Can We Have a "Do-Over?"

OK - I guess we had opportunities for two of those with NJ already and we just didn't take advantage of them. How about we just forget about those games altogether?!! Seriously, what is it about the NJ Devils??? Is it just "the trap?" Really? I just can't figure it out!!

I was actually at the game last night.

They looked really good in the first period (I thought anyway) -- battling for the puck and having posession of it in their end for alot of the time and then it just all went down hill after that. The only thing I heard from John the rest of the time was, "they look like crap!"

One thing is for sure, Brodeur was on top of his game and, unfortunately for the Pens and us fans, he was able to break the league record for most career shut-outs (the only individual [goalie] record he hadn't broken up to this point) which now surpasses the previous record-holder and HOFer, Terry Sawchuk.

"I don't get nervous, but (tonight) I was a little nervous," he said after stamping this performance with a glove save on Penguins center Evgeni Malkin with 42 seconds remaining."

Being a hockey fan (and not just a Penguins fan), I guess that's one thing to be thankful for about being at the game last night -- I can say I was there for that particular accomplishment of his.

And you really can't take that away from Brodeur - he IS a kick-ass goalie.

Pre-Game Notes (Pittsburgh VS New Jersey) - Eaton Out

MARK EATON
Eaton left the game on Saturday and did not return for the remainder of the game; it was confirmed by HC Blysma that he will be out of the lineup tonight against the Devils.

"Mark Eaton will not be in the lineup tonight. He'll be evaluated by our doctors today. It's not long term at this point but we still need our doctors to take a look at him."

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

Gonchar-Orpik
[Eaton]-Letang
McKee-Goligoski

Fleury in goal

New Jersey Injury / Line Info
Paul Martin (D), broken left forearm - IR (out indefinitely)
Dainius Zubrus (F), broken kneecap - IR
David Clarkson (F), broken bone above his ankle - IR

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

THANKS to soshana66 for letting me know the Penguins have video of this up on PensTV!!
Having fun is what it's all about, isn't it? I mean, I have a Timbits calendar with a quote from Crosby saying, "my first goal was having fun."

I honestly think that's part of the reason why the Penguins are such a successful, dominant, and unstoppable team - FUN (on and off the ice).

The biggest fun-seeker has got to be our star goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (everyone knows what a cut-up he is!)!! And this is just one example of that (from the PPG):

The Penguins often end practice with a shootout, which serves a purpose as a drill but also usually provides some fun.Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who sometimes gets a little silly, really put on a show with unconventional moves as players bore down on him.

A few times, he did a spin. [HAha] He stopped defenseman Sergei Gonchar after one of those. [WOW!!] Other times, he did a couple of quick pushups. [WHAT?!!]

Once, he turned his back to defenseman Mark Eaton and, looking over his shoulder, still made a stick save. [WTF?!!!! Are there any MAF-doubters now?]

I WANT My MTV Comcast!!!

Seriously, I have wished more than once Comcast to be the cable provider in Johnstown because it just seems like they offer their customers everything and MORE (as far as the sports channels I would like to have).


Well, here's an even bigger reason why I want Comcast ... customers in the Pittsburgh area got the NHL network in HD on Thursday!!

YOU LUCKY BASTARDS!!!!!!

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

I previously posted that Fleury was breaking in a new goalie mask that he would possibly be wearing during the 2010 Olympics for Team Canada.

He was asked if he has any ideas as to how he wants it painted, but he said he hasn't yet decided and that he's leaning toward paying homage to either goalie coach Gilles Meloche by replicating the paint job of one of his old masks (his Penguins mask is pictured above) or one of former Penguins goalie Tom Barrasso (one version pictured below).

Either would be SWEET and I think his honoring either of them by replicating their masks is a pretty neat idea!!

Bylsma and the Penguins Coaching Staff are Members of the KISS Army

Penguins HC Dan Bylsma and the rest of the coaching staff attended the KISS concert Sunday night at Mellon Arena.

"I am glad I went," Bylsma said. "I enjoyed it. KISS was not a band I was allowed to like when I was a young teenager and before that. I felt liberated last night."

After Kiss finished their song "Detroit Rock City," the crowd booed for their displeasure of the Red Wings. Bylsma was asked A) if Kiss should have played the song and B) if he liked the fact that Pittsburghers booed.

"We were commenting on the fact of whether they should have played it or not. They should have and yes I did."

Members of the band attended the Penguins game the night prior to the concert and spent time with Mario Lemieux in the owners' box (pictured below with Eric and Tommy).

• Wouldn't it make more sense for the Cryer fans to chant "Crosby sucks" when THEIR TEAM scores a goal and NOT when the Pens (particularly CROSBY) scores a goal??!!!! I don't get it.


• Is it just me or does Daniel Carcillo look like the villain in Rocky and Bullwinkle (Boris)???! OK -- how about [Super] Mario (or Luigi)???! NO?? Perhaps he was this month's loser of Philly's shootout drill at practice (we can only hope - it's awful!)!!

These were actually my thoughts this time around -- not our anonymous guest poster (who is currenlty MIA)!!

[UPDATE #2] Pre-Game Notes (Pittsburgh VS Philadelphia)

[UPDATE #2] BILL GUERIN
[UPDATE] The penguins webpage is reporting that Guerin was on the ice for this morning's skate and will, in fact, be in the lineup tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers -- GOOD NEWS (THANKS, Ed!)!!!

"It was a stinger type of thing," Guerin said. "It goes away. Its fine. I just wanted to get my skate off and get some ice on it."

[UPDATE] According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Dan Bylsma said he is "preparing like (winger Bill Guerin) is playing" for the Penguins tonight against the Flyers at Philadelphia.

His right skate boot was hit by a puck late in the third period on Tuesday night and Guerin did not finish the game.

no word on whether or not he'll be in the lineup tonight since hearing on WTAE-tv that he wasn't at practice yesterday -- I honestly would probably consider that their usual "maintenance day," but I'll be on the lookout and post any updates on it when I find them!

LINE COMBINATIONS (projected)
Kunitz-Crosby-Guerin (?)
Dupuis-Malkin-Fedotenko
Cooke-Staal-Kennedy
Rupp-Adams-Godard

Gonchar-Orpik
Eaton-Letang
McKee-Goligoski

Fleury in goal

Philadelphia Injury / Lines Info
three injured Flyers could return to Philly's lineup tonight: Simon Gagne, Blair Betts and Darroll Powe (I've read several reports that Betts return tonight)

• Ray Emery (G), abdominal surgery - out until mid-January
• Simon Gagne (F), hernia surgery - probably
• Braydon Coburn (D), ruptured cyst in his ankle - OK to play Tuesday and will be in the lineup tonight
• Ole-Kristian Tollefson (D), sprained left knee - out 3-4 weeks

UP NEXT: PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
(15-16-1, 31 points)
In net tonight: Brian Boucher (projected)

Philadelphia Flyers webpage
PREVIEW (12/16/2009)
Flyers Claim Goaltender Leighton (12/15/2009)
On the Fly! blog (12/16/2006)

The Philadelphia Inquirer
Flyers Notes: Flyers get good news from Betts (12/17/2009)
Flyers' Holmgren urges patience (12/17/2009)
Flyers can't solve riddle of Penguins (12/16/2009)

Philadelphia Daily News
Flyers coach Laviolette isn't looking for a trade (12/17/2009)
Frequent Flyers blog
Waiting for the shoe to drop (12/16/2009)

phillyBurbs.com
Richards questions team's heart (12/17/2009)
Flyers' Betts back in lineup (12/16/2009)
Laviolette agrees with captain's criticisms (12/16/2009)
Goalie Leighton returns to Flyers (12/16/2009)

Check back for updates throughout the day!!

Crosby Winner of Lou Marsh Memorial Trophy

For the second time during his short career, Crosby was named as this year's recipient of the Lou Marsh Memorial Trophy (Canada's Athlete of the Year). He was previously awarded the honor back in 2007.

The trophy is named in honor of a previous sportswriter and editor of the Toronto Star and is voted on each year by a panel of journalists from across the country.

Crosby was presented with the trophy in the team lounge after practice yesterday morning amongst his teammates.

"I realize this is an individual award, but without the effort of our team we wouldn't have won the Stanley Cup and the year would not have been as special as it turned out to be," Crosby said in a statement released before Tuesday night's home game against the Philadelphia Flyers in Pittsburgh

Afterwards Crosby shared some of the award's history with his teammates and them "being awed by the fact he'd been named (Canada's) athlete of the year," Hepburn said. "You could tell, for him, it was a really significant thing."

The trophy is housed in Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

Here's a Juicy Tid Bit ...

And just in time for tonight's game!!!

According to The Philly Four blog (from "a credible source"), rumor has it that Flyers forward Jeff Carter had an affair with Scott Hartnell's wife, Lisa, and is a possible reason for the team's current disarray. Apparently, the team is "split over the situation."

Honestly, this just REEKS Philadelphia (they just have SO MUCH class - on and off the ice!)!!!

In a related allegation (also on The Philly Four blog), Danny Briere could be in the process of getting a divorce from his wife.

Bill Guerin Questionable for Tonight

According to the 11 o'clock WTAE-tv news, Bill Guerin did not participate in practice yesterday and is questionable for tonight's game.

He got hit in the foot / ankle area towards the end of the third period of Tuesday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Mellon Arena.

I'll be sure to post any updates as I hear of them.

Rest Easy ... Staal is OK!

Last night was a good night for Jordan Staal (I just wish he would've been able to get a HT) except towards the end of the third period when he got hit with a puck from one of Malkin's shots. Although it looked bad the way he was wincing and bending over on the bench, it wasn't anything serious according to an article on the Penguins webpage.

... Staal was able to joke about the play after.

“I took it in my stomach,” Staal said. “Another great shot by Geno. I was just hoping it was going to bounce off me to Sid but it kind of stuck there. I guess I have been eating too much junk lately.

“I’m fine. It was a stinger and went away after a few minutes.”

It's those damn pierogies (but if they're gonna help him play like he has been lately, GIVE THE KID MORE!)!! Then again, we should've traded him anyway [she says as she rolls her eyes and laughs at how stupid some "fans" are!]!!!

Guerin was another player who was injured last night around the same time Staal was, but I haven't been able to find anything about that yet. When / if I do, I'll post it here (or if any of you have come across something, be sure to post it here!)!!

Pens
(23-10-1, 47 points)

Pens - 6, Flyers - 1

Philadelphia Flyers webpage
BOXSCORE (12/15/2009)

The Philadelphia Inquirer
Penguins pound Flyers in Pittsburgh (12/15/2009)

[UPDATE] Pre-Game Notes (Pittsburgh VS Philadelphia)

[UPDATE] LETANG ILL
the Penguins webpage reports that Letang is back on the ice today participating in morning skate.

Kris Letang missed practice yesterday due to illness, but is expected to be in the lineup tonight (the report is from yesterday, so if anything changes, I'll post updates here!)

"He was not feeling well," Bylsma said. "It's not injury related. He's just ill. He was sick (Sunday) night and this is a stay away from the rink. He should be better."

[UPDATE] LINE COMBINATIONS (projected)
the lines during the morning skate were as follows (pretty much as projected earlier):
Kunitz-Crosby-Guerin
Dupuis-Malkin-Fedotenko
Cooke-Staal-Kennedy
Rupp-Adams/Talbot-Godard

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

Gonchar-Orpik
Eaton-Letang
McKee-Goligoski

Fleury in net

Philadelphia Injury / Lines Info
Dan Carcillo (F), returned last night from a 4-game suspension for punching Matt Bradley (Washington Capitals) in the face before having a chance to defend himself (back on December 5th)

Blair Betts (F), separated right shoulder - out 1-2 weeks (has missed last 10 games)
Simon Gagne (F), underwent surgery - out 1-3 weeks (missed the last 21 games)
Darroll Powe (F), strained shoulder - out 1-2 weeks (missed the last 11 games)
Braydon Coburn (D), ankle injury - listed as day-to-day (but has not missed any games)
Ray Emery (G), abdomen injury; surgery - out 6 weeks (missed the last 3 games)

UP NEXT: PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
(15-15-1, 31 points)
In net tonight: Johan Backlund (projected)
Storyline: tonight is Carcillo's second game back after [4-game] suspension; could sparks fly again with Talbot?

Philadelphia Flyers webpage
PREVIEW (12/14/2009)

Philly.com
Flyers Notes: Two Flyers return; one departs again (12/15/2009)

Philadelphia Inquirer
Broad Street Bull blog
For Flyers, a turning point? (12/14/2009)

Check back for updates throughout the day!!

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

[UPDATE]
According to Rob Rossi:

He is not expected to wear the mask anytime soon, as it may be reserved for a Canada-themed paint job if, as expected, Fleury is named to the Canadian men's Olympic ice hockey squad later this month.

Fleury was trying out a new goalie mask yesterday at practice. It's looks odd because it's completely white without any painted designs on it.

"It’s something different that I’m trying out right now," Fleury said. "It’ll look better when it’s painted. I’m pretty sure I will (switch to this helmet). I have to make sure it’s ready first. The design of it, it’s comfortable. I don’t want it to be too different (from my old helmet)."

DON'T FORGET: Meet the Pens Tonight!

MONDAY, DECEMBER 14TH
6 PM - 8 PM

Meet Pascal Dupuis, Kris Letang, Brooks Orpik and former Penguin Phil Bourque

at Tom Clark Chevrolet!!

FREE autographs, raffles and memorabilia for sale. Proceeds benefiting the Tommy Wilson Foundation for Exceptional Children. TELL THEM TSCSF sent you!!

Tom Clark Chevrolet
1063 Long Run Road, Route 48
McKeesport, PA
412-751-2900

The Stanley Cup Still Making It's Rounds with the Penguins Organization

Believe it or not, the Stanley Cup is still in the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins even though we're over a quarter past the new season.

On Wednesday, the illustrious hockey trophy made a stop in Mississauga, Ontario with team scout David McNamara (son of former GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Gerry McNamara - both pictured below).

McNamara is actually a Phys-Ed teacher by day and scout by night and is one of eight amateur scouts in Pittsburgh organization.

“This is proof that you can do whatever you want,” said McNamara as he walked through the front door of his home with the Stanley Cup in his hands.

Defenseman Milestone

CONGRATULATIONS to Jay McKee for recording his 100th career assist during last night's game against the Canadiens on Dupuis' game-winning goal in the third period!!