7:00 P.M.
ROOT Sports and NHL Network
We assume the game will be on 105.9 FM for radio listeners, or if you get sick of Steigy.
It's a Hockey Night in Pittsburgh!
It feels great to hear those words again. After the disaster that was the second half of last season and the disappointing early playoff exit against Tampa Bay, the Pens look to take care of some unfinished business this season. We really don't know what to say about the first exhibition game, other than there will be quite a few position battles, notably the 11-14th forwards and the 5th-8th defenseman.
The following are dressing for the Pens (from Empty Netters):
Forwards:
Pascal Dupuis, Richard Park, Chris Kunitz, James Neal, Ryan Craig, Colin McDonald, Arron Asham, Joe Vitale, Paul Thompson, Brian Gibbons, Geoff Walker, Evgeni Malkin
Defensemen
Matt Niskanen, Paul Martin, Philip Samuelsson, Kris Letang, Carl Sneep, Joseph Morrow
Goalies
Marc-Andre Fleury, Brad Thiessen
Names to watch include Niskanen, Sneep, Vitale, Craig, and Park.
We have no idea on lines other than MAF will start. We also assume lines will change during the game, especially after Bylsma installed a roulette wheel behind the bench.
Dressing for Detroit:
Forwards
Dan Cleary, Fabian Brunnstrom, Patrick Eaves, Drew Miller, Tomas Tatar, Pavel Datsyuk, Jiri Hudler, Jan Mursak, Chris Conner, Cory Emmerton, Tomas Holmstrom
Defensemen
Brendan Smith, Garnet Exelby, Mike Commodore, Brad Stuart, Logan Pyett, Nicklas Kromwall
Goalies
Joey MacDonald, Jimmy Howard
Datsyuk is the only name here that jumps out as a star. Could be a boring game.
Chris Osgood announced his retirement, eliminating a huge hole at goalie for Detroit, and is now a goalie coach for them. Kris Draper, the greatest bottom six grinder to ever play the game, also retired, and is still waiting on a handshake from Sid.
Quick thoughts:
-great to see Malkin in the first preseason game
-let's see how Neal does with a legitimate top line center
-Matt Niskanen sucks
-MAF is expected to play two periods, and Thiessen the third. Lebron James thinks Fleury is a quitter.
Go Pens
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