Bruins vs Penguins (11.01.03)

Game Day

Boston Bruins
http://www.coolhockey.com/jersey/Bruins_home_replica.jpg

vs

Pittsburgh Penguins
http://www.coolhockey.com/jersey/Penguins_away_replica.jpg

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Place: Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh
Time: 1:08 PM

Team Records:

Boston: 6-2-2-1, 15 points
26 goals for, 21 goals against

Pittsburgh: 2-4-3-0, 7 points
17 goals for, 27 goals against

Special Teams:

Boston:
Powerplay: 16.2% (6/37) - 13th place
Penalty Kill: 78.8% (41/52) - 26th place

Pittsburgh:
Powerplay: 10.9% (5/46) - 27th place
Penalty Kill: 83.3% (35/42) - 16th place

Team Leaders:

Boston:
Goals: Mike Knuble, Brian Rolston (5)
Assists: Joe Thornton (9)
Points: Joe Thornton (11)
Average ice time: Nick Boynton (22:56)
Plus/Minus: Mike Knuble (+7)
Penalty Minutes: Nick Boynton (28)
Shots on goal: Brian Rolston (34)
Wins: Andrew Raycroft, Felix Potvin (3)
Save Percentage: Andrew Raycroft (94.4%)
Goals Against Average: Andrew Raycroft (1.65)

Pittsburgh:
Goals: Martin Straka (4)
Assists: Mario Lemieux (8)
Points: Mario Lemieux (9)
Average ice time: Dick Tarnstrom (24:37)
Plus/Minus: Drake Berehowsky (+4)
Penalty Minutes: Brooks Orpik (34)
Shots on goal: Mario Lemieux (20)
Wins: Marc-Andre Fleury (2)
Save Percentage: Marc-Andre Fleury (94.3%)
Goals Against Average: Marc-Andre Fleury (1.96)

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We will be seeing another extremely solid young netminder in Andrew Raycroft for Boston tomorrow. The kid is good.

Tommorow's game is one week from my birthday. I think I might be in Maryland for a soccer tourney on my birthday.

My prediction:

Pens 1

Fata

Bruins 2

Thornton
Gil

Fleury will be getting the start again.. Not sure how I feel about that.

I thought Fleury would get burned on thursday...but he got a shut out...let's see how the D plays.

Boston is much better than Chicago.

I'll predict the same score as MrKnowNothing...no scorers though.

Pens win, 5-3.

I don't like that Fleury is playing 3 games in 4 nights

I don't like that Fleury is playing 3 games in 4 nights

And why not give him the start? He has earned points in two consecutive games and is coming off a shutout. He has earned the right.
If its a fatigue thing then remember he is an 18 year old kid with tonz of energy and a highly trained athelete to boot.
I do think that Caron however needs to play to get out of his funk, but right now MAFFY gives us the best chance of winning.
From everything I have seen and heard, Fluery can handle the workload and the pressure.

Quite frankly I really can't see the Penguins winning against today. The Bruins have always had the edge in size, aggression and sometimes even speed over the past couple of seasons. And for some weird reason Hal Gil and Glen Murray always plays excellent vs us.Both are really big as it is, and plays even bigger against us. The Bruins led the league in 2001 with offense. And this years offensive line might not have the size of 2001-02 campaign, but they have a lot speed and aggressiveness. They have 2 goalkeepers that can share the responsibility and their defense is a lot faster. The Bruins Thorton, Murray, Knuble line is the biggest and one of the most skilled lines in the league. The 2nd Samsonov, Bergeron, Lapointe is fast and aggressive. Their 3rd line Green, Rolston, Axellson, is great do it all line. I really can't see the Penguins stopping of these lines defensively, it's gonna take a some great goaltending and opportunistic scoring to defeat the Bruins. But they have improved defensively as well and I think the Bruins will win easy.

5 - 1 Bruins
Bruins : 2 Murray, Rolston, Bergeron, McGillis
Penguins : Koltsov

Yeah I have to agree right there Diddy.

Although the Bruins PK has been one of the worst in the league, the Penguins have given away 5 shorthnded goals in 9 games. It really won't the Penguins PP vs the Bruins PK, but rather more the the PP vs Brian Rolston. Rolston is looking more dangerous than ever, this season he is leading his team in goals and shots, and has breakaway speed. The Pens against the Blackhawks put Berehowsky in for Straka, and although it didn't give away goals in didn't score any. Also another big match up is the Penguins defense vs The 700 pounders line. If that line is on fire the Penguins have toast, and Glen Murray, Samsonov, Green and Thorton has a history of playing well against the Penguins.

Pens win 3-2. Fleury standing on his head, Koltsov, Mario and Morozov with goals.

Ian Moran 2: The Revenge


He'll have an assist today.


Pens win 4-2.

Quite frankly I really can't see the Penguins winning against today.
Isn't it good that you aren't one of the Flightless Bird's "mentors" . . . :D
The Bruins have always had the edge in size, aggression and sometimes even speed over the past couple of seasons. And for some weird reason Hal Gil and Glen Murray always plays excellent vs us.Both are really big as it is, and plays even bigger against us.
I think then . . . we might want to not show up, eh? :confused:
The Bruins led the league in 2001 with offense.
Didn't they get wiped out in the first round of the playoffs in 2001? And again last year?

And this years offensive line might not have the size of 2001-02 campaign, but they have a lot speed and aggressiveness.
Are you sure you are not mixing them up with the Boston Patriots? They had big offsensive line. :dunno:

They have 2 goalkeepers that can share the responsibility and their defense is a lot faster.
Lucky for us the rules say that they can only play one of them at a time.
The Bruins Thorton, Murray, Knuble line is the biggest and one of the most skilled lines in the league.
I'm not going to doubt Murray's scoring ability but that "ONE" goal, so far . . . come on . . . you must be talking about last year.

The 2nd Samsonov, Bergeron, Lapointe is fast and aggressive. Their 3rd line Green, Rolston, Axellson, is great do it all line. I really can't see the Penguins stopping of these lines defensively, it's gonna take a some great goaltending and opportunistic scoring to defeat the Bruins. But they have improved defensively as well and I think the Bruins will win easy.
5 - 1 Bruins
Bruins : 2 Murray, Rolston, Bergeron, McGillis
Penguins : Koltsov

After reading your post . . . the Penguins have decided to show up anyhow to play these Stanley Cup favorites. Youth, eh? Sometimes, even with all the mentoring you just can't convince them they have no chance.

BTW: Penguins 6 - Winnie the Poos 0
A well rested Mario has five points

I am in favor of playing Fleury. He has NHL skill and can play against the big boys - that question has been answered with a king-sized exclamation point. Now it is going to be all a question of conditioning, since younger players always have problems. Since he is playing like a franchise goalie, keep throwing him into the fire to see if he can handle the load that a franchise goalie will face..

The pressure of 3 opponents in 4 nights could prove to be too much for Fleury this early, but he's handled every other sort of pressure well to this point. I say it makes sense to let the kid try it... see how he responds to a new type of challenge.

I also have a feeling that things are slowly starting to come together for some of the young guys, though not necessarily for the team as a whole. In particular, Fata, Orpik and hopefully Koltsov will prove me right this afternoon. I believe the Pens can eek one out if they play smart defense.

Fleury has so far met each challenge head on and thrived. The Pens have thrown him into a lot of difficult situations - season opener, then he played against the Red Wings, then back-to-back starts, and now 3 in 4 days against another strong team. Perhaps they want to see if Fleury continues to raise his game for each new challenge.

Some players get even better when tested and perhaps Fleury is one of those players.

3 - 2 Boston.

Two Diddy's.. Scary.

Anyhoo.. Predicted score is 4-2 Bruins.

Anyhoo.. Predicted score is 4-2 Bruins.
i think thats reasonable, unless McKenna tears it up again like last year ;)
does fleury's start have to do with he shut down their #1 line in preseason?

Probably has more to do with his shutout on thursday. :p

10 minutes before gametime! LETS GO PENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See you all after tha game.

That first goal wasn't too good, Melichar got pushed around by Knuble who scored.. 1-0 Bruins.

wasnt too good of a first period, only 6 shots. bruins outplayed them the entire time.didnt seem like a whole lot of hustle, and only a few good chances.

does it make anyone else sad to see all those empty seats?

wasnt too good of a first period, only 6 shots. bruins outplayed them the entire time.didnt seem like a whole lot of hustle, and only a few good chances.

does it make anyone else sad to see all those empty seats?


Very very sad to see all those empty seats.
Fleury played well even if allowed that 1 goal.

We'll do better next period.

well, 2-0 now. good shot by Axelson, right between the glove and leg pad.

Very very sad to see all those empty seats.
Fleury played well even if allowed that 1 goal.

We'll do better next period.

If I was a Pitt fan those empty seats would scare the heck out of me. How much longer can this team afford to continue with what seems to be a fading fan base?

I know Pitt has turned a profit the past couple seasons, but I gotta ask what happened to all the fans that were there in the glory years? Fair weather?

Possibly, I'd say more than anything though it's just the shock of how bad we got how fast we got. 11 strait playoff teams and then fall like this.

It's not like Pittsburgh is a big city, I believe it's the smallest American city with a NHL team. If we don't get that new arena there's no doubt we're gone once our lease at the Mellon is up...


It is sad though...first game of the year we were 30 people over capacity...since then... :shakehead

i definitely think its fairweather fans. look at the pirates now. people loved them, then they started getting bad, and even htough they have one of, if not THE nicest ball park in existence, they still cant draw. the problem is the town cares more about teh steelers than anything else, plus people who say they want to keep the team and help it, are the ones who dont go to any games or buy any products.

I think the Bruins are doing almost as bad as we are. :dunno:

We'll make the excuse that it's a league-wide problem.

the Pirates at least are around the 20th team in attendance, the Penguins are gonna be competing with the Baby Pens soon if these attendance problems keep up.

RICO FATA!!! 2-1 Bruins. Nice deflection on a pass by Eastwood. Bergevin dove and blocked the pass, which caused the rush. Nice job guys :)

Lovin it Rico

very nice deflection. hopefully ti will rbeathe enoughlife into them to comeback.

RICO FATA again!!! 2-2!! PP goal, nice. Nice play by Malone, to Berehowsky, to Tarnstrom, who shot, then Fata collected the garbage and buried it. :handclap:

Rico Fata... :bow:

Nice set-up by Malone, doesn't get a helper though.

Rico now has as many goals as kovalev has points. :p good going by Fata!

also, i have been impressed with the way malone has been playing.

Any info on Mario? Yahoo (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=ap-penguins-lemieuxout&prov=ap&type=lgns) says he hurt his hip. :(

Yeah, they said it on TV, he never came out of the dressing room at the end of the 1st, he as a hip flexor http://hfboards.com/images/smilies/frown.gif. Hopefully it's not bad.

But on a lighter note, we seem to be adjusting not having him, we have 2 goals without him :). But he lost his 8 game point streak.

strained hip flexor announcers have said. they said hes being kept out for precautionary reasons. lets hope its not that bad.

OT. well, we get at leats one point now.

Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Malone! Pens win!
great comeback by the team. Kudos to fata and malone who made the biggest differences.

RYAN MALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GWG in OT!!!

He blasted it from the high slot, the Bruins just watched him. It hit Raycroft then bounced up and over him and into the net. :handclap:

3-2 Pens. :yo::rolly:

Malooooone Scoooooores In Overtime!!!!

The radio announer really love Brian Holzinger.
Why?

did anyone see Rico's face when he, or veen a goal is scored? you think he just won the powerball or the stanley cup. ive never seen someone that happy when the puck goes in the net.

What a game. Great effort today while being down to a top team. Showing they'll never give up.

Wow, Pens basically won without Lemieux. Awesome.

And what is with Fata? Maybe he will finally live up to the hype that has been tagged on him.... 5 goals in 10 games?

did anyone see Rico's face when he, or veen a goal is scored? you think he just won the powerball or the stanley cup. ive never seen someone that happy when the puck goes in the net.

Have you seen any of Kovalchuk's goals? ;)

But yeah, I love to see the celebration when a player scores a goal. Goals in hockey are not easy to come by, so they should be happy.

WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!

Haven't jumped off the couch since Kasparitus beat Hasek in the playoffs in OT a few years ago. I jumped off the couch twice today.

I love beating teams I hate.:handclap::yo::rolly:

I will continue to predict 2-1 losses, worked the last two games.:)

did anyone see Rico's face when he, or veen a goal is scored? you think he just won the powerball or the stanley cup. ive never seen someone that happy when the puck goes in the net.

Have you seen any of Kovalchuk's goals? ;)

But yeah, I love to see the celebration when a player scores a goal. Goals in hockey are not easy to come by, so they should be happy.

3 Stars:

#3- Fleury
#2- Malone
#1- Fata

Officially or in your opinion?

I will continue to predict 2-1 losses, worked the last two games.:)

Edzo's black shirt will be grey by season's end if we keep winning :D

officially, htough my opinion does coincide with that.

Thanks, I was wondering about the stars of the game, since I left right after it was done (and I think FSN cut broadcasting off right away).

did anyone see Rico's face when he, or veen a goal is scored?

:dunno:

If this team played as hard in the first two periods as they do in the third, they might actually be on to something.

3 Stars:

#3- Fleury
#2- Malone
#1- Fata

Who exactly is in charge of giving the official three stars of the game? I've often wondered.

Extremely pleased with the play of Bradley, Malone, Fata, Orpik, Fleury, and Koltsov.

Buchberger and Holzinger I could definitely not say the same for.

If I was a Pitt fan those empty seats would scare the heck out of me. How much longer can this team afford to continue with what seems to be a fading fan base?
Fair weather?
I was there and the crowd was small. It was also one of the kiddie afternoon games and the Penguins usually don't start drawing until after the Stillers are out of it. Which could be real soon now.

However, coming from bean town . . . I'm sure you saw the 14,000 "listed" in attendance at the Fleet Center . . . and wasn't that Montreal and a free Fleet Enema night for you boys?

It's not just the Pens who draw poor, it's most of the league, including the reigning champs.

:dunno:

it should have been: did anyone see rico's face when he, or even anyone else scores a goal?


also, i beleive the Ap votes on the 3 stars, but im not sure.

Agree Koltsov. Fata and Brooks came through for us again today. Even Morozov had a couple good checking plays / hits. Too bad his O sucked as usual. Holzinger blew. This guy needs a bus ticket to WBS. Bring up Surovy. Nice to see the team come together for the W without the M.

:)

If I was a Pitt fan those empty seats would scare the heck out of me.
If you were a PITT fan those empty seats most likely were on Chestnut Hill where the team called PITT beat your BC (Atlantic Coast Conf.) Eagles! :teach:

We call that a 2-fer afternoon. :D

By the end of the second period, the Pens were completely outplayed. I'm stunned that the Bruins let us back in it during the third. Perhaps teams just look at our bench and figure a two-goal lead is a significant cushion. Well, ECHL team or no, it's not.

Just got off work. Great to see the pens win again. :handclap: Bad to see Lemieux hurt, though. Lets hope he doesn't miss a game (and attendance goes up.)

I think the Pens hung close to them in the second. It was back and forth. If not for an outstanding play by Rolston, it might have only been 1-0 going into the fourth.

Good work ethic today. Sadly, I wish I could say the same thing about Lemieux this year, but he's only shown it at times.