GDT: Penguins @ Rangers|It's Clobbering time PTII|01/31/13 7:00EST

[Shrimper]

@

Pittsburgh Penguins v New York Rangers

The Season so far​

Well, where to start? After the lockout was finally concluded fans waited with baited breath for the start of the season and were drilled with commercials re-iterating that #hockeyisback although I'm sure some teams would wish it hadn't started again with the way they're going. This isn't the case for either of today's teams despite their poor starts. Pittsburgh initially started with a tricky season opener against the Flyers but in bizarre fashion it resulted in a fairly easy win whilst the Rangers dropped the opener away to Boston. Both teams have already met this season at MSG in the second game for both. Lundqvist wasn't up to his normal best which saw him pulled as the Penguins went on to win 6-3. At that point Penguins fan were dancing on the ceiling with their start but it went downhill from there. After that the team seemed to lose impetus. They said hello to their fans in the home opener but dropped it against the Maple Leafs whilst Rangers picked up their first two points of the season. Since then Rangers have picked up momentum after a slight bump after losing against Philadelphia and the Penguins have slumped after further poor performances against Ottawa (SO win) and the Islanders (4-1 loss). Time to put that right.

Last time they met



Line-ups

Penguins

Chris Kunitz - Sidney Crosby - Pascal Dupuis
Dustin Jeffrey - Evgeni Malkin - James Neal
Matt Cooke - Brandon Sutter - Tyler Kennedy
Craig Adams - Joe Vitale - Tanner Glass

Brooks Orpik - Paul Martin
Kris Letang - Simon Despres
Deryk Engelland - Reverend

Marc-Andre-Fleury
Tomas Vokun

Rangers

Rick Nash - Brad Richards - Marian Gaborik
Carl Hagelin - Derek Stepan - Taylor Pyatt
Michael Rupp - Brian Boyle - Benn Ferreiro
Kris Newbury - Jeff Halpern - Arron Asham

Ryan McDonagh - Dan Girardi
Marc Staal - Michael Del Zotto
Steve Eminger - Anton Stralman

Henrik Lundqvist
Martin Biron

Team Leaders

Penguins || Rangers
Malkin and Crosby (6)|Points|Marian Gaborik (8)
James Neal (4)|Goals|Marian Gaborik (5)
Evgeni Malkin (5)|Assists|Rick Nash (5)
Dupuis and Tangradi (+2)|Plus/Minus|Brad Richards (6)
Dupuis, Martin, Kunitz, Malkin and Neal (1)|Powerplay Goals|Ryan Callahan (2)

(all stats courtesy of http://hockey-reference.com and http://nhl.com)​

GO PENS!​

*I am aware the lines could change, will update if they do

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[IcedCapp]

It's gonna get worse before it gets better.avi

 

[Sam Spade]

Beat them with Callahan, should beat them without.

 

[Shrimper]

Kreider and Callahan both being out should give us a bit more of a chance but I don't see us winning with how we're playing lately.

 

[MonsterSurge]

3-0 loss.

Vitale has a slug fest with Newbury.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Gotta change the date in the title. Tricked me.

 

[Nightwing]

I say we win 2-1, brandon sutter get his first of the season

 

[Will Hunting]

As strange as it sounds, this can be a great timing for another NYR game. We are always on top of our game against them. They are probably respecting us a bit too much. A win here could get us back on track. We can do it against Rangers. We beated them in last 4 meetings last year and fooled them this year. All wins were by dominating performances.

WE CAN DO IT AGAIN!!! Man, it would be big!

 

[Darth Vitale]

This whole thing is the fault of Rodack and his evil Birdaurus, but Goldar and his electronic space family will save us.



(Also I am 99% certain Rodack is George Carlin. And Silvar.... she's 100% RRRrar!)

This one is even better. Half Japanese, half dubbed in one episode! Older Episode 15 vastly superior to less old episode 15. God bless YouTube.

 

[Shrimper]

Gotta change the date in the title. Tricked me.

I completely forgot that there's 31 days in January.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Weren't the Rangers the only team you guys have scored more than 2 against? I'm not counting the empty netter against the Flyers. Considering you destroyed us and have scored 16 goals in our last 3 meetings, you will probably destroy us again.

 

[DeadGator401]

As long as there's none of that pathetic wrester guy who yells slobberin time.


Pens lose 5 2.

 

[MrBurghundy]

Technically those lines are wrong. Kennedy practiced on the 4th line and Glass was still on line 3.

 

[ColePens]

How TK is on the 4th and Glass is on the 3rd is beyond hilarious to what I think of DB. I mean... really?

 

[MrBurghundy]

How TK is on the 4th and Glass is on the 3rd is beyond hilarious to what I think of DB. I mean... really?

The real joke will be when you see Adams on Malkin's line in place of Neal so we can "spark some offense on the bottom lines."

 

[Darth Vitale]

Tanner ****ing GLASS, Cole... he CUTS people all right? Recognize the skills.

On a serious note I have no problems with Kennedy on Line 4 but I'd rather see Tangradi on 3 not Glass. And leave him there a few games. Let him take the initiative there and not ride coat-tails. Cooke, Sutter and Tango should be able to get a good cycle game going, wreak some goalie havoc ... if someone allows them time to get familiar with the new arrangement.

 

[Crafton]

Tanner ****ing GLASS, Cole... he CUTS people all right? Recognize the skills.

 

[PensBandwagonerNo272*]

Benn Ferreiro scores 10 goals

Isles waive Strait before the game, Rags pick him up, scores 4

 

[Darth Vitale]

I bow to your obscure image reference skills for I have not decoded it. Is Qatar Arab for "cut"?

 

[Shockmaster]

Pens win big, then **** the bed at home on Saturday against the Devils.

 

[MichiganWolverines]

Screw Ben Lovejoy, I would rather see Joey Mormina on that third-pairing with Deryk Engelland.

 

[bambamcam4ever]

I bow to your obscure image reference skills for I have not decoded it. Is Qatar Arab for "cut"?

Qatar is pronounced "cutter."

 

[dr robbie]

I'm not saying that I've given up hope, but watching the Chicago v. Minny game today, it felt weird to watch a team that was hungry for a win. The Pens have not looked hungry. They've looked lost and content. The only thing good going into this game is that the Rangers haven't looked spectacular at all this season (especially the first couple games). With Callahan out, it should also improve our chances. It really just depends on if DB realizes he is getting close to being canned and inspires the team to put forth a little effort.

I'll go off the hopeful deep end and say Pens win 3-2. Crosby 1-1.

 

[Fire Shero*]

Pens win 3-2 in a shoot out.

Why did TK get demoted to the 4th line? Bylsma really has a hard on for Tanner Glass. I was hoping Vokoun would start.

 

[Tender Rip]

At this point in time we can easily win or lose any game.

Difference will be whether our stars give us offense by their lonesomes/PP connects or not.

Will be interesting to see who gets the start in goal for us, and who Tortorella matches his top line against. If it is Malkin's as I imagine, Bylsma has to be conscious to not let our third pairing get as much ice-time with Malkin 5 on 5 as he usually gives them. They will suffer both Gaborik's speed and Nash's combo of speed/strength.