It's too hot for a penguin to be just walkin' around here: Pittsburgh @ Chicago Preview
by Killion on Feb 27, 2009 1:05 PM CST
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GAME TIME: 7:30 CST
OPPOSITION BLOG: Pensburgh and The Pensblog
TV: Comcast RADIO: WGN 720AM
DON’T FORGET: YOUR SPG PICKS - remember the New Rule too
I've been looking forward to this game all year. I made sure that the partial-season ticket plan I bought included this game even though now I won't be sitting in those seats. My old roommate moved back to Pittsburgh a while ago but is currently on his way back out here for this game.
The only bad news is that the Penguins have done just about everything they can to ruin the excitement for this game. After taking the Scum to game 6 of the finals last year, the Pens have followed it up with a disasturous season. Their biggest names on D started the season injured, their coach finally screwed things up enough to get himself shown the door (and inspired another great Pensblog photoshop contest), and Crosby has been his normal whiney self.
Right now, the Penguins are 4th in their division (!) and in 10th overall in the East. Still the Hawks main defensive lines will certainly have their hands full with trying to contain Malkin who still leads the scoring race with 88 points though that other Russian is closing the gap on him. Crosby is just a point behind Ovie but missed the Pens last game against the horrible Islanders and didn't practice yesterday. He's out for tonight's game - so that's a plus for the Hawks because as much as you might hate him... he's still a dangerous player.
One thing the Hawks have going for them is the Pens give up a lot of goals. They give up 3.02 goals per game and have let in 4 or more 24 times this year. Marc Andre Fleury hasn't been having the best year:
His .908 SV% is 28th best and his 2.88 GAA is a horrible 32nd best. Of course now that I'm pointing out how he sucks (not ripping on him.. these are facts) he'll probably have a great game. I'm hoping that by pointing it out in the preview though I can jinx this disturbing trend.
The Pens made the first big trade of the deadline time yesterday and we should see Kunitz's first game with the team. Ideally, I think they want him with Crosby so we'll have to see who he'll play with tonight. Since replacing their coach the Pens are also 3-1-1 - only one of those wins comes against a quality team (Philly) while the OT loss is against the Islanders. So it's way too soon to say how well the team is playing for their new leader.
On the Hawks side of things - The Daily Herald is saying Q broke up the D-Ladd-Soul line putting Martylark on the Buff-VERSTEEG! line and Adams with Boll and Ladd. This comes at the same time the Hawks announced they've recalled Jack Skille from Rockford.
Skille obviously adds some size to the Hawks bench but he hasn't shown he's quite ready for the NHL yet in his brief time with the Hawks. It'll be interesting to see how much time he gets tonight and where exactly he'll play.
The Hawks Power Play unit is in a bit of a funk (1 for the past 17) but it could prove the key to the game tonight. The Pens PP teams have been horrible all year and they currently sit at 24th overall. The PK units for these teams have about the same this year with the Hawks having a slightly better record (Hawks 80.9% to Pens 80.5%). My guess is whichever team wins the special teams battles wins this game (as it usually is).
Huet is getting the start again tonight so hopefully he can get back on his hot streak. The Hawks need to start off this stretch of home games on the right skate. They're 1-3-1 in the last 5 at home but still have a record of 15-5-5 overall in the UC. It obviously should be another packed house tonight
Hopefully the day off that Q gave the Hawks on Wednesday did some good and they come out flying tonight. Don't forget to pick up a copy of The Committed Indian as it's been a while since the Hawks have played at home and Sam desperately needs beer money. Mjthor, please tell him what to drink now.
Lets Go Hawks
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LETS GO HAWKS
should be a great atmosphere for the game tonight
Lets Go Hawks!
But I just realized I won't be able to watch the game
I have something else to do. Dang it.
Well, the HELL with this! I'm goin' home!
ughh why did we sign huet
terrible rebound control right there, needs to step it up
Lets Go Hawks!
alright get this fucking clown out of the net
pathetic
Lets Go Hawks!
gotta capitalize on this powerplay
Lets Go Hawks!
Your gametime feed and beer
Better late than never, right? I didn’t have time to type up a gametime feed/beer post as I went straight from work (school, student teaching) to the interstate to get back to the state of Illinois. I turned on the game in time to see both of the Blackhawk goals, so I guess I’m good luck.
Here’s your feed: http://atdhe.net/live-tv.php?i=11920225
Beer:
Bell’s Amber Ale
I just walked in and my brother had some of this in our fridge, so that’s what I’m drinking. I know chicagokill, who’s at the game right now, is a big fan of everything Bell’s, so I’m sure this will be a hit with him at least (and he actually comments on these). So far, this is a really balanced and very tasty amber ale. Nothing special, but it’d be a pretty good session beer — I could drink quite a few of these in one sitting hockey game.
Go Hawks!
OKAY NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE
LOL
I think the Hawks are regretting giving away those construction hats tonight
Well, the HELL with this! I'm goin' home!
What a perfect night for a hat trick.
that’s amazing… all the construction helmets
OKAY NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE
Nooooooooo
Come on. Why can’t the Hawks get away with a high stick goal?
Well, the HELL with this! I'm goin' home!
Yeah, what the fuck?
that’s such bullshit, especially because a high stick goal was allowed the other night AGAINST us.
OKAY NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE
GAH!!
There aren’t words for how pathetic this has become.
Well, the HELL with this! I'm goin' home!
HappyHuman show tonight, eh?
Somebody’s gotta stay in on a Friday night.
OKAY NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE
Chatting online is the extent of my social life
Sad, I guess, but I don’t mind admitting it.
Well, the HELL with this! I'm goin' home!
Make that 3 soft goals allowed by huet tonight
really gotta stop that 4th goal
Lets Go Hawks!
God damnit.
I just took my contacts out and realized that I forgot my glasses at school… in Iowa… 250 miles away.
OKAY NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE
What I'm saying is that watching the 3rd period is going to be a struggle.
OKAY NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE
knew you wouldnt like that one, i hope to god your not defending huets play tonight
because he has been terrible
Lets Go Hawks!
by CubsBall2202 on Feb 27, 2009 9:32 PM CST up reply actions
i actually haven't seen any of the Pens' goals.
The first two I was in the car on my way back from Iowa, and the last two I was changing loads of laundry.
OKAY NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE
you would probably understand my frustration then after you see them
took the crowd out of the game right away
Lets Go Hawks!
by CubsBall2202 on Feb 27, 2009 9:34 PM CST up reply actions
make that 4, 3 goals tonight for toews
Lets Go Hawks!
well hopefully that provides the spark
we need to start playin with a higher sense of urgency here
Lets Go Hawks!
gotta love the energy there showin here
Lets Go Hawks!
Crud
I thought the Hawks would make it through that.
Well, they got one point out of the game, anyway.
Well, the HELL with this! I'm goin' home!
Horrible reaction from Niemi
nice shot, but a really bad reaction. What do you expect from an AHL goalie, though?
OKAY NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE
well, probably deserved to lose that, huet plays an average game and we come out
with 2 points, gotta stop those 2nd and 4th goals
Lets Go Hawks!
Watching Huet never have any idea what's happening around him is painful
The guy can make some incredibly athletic saves, but he never ever seems to know where the puck is. I really hope the Hawks can do something amazing and win the Cup this year, because they’re really screwed if this turd is the goaltender for the next three seasons.
Why are the Hawks 1-3-1 at home in their past 5 games? Well, Huet has been in goal for 2 of the losses and the OT loss (as well as the win).
When Khabibulin is back, if healthy, he needs to be in net every game. Maybe give him a night off on a back-to-back, but that’s it.
by thejd44 on Feb 28, 2009 2:44 AM CST reply actions
agree with ya there
its pretty obvious the team plays with less confidence when huet is out there as opposed to khabi
Lets Go Hawks!
by CubsBall2202 on Feb 28, 2009 1:03 PM CST up reply actions
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