Pens Load Up Top Line - Recall A Pair
The Penguins are trying to power up their top line. Coach Michel Therrien has gone with many different line combinations this season and hasn't been able to settle on a left winger for Sidney Crosby. Especially, since current left winger, Ryan Malone will be out more than a month with a broken wrist. Crosby plays regularly with Colby Armstrong, with their left wing spot being a revolving door of sorts. They have played with Nils Ekman, Mark Recchi, Malone and a cavalcade of other Penguins forwards. This has also led to much line shuffling on the 2nd through 4th lines. Therrien has decided to experiment a bit, he has placed Evgeni Malkin on the left wing of his top line.
Therrien made a point of stating that "nobody said he is going to be a left winger." He did go on to say this of Malkin and Crosby: "We really like the way they play together. They make it really tough on the other team. They have skill, they have a lot of speed. They think the game the same way. It's a matter of execution, sometimes. With time, they're going to get better and better."
This is the type of line that could get Penguins fans thinking of a years past, when Mario Lemieux took the ice with Jaromir Jagr on his wing. These two young men have quickly developed a chemistry with each other and seem to know where the other is going to be. It is amazing to watch how players who speak two different languages can communicate through the game of hockey. Their skill just takes over and they read off of each other. Great players have that knack.
This line will give the New Jersey Devils some headaches tonight, but the case can also be made that the Penguins are putting all of their eggs in one basket, thus making the Devils job easier.
The move also effects another young Penguins forward. Jordan Staal, who still isn't sure if he will stay in the NHL this season, has been bumped up to center the second line between Mark Recchi and Nils Ekman. This will be Staal's first chance to get substantial ice time in an offensive situation during the regular season. He has been a regular on the 4th line and been very special in killing penalties. He has notched 3 short handed goals so far this season. Tonight will mark his 8th game in the league and the Penguins will have one more outing before they have to make a decision. With the injury to Malone, it is looking more and more like he will stay, time will tell.
Hopefully these moves will spur the Penguins to their third straight victory, one that would move them into first place in the Atlantic division.
*******
The Penguins have recalled two players from their Wilkes Barre-Scranton affiliate.
Defenseman Noah Welch was recalled yesterday, all but signifying the end of Kris LeTang's cameo in the NHL.
Center Max Talbot, who leads the Baby Penguins with 4 goals in 5 games, 3 of them game winners, was recalled today.
Both players are expected to be in the line-up tonight.
This blog can also be read at www.hockeybuzz.com
Therrien made a point of stating that "nobody said he is going to be a left winger." He did go on to say this of Malkin and Crosby: "We really like the way they play together. They make it really tough on the other team. They have skill, they have a lot of speed. They think the game the same way. It's a matter of execution, sometimes. With time, they're going to get better and better."
This is the type of line that could get Penguins fans thinking of a years past, when Mario Lemieux took the ice with Jaromir Jagr on his wing. These two young men have quickly developed a chemistry with each other and seem to know where the other is going to be. It is amazing to watch how players who speak two different languages can communicate through the game of hockey. Their skill just takes over and they read off of each other. Great players have that knack.
This line will give the New Jersey Devils some headaches tonight, but the case can also be made that the Penguins are putting all of their eggs in one basket, thus making the Devils job easier.
The move also effects another young Penguins forward. Jordan Staal, who still isn't sure if he will stay in the NHL this season, has been bumped up to center the second line between Mark Recchi and Nils Ekman. This will be Staal's first chance to get substantial ice time in an offensive situation during the regular season. He has been a regular on the 4th line and been very special in killing penalties. He has notched 3 short handed goals so far this season. Tonight will mark his 8th game in the league and the Penguins will have one more outing before they have to make a decision. With the injury to Malone, it is looking more and more like he will stay, time will tell.
Hopefully these moves will spur the Penguins to their third straight victory, one that would move them into first place in the Atlantic division.
*******
The Penguins have recalled two players from their Wilkes Barre-Scranton affiliate.
Defenseman Noah Welch was recalled yesterday, all but signifying the end of Kris LeTang's cameo in the NHL.
Center Max Talbot, who leads the Baby Penguins with 4 goals in 5 games, 3 of them game winners, was recalled today.
Both players are expected to be in the line-up tonight.
This blog can also be read at www.hockeybuzz.com
posted by Bmetzer66 at 2:17 PM
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