I don't know about you, but I have been eagerly awaiting some Pens hockey these past few days. I am not used to these longer breaks and I am ready to see some Pens hockey.
Along with the welcome news of a hockey-filled weekend for the Pens at home, it is also accompanied by the news of the return of Jordan Staal this weekend. That's right, Jordan Staal will be returning to the lineup from his knee injury tomorrow against the Winnipeg Jets. Staal has missed the past 15 games and he was expected to be out 4-6 weeks and he is wrapping up his fifth week so the process was pretty much right on track.
The Pens play host to the Jets tomorrow afternoon and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday night. Another weekend full of hockey, just like every other weekend for the month of February. Each weekend in February has the Pens playing two games and next weekend is Hockey weekend and has Hockey Day in America, Sunday February 19th. The Pens take on the Buffalo Sabres.
Tomorrow, the Pens will try to get back on a winning streak. It was a tough shootout loss Tuesday night but the Pens will need to be focused on beating a strong Winnipeg team. Hopefully a few days off will have them energized and ready to go, I know I am ready to see some Pens hockey. Some GOOD Pens hockey.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
News on the Pens and from around the league.
After a tough shootout loss to the Canadiens Tuesday night (which featured an amazing shootout goal by Evgeni Malkin!), the Pens are focusing on a busy weekend of home games.
Coach Dan Bylsma was stressing today after practice that the Pens need to be more dominant in games after some losses. We need to get back to shooting more and capitalizing on power play opportunities. The low goal totals we have been seeing in some recent games is just another reminder that we need more scoring down the lines and we can not always count on the top line to provide our offense. Hopefully, we see these factors in the upcoming games this weekend.
Another injury the Pens are familiar with is a high ankle sprain and it was announced that Tyler Kennedy has fallen victim to the injury and will be out approximately 4-6 weeks.
Jordan Staal was the unfortunate victim of an accidental stick to the face this morning at practice and needed some stitches. Luckily, it was nothing too serious and he will be fine.
After rumors have been floating around for quite some time now about the location of the 2013 NHL Winter Classic, it was confirmed and announced today that the 2013 Winter Classic will be played in Detroit at Michigan Stadium, where the Universoty of Michigan football team plays. The game will be played between the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
It was also announced today that Comerica Park, where the Detroit Tigers play, will be home to the Hockeytown Winter Festival. This will be a week long event leading up to the Winter Classic featuring games and festivities.
Michigan Stadium will draw the biggest crowd for an NHL Winter Classic yet to date with 115,000 tickets being available in the large venue.
I was a little sad to hear the rumors about the venue a while ago because I enjoyed knowing that I attended the first official Winter Classic in Buffalo that had the largest attendance yet to date. Though, I still was able to attend the first official Winter Classic between the Pens and the Buffalo Sabres and the memories I have from that game are special and I will cherish them for the rest of my life.
Also, the trade deadline is fast approaching as it comes on February 27th. Not too much has happened yet around the league, but this may be the calm before the storm. We'll have to wait and see if the Pens will be involved in some trading or if it will be a quiet trade deadline for us.
Coach Dan Bylsma was stressing today after practice that the Pens need to be more dominant in games after some losses. We need to get back to shooting more and capitalizing on power play opportunities. The low goal totals we have been seeing in some recent games is just another reminder that we need more scoring down the lines and we can not always count on the top line to provide our offense. Hopefully, we see these factors in the upcoming games this weekend.
Another injury the Pens are familiar with is a high ankle sprain and it was announced that Tyler Kennedy has fallen victim to the injury and will be out approximately 4-6 weeks.
Jordan Staal was the unfortunate victim of an accidental stick to the face this morning at practice and needed some stitches. Luckily, it was nothing too serious and he will be fine.
After rumors have been floating around for quite some time now about the location of the 2013 NHL Winter Classic, it was confirmed and announced today that the 2013 Winter Classic will be played in Detroit at Michigan Stadium, where the Universoty of Michigan football team plays. The game will be played between the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
It was also announced today that Comerica Park, where the Detroit Tigers play, will be home to the Hockeytown Winter Festival. This will be a week long event leading up to the Winter Classic featuring games and festivities.
Michigan Stadium will draw the biggest crowd for an NHL Winter Classic yet to date with 115,000 tickets being available in the large venue.
I was a little sad to hear the rumors about the venue a while ago because I enjoyed knowing that I attended the first official Winter Classic in Buffalo that had the largest attendance yet to date. Though, I still was able to attend the first official Winter Classic between the Pens and the Buffalo Sabres and the memories I have from that game are special and I will cherish them for the rest of my life.
Also, the trade deadline is fast approaching as it comes on February 27th. Not too much has happened yet around the league, but this may be the calm before the storm. We'll have to wait and see if the Pens will be involved in some trading or if it will be a quiet trade deadline for us.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Game against Montreal Canadiens tonight.
The Pens had a day off from game action since their 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Sunday. Now, tonight against the Habs, it is time to get back on track, preferably, the winning track.
The Habs are not having that great of a season and with a 3-0 win over the Winnipeg Jets this weekend, they were able to move up out of the last place of the Eastern Conference, but they have a long road ahead of them if they want to see a number near a playoff position. If they continue at this rate, they'll be sitting out after early April. A coaching change and a trade have seemed to make little change and no real effect.
Though, just because they have had their difficulties this season does not mean that this will be an easy game tonight. The Canadiens have a strong penalty kill that ranks number one in the league and can still play well. Also, the Habs might show up strong in net as they did in their shutout against the Jets this past weekend. The Pens will have to be on top of their game tonight and get back to starting a new winning streak.
Jason Williams was called up from the Baby Pens and in order to do so, the Pens put Arron Asham on the IR list. Tyler Kennedy will be out for tonight's game and perhaps longer as he is back in Pittsburgh to be evaluated for an injury that occurred late in Sunday's game.
Yesterday, Simon Despres and Jordan Staal returned to practice, both rehabbing knee injuries.
The Habs are not having that great of a season and with a 3-0 win over the Winnipeg Jets this weekend, they were able to move up out of the last place of the Eastern Conference, but they have a long road ahead of them if they want to see a number near a playoff position. If they continue at this rate, they'll be sitting out after early April. A coaching change and a trade have seemed to make little change and no real effect.
Though, just because they have had their difficulties this season does not mean that this will be an easy game tonight. The Canadiens have a strong penalty kill that ranks number one in the league and can still play well. Also, the Habs might show up strong in net as they did in their shutout against the Jets this past weekend. The Pens will have to be on top of their game tonight and get back to starting a new winning streak.
Jason Williams was called up from the Baby Pens and in order to do so, the Pens put Arron Asham on the IR list. Tyler Kennedy will be out for tonight's game and perhaps longer as he is back in Pittsburgh to be evaluated for an injury that occurred late in Sunday's game.
Yesterday, Simon Despres and Jordan Staal returned to practice, both rehabbing knee injuries.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Hockey in class of its own.
By now, you surely know that I believe hockey to be the best sport there is. I make it quite obvious the way I feel. I have shared many reasons as to why I believe this to be true and the excitement and tempo of the game are just part of the reason. Watching the Super Bowl yesterday was pretty boring to me. It did not grab or hold my attention. I think I can honestly say I have a slight idea of what it is like to have an attention deficit disorder now; I could not concentrate on that game much at all... except for the commercials.
I have always admired hockey players for their character and skill. The main thing that sets hockey apart from any other sport and any hockey player from any other athlete is their ability to skate. Athletes can usually play multiple sports, and Tom Thompson, of the Hockey News, discusses this in his recent column titled, "Skating skills separate hockey from all else."
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/44523-Tom-Thompson-Skating-skills-separate-hockey-from-all-else.html
In Thompson's column, he mentions the fact that Bo Jackson could excel in any sport he tried, except hockey and Michael Jordan, who attempted to play pro baseball after retiring from basketball also could not have played hockey. The main reason: They didn't know how to skate or at least did not know how to skate as well as hockey players do.
I have always said that to be a good hockey player, you have to be great at skating first. How many other sports require someone to learn how to do a completely different task and then learn skills and the concepts and fundamentals of a sport? Hockey players started out skating and then developed skill and game sense.
Any other sport you need to learn to run or walk basically, those are developmental stages that most people achieve at a very young age. Most hockey players learned to skate soon after learning to walk or run.
Some believe that skating is becoming better in earlier ages for hockey players than it has in the past and some are concerned that that might have a negative affect on the game for injuries. If that becomes the case, the game will adjust as needed, but we all know that skating is what makes hockey so unique. Thompson tells us not to take it for granted and I know I surely don't. It is just another reason I admire hockey players. Just add it to the long list.
I have always admired hockey players for their character and skill. The main thing that sets hockey apart from any other sport and any hockey player from any other athlete is their ability to skate. Athletes can usually play multiple sports, and Tom Thompson, of the Hockey News, discusses this in his recent column titled, "Skating skills separate hockey from all else."
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/44523-Tom-Thompson-Skating-skills-separate-hockey-from-all-else.html
In Thompson's column, he mentions the fact that Bo Jackson could excel in any sport he tried, except hockey and Michael Jordan, who attempted to play pro baseball after retiring from basketball also could not have played hockey. The main reason: They didn't know how to skate or at least did not know how to skate as well as hockey players do.
I have always said that to be a good hockey player, you have to be great at skating first. How many other sports require someone to learn how to do a completely different task and then learn skills and the concepts and fundamentals of a sport? Hockey players started out skating and then developed skill and game sense.
Any other sport you need to learn to run or walk basically, those are developmental stages that most people achieve at a very young age. Most hockey players learned to skate soon after learning to walk or run.
Some believe that skating is becoming better in earlier ages for hockey players than it has in the past and some are concerned that that might have a negative affect on the game for injuries. If that becomes the case, the game will adjust as needed, but we all know that skating is what makes hockey so unique. Thompson tells us not to take it for granted and I know I surely don't. It is just another reason I admire hockey players. Just add it to the long list.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Matinee feature against the New Jersey Devils.
The Pens got back on a winning track yesterday with their 2-1 win over the Boston Bruins. Fleury was strong in net against the Bruins and the Pens played a strong game.
Now, we must play another strong game today against the New Jersey Devils in New Jersey. If today's game is anything like New Jersey's game yesterday against the Flyers, then we will need to be strong in net again. The Devils beat the Flyers 6-4 yesterday. The Devils were sputtering just before the All Star break but have not lost since coming back to play afterwards. In their past 11 games, they are 7-3-1. The Devils have recently put together Ilya Kovalchuk, Patrik Elias, and Zach Parise together on one line and the results have been pretty good. They are putting up some good numbers and are a line that needs to be contained best as possible.
Overall, the Pens will need to play a strong game and be responsible defensively against this offensive team as well as getting enough shots on net to get past Martin Brodeur.
Yesterday I mentioned Cal O'Reilly making his debut in the Pens' lineup and yesterday he had a promising debut on a line with Tyler Kennedy and Steve Sullivan. He had a shot on net in his nearly 14 minutes of ice time. He saw some time on the second power play unit and won 4 of 8 faceoffs, though also had one giveaway.
In yesterday's afternoon game, Brooks Orpik had a highlight reel hit against Boston's Daniel Paille, sending him flying in the air a few feet. A nice clean, good hit like that is something to see. It will surely be added to Orpik's repertoire of great hits.
Now, we must play another strong game today against the New Jersey Devils in New Jersey. If today's game is anything like New Jersey's game yesterday against the Flyers, then we will need to be strong in net again. The Devils beat the Flyers 6-4 yesterday. The Devils were sputtering just before the All Star break but have not lost since coming back to play afterwards. In their past 11 games, they are 7-3-1. The Devils have recently put together Ilya Kovalchuk, Patrik Elias, and Zach Parise together on one line and the results have been pretty good. They are putting up some good numbers and are a line that needs to be contained best as possible.
Overall, the Pens will need to play a strong game and be responsible defensively against this offensive team as well as getting enough shots on net to get past Martin Brodeur.
Yesterday I mentioned Cal O'Reilly making his debut in the Pens' lineup and yesterday he had a promising debut on a line with Tyler Kennedy and Steve Sullivan. He had a shot on net in his nearly 14 minutes of ice time. He saw some time on the second power play unit and won 4 of 8 faceoffs, though also had one giveaway.
In yesterday's afternoon game, Brooks Orpik had a highlight reel hit against Boston's Daniel Paille, sending him flying in the air a few feet. A nice clean, good hit like that is something to see. It will surely be added to Orpik's repertoire of great hits.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Pens take on Bruins today.
The Toronto Maple Leafs snapped the Pens' 8 game winning streak on Wednesday and now it is time for the Pens to start the next win streak today in Boston when they face the Boston Bruins.
The Bruins started this season looking like they were going to be making a run at a consecutive Stanley Cup with the way they were playing. Surely, we know that a season is long though and more recently the Bruins are having mixed results and winning a game and losing one in a pattern. The Bruins are 4-4-1 in their last nine. However, they are still a very strong team and a threat for sure. They sit second in the east and are on top of their Northwest Division.
The Bruins are a deep team that can score goals and though they have not been so strong defensively as of late, that does not mean they are not capable of being strong defensively. When the Bruins are on their game, they are a tough team to beat and when they aren't quite on their game, they're still not all that easy to beat. The Pens will need to play a full 60-minute game and some secondary scoring won't hurt in this game today.
The Bruins are a strong team at home as well and today's game should be an exciting one!
Sidney Crosby, Jordan Staal and Simon Despres travelled with the team for their road trip that will take them to New Jersey tomorrow and then Montreal, though do not expect any of them to be in the lineup during the trip. Coach Bylsma did say though that Despres and Staal could join team practices this upcoming week.
In other Pens' news: The Pens have resigned forward Joe Vitale to a 2-year contract extension. The annual amount of this deal is about $550,000.
Also, on this trip, we'll get to see Cal O'Reilly, the Pens newest memeber.
The Bruins started this season looking like they were going to be making a run at a consecutive Stanley Cup with the way they were playing. Surely, we know that a season is long though and more recently the Bruins are having mixed results and winning a game and losing one in a pattern. The Bruins are 4-4-1 in their last nine. However, they are still a very strong team and a threat for sure. They sit second in the east and are on top of their Northwest Division.
The Bruins are a deep team that can score goals and though they have not been so strong defensively as of late, that does not mean they are not capable of being strong defensively. When the Bruins are on their game, they are a tough team to beat and when they aren't quite on their game, they're still not all that easy to beat. The Pens will need to play a full 60-minute game and some secondary scoring won't hurt in this game today.
The Bruins are a strong team at home as well and today's game should be an exciting one!
Sidney Crosby, Jordan Staal and Simon Despres travelled with the team for their road trip that will take them to New Jersey tomorrow and then Montreal, though do not expect any of them to be in the lineup during the trip. Coach Bylsma did say though that Despres and Staal could join team practices this upcoming week.
In other Pens' news: The Pens have resigned forward Joe Vitale to a 2-year contract extension. The annual amount of this deal is about $550,000.
Also, on this trip, we'll get to see Cal O'Reilly, the Pens newest memeber.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
What a game, and now a rematch!
Last night's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs is what some people love and others hate. For me, there is nothing quite like a nail-biting, on the edge of your seat, exciting game. Now, not every minute of last night's game was like that for Pens fans. I am sure there are some moments we would like to forget. Oh, and how easy they are to forget with a finish like that. The Pens were going into the third period being down 4-1 and were able to come back and win in a shootout 5-4. Late goals by players that we love chipping in on the offense and then of course, Malkin to tie it up with less than 7 seconds left in the game. Sure enough, Malkin was the only player to score in the shootout as well, securing the Pens' 8th victory in a row. It was a nice welcoming after the All Star Break and quite a way to start off a new stretch of games.
As much fun as last night's game was and how I would love to spend more time talking about, we can not forget that the Pens have a rematch against the Maple Leafs tonight in Toronto. Now, if the Pens were on the receiving end of that loss, I know they would come back fighting tonight, so the Pens must be prepared for a Maple Leaf team that will come out strong. Who knows what tonight's game will bring. Last night's game was a perfect example of why not to change the channel when your team is down.
Toronto is a strong team and they are a team that has had some secondary scoring chip in as of late and the Pens should be prepared for a tough game tonight, not that last night wasn't.
The Pens look to continue their winning streak tonight and we all know... 9 is better than 8.
NEWS: The Pens claimed forward Cal O'Reilly off of re-entry waivers from the Phoenix Coyotes today.
The 25 year old has 5 points in 22 games this season with Phoenix.
On the Crosby front, another press conference was held yesterday and it was announced that Crosby has a soft-tissue injury of the neck, in which the symptoms are related to those of concussion symptoms. He is being treated for this injury and we will have to see what happens.
Also, Tom Brady has said he has never met Sidney Crosby. Don't believe everything you hear folks!
Now, let's focus on the important thing: We have a rematch against the Maple Leafs tonight and if it is anything like last night's game, then it should be quite entertaining.
As much fun as last night's game was and how I would love to spend more time talking about, we can not forget that the Pens have a rematch against the Maple Leafs tonight in Toronto. Now, if the Pens were on the receiving end of that loss, I know they would come back fighting tonight, so the Pens must be prepared for a Maple Leaf team that will come out strong. Who knows what tonight's game will bring. Last night's game was a perfect example of why not to change the channel when your team is down.
Toronto is a strong team and they are a team that has had some secondary scoring chip in as of late and the Pens should be prepared for a tough game tonight, not that last night wasn't.
The Pens look to continue their winning streak tonight and we all know... 9 is better than 8.
NEWS: The Pens claimed forward Cal O'Reilly off of re-entry waivers from the Phoenix Coyotes today.
The 25 year old has 5 points in 22 games this season with Phoenix.
On the Crosby front, another press conference was held yesterday and it was announced that Crosby has a soft-tissue injury of the neck, in which the symptoms are related to those of concussion symptoms. He is being treated for this injury and we will have to see what happens.
Also, Tom Brady has said he has never met Sidney Crosby. Don't believe everything you hear folks!
Now, let's focus on the important thing: We have a rematch against the Maple Leafs tonight and if it is anything like last night's game, then it should be quite entertaining.
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