Should be a stiff test. Rangers have a very good team and are obviously looking to bounce back from the Boston loss. Selfishly I'm glad I at least don't have to look at Dooshbinsky a handful of times a year now that he's gone from the division.
Last year we pretty much had the Ranger's number. Similar to how the Devils owned us for many years. Not just in the record and stats which I listed above, but at no time did the Rangers 'scare' me when we played them, unlike other teams in the division. The ice seemed tilted the Pens' way more often than not.
I am most interested in seeing if that carries over. If it was merely something that played out last year, or that our game is simply a bad matchup for what they do. The Pens-Devils a few years ago is a good example. We were posting great records against everyone else but what they did just completely blew up our game.
Is it Fleury or Vokoun in net for you guys? I heard someone on CBC say Vokoun was getting the start, but im not sure.
Vokoun is confirmed. I doubt either guy starts both ends of a back-to-back situation this season.
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“The most terrifying fact about the universe is not that it is hostile, but that it is indifferent. If we can come to terms with this indifference and accept the challenges of life within the boundaries of death, our existence as a species can have genuine meaning and fulfillment. However vast the darkness, we must supply our own light.” - Stanley Kubrick
Vokoun is confirmed. I doubt either guy starts both ends of a back-to-back situation this season.
The Pens said a few days ago somewhere about a 60/40 split so that makes a lot of sense.
And speaking of 60% of the Pens can rack up 60% or so of the road games as wins on this brutal road stretch to start the season they will be sitting pretty for the rest of this shortened year. I believe 8 of the first 12 are on the road. Just give me 4 of those 8, a 50/50 road record now and I will be happy.
The Pens said a few days ago somewhere about a 60/40 split so that makes a lot of sense.
And speaking of 60% of the Pens can rack up 60% or so of the road games as wins on this brutal road stretch to start the season they will be sitting pretty for the rest of this shortened year. I believe 8 of the first 12 are on the road. Just give me 4 of those 8, a 50/50 road record now and I will be happy.
Every team is going to have a weird schedule this year, but ours is definitely weighted more severely than most.
4 of the first 5 on the road
10 of the first 16 on the road
A stretch of 10 of 12 at home (including a stretch of 8 of 9 where the only road game is on Long Island)
6 of the last 9 on the road
We need to take advantage of late February and March...the schedule is insanely friendly in that stretch, but it's sandwiched between a lot of road games that bookend the season.
Every team is going to have a weird schedule this year, but ours is definitely weighted more severely than most.
4 of the first 5 on the road
10 of the first 16 on the road
A stretch of 10 of 12 at home (including a stretch of 8 of 9 where the only road game is on Long Island)
6 of the last 9 on the road
We need to take advantage of late February and March...the schedule is insanely friendly in that stretch, but it's sandwiched between a lot of road games that bookend the season.
One down. In Philly. In a season cut in half, one game is worth two, and a division game is worth 3. This game had more importance than some may be giving it. This is NOT a normal year. A five game win streak could be huge, a five game losing streak could be an impossible hole to climb out of. Give me 50% of the remaining road games this block of 12 games. 4 wins on the road. The rest is gravy now.
One down. In Philly. In a season cut in half, one game is worth two, and a division game is worth 3. This game had more importance than some may be giving it. This is NOT a normal year. A five game win streak could be huge, a five game losing streak could be an impossible hole to climb out of. Give me 50% of the remaining road games this block of 12 games. 4 wins on the road. The rest is gravy now.
coming out of this opening back to back 2-0 would be a huge step in the right direction all on its own. These are the two most important teams for us to beat.
I'm guessing Vitale will be in tonight, any chance Bortuzzo or Lovejoy plays?
Hopefully Vitale is in. Not sure how I feel about the D. I want Bortuzzo to get chances, but I don't know who I want to see sat. But with us carrying 8 D, I have a feeling part of the plan will be a bit of rotating.
Yeah, I thought Jeffrey played pretty poorly last night. Had some bad turnovers and passes that ended possession in the offensive zone. I'd like to see Vitale take his spot tonight.
I know this isn't the right forum for this, but what do you guys think of Carl Hagelin as a fantasy player? I really liked him last year and you can just tell the guy has skill and serious wheels. Playing on that line I could see him getting close to a PPG.
Last edited by WickedWrister: 01-20-2013 at 09:32 AM.
It wouldn't surprise me if Vitale is in but Jeffrey clearly has a higher ceiling and I'm not sure how progressive it is to scratch guys every time they have a bad game. I think with young guys like Jeffrey, Despres and Tangradi you're going to have to ride out the ups and downs to find out what you have with them.
Eh, Torts whining about the refs is just a mind game. They're all just trying to get calls, I don't know when people are going to realize that. I think the guy is a hoot for the most part. Hockey needs a few more guys that actually emote. I think we have about 3 or 4, coaches and players combined.
I agree with Cole that Nash looked good. He can do amazing things on his own, he's not just a gunner. This will be another good game.
I live in Jersey so I have to hear and read about Torts all the time. That guy makes my ears bleed. He's like a nagging housewife that never stops.
Nash is a perfect winger for Richards too. Add Hags and thats a pretty nasty line.
Given the line combos for the morning skate, Vitale is in for Jeffrey and the D pairings are unchanged. Unless it's a complete pairing change to get Borts and Lovejoy in, which I doubt, same lineup with Vitale in for Jeffrey.
