Monday Update

The Pittsburgh Penguins finally had their home opener on Saturday night. It was definitely one I will never forget! Unfortunately it ended in a loss, but it was still a special night. We got a glimpse of the past as well as the very bright future. Mario Lemieux played one of his best games of the season and Sidney Crosby made his home debut showing all of Pittsburgh that the hype is for real! This kid is an assist machine and has great touch around the net. The passes he makes are unbelievable! He seems to see the ice as only a very select few have in the past. Sid seems to have that unnatural ability to know exactly what is going to happen 2 steps ahead. He knows where and who he is going to pass the puck too before he gets it. There is no hesitation, no delayed reaction. He set brooks Orpik up in front of the Boston net with a no look, backhand pass as he was going into the right wing corner with defender on his back. You could almost see the disbelief in Orpik as he buried the puck. Crosby also picked up his first goal of the season, knocking a bouncing rebound behind Boston goaltender Hannu Toivonen. It was exciting to see Sidney, who is mature beyond his years, act like the 18 year old he is as he celebrated his goal. Skating backwards towards the boards and leaping into the glass! A 400 pound gorilla seemed to be taken off his back with that first goal, finally giving the casual fan something to talk about. He has picked up points in every game this season and is well on his way to claiming the Calder trophy.

Mario scored 2 goals and once again looked very strong on his skates. A healthy Mario has got to have the rest of the league worried. Hopefully he can continue to fight off the nagging injuries that have caused him so much grief throughout his career.

It does seem that this team has some kinks that have to be worked out. I think that it is just a matter of getting players on the same page. Any time you have a large group of new players joining a team, there is a period of transition. It occasionally takes time for the lines to gel and for everyone to learn the nuances of each others game. The main line-up of the Penguins had only played together 2 times in the preseason. So judging them after 5 games together is a bit premature.

Goalie Jocelyn Thibault was injured in the morning skate Saturday and has been placed on the IR. He was hit on the side of the knee cap with a Rico Fata shot. The Pens have called up goalie Marc Andre Fleury, who was the best backstop in their camp. MA Fleury will need to turn in a strong performance if he wants to stay on the big club when Thibault returns. He will start Monday evening against the Buffalo Sabres.