RealGM

Opening game of the season. I will be at work, unfortunately. But I work at a Sports bar so I will be watching the game while working. I predict the Pens to win 4-1.

Goals:

Sid, Malkin, Sykora, Whitney

Here are the lines according to Pittsburgh Sports Insider:

1st Line: Staal Crosby Sykora

2nd Line: Malone Malkin Recchi

3rd Line: Roberts Christensen Armstrong

4th Line: Rutuu Talbot Hall or Laraque

Defense:

Eaton - Gonchar

Orpik - Whitney

Sydor - Scuderi

Should be a good one, I can't wait!

Well, I only saw Andrew Ladd score on Fleury because I was really busy at work. From what my brothers have told me, Fleury played like garbage as did the rest of the team. Tonight should be a different story.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Anaheim Ducks

7:30PM - Home Opener for the Pens

Pens (0-1)
Last Game: Vs. Carolina - Loss 4-1

Ducks (1-2-1)
Last Game: Vs. Columbus - Loss 4-0

My Prediction:

Pens 5 Anaheim 3

I expect to see a different team in Pittsburgh then the one that played Carolina. The team last year seemed to bounce back after getting beat down the game before.

Again I will be at work tonight but I should be able to catch glimpses of the game.

You're slacking timd.

I'm expecting 2 pages of conversation with yourself just like last season. I come and see one post? You're not off to a good start.

Crowned wrote:You're slacking timd.

I'm expecting 2 pages of conversation with yourself just like last season. I come and see one post? You're not off to a good start.

Lol. I would have had 2 pages of conversation with myself but I had to work.

Pens are 1-1 and the Canadiens are 1-0-1. Carey Price will make his NHL debut tonight at 7:30. Sidney Crosby does plan on playing after suffering a bruised foot against Anaheim. Malkin-Sykora-Staal may become a line. They played well in the short time together against Anaheim. The 1st line will probably be Sid-Malone-Recchi. Malone looks about 5 pounds lighter then last season and seems more motivated as well. Look for the Orpik-Koivu battle to continue tonight. Should be a fun, fast paced and high intensity game. Go Pens.

Prediction:

Pens 4
Sid - 1
Malone - 1
Sykora - 1
Staal - 1

Canadiens 2
Kovalev 1
Kostitsyn 1

Last years season series between these two teams were very fun to watch. Hopefully, this year will be the same. Of course, the Pens winning them. I will be able to watch this. First one of the year.

Georges Laraque has not been practicing this week so he may not be in the lineup tonight. Here are the probably lines:

1st Line: Recchi - Crosby - Sykora

2nd Line: Staal - Malkin - Malone

3rd Line: Roberts - Christensen - Armstrong

Defense stays the same.

Prediction:

6-3 Pens
Sykora - 3
Crosby - 1
Staal - 1
Malkin - 1

Fleury and Sid both have great games

Pens: 1-2

Leading Scorers:

Malkin = 1-3-4
Sykora = 2-1-3
Recchi = 1-2-3
Crosby = 0-2-2
Roberts = 0-2-2

Fleury = 1-2 4.16 GAA .869 Save %

Maple Leafs: 2-2-1

Leading Scorers:

Sundin = 2-6-8
Stajan= 3-3-6
Antropov = 3-2-5
Steen = 1-3-4
6 Tied at 3

Toskala = 1-2 4.29 GAA .865 Save %
Raycroft = 1-0-1 2.44 GAA .918 Save %

Danny Sabourin will get the start for the Pens. I am kinda baffled by this decision by Therrian. They haven't played since Wednesday. Fleury is rested.

Woo hoo. EC ripped that shot off a clean win by Adam Hall.

Sydor has to knock Tucker down. 1-1

Toskala is playing a good game so far. Making some good saves. 2-1 Leafs. End of first period.

The Pens are coming off a 4-2 Loss to Toronto on Saturday night.

Marc-Andre Fleury had the night off so I expect to see him in the line up tonight after 2 strong outings.

Sidney Crosby, Colby Armstrong and Ryan Malone have been hot since they've been moved together to form the 1st line in the game against Ottawa.

Tonight will be the first time I actually get to sit down and watch a game in a long time. I am exciting.

I will be keeping a close watch on Daniel Carcillo. He was traded to Phoenix for Georges Laraque and has a temper. I would like to see Laraque on the top line with Sid if the game gets out of reach.

I am also looking forward for the return of Bill Thomas, a Pittsburgher. I hope he gets to play tonight.

Phoenix Fan here, good luck to the Pens and hope the game can be entertaining to watch. We are on a 3 game losing streak and im rooting for us to end it tonight.

Well, since Crosby is your favorite player, you will be able to have the opportunity to see him play in Phoenix. The NHL schedule was changed so each team will each each other at home. Thanks god. I was getting so sick of watching Philly, NY, NYI and NJD 8 times a year.

If it wasn't for the Penguins, I would hate the city of Pittsburgh. The pregame show for the Pens is nothing but the Steelers. I hate the Steelers!!!!!

End of 1st period.

Pittsburgh 1 Phoenix 0

Pittsburgh:

Talbot (6) Assists: Laraque (3)

League Leaders:

Shots:
Phoenix: Jovanovski - 2
Pittsburgh: Malkin - 2

Blocked Shots:
Phoenix: 4 Players tied with 1
Pittsburgh: Scuderi - 2

Hits:
Phoenix: 3 Players tied with 1
Pittsburgh: Orpik - 2

Ice time:
Phoenix: Doan - 8:30
Pittsburgh: Crosby - 8:23

Powerplays:
Phoenix: 0-1
Pittsburgh: 0-4

Shots on goal:
Phoenix - 5
Pittsburgh - 7


The Pens powerplay has looked pathetic so far. I never thought they would miss Gonchar, but they do. He is bad in his defensive zone, but he is so valuable on the PP and the Pens do need him.

Ballard beat Armstrong pretty badly in the fight. I would have thought Carcillo would have been the first to go, but so far, he looks calm.

Just awful is how I will summarize that period and the game so far.

Shane Doan notches his 6th goal of the season as the Coyotes tie the game at 1-1 in the 3rd period.

timd1218 wrote:Well, since Crosby is your favorite player, you will be able to have the opportunity to see him play in Phoenix. The NHL schedule was changed so each team will each each other at home. Thanks god. I was getting so sick of watching Philly, NY, NYI and NJD 8 times a year.

Yet somehow the coyotes get stuck playing the sharks 3 times in a row.