So it was this time last year that I was really getting soaked into hockey. Fitting that I decided to start writing today, the anniversary of the Pens-Islanders game. While looking through pictures to add to the blog, I stumbled across this one, which is awesome, because this is my prediction for today's game. It's a little closer than I would like, but hear me out.
We've already seen this season that it doesn't matter how long it's been since a team has played. Look at the Buffalo game. Now hurry up and look back at the Minnesota game. We can win in either instance, but I believe that since we've had a season-long TWO days off, the Penguins have had some time to collect themselves, their thoughts, their legs, and to just take a much needed breather. I think Staal, Neal, and company will be a bit more explosive tonight than we've seen in the last few games. To the players' credit, they haven't once blamed the schedule or how busy their October has been on a losing game, or using this crazy schedule as an excuse to not have their focus or legs. These aren't the qualities of a good team though.
These are the qualities of a great team and will propel them through the adversity that they're facing this season.
Anywho. With good news coming today, Geno took the trip to the Island for today's game, but Bylsma hasn't said whether he's going to play or not - probably a game time decision. He was on the ice for the morning skate, so we can only hope. Also, I just found out tonight is DAN BYSLMA's 200th CAREER NHL GAME AS A HEAD COACH! So that's definitely good news as well. Bylsma has been such a solid figure for this organization and he's already raising questions to whether he's providing the best coaching the Pens have ever seen. Huge shout-out to coach and a big congratulations.
With the not so good news, "Z" has a broken finger and will be out for at least a month. Who's surprised though? Really. REALLY? Yeah, really. The injury woes just continue to keep coming but as stated before, this Penguins team will handle it all too well.
I'm pretty sure it was Jordan Stall that said a couple of nights ago in a post-game interview that these injuries are providing ways for players to basically step out of their comfort zones and make things happen. Too true.
The big scratch on the Islanders' side of the ice is Rick DiPietro. Apparently out with a concussion, he obviously won't be in goal tonight. Evgeni Nobokov will be in between the posts tonight instead. Disappointing, because I was really hoping to see RD get embarrassed in front of his home crowd again.
For the 3-2 prediction for tonight's game.
It will hopefully be an exciting game. The islanders have one guy in Tavares where there is a lot of potential to put the puck in the cage. Tavares has 6 goals (out of a team total of 14 goals) on the season with a total of 10 points.Combined with the fact that they're in front of the home crowd and a two game losing streak, Tavares and company will surely be out to get the win.
While those are decent stats this early in the season, we have our own James Neal who has been absolutely unstoppable with the puck. Neal has a team high 8 goals in 10 games, followed by Jordan Stall with 5 goals in 10 games, and Matt Cooke with 3 goals in 10 games. Our offensive production this season has outweighed the Islanders' and I think we'll see more of that tonight.
Nobokov is .500 on the season with a GAA of 2.54 and save percentage of .921. I feel like if the Pens can pull the trigger ESPECIALLY on power plays, it's going to be a long night for Nobokov.
Not going to count the Islanders out by any means though - they're coming off of a bad road trip and a two game losing streak. I'm sure the Islanders are going to bring their "A" game tonight to try to get a win in front of the home crowd.
Unfortunately, I'm out of time to write. Off to class, to study, and to watch the Pens game tonight.
If you have any comments or suggestions to better the blog, please let me know!
LET'S GO PENS!
No comments:
Post a Comment