grant according to WVNS-TV and Jonathan Bombulie of Citizens Voice.
Pens
(5-1-0, 10 points)
Pens - 4, Sens - 1

Ottawa Senators webpage
RECAP (10/12/2009)

cbc.ca
Penguins too potent for Senators (10/12/2009)

The Windsor Star
Pens utilize timely bounces in victory over Sens (10/12/2009)

The Globe and Mail
Penguins too strong for Senators (10/12/2009)

PENGUINS PLAYLIST -- Brooks Orpik

(these playlists also appear on the right hand side of this blog)!!

[he's a BIG Pearl Jam fan!]!!

SONG / ARTIST:
  • Hail, Hail -- Pearl Jam
  • Corduroy -- Pearl Jam
  • Glorified G -- Pearl Jam
  • Given to Fly -- Pearl Jam
  • Life Wasted -- Pearl Jam
  • In Hiding -- Pearl Jam
  • The Fixer -- Pearl Jam (NEW release; 09/2009)
  • State of Love and Trust -- Pearl Jam
  • Spin the Black Circle -- Pearl Jam
  • Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town -- Pearl Jam

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.

Monday, October 12, 2009

PENGUINS PLAYLISTS RE-POST!!

RE-POST for all the Penguins HD2 Radio Listeners (these playlists also appear on the right hand side of this blog)!!

SCROLL DOWN UNDER "Covering the Enemy!"

THANKS to Steve Mears (and Tom Grimm) for giving me the SHOUTOUT I asked them for!!!!

Pre-Game News

(CLICK HERE - right before gametime)

LINE COMBINATIONS
The Penguins skated their normal line pairings at the morning skate, although if the past few games are any indication they won't stay that way for long. (They may not even stay this way before the puck drops).

Kunitz-Crosby-Guerin
Dupuis-Malkin-Fedotenko
Cooke-Staal-Kennedy
Rupp-Adams-Godard

Orpik-Gonchar
Eaton-Letang
McKee-Goligoski

Marc-Andre Fleury in net

OTTAWA SENATORS INJURY REPORT / GAMEDAY UPDATE
Injury Report — Ottawa defenceman Filip Kuba (upper body), centre Peter Regin (upper body) and forward Jesse Winchester (right knee) are out tonight.

Centre Ryan Shannon returns to the lineup tonight. Pascal Leclaire (2-1-0) makes his fourth start of the season in goal.

Lines during the pre-game skate:
Alex Kovalev-Mike Fisher-Daniel Alfredsson
Milan Michalek-Jason Spezza-Jonathan Cheechoo
Nick Foligno-Shannon-Chris Neil
Jarkko Ruutu-Chris Kelly-Shean Donovan

Pittsburgh Penguins v Ottawa Senators - Game Four

UP NEXT: OTTAWA SENATORS
(3-1-0, 6 points)
In net tonight: Pascal Leclaire (projected)
Storyline:
Penguins to face an old friend - Kovalev

Ottawa Senators webpage
PREVIEW (10/12/2009)
Ottawasenators.com THIS WEEK (10/12/2009 - 10/18/2009)

Ottawa Citizen
'Lesser' lights shining bright (10/12/2009)
Senators Game Day: Pittsburgh at Ottawa (10/12/2009)

CBC.ca
Senators host defending champ Pens (10/12/2009)

canada.com
Lesser lights carrying the load for Senators (10/11/2009)

Edmonton Sun
Senators gear up for Crosby, Malkin (10/11/2009)


CHECK BACK FOR MORE HEADLINES THROUGHOUT THE DAY!!