Give Me a Home, Where the Buffalo Roam!
The Penguins have had three days to get ready for tonight's match up against the Buffalo Sabres. Did they use the time wisely? Have they worked through the deficiencies in their game that developed during their 5 game losing streak? We can only hope so....otherwise, it could get ugly.
Though the Penguins are coming off a win against the Philadelphia Flyers Monday night, they didn't play a particularly great game. Buffalo will be the second big test for this young team, the first was their clash with the Anaheim Ducks on November 6. The Penguins were able to hold their own in that match up, but will need to play their A game to beat Bufflo, who has lost in regulation only twice this season. It doesn't get any easier as news broke yesterday afternoon that Max Afinogenov would most likely be in the line-up tonight. He tends to hurt the Penguins even during years when Buffalo isn't one of the best teams in the league.
What could this game do to the Penguin psyche? A win could be a monumental confidence boost, a loss could send them into a tailspin. Hopefully it is the former, a tailspin could really derail their season at this point. Especially with 6 games against Eastern Conference foes during the next two weeks; 5 of which are in the division.
The Penguins will need to work very hard and play their system to be successful against the Sabres. This will not be a game in which they can fall behind early, you don't come back against this team. You also are guaranteed nothing, since they are more than capable of coming back against you. Ask the Boston Bruins, who watched the Sabres come back from a 4-1 deficit with 8:50 left in the third to win a Nov. 2 game 5-4.
Notes:
Will the Malkin Ruling Help His Game?
Evgeni Malkin had to be worried about the outcome of the Penguin/NHL court date on Wednesday that would determine if he could continue his young career with the team or have to sit out until a resolution was brokered with the Russian Federation. Well, when the injunction was denied, it had to take a load off of this young man. He can now focus on nothing but hockey. I cannot say for certain that this was weighing on his mind, because anytime I have been able to chat with him there were restrictions about asking questions regarding the case. However, speaking from experience, it had to be. This outcome will energize him. Malkin will be leading all rookies in scoring before the end of November, and he won't look back. Mark it down.....
*******
Jocelyn Thibault will start in goal for the Penguins tonight. Marc Andre Fleury will face the New York Rangers tomorrow.
Stay tuned for a post game update....
Though the Penguins are coming off a win against the Philadelphia Flyers Monday night, they didn't play a particularly great game. Buffalo will be the second big test for this young team, the first was their clash with the Anaheim Ducks on November 6. The Penguins were able to hold their own in that match up, but will need to play their A game to beat Bufflo, who has lost in regulation only twice this season. It doesn't get any easier as news broke yesterday afternoon that Max Afinogenov would most likely be in the line-up tonight. He tends to hurt the Penguins even during years when Buffalo isn't one of the best teams in the league.
What could this game do to the Penguin psyche? A win could be a monumental confidence boost, a loss could send them into a tailspin. Hopefully it is the former, a tailspin could really derail their season at this point. Especially with 6 games against Eastern Conference foes during the next two weeks; 5 of which are in the division.
The Penguins will need to work very hard and play their system to be successful against the Sabres. This will not be a game in which they can fall behind early, you don't come back against this team. You also are guaranteed nothing, since they are more than capable of coming back against you. Ask the Boston Bruins, who watched the Sabres come back from a 4-1 deficit with 8:50 left in the third to win a Nov. 2 game 5-4.
Notes:
Will the Malkin Ruling Help His Game?
Evgeni Malkin had to be worried about the outcome of the Penguin/NHL court date on Wednesday that would determine if he could continue his young career with the team or have to sit out until a resolution was brokered with the Russian Federation. Well, when the injunction was denied, it had to take a load off of this young man. He can now focus on nothing but hockey. I cannot say for certain that this was weighing on his mind, because anytime I have been able to chat with him there were restrictions about asking questions regarding the case. However, speaking from experience, it had to be. This outcome will energize him. Malkin will be leading all rookies in scoring before the end of November, and he won't look back. Mark it down.....
*******
Jocelyn Thibault will start in goal for the Penguins tonight. Marc Andre Fleury will face the New York Rangers tomorrow.
Stay tuned for a post game update....
posted by Bmetzer66 at 3:36 PM
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