Pre-Game Talk: New Jersey at Pittsburgh

[Deutschland Dangler]

Good morning from #Pens morning skate. Goc, Bennett, Letang, Crosby, and Bortuzzo are not present at skate.

https://twitter.com/penguins/status/539805322031161344

Doesn't look like Goc is good to go tonight, sadly.

Bottom six same as yesterday: Adams w/Sutter and Downie, Megna w/Sill and Ebbett. Kunitz skating on top two lines. Will change, obviously.

https://twitter.com/Mackey_Trib/status/539805991467220992

Adams on the third line is disappointing. I really hope there's some sort of reasoning behind this that I don't see.

#Pens defense was rotating in groups of three at skate.
Maatta-Ehrhoff-Martin
Despres-Dumoulin-Scuderi

https://twitter.com/penguins/status/539805998446575617

That's interesting. Dumo actually getting some playing time maybe?

Click to read more...

 

[penguins2946*]

I wonder where Bortuzzo and Crosby are. I'm hoping the Pens run with these D pairs tonight:

Maatta-Martin
Dumoulin-Ehrhoff
Scuderi-Despres

 

[Dying Alive]

Why no Crosby or Bortuzzo?

 

[Winger for Hire]

Adams on the third line is disappointing. I really hope there's some sort of reasoning behind this that I don't see.

As much as I/we hate Adams, what other choice is there? Megna, Sill and Ebbett deserve to skate on the 3rd line even less than Adams does.

 

[ProgOg]

Why no Crosby or Bortuzzo?

Optional skate, it appears.

 

[Dying Alive]

Optional skate, it appears.

Seems like Bortuzzo usually shows for those, though, since he's always trying to get into the line-up. Maybe it's a maintenance day or something. After the last few seasons I think I just assume the worst when somebody is missing from practice.

Edit: you're right, optional. Thank you tiny baby jesus.

 

[Boocock]

At least Megna won't be playing on his off wing.

How many more contests until Adams breaks the regular season consecutive game mark?

Crosby will play tonight; the Pens didn't recall another forward.

 

[Stad]

At least Megna won't be playing on his off wing.

How many more contests until Adams breaks the regular season consecutive game mark?

Crosby will play tonight; the Pens didn't recall another forward.

He's got a long way to go yet, didn't Bouwmeester's streak just end at 700 or something.

 

[Boocock]

He's got a long way to go yet, didn't Bouweester's streak just end at 700 or something.

1. Don't tempt him. He'd do it... Bylsma will have a job soon.
2. I was referring to the Pens regular season streak (Adams can't break the regular + postseason streak because Bylsma benched him against Philadelphia).

 

[WheresRamziAbid]

At least Megna won't be playing on his off wing.

How many more contests until Adams breaks the regular season consecutive game mark?

Crosby will play tonight; the Pens didn't recall another forward.

Normally there would be more sitouts if it was optional I would think.

Crosby getting maintenance days makes sense, Bortuzzo really doesn't since he's be barely playing. Im guessing he got knicked up last game since there really isn't a reason to call up Dumo unless he's gonna play. Especially since Letang is a short term injury.

You can never rule out a trade but they're always just the most unlikely option. Trading Botrz would be interesting since his value is the most uncertain. Are other GM's seeing a young, physical and cheap D with some semblance of puck skills that just needs an opportunity or are they seeing a borderline 6/7 for depth. Considering the contracts that Orpik and Engellend got you would think there is some value there.

 

[BobCole]

Normally there would be more sitouts if it was optional I would think.

Crosby getting maintenance days makes sense, Bortuzzo really doesn't since he's be barely playing. Im guessing he got knicked up last game since there really isn't a reason to call up Dumo unless he's gonna play. Especially since Letang is a short term injury.

You can never rule out a trade but they're always just the most unlikely option. Trading Botrz would be interesting since his value is the most uncertain. Are other GM's seeing a young, physical and cheap D with some semblance of puck skills that just needs an opportunity or are they seeing a borderline 6/7 for depth. Considering the contracts that Orpik and Engellend got you would think there is some value there.

I think Bort might look appealing to the right team. If you pair him with a solid defensive defenseman, the two could make a formidable pairing. Bort's not going to be the centerpiece in a deal to land us a good top 6 winger, but he could be a complimentary piece for a team that needs a dman and is willing to prioritize NHL experience over long-term upside.

 

[ProgOg]

Josh Yohe @JoshYohe_Trib
Looks like Fleury between the pipes tonight. Also looks like a couple of guys are under the weather.

Mumps?

Pittsburgh Penguins @penguins
#Pens will know later today if Crosby or Bortuzzo are available for tonight's game vs. the #NJDevils, per Coach Johnston.

 

[IcedCapp]

Josh Yohe @JoshYohe_Trib
Johnston says "we will know this afternoon" regarding whether Crosby plays tonight.


heh

 

[Ogrezilla]

going to the game tonight. Sid better play

 

[Winger for Hire]

Mumps?

 

[ProgOg]

Josh Yohe @JoshYohe_Trib
Dupuis has "permission to do activity" which is why he skated this morning.

 

[IcedCapp]

Josh Yohe @JoshYohe_Trib
Crosby and Bortuzzo are sick. Undergoing tests.

 

[penguins2946*]

If Crosby and Bortuzzo can't play, who's going to play in place of Crosby? Dumoulin can replace Bortuzzo, but I don't think we have an extra forward unless Goc is good to go.

 

[Speaking Moistly]

I give up if this team has the mumps.

 

[Boocock]

Josh Yohe @JoshYohe_Trib
Johnston says "we will know this afternoon" regarding whether Crosby plays tonight.


heh

Oh boy, very surprising. Do they have time to call someone up? I wouldn't mind seeing some Dominik Uher action. Of course, Bobby Farnham is the popular choice.

Spaling - Adams - Hornqvist
Kunitz - Malkin - Comeau
Uher / Farnham - Sutter - Downie
Sill - Ebbett - Megna

 

[Speaking Moistly]

Jason Mackey ‏@Mackey_Trib
Crosby and Borts are "under the weather." Had tests done. Not sure how you test for cold/flu.

Jason Mackey ‏@Mackey_Trib
Re: testing for cold/flu ... I meant more to determine whether you can play hockey with it.


ffs.

 

[cheesedanish87]

I'd sit Sid out regardless, no reason to play him if hes sick.

 

[ProgOg]

That is what usually happens, right? Players are out with the flu, a day or two later and they have mumps.

 

[Ogrezilla]

I'd sit Sid out regardless, no reason to play him if hes sick.

I'm going to the game. That's enough reason for me

 

[Dying Alive]

Thanks, Jenny McCarthy.