Despite the feeling at times that the Pens have been a bit disappointing, they are actually 4th in the entire NHL in winning percentage, behind the Capitals, Sharks, and Blackhawks.......
In my small mind, the rest of the season is a race against the Devils and Flyers for first in the Atlantic................this guarantees a top 3 seed and home ice, plus eliminates the need to really worry that much about Buffalo and Ottawa..............not that taking the second seed would be that bad either.........
Matt Cooke did not get a single game suspension for his hit on Savard.........mixed feelings there........the NHL is like kangaroo court, so you really do not have any idea what will happen there...........
The fact that Cooke will be in the lineup on March 18th probably guarantees that the game will be more of a circus than a hockey game...........Boston fans and national media have openly questioned the "sack" of the Bruins........no way can they allow Cooke to skate that night without it getting ugly..............
I am looking forward to the game tomorrow night with Carolina, as it appears that Bill Guerin will be back in the lineup, and we will see for the first time a full Pens lineup post trade deadline......want to see the full effect of having both top lines completely healthy..........
Which forward sits then? I think I actually would like to see Tyler Kennedy sit for a game or two......I know that the third line has been big for the Pens, but lately (month or so) Kennedy has not brought his sandpaper game......he seems to think he woke up with a bit more talent than he has.....perhaps a view from the bench will remind old TK that his game is to get the puck behind the D and cycle......you cannot sit Dupuis at this point...........so if it is not TK, it really comes down to Adams and Talbot, both of whom bring a lot to the dance as far as PK etc.
Fridays game v New Jersey is going to be the biggest game of the season for the Pens........in a race that will seperate the two by 5 points or less, this is a 4 point swing in the standings, and just as important a measuring stick for the Pens who have lost their other 4 tilts with the Devils......
I am hopeful that the rest will get Crosby back to his pre Olympic pace for scoring.........he was on fire......he looked okay during the Olympics prior to his gold medal winning goal, but no more.....he had his two goal game post Olympics but has not been really hot in the other three games.........he needed a rest.........I am hoping for a 55 goal season for Crosby........
I love Bill Guerins game......a lot.......but he may need to get on his horse soon, or there could be some pressure from Dupuis to stay up on that top unit........if Duper had ANY hands he would be an annual 25 goal per season guy................
Despite having two goaltenders of modest pedigree healthy and available the Flyers will not go away in the race for the Atlantic and Eastern Conference seeding.................
Watching the Devils dismantle NYR tonite, I think the Rangers will not make the cut this season...........poor goaltending tonite............
I remain kind of unimpressed with Evgeni Malkin thus far this season...............IF he catches fire, the Pens will be a bitch to eliminate...................
Of the Penguins final 15 games, 12 of them are against Eastern Conference teams that are in the playoff hunt and one is against the Detroit Red Wings........should make for a fun ride......the upcoming 5 game roadtrip will go a long way towards determining their seeding...........
I am still enjoying the pain of another............a lot.......:)
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