Pens vs Canes preview
Posted 1:57 PM ET | Comments 2
The Staal brothers will be at it again tomorrow night in Pittsburgh, as the Canes visit the Pens for what will be the second meeting of the season. Hopefully this time around, little brother Jordan can outplay, or at least shutdown his older brother Eric. In the season opener, Eric netted two goals in a 4-1 victory in front of the Carolina crowd. Perhaps it'll be a different story at Mellon.
It better be. For all intensive purposes, this is a pretty rough little stretch for the Penguins - three games in four days. Starting it all off with a loss to the Devils the other night doesn't help much either.
If you take a look at the Hurricanes, they're no doubt a force to be reckoned with. You still have the 16 year vet Brindamour to factor in to the already powerful equation of Eric Staal + Eric Cole = trouble. Having Cam Ward secure the pipes isn't exactly a bad touch either.
The Penguins are most definitely going to need to take far less penalties than the last game, especially from guys like Sykora and Crosby who are much more beneficial on the ice than in the box.
I say the approach the offense takes is similar to the approach you'd take with Brodeur - lots of shots and even more tip-ins and re-directs in front of the net. It really is the only way to beat great goalies, unless of course Gonchar doesn't mind teeing up another one from the blueline to beat the goalie glove-side. Those are always pretty too.
Some other names on the Canes you're gonna hear a lot on Friday. Cory Stillman, who has been on fire hitting from all over the place in the past 3 games. Matt Cullen, the former Ranger who apparantly did what former Rangers do best; play better on another team. And finally Justin Williams, who in six games has 1 goal and 7 assists. His only goal, ironically enough, came in his two point performance on opening night against the Penguins.
The main objective: shutdown Eric Staal, watch out for Stillman in front of the net, and lay on a flurry of shots towards Ward. I know it may seem like basic hockey fundamentals, but thus far the only game that has really worked in their favor like this has been the Toronto win, and even that was close till the emptynetter.
I really feel like this is a tough game to win, but not impossible. Ward is playing like a Stanley Cup netminder, and his offense is doing a heck of a lot to take some pressure off him. I can't say whether I think this game is going to be another scoring frenzy or not, because I don't think Ward is going to let many by. But if it does turn out to be one, then Fleury better be on his best play because it's going to be another close 10+ goal game.
More at http://pensburgh.blogspot.com
It better be. For all intensive purposes, this is a pretty rough little stretch for the Penguins - three games in four days. Starting it all off with a loss to the Devils the other night doesn't help much either.
If you take a look at the Hurricanes, they're no doubt a force to be reckoned with. You still have the 16 year vet Brindamour to factor in to the already powerful equation of Eric Staal + Eric Cole = trouble. Having Cam Ward secure the pipes isn't exactly a bad touch either.
The Penguins are most definitely going to need to take far less penalties than the last game, especially from guys like Sykora and Crosby who are much more beneficial on the ice than in the box.
I say the approach the offense takes is similar to the approach you'd take with Brodeur - lots of shots and even more tip-ins and re-directs in front of the net. It really is the only way to beat great goalies, unless of course Gonchar doesn't mind teeing up another one from the blueline to beat the goalie glove-side. Those are always pretty too.
Some other names on the Canes you're gonna hear a lot on Friday. Cory Stillman, who has been on fire hitting from all over the place in the past 3 games. Matt Cullen, the former Ranger who apparantly did what former Rangers do best; play better on another team. And finally Justin Williams, who in six games has 1 goal and 7 assists. His only goal, ironically enough, came in his two point performance on opening night against the Penguins.
The main objective: shutdown Eric Staal, watch out for Stillman in front of the net, and lay on a flurry of shots towards Ward. I know it may seem like basic hockey fundamentals, but thus far the only game that has really worked in their favor like this has been the Toronto win, and even that was close till the emptynetter.
I really feel like this is a tough game to win, but not impossible. Ward is playing like a Stanley Cup netminder, and his offense is doing a heck of a lot to take some pressure off him. I can't say whether I think this game is going to be another scoring frenzy or not, because I don't think Ward is going to let many by. But if it does turn out to be one, then Fleury better be on his best play because it's going to be another close 10+ goal game.
More at http://pensburgh.blogspot.com
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to leave a comment.Blog Archive
10 Draft Sleepers?
11 Outdoor games on New Years day
19 Northeastern (Edit Atlantic) Predictions
19 Can controversy lead to ratings?
11 Outdoor games on New Years day
19 Northeastern (Edit Atlantic) Predictions
19 Can controversy lead to ratings?
02 No! Not my agent!
11 Pens' Rookies Take Home Kitchener Cup
16 Pens sell out opening night...who else?
16 Pens sell out opening night...who else?
28 Former Penguin Passes Away During Game
11 Pens' Rookies Take Home Kitchener Cup
16 Pens sell out opening night...who else?
16 Pens sell out opening night...who else?
28 Former Penguin Passes Away During Game
I honestly believe that you should be doing the Pens main blog and not Metzer. He's an OK blogger and all but I think that reading through your posts and now this blog, I see someone who is much more analytical and, therefore, respectable. Keep up the good work.
Hey thanks a lot man! Metz can provide more inside info than I can, and that's what draws me to his blog. I'm not gunning for his job. I just like to give my two cents on everything, sometimes 10-20 cents - but hey, whatever.