7:30 p.m.
Versus
The Blackhawks roll into town tonight for their only meeting with the Pens thins season other than pre season. If not for injuries we would be talking about a matchup between some one the NHL's biggest stars. We could be talking about Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Neal, Letang vs Kane, Toews, Hossa, Sharp and Seabrook. Instead we are talking about Kane, Toews, Hossa, Sharp, and Seabrook vs Malkin, Neal....uhh...Despres? Uhh...Yeah. Anyway.
A little trip down memory lane:
On this day 5 years ago the future of the Pittsburgh Penguins was in serious jeopardy. The future of the Penguins basically relied on The Isles of Capri getting the cities slots license that was up for grabs. It was either the Isles of Capri who would help fund a new arena for the Penguins or PITG Gaming headed by Don Barden and Jerome Bettis. Barden and Bettis would help fund a new arena if they won the license but the would only of forked over 7.5 million dollars to the arena which wouldn't have been enough help. As fate would have it Barden as PITG Gaming would win the slots license. The world was at a stand still for Pens fans. It was a real possibility that the Penguins were not getting a new arena and heading to Kansas City.
Statement from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman:
"The decision by the Gaming Commission was terrible news for the Penguins, their fans and the NHL. The future of this franchise in Pittsburgh is uncertain and the Penguins now will have to explore all other options, including possible relocation. The NHL will support the Penguins in their endeavors."
"The decision by the Gaming Commission was terrible news for the Penguins, their fans and the NHL. The future of this franchise in Pittsburgh is uncertain and the Penguins now will have to explore all other options, including possible relocation. The NHL will support the Penguins in their endeavors."
VOMIT
Probably one of the worst things to read as a Pens fan. You saw the word RELOCATION in your sleep. The worst part was the Pens were finally starting to play good hockey and become competitive again. Day in and day out you were wondering what was going to happen to our beloved Penguins. But as fate would have it in 2008 Don Barden defaulted on the Casino project. I'd call him a jackass but he passed away in May of this year. So we can just tell Jerome Bettis to suck it. Oh and this happened:
The Penguins would win the game 5-4 in a shootout.
The Pensblog goes a little more in depth than we did with the story.
Fast forward to today. 5 years to they day, 2 Stanley Cup Finals appearances, and a Cup win later the Penguins take on the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blackhawks are playing some great hockey and are currently 1st in the West. Like we said earlier if the Pens were healthy this could be an unreal game. But.
LINEUPS
Pens line via The PensNation
Chris Kunitz-Evgeni Malkin-James Neal
Matt Cooke-Jordan Staal**-Tyler Kennedy
Steve Sullivan-Joe Vitale-Pascal Dupuis
Eric Tangradi-Craig Adams**-Aaron Asham
Brooks Orpik-Matt Niskanen
Simon Despres-Deryk Engelland
Alexandre Picard-Ben Lovejoy**
Marc Andre Fleury
** Game time decisions
Lines for the Blackhawks via The PensNation
Jeremy Morin-Jonathan Toews-Patrick Kane
Patrick Sharp-Marcus Kruger-Marian Hossa
Michael Frolik-Dave Bolland-Brian Bickell
Andrew Brunette-Jamal Mayers-Viktor Stalberg
Duncan Keith-Brent Seabrook
Nick Leddy- Niklas Hjalmarsson
Johnn Scott-Steve Motador
Ray Emrey.
JOKE
No Dan Carcillo tonight. What a shame.
When we first saw this game on the schedule we thought it had the potential to be a lot of fun. But with the bizarre rash of injuries that have hit the Penguins this season our second line center on some nights has been Pascal Dupuis. But the way Evgeni Malkin has been playing as of late the Pens have a chance to make this competitive. And, with the 8-3 win against the Sabres the Pens are bringing some confidence into this game. Plus, Chicago is starting Ray Emrey.
Go Pens
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