We know the trade deadline is fast approaching and while it has mostly been quiet so far, yesterday there was a trade involving Hal Gill and he is not coming back to the Pens as some reports were saying could happen. The Nashville Predators landed Gill and a conditional 2013 draft pick from Montreal in exchange for forwards Blake Geoffrion and Robert Slaney, plus a 2012 second-round pick.
Gill will bring some experience and size to the Predator's blueline and he will be an unrestricted free agent if not signed before July 1st this summer.
Oh, and those Detroit Red Wings won another home game, they are keeping that NHL record and adding to it. 22 home wins in a row.
Now, Hockey Weekend Across America is a great one for Pens because it includes a game against the Flyers today in Philadelphia. Philadelphia has not been on such a hot streak lately but they beat the Sabres 7-2 on Thursday and moved ahead of the Pens in the standings.
They have some offensive power, obviously with a 7-2 win, but some have been critical of their defensive work. That might explain why the Flyers acquired defenseman Nicklas Grossman from Dallas in exchange for a second and third round pick. Grossman is expected to make his debut in a Flyers uniform today against the Pens. Now, Daniel Briere left the game Thursday against Buffalo and practiced yesterday with a no-contact jersey so he is expected to be out of the lineup.
While the Flyers are down some players due to injuries, the Pens will have Arron Asham back in the lineup today after missing the past 14 games with concussion-like symptoms.
The Pens are 0-2 against the Flyers this season and they look to change that this afternoon. There is no need to say that this game will be an exciting one. It's a Pens-Flyers game, its already implied. I hope to see the Pens ready to take on the Flyers at full force this afternoon and we hope to get the offense clicking after a low scoring game on Wednesday. While offense is important, our defense needs to be strong as well against the Flyers. Max Talbot scored twice against the Sabres the other night, let's not let him do that against us.
Basically, the Pens will need to play a strong, consistent game and not let the Flyers reel us in for too many penalties. Let's hope this Hockey Weekend Across America goes like last weekend!
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