Game 1 - Pens at Flyers

Wells Fargo Center - 3:00 p.m. on NBC

It's been too long.

Way too long.

The last game played haunts all of our memories.

But none of that matters anymore.  What happened last season happened last season.

There were a lot of highs....

...and a lot of lows.

But alas it is a new season.  The lockout took almost half of it from us. 

The Pens have a new look this year, having traded Staal and Michalek, bringing in Tanner Glass and Brandon Sutter, and bringing some of the younger guys up from WBS.  The shortened schedule renders dead the old addage "It's a marathon, not a sprint."

It's a sprint to the playoffs, and it starts today.

Lineups for today:

PENS

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

Matt Niskanen - Kris Letang
Brooks Orpik - Paul Martin
Simon Despres - Deryk Engelland

Marc Andre Fleury

FLYERS

Scott Hartnell - Claude Giroux - Brayden Schenn
Maxime Talbot - Sean Couturier - Jakub Voracek
Wayne Simmonds - Scott Laughton - Matt Read
Ruslan Fedoteno - Eric Wellwood - Zac Rinaldo

Braydon Coburn - Nicklas Grossman
Kimmo Timonen - Luke Schenn
Andrej Meszaros - Kurtis Foster

Ilya Bryzgalov

It's a great day for hockey

Penguins Preview

It's time to preview your 2013 Pittsburgh Penguins

Last season the Pens finished 4th in the East and were eliminated by the Flyers in the 1st round.  If that doesn't get your blood boiling for tomorrow then go cheer for the Flyers.  Sidney Crosby is healthy and hopefully looks to get all 48 games under his belt this season.  Last season when he did play he racked up the points in typical fashion.  He also had 8 goals in 6 games against the Flyers in the playoffs or something like that.  Oh and the Pens still have that Evgeni Malkin guy.  He's pretty good at hockey.  The Pens traded away Jordan Staal in the off season for Brandon Sutter.  Already have a feeling Sutter is gonna be better than Staal.  Sutter looked great in the Black and White game.  One of the questions going into this season is "who is gonna play with Evgeni Malkin and James Neal?"  It looks as if Eric "cement skates" Tangradi will get the first chance.  Both him and Beau Bennett saw time with Malkin during training camp but Bennett was sent down to WBS yesterday.  Another question with the Pens team, their defense.  They traded away Zbynek Michalek to Phoenix in the off season and never really filled his hole.  The Pens are gonna roll with 8 defensemen this season.  Kris Letang, Brook Orpik, Matt Niskanen, Paul Martin, Derek Engelland, Ben Lovejoy, Simon Despres, and Robert Bortuzzo.  Last season Paul Martin had the "I'm gonna vomit all over myself every game bug" and he knows and hopes he can be better.  But quite frankly that Penguins defensive group is mediocre at best.  Hopefully Shero makes a move to acquire a d-man.  If not Marc Andre Fleury and Tomas Vokoun, who was acquired in the off season to provide competition for Fleury, will be facing about 457 shots per night.  Fleury had one of his best regular season last season.  But his playoff performance was easily forgettable.  Bringing in Vokoun gives the Pens a legitimate back up for the first time since Ty Conklin.   Having Vokoun will probably be good for Fleury because he wont have to play 45 or 48 games this season.  If Fleury can keep his play consistent through the entire season and playoffs their is no telling how far this team could go. Projected finish: 4th

Projected Lines

These are the lines we think you'll see tomorrow against the Flyers

Chris Kunitz-Sidney Crosby-Pascal Dupuis 

Eric "Cement Skates" Tangradi-Evgeni Malkin-James Neal

Matt Cooke-Brandon Sutter-Tyler Kennedy

Craig Adams-Joe Vitale/Dustin Jeffrey-Tanner Glass/Dustin Jeffrey

Kris Letang-Simon Despres

Brooks Orpik-Paul Martin

Derek Engelland/Ben Lovejoy/Robert Bortuzzo- Matt Niskanen

Marc Andre Fleury

3 things in that line up make us want to vomit.  Eric Tangradi on the second line.  Tyler Kennedy in general.  And the Paul Martin-Brooks Orpik defensive pair.  This is gonna be a fun season.

The Pens play in almost 24 hours.  Get ready.

Go Pens

Eastern Conference Preview

Today we preview the Eastern Conference.  (Again.  Please don't expect in depth previews here)
P.S. The Pens aren't previewed here.  They will be previewed tomorrow.

First off we have the Boston Bruins.  Last season the Bruins finished 2nd in the East.  The B's have one of the most talented line ups in the NHL.  They have a ton of talent up front and a solid blue line as well.  The one question going into this season for the Bruins will be goal tending.  Tim Thomas is being a tool and sitting out this season and no one knows what you're getting from Tukka Rask night in and night out.  Their back up goalie is Anton Khudobin.  Don't worry you aren't the onle one that said "who?"  Projected finish: 2nd

 Last season finish 12th.  The Canes were terrible last season.  And their moves in the off season said they weren't gonna let that happen again.  They acquired Jordan Staal from Pittsburgh, Kevin Westgarth from LA, as well as signed Alexander Semin.  The Canes success relies on their defense and the play of Cam Ward.  If Ward recapture his form from 09 they Canes could be scary good.  Projected finish: 6th

Last season finish 6th.  The Devils are the defending Eastern Conference Champions.  They saved us from being forced to watch the Rangers in the finals.  The departure of Zach Parise left a gaping hole up front for the Devils.  Marty Brodeur is another year older and that defense is up and down constantly.  You never know what you are going to get from New Jersey.  Projected finish: 11th

Last season finish 5th.  Last season the Flyers knocked the Pens out of the playoffs in the 1st round before getting bounced by New Jersey.  The Flyers have unlimited talent up front.  They have easily one of the top 5 groups of forwards in the league.  But Chris Pronger isn't coming back to this team which leaves a gigantic hole on the blue line for them.  Plus last year in the playoffs Ilya Bryzgalov was.....well there really isn't a word for how bad he was.  The Flyers will be good.  How good is the question.  Projected finish: 5th

Last season finish 15th.  The Habs were dreadful last season.  Boooooooooooooooooooooo.  The brought in Michel Therrien as the new coach this off season and booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo other than Colby Armstrong didn't really bring in a big free agent.  Boooooooooooooooooooooooo.  I wouldn't want to play for a team who's logo looks like a toilet seat either.

 Montreal is probably booing something already.  Projected finish: 12th

Last season finish 14th.  If not for Montreal's dreadful season the Islols would have finished 15th.  But that didn't happen unfortunately.  The Islanders have a talented team but their defense is atrocious and Rick DiPietro is still a goalie there.  Have fun in the cellar again jokes.  Projected finish: 15th

Last season finish 11th.  The Jets started off the season fairly well and were in the playoff hunt for most of the season last year.  But they tailed off at the end and missed the playoffs.  The Jets didn't do anything in the off season and it seems like every other team got a little better.  Don't be surprised to see one of two things from the Jets this season.  1 they surprise everyone and make the playoffs.  2 the suck completely.  We are picking option 2.  Projected finish: 14th

Last season finish 13th.  The Leafs, just like they do every season started off hot last season.  And of course you heard "Toronto is finally making the playoffs" "Stanley Cup here we come" only to see the Leafs completely choke on their own sack and miss the playoffs again.  If a 48 game season is gonna benefit anyone its gonna be the Leafs considering they are used to only playing 48 meaningful games a season. But in typical Leafs fashion we expect them to miss the playoffs.  Again.

Projected finish: 10th

Last season finish 10th.  The Lightning had a down year last season  after making the playoffs the previous season.  The Bolts have some good talent up front but their defense is mediocre at best.  And is Andres Lindback really gonna solve their goalie issue?  Good luck stopping anyone with that defense.  Projected finish: 9th

 Last season finish 3rd.  The Panthers won their division last season mainly because the rest of their division was dreadful.  The Panthers are returning the same line up as last season with a few minor additions.  The Panthers will still be good but will they be as good as last year? Projected finish: 7th

Last season finish: 1st.  To add to last years vomit inducing season the Rangers finished 1st in the East as well as the Atlantic division.  If the Pens wouldn't have pissed away two late season games against the Islanders they would have finished 1st instead.  But it was the Rangers who eventually got bounced in the Eastern Conference finals by New Jersey.  The Rangers have a ton of talent.  They added to it this off season when they acquired Rick Nach.  Congrats New York.  You got the laziest player in the league.  Even with all their talent the Rangers defesne is shaky at times.  Henrik Lundqvist will have to bail them out a lot this season.

Can't wait for Rangers fans to bitch about this for years like they still bitch about Potvin.  Projected finish: 1st

Last season finish: 9th.  The Sabre missed out on the playoff last season by 3 points.  They traded away Derek Roy for........Steve Ott.  Yeah.  The Sabres do have some talent up front and on the blue line.  Key word there being SOME.  But after Tyler Myers, Buffalo's defense is shaky.  Ok does anyone outside of Buffalo think this team is making the playoffs?  Brett Hull couldn't be reached for input on the Sabres preview unfortunately. Ryan Miller sucks.

 Projected finish 13

Last season finish 8th.  The Sens are an up and down team if we've ever seen one.  They can either be really good.  Or really bad.  We saw a glimpse of how good they can be when they gave the Rangers all they could handle in the first round last season.  The question is what Sens team are we gonna see this season.  We think they make the playoffs....barely.  Projected finish 8th.

Last season finish 7th.  Although the Caps made the playoffs and took the Rangers to 7 games in the 2nd round last season could be considered a disappointment for the Caps who typically are in the top 3 in the East.  Last season was also very forgettable for Alex Ovechkin who posted his worst season in recent memory.  The Caps brought in Adam Oates as the new head coach and look to regain their form from a few years ago.  Projected finish: 3rd

So there you have it.  Again, if you don't like it, oh well.

Pens preview tomorrow

Go Pens

Western Conference Preview

It time for Conference Previews.  Today is the Western Conference.  (Please don't expect elaborate previews here)

First up we have the Colorado Avalanche.  Last year the Avs finished 11th in the West.  The Avs have a lot of talent up from with Landeskog and Statsny but their down fall is their defense.  After Erik Johnson there isn't much left on the blue line for the Avs even after the addition of Greg Zanon this off season.  Projected finish: 12th

 The Blackhawks finished 6th in the West last season and got bounced by the Coyotes in the 1st round of the playoffs.  The Blackhawks have on of the best group of forwards in the league as well as one of the better defensive groups.  Up font they have Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp, Frolik, Bolland, Stalberg, and on the blue line they have Keith, Seabrook, Oduya, Motador,  Hjalmarsson and Leddy.  They will be a force in the in the west this season.  Projected finish: 4th.

LOL.  The Blue Jackets finished last in the West last season.  Mark Letestu will probably be their leading scorer.  Yeah.  Projected finish: 15th

Last season the Blues finished 2nd in the West.  The Blues surprised a lot of people last season when the finished 2nd in the conference.  They were eliminated by the Kings in the 2nd round of the playoffs.  The Blues have a lot of talent up font and a half decent defensive unit.  Ken Hitchcockface's trap probably had a lot to do with the Blues finishing 2nd.  Will they be able to have a season like last years?  Projected finish: 8th

The Coyotes finished 3rd in the West last season.  Talk about surprising.  The Coyotes came out of no where last season to win the Pacific division.  They looked like everything was on their side in the playoffs until the Western Conference finals when they were eliminated by the Kings.  The loss of Ray Whitney to free agency was erased by the signing of veteran Steve Sullivan.  They also acquired Zbynek Michalek from Pittsburgh.  Mickhalek had his best seasons as a member of the Coyotes.  Their issue is consistency.  Last season the Coyotes started off terribly but picked it up late.  They had a stretch of games where they didn't lose a game for over a month.  A 48 game season could fit this team perfectly.  Projected finish: 3rd 

Last season the Ducks finished 13th.  After finishing 4th two seasons ago the Ducks expectations were high going in to last season.  But a very disappointing 2011-2012 season dropped the Ducks to 13th in the West.  The Ducks have a ton of talent up front with Getzlaf, Perry, Ryan, as well as veteran leadership from Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne.  What let them down last season was their defense and inconsistent goal tending. The Ducks hope that the addition of Bryan Allen will help sure up the defense and hope that Jonas Hiller will have a bounce back season.  We think they will.  Projected finish: 8th

Last season the Flames finished 9th.  Not sure how the Flames finished 9th last season.  The Flames do have some talent up front but their defense isn't anything to jerk off over.  Mikka Kiprusoff will probably carry this team again but they will probably fall short of the playoffs again.  Projected finish: 13th

Last season the Kings finished 8th.  The Kings finished 8th in the West last season but went ape shit in the playoffs and won the Stanley Cup.  The Kings will be without Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown and Jonathan Quick to begin the season which might hurt them.  Considering the Kings don't start playing hockey til March/April they could be in for some trouble.  They will make the playoffs though.  Projected finish: 6th

The Oilers finished 14th in the West last season.  The Oilers were ranked #3 in Sports Illustrated's power rankings recently.  When asked about it Oilers defensman Ryan Whitney said "Marijuana is legal in some states."  The Oilers are close to becoming a team to be reckon with in the West.  They aren't there yet even with all the talent they have.  Projected finish: 14th

Last year the Predator finished 5th in the West.  They were eliminated by the Coyotes in the second round of the playoffs.  The Preds got worse in the off season losing Ryan Suter to free agency and not filling the hole he left.  They almost lost Shea Weber too.  The Preds really didn't add anyone and everyone in their division got better.  Projected finish 9th

The Sharks finished 7th in the West last season.  They were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by St. Louis.  A lot of teams got better in the off season.  The Sharks weren't one of them.  They do have a ton of talent on their team but inconsistent play will be the down fall of this team especially in a shortened season.  Projected finish: 11th

Last season the Stars finished 10th.  In the off season the stars added veteran wingers Ray Whitney and Double J.  They also acquired Derek Roy in the off season from Buffalol.  There is however uncertainty over stud forward Jamie Benn.  Him and the Stars have yet to agree on a contract.  Regardless of what happens with Benn the Stars defense is very thin.  That will be the downfall for them.  Projected finish: 10th

Last season the Wild finished 12th.  The Wild spent unlimited money this off season bringing in Ryan Suter and Zach Parise.  The Wild have one of the most potent offenses in the league this season but after Ryan Suter what are they gonna do defensively?  Is Tom Gilbert gonna shut down the Wings?  Doubt it.  Their offense and Ncklas Backstroms sack will get this team to the playoffs though.  Projected finish: 5th

The Wings finished 5th in the league last season.  The got bounced by Nashville in the first round of the playoffs.  The Wings will look to have a bounce back year after getting knocked out in the first round last season.  The Wings have one of the more potent offenses in the league but their defense is questionable at best.  Nik Lindstrom is no longer with the team so that leave a gaping hole in their defense.  Is Niklas Kronwall the guy that will fill it?  If hockey was about leaving your feet to check people then yes.  But since its not we'll just have to wait and see.   Jimmy Howard might have to bail them out some nights.  Projected finish 2nd.

Vancouver finished 1st last season.  Your reigning President's trophy winners.  Also your reigning choking and diving champions.  The Canucks have a great team.  There is no denying that.  They are great.....in the regular season.  The Canucks just have trouble winning in the playoffs.  They got bounced in the first round last season by the Kings.  The Canucks will still win their division this season because their division sucks.  They also most likely win the Presidents Trophy.  Have fun getting bounced in the first round again tools.  Projected finish: 1st

There you haven it.  If you don't like our projected finishes then too bad.  

Eastern Conference preview tomorrow.

Go Pens

The Beaver County Times Blows

So yesterday after practice Evgeni Malkin didn't speak with the media.  No big deal right?  Not to this reporter from the Beaver County Times.

This article showed up this morning:  Malkin Still Doesn't Get It

Basically what the article says is that Malkin doesn't "get it" because he didn't talk to reporters yesterday or even tweet that he was happy to be back in Pittsburgh.  Yes this is a real article unfortunately.  What does "get it" even mean in this story?  Is this tool trying to say that Geno doesn't want to play in the NHL? 

If that's the case we have some evidence that says other wise.

Yeah.  Looks like Malkin really doesn't give a shit.  But who knows what this guy is even trying to say in that article.  But to write ab article like that is extremely stupid.  Tough shit you didn't get your interview.  Go back tomorrow ass clown.

So here's to you Mr. Chris Bradford

Western Conference preview tomorrow.  Eastern Conference preview Thursday.  Pens preview on Firday.  Season starts Saturday.  Buckle up.

Go Pens

MOU Signed, Schedule Released, GET ON YOUR FEET CAUSE HERE WE GO

The NHL and NHLPA signed off on the Memorandum of Understanding just after 10:00 p.m. today.  This marks the official end of the lockout.  Trades, waivers, and signings will start shortly after midnight tonight.

Also the schedule was released:

Pens have a lot of road games early and late, with the middle portion of the schedule heavy on home games.  Buckle up.

Get Pumped

The season is a week away.  Get your mind right.

If these videos don't get you pumped for Saturday January 19th go root for the Flyers.

Go Pens