The Pen is Mightier?
by birky on Oct 29, 2011 4:27 PM EDT
in Maple Leafs Game Previews
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Who: Toronto Maple Leafs (6-2-1; 13 points; 1st in Northeast) vs Pittsburgh Penguins (8-2-2; 18 points; 1st in Atlantic)
What: Game #10 of the 2011-12 Regular Season
Where: Air Canada Centre, T-Dot
When: 7:00pm on CBC
The Penguins are still without captain Sidney Crosby, and now face a strong-ish Leafs squad without one of their best defenders, Zbynek Michalek. The good news is Evgeni Malkin returned to the Pens lineup last week and James Neal remains one of the league's top scorers in October.
They'll be going up against a Leafs squad missing goaltender James Reimer, pretty much the last player they could afford an injury to. Jonas Gustavsson has been OK in Reimer's absence, and hopefully has one more decent game in him before Reimer returns (hopefully) tomorrow in Ottawa. Up front, the only major injury for Toronto is to RW Colby Armstrong, as Tim Connolly and Tyler Bozak both returned to active duty on Thursday against the Rangers.
Also, the Leafs have Phil Kessel.
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The good news is Evgeni Malkin returned to the Pens lineup last week and James Neal remains one of the league’s top scorers in October.
that is good news?
Resident Internet Tough Guy
by JaredFromLondon on Oct 29, 2011 4:29 PM EDT reply actions
well it gives Healy so much more material to talk about and make himself a fool I guess.
by Nigel Cadbury on Oct 29, 2011 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Weve got Sir Robert Cole calling the game tonight. dont know if Healy will still be between the benches or not?
said we get Cole, Galley and Healy I believe.
by Nigel Cadbury on Oct 29, 2011 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions
yep
that’s the team apparently.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
by Steve Burtch on Oct 29, 2011 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions
In that case
tonight will be heavenly
Sometimes it seems this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again.
by Chris Stoikoff on Oct 29, 2011 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I hate Healy so much
elephant shell
never question our ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory - yardly
But Healy’s always there like a disease, at least Cole will be calling the game to balance it out
Sometimes it seems this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again.
by Chris Stoikoff on Oct 29, 2011 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions
The good news is no Crosby, Staal or Fleury although Johnson plays well against us.
by scott tubbesing on Oct 29, 2011 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions
All that needed to be said
Sometimes it seems this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again.
by Chris Stoikoff on Oct 29, 2011 4:38 PM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions
Leafs: 4-0-1 on nights with caricature series. 2-2-0 without it.
It’s been a long stretch without a home game! Only 14 spots left for the caricature series, if you’d like to see how you look in blue Sharpie you’d better join soon!
PPP Caricature Series Part VI- WendyClark Edition
Riding the Leafs bandwagon since 1991.
Check out my art!
by CanadianMaple09 on Oct 29, 2011 4:33 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
You’ll be Part 10… getting close!
Riding the Leafs bandwagon since 1991.
Check out my art!
by CanadianMaple09 on Oct 29, 2011 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Yahoo tells me that J-Staal didn’t make the trip to Toronto, so he’ll be out as well.
RIP Former-and-forever Leaf Wade Belak
Me on Twitter
He's got
a lower body injury.
No Fleury in net either.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
by Steve Burtch on Oct 29, 2011 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions
But, is Phil Kessel > Ditka?
This space for rant...
by fair_n_hite_451 on Oct 29, 2011 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Pfft Mini Kessel 150- Ditka 12
Raycroft! I like the move. Falls inline with the push for youth and is a solution for the future. Trading Rask was unfortunate, but with Pogge and Raycroft only being 26, I think the TO goaltending future is a bright one. - Some guy from 2006
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 29, 2011 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
So
the MSG network passed on my twitter question where I asked Derek Stepan about his Sophomore season (they diluted it a tad to make it about how he’d repeat his success but wtf-ever), but they said they think I’m from Wisconsin? I guess they think I’m hating on Stepan because he’s from Minnesota…
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
Linkage
Wisconsin SteveBurtch asks Stepan a softie of a question.
Here’s my real question:
Derek – are you worried about a perception of a Sophomore Slump given your production so far after such an impressive rookie season? #NYR
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
by Steve Burtch on Oct 29, 2011 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
they don't ask
anything about the 1 assist through 8 games.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
by Steve Burtch on Oct 29, 2011 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions
QI have a hard time beliving the MSM would change a message.Q
by Nigel Cadbury on Oct 29, 2011 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
and that;s a reply fail with the sarcasm font.
by Nigel Cadbury on Oct 29, 2011 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
not shocking
I’m still baffled by the Wisconsin reference.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
by Steve Burtch on Oct 29, 2011 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Next time I'll be sure
to make the question fluffier for them…
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
by Steve Burtch on Oct 29, 2011 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions
for the record
I actually really like the game of a lot of the Rangers… Anisimov, Stepan, Callahan, Dubinsky, Gaborik, Wolski… I’d be happy to have most of them on the Leafs.
Not a big fan of Brad Richards though honestly.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
by Steve Burtch on Oct 29, 2011 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t understand how your question could be perceived as “hating” particularly. As a leafs fan I’d want to know how a rookie leaf plans on improving for next season. There’s too much reading between the lines I suppose
elephant shell
never question our ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory - yardly
That
worries me more than a bit.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
by Steve Burtch on Oct 29, 2011 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions
well they were scared to play Reimer last year too. They don’t like to put in their AHL goalies it seems. when Giggy first got hurt they ran Gus out there consistently instead of playing Reimer. Looks like they’ll do the same and not play Scrivens.
by Nigel Cadbury on Oct 29, 2011 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I wouldn't play Scrivens until necessary
kid has all of around 40 AHL games in his career. Of course Reimer only played 44 games so it’s not a huge difference.
Scrivens is also older. so who knows.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
by Steve Burtch on Oct 29, 2011 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Ottawa may be playing Lehner tomorrow. I wouldn’t have a problem seeing Scrivens get the start, especially if Gustavsson does poorly tonight.
RIP Former-and-forever Leaf Wade Belak
Me on Twitter
Let's not bank
on Gustavsson doing poorly tonight if we don’t have to.
Not sure why the Leafs are facing off against Backups this early in the year, they’re 5th in the NHL in scoring.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
by Steve Burtch on Oct 29, 2011 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions
we're actually
3rd in Goals per game… so yeah… wtf?
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
by Steve Burtch on Oct 29, 2011 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions
well Anderson has just let in his 4th today so.. there’s that.
by Nigel Cadbury on Oct 29, 2011 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Auld is injured. Anderson could end up playing both of this back to back, especially since this first game is early, but Lehner’s around.
RIP Former-and-forever Leaf Wade Belak
Me on Twitter
perhaps
I’ve been as hard on Gus as anyone, but if he puts in another strong effort tonight and they beat a very good Pens team? That will be a good start but L against a good Flyers team, a good start and W against a good Rangers team, and a good start and W against a good Penguins team.
If he does that, I’m not going to be “worried” about one game against the Senators.
It’s if Reimer’s more hurt than we are being told that worries me, i guess.
Unabashed fan of the surprise 2012 Stanley Cup champs
My fantasy team would cry tears of joy, as long as Phaneuf and Gardiner assisted on all of Kessel’s and Matt Cooke on Neal’s
Sometimes it seems this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again.
by Chris Stoikoff on Oct 29, 2011 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Leafs MO with Gustavsson
so far in his career…
Make him backup… until the starter gets injured… then ask him to play way too much with little to no support… when he inevitably cracks under the pressure and failures mount Leafs nation decides he’s crap.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
yup, as I sorta stated in my post up top, they did the same thing last year.
by Nigel Cadbury on Oct 29, 2011 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd just play Scrivens
as you would a normal back up… which means play him in half of a back to back if necessary.
Problem with tonight is, Gustavsson knew he was getting the start and the whole Reimer thing leaves it up in the air… I just don’t think they want to toss Scrivens in net in a game against the Sens that they feel is more of a “must win”… perhaps too much too soon.
I think they’d prefer to have Scrivens go into a game with less attention focused on it.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
by Steve Burtch on Oct 29, 2011 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m fine with playing Gus if he plays well.
by Nigel Cadbury on Oct 29, 2011 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions
If the Leafs get the two points, I don’t care how Gus plays…
This space for rant...
by fair_n_hite_451 on Oct 29, 2011 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Two more games
But still, that’s the way Spezza has to play if the Sens want to avoid drafting Yakupov for some reason
Sometimes it seems this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again.
by Chris Stoikoff on Oct 29, 2011 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions
They
have too many vets under contract to seriously sell players on a “rebuild” at this point.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
by Steve Burtch on Oct 29, 2011 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Even with Spezza playing like this I don’t see them finishing any higher than 11th or 12th
Sometimes it seems this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again.
by Chris Stoikoff on Oct 29, 2011 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Spezza
is having a pretty solid season so far.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
by Steve Burtch on Oct 29, 2011 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Ottawa’s doing well because Spezza’s on fire. Sounds like another team and another player we know
Being a Leafs fan makes me bipolar.
Trying to raise his trade value at the deadline
No more moral victories, no more excuses. Put up or shut up.
Lebda-free since July 3.
by nhlcheapshot on Oct 29, 2011 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Lupul will score 2 goals tonight
All while imitating the Pens logo:
"We are all agreed that your theory is crazy. The question that divides us is whether it is crazy enough to have a chance of being correct."
- Niels Bohr
by Frag on Oct 29, 2011 5:34 PM EDT reply actions 8 recs
Hah
Nice catch
Sometimes it seems this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again.
by Chris Stoikoff on Oct 29, 2011 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions
He’s going for the crotch-stomp.
I disapprove, but applaud his enthusiasm.
by potvin vs hextall on Oct 29, 2011 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I have lundqvist on my fantasy team. Ugh
elephant shell
never question our ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory - yardly
Only player in that game I’ve got is Brian Boyle and he’s got no points
Sometimes it seems this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again.
by Chris Stoikoff on Oct 29, 2011 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Senator rope-a-dope. Nearly stung us with it.
In other news – damn 3 point games.
The Dream Will Never Die
by Saanich West on Oct 29, 2011 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions
at this point do we hope the sens win just to keep the rags from getting another point?
elephant shell
never question our ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory - yardly
I firmly believe we will beat Ottawa tomorrow
elephant shell
never question our ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory - yardly
Hard to see the future is.
The Dream Will Never Die
by Saanich West on Oct 29, 2011 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Sure, sure…yoda yoda yoda.
Either you have an enviable memory, or a pitiable life, to know nothing of regret.
- Sten, of the Qunari
by GreatKingRat on Oct 29, 2011 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions
so...
that karlsson kid is alright I guess
elephant shell
never question our ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory - yardly
Ridiculous
No more moral victories, no more excuses. Put up or shut up.
Lebda-free since July 3.
by nhlcheapshot on Oct 29, 2011 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
clutch?
Move along. Nothing to see here...
by Van Ryn's Neurologist on Oct 29, 2011 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions
that is not likely to be sustainable S3*
"You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Oct 29, 2011 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Hopefully Healy will get nailed right in the face with an errant puck off the boards, thus ending his career of shitting all over the leafs every Saturday night
I wish no ill will towards Mr Healy except that the above happens and his tongue gets cut in half.
Raycroft! I like the move. Falls inline with the push for youth and is a solution for the future. Trading Rask was unfortunate, but with Pogge and Raycroft only being 26, I think the TO goaltending future is a bright one. - Some guy from 2006
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 29, 2011 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Which chunk of tongue he swallows, then chokes on, regurgitates, has to bite in half again, which two halves he now swallows, chokes on, regurgitates, has to bite each half into quarters, which quarters he swallows again, the quarter tongues then quickly rally in his gut, start talking amongst themselves, making such stupid comments that the stomach acids pour in from a dozen overhead gut-sluices, burning and melting and stewing the tongue bits down to a liquid goop, a goop so lacking in substance that even Healy’s own digestive track refuses to process it as shit and instead routes it out his bladder, whereupon, partway through the second period, Healy is overcome with an incredible need to piss, stands up in the press box, drops his fly, and pisses pure brown Healy juice onto the Penguins bench, screaming in incoherent, tongue-less agony throughout, as the brown curtain plunges down upon and drenches the head and upturned face of Matt Cooke, who then leaps onto the ice to escape the plague, gets a too-many-men on the ice penalty, argues, gets an additional game misconduct, Kessel goes onto the powerplay, and scores 3 more, ending the game with 7.
But all we remember afterward is the 7 goals by Kessel.
Just kidding. We’d TOTALLY remember Healy eating his own tongue then pissing it onto Matt Cooke’s head.
R.I.P. The playoff hopes of Montreal Canadiens fans for 2011-12.
by not norm ullman on Oct 29, 2011 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Tongue’d
Raycroft! I like the move. Falls inline with the push for youth and is a solution for the future. Trading Rask was unfortunate, but with Pogge and Raycroft only being 26, I think the TO goaltending future is a bright one. - Some guy from 2006
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 29, 2011 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Fucking Brian Gionta. I find it ironic that in a year they are trying to eliminate head shots our goalie gets injured by way of a head shot. Seriously you can’t make this stuff up. Now Jonas Siegel is saying he’s very doubtful for tomorrow. Watch this turn into Tim Connolly all over again.
by scott tubbesing on Oct 29, 2011 5:51 PM EDT reply actions
I cant understand how ppl can say it wasnt a dirty elbow to the back of the head.. Gionta bee-lined from the boards straight into Reimer, and the frogs were running him the whole period. It was their gameplan
by ClutchyKessel on Oct 29, 2011 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions
easy on the frogs
but i agree with the Reimer sentiment. Gionta was called for a goaltender interference call, wasn’t he? I can’t even remember.
Unabashed fan of the surprise 2012 Stanley Cup champs
All in favour of Colton Orr beating the piss out of Gionta next game say aye!
by scott tubbesing on Oct 29, 2011 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Meh…let Mike Brown do it…lol.
1/1/11: Saw the beginning of the Optimus Reim era. And it was glorious!!!1
Oh...and Phil Kessel says YAAAAAAYYYY!!!1
Yeah at they would be the same weight class.
by scott tubbesing on Oct 29, 2011 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Please let Reimer be ready for tomorrow.
by scott tubbesing on Oct 29, 2011 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m bracing for a loss tonight but a little part of me feels some kind of good feeling as well. In other words I’m confused.
Raycroft! I like the move. Falls inline with the push for youth and is a solution for the future. Trading Rask was unfortunate, but with Pogge and Raycroft only being 26, I think the TO goaltending future is a bright one. - Some guy from 2006
Timbits will have an assist hat trick while Lupul scores 2 goals and Kessel has a 2 point game
"We are all agreed that your theory is crazy. The question that divides us is whether it is crazy enough to have a chance of being correct."
- Niels Bohr
I nominate you for Nostradamus 2.0
Raycroft! I like the move. Falls inline with the push for youth and is a solution for the future. Trading Rask was unfortunate, but with Pogge and Raycroft only being 26, I think the TO goaltending future is a bright one. - Some guy from 2006
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 29, 2011 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I like shiny things
Raycroft! I like the move. Falls inline with the push for youth and is a solution for the future. Trading Rask was unfortunate, but with Pogge and Raycroft only being 26, I think the TO goaltending future is a bright one. - Some guy from 2006
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 29, 2011 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Over/under
On how much everybody talks about Steckel hit on Crosby tonight? Will they discuss anything else?
by LeafInVancouver on Oct 29, 2011 6:36 PM EDT reply actions
Healy will bring it up every 6.3 seconds
Sometimes it seems this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again.
by Chris Stoikoff on Oct 29, 2011 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Unless James Neal scores, in which case we’ll be constantly reminded he’s from the GTA.
TWEET AT ME BRO
Leaf fan for life! (No, really. They gave me a no-trade clause when I was born.)
by FiftyMissionCap on Oct 29, 2011 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Bob Cole doesn’t know who either of those players are but Healy will bring it up 15.5 times a period.
Raycroft! I like the move. Falls inline with the push for youth and is a solution for the future. Trading Rask was unfortunate, but with Pogge and Raycroft only being 26, I think the TO goaltending future is a bright one. - Some guy from 2006
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 29, 2011 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions
agreed
drool
Sometimes it seems this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again.
by Chris Stoikoff on Oct 29, 2011 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions
He’s just trying to make the pens overconfident.
Raycroft! I like the move. Falls inline with the push for youth and is a solution for the future. Trading Rask was unfortunate, but with Pogge and Raycroft only being 26, I think the TO goaltending future is a bright one. - Some guy from 2006
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 29, 2011 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions
7-0 Pens
No more moral victories, no more excuses. Put up or shut up.
Lebda-free since July 3.
by nhlcheapshot on Oct 29, 2011 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions
GDT
WHERE’S MY GDT
Sometimes it seems this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again.
http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2011/10/29/2523533/the-monster-mash
http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2011/10/29/2523533/the-monster-mash
http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2011/10/29/2523533/the-monster-mash
http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2011/10/29/2523533/the-monster-mash
http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2011/10/29/2523533/the-monster-mash
TWEET AT ME BRO
Leaf fan for life! (No, really. They gave me a no-trade clause when I was born.)
by FiftyMissionCap on Oct 29, 2011 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions
YAY
Sometimes it seems this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again.
by Chris Stoikoff on Oct 29, 2011 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions
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