Game Thread: Penguins GNT/GDT week 1 (Oct 5 - Oct 11)

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Welcome back Pen fans! Season starts this Thursday at Dallas!

Oct 8th @ Dallas Stars

Oct 11th @ Phoenix Coyotes

I'll have more regarding lineups and predictions as things become official!

 

[obxyankeefan]

Hopefully this team is better than last years team

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Hopefully this team is better than last years team

I think the defense will be worse to tell you the truth, but hopefully our offense will keep us competitive

 

[Cyder]

Hockey season returns! Can't wait to see how the Pens disappoint their fans this year!

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Hockey season returns! Can't wait to see how the Pens disappoint their fans this year!

Won't happen, no one has any expectations for the Pens besides Crosby/Kessel scoring a lot, and even there we know that injuries can always play a factor.

 

[Cyder]

Won't happen, no one has any expectations for the Pens besides Crosby/Kessel scoring a lot, and even there we know that injuries can always play a factor.

When you have Malkin, Crosby and a scorer like Kessel you always have a punchers chance when healthy but the defense is going to be an issue. The Flower is going to have to be huge

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

When you have Malkin, Crosby and a scorer like Kessel you always have a punchers chance when healthy but the defense is going to be an issue. The Flower is going to have to be huge

I like our offense this year (much more than last year anyway), but the defense really concerns me. Losses of Brandon Sutter & Paul Martin really hurt.

 

[Cyder]

I like our offense this year (much more than last year anyway), but the defense really concerns me. Losses of Brandon Sutter & Paul Martin really hurt.

I agree. Losing those two is a big, big loss. I really like Martin's game.

And it looks like the Rangers are in mid season form already. Score in the first period and then pray Hank can keep the lead. If the Rangers ever learn to score in the 2nd and 3rd periods I'll shit myself.

 

[Darkstone42]

"The Kessel Run Begins Tonight"

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

I expect the defense to struggle, but the offense should be much better.

 

[Darkstone42]

I love Kessel on the powerplay. That dude just loves to shoot. In fact, I just loved that powerplay overall. Niemi was sharp, but good movement, both body and puck, and aggressive getting the puck to the net through traffic.

 

[Hbomb]

Let's Go Pens!!

 

[Darkstone42]

Scuderi remains a disaster, but he has one of the Pens' best shots on goal somehow.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Offense is stil awful

 

[thedddd]

Well Niemi somehow was great last night. The offense had their opportunities and it seems their 5 v 5 defense wasn't bad limiting the shots against. Short handed they still worry the crap out of me.

 

[scoutyjones2]

Offense is stil awful

Yep...

 

[scoutyjones2]

I knew it, same ole POS Crosby...no shots on goal...we've seen this bullshit before...

He's so over valued it's not even funny.

 

[evolver115]

I knew it, same ole POS Crosby...no shots on goal...we've seen this bullshit before...

He's so over valued it's not even funny.

I dunno about you, but I'm more concerned about the defense. Niemi just had a fantastic game, and I can't really get wound up about the fact they didn't get one past him. Just gotta tip your cap and get him next time. Which, by the looks of the schedule, they'll see Dallas in a couple weeks.

I'm more concerned about the D, particularly the PK. And if Rob Scuderi starts tonight over Clendening and Erixon, I'm going to begin questioning the sanity of Johnston. Boat Anchor Bob was flat out terrible on Thursday. If Johnston is only starting him to justify that terrible contract, that is flat out ridiculous. Play your best six. Scuds isn't one of them. He should only play because injuries dictate him being in the lineup.

 

[scoutyjones2]

Crosby...no shots on goal...zero, nada

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Coyotes really manhandled the Kings at Staples last night. They look pretty good this season. I could see Mike Smith getting a shutout against us tonight.