This roster was the joint effort of contributors from both this site and ArmchairGM. Through some minor dispute and research into the mental libraries of hockey knowledge, this was the roster voted upon.
FYI - Scratches still make the team.
Centers
Mario Lemieux
Ron Francis
Sidney Crosby
Pierre Larouche
Wingers
Jaromir Jagr
Jean Pronovost
Rick Kehoe
Robbie Brown
Lowell MacDonald
Kevin Stevens
Joe Mullen
Evgeni Malkin
Defensemen
Ulf Samuelsson
Larry Murphy
Paul Coffey
Dave Burrows
Mario Faubert
Darius Kasparaitus
Randy Carlyle
Zarley Zalapski
Goalies
Tom Barrasso
Les Binkley
Ken Wregget
Coaches
Scotty Bowman
Bob Johnson
Eddie Johnston
Scratches
Syl Apps Jr.
Duane Rupp
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Penguins vs Stars preview
Pittsburgh Penguins (10-11-2) vs Dallas Stars (13-8-4)
Mike Modano and the Dallas Stars head into Pittsburgh tomorrow night to take on Sidney Crosby and the rest of the Penguins squad. The Penguins, winner of two straight, haven't seen action since Saturday against the Thrashers and should be well rested for tomorrow's game. Defenseman Sergei Gonchar (groin) is questionable, but will more likely be a scratch on the night.
Prior to their recent loss against the Devils Wednesday night, the Dallas Stars posted a six game win-streak that has since put them as leaders in the Pacific Division and second in the Western Conference behind the Detroit Red Wings. Behind the duel goaltending efforts of both Marty Turco and Mike Smith, the Stars held their opposition to only seven total goals in those six games, one of which was a shutout.
Offensively the Stars can put up points. Brendan Morrow leads the team with 23 points, while defenseman Sergei Zubov and center Mike Ribeiro are tied at 22 a piece. Zubov is also second on the list of defenseman, behind none other than the Penguins' Gonchar.
The Penguins have seen some fluidity coming from two-way forward Ryan Malone. Malone's mustered up four points in two games, including three goals, and has really started to be the extension of Crosby's stick. In addition, Jordan Staal has snapped back into play by netting one and helping another in the past two games. The added depth is evidence to any team in the league that one line can not win a game.
Penguins vs Stars Friday night in Pittsburgh. Puck drops at 7:38pm.
Mike Modano and the Dallas Stars head into Pittsburgh tomorrow night to take on Sidney Crosby and the rest of the Penguins squad. The Penguins, winner of two straight, haven't seen action since Saturday against the Thrashers and should be well rested for tomorrow's game. Defenseman Sergei Gonchar (groin) is questionable, but will more likely be a scratch on the night.
Prior to their recent loss against the Devils Wednesday night, the Dallas Stars posted a six game win-streak that has since put them as leaders in the Pacific Division and second in the Western Conference behind the Detroit Red Wings. Behind the duel goaltending efforts of both Marty Turco and Mike Smith, the Stars held their opposition to only seven total goals in those six games, one of which was a shutout.
Offensively the Stars can put up points. Brendan Morrow leads the team with 23 points, while defenseman Sergei Zubov and center Mike Ribeiro are tied at 22 a piece. Zubov is also second on the list of defenseman, behind none other than the Penguins' Gonchar.
The Penguins have seen some fluidity coming from two-way forward Ryan Malone. Malone's mustered up four points in two games, including three goals, and has really started to be the extension of Crosby's stick. In addition, Jordan Staal has snapped back into play by netting one and helping another in the past two games. The added depth is evidence to any team in the league that one line can not win a game.
Penguins vs Stars Friday night in Pittsburgh. Puck drops at 7:38pm.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Gonchar - Sydor - Recchi
High-scoring defenseman Sergei Gonchar is currently nursing a sore groin that left him in the dressing room for the third period of the Thrashers game. Luckily for him, and the team, a five day break followed. Chances are he'll return to action Monday against the Coyotes. I'm sure the team won't risk further injury to their top scoring blueliner this Friday against the Stars.
In the mean time, Kris Letang and Ryan Whitney have been working on the power play together. The left/right combination on the blue adds to an even sided attack with the man advantage. Expect a lot of one-timers.
Recent news, and evidence of the players' performance, have left the futures of Daryl Sydor and Mark Recchi a bit hazy. Some suggest being scratched from the line-up is Coach Therrien's way of intimidating players to step up or ship out. Others suggest he's had his run with them and that's that. Perhaps it's too early to say. Rumor has it the Columbus Bluejackets are looking into acquiring the Penguins' regularly scratched Recchi and Sydor. Not many notables on the Bluejackets that would benefit the Pens in the trade, unless they can somehow manage a way to get Nash or Leclaire.
See also: Impossible.
To top it off, if Mark Recchi does in fact go to the BJs (couldn't resist), then he and Sergei Federov will combine for 78 years of "experience."
Recchi + Federov = retirement home.
In the mean time, Kris Letang and Ryan Whitney have been working on the power play together. The left/right combination on the blue adds to an even sided attack with the man advantage. Expect a lot of one-timers.
Recent news, and evidence of the players' performance, have left the futures of Daryl Sydor and Mark Recchi a bit hazy. Some suggest being scratched from the line-up is Coach Therrien's way of intimidating players to step up or ship out. Others suggest he's had his run with them and that's that. Perhaps it's too early to say. Rumor has it the Columbus Bluejackets are looking into acquiring the Penguins' regularly scratched Recchi and Sydor. Not many notables on the Bluejackets that would benefit the Pens in the trade, unless they can somehow manage a way to get Nash or Leclaire.
See also: Impossible.
To top it off, if Mark Recchi does in fact go to the BJs (couldn't resist), then he and Sergei Federov will combine for 78 years of "experience."
Recchi + Federov = retirement home.
Monday, November 26, 2007
All-Penguins team?
Every team has their all-time best lineup. This batch is often comprised of players throughout a certain decade or in the history of the franchise. Seeing as how the Penguins don't have a game until Friday night against the Stars, now might be a good time to consider and discuss an all-time best roster.
Here are the rules:
Any player who has ever worn a Penguins uniform is eligible.
Wingers are interchangeable.
8 Wingers
4 Centers
8 D-Men
3 Goalies
3 Coaches
2 "Scratches" (Any position)
Perhaps we'll open it to suggestions as well. Allow me to get the obvious out of the way. Unfortunately this won't leave much else open in the center category, but the Pens can't help that now can they?
Centers(4)
Mario Lemieux
Ron Francis
Sidney Crosby
Evgeni Malkin - added by Randy
Wingers(8)
Jaromir Jagr
Kevin Stevens - added by Randy
Rick Tocchet - added by Randy
Rick Kehoe - added by Randy
Defensemen(8)
Ulf Samuelson
Larry Murphy
Paul Coffey
Goalies (3)
Tom Barrasso
Patrick Lalime - added by Randy
Coaches (3)
Scotty Bowman
Ron "Badger" Johnson - added by Randy
Here are the rules:
Any player who has ever worn a Penguins uniform is eligible.
Wingers are interchangeable.
8 Wingers
4 Centers
8 D-Men
3 Goalies
3 Coaches
2 "Scratches" (Any position)
Perhaps we'll open it to suggestions as well. Allow me to get the obvious out of the way. Unfortunately this won't leave much else open in the center category, but the Pens can't help that now can they?
Centers(4)
Mario Lemieux
Ron Francis
Sidney Crosby
Evgeni Malkin - added by Randy
Wingers(8)
Jaromir Jagr
Kevin Stevens - added by Randy
Rick Tocchet - added by Randy
Rick Kehoe - added by Randy
Defensemen(8)
Ulf Samuelson
Larry Murphy
Paul Coffey
Goalies (3)
Tom Barrasso
Patrick Lalime - added by Randy
Coaches (3)
Scotty Bowman
Ron "Badger" Johnson - added by Randy
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Pens bomb Thrashers 5-0
The on going see-saw that is the "Faith in Fleury Campaign" has just been given a much needed insurance boost.
After facing the hook from Coach Therrien against the Ottawa Senators, Marc-Andre Fleury started and finished a 5-0 shutout performance against the Atlanta Thrashers. This goes down as his second blank of the year, the first coming against the Rangers in October.
The game started with what appeared to be the look and feel of a Saturday night blowout when the Penguins walked out of the first period up 3-0. As noted in the past games against the Avalanche, Rangers and Islanders, a two or three goal lead is hardly a cushion. However, it would be more than enough tonight, as the team would later pad the lead even more with two more goals.
Sergei Gonchar had a three point game, dishing three helpers that left the Thrashers seeing red.
Jordan Staal managed to break his season long drought with the first goal of the game, only his second on the year. After going 13 pointless games, Staal has a goal and an assist in the past two.
Ryan Malone scored his third goal in two games on a Gonchar pass halfway through the first. The scoring depth on the team is certainly apparant, as is the hitting from the fourth line consisting of Laraque, Ruutu and Hall.
The power play unit was playing at an extreme level tonight. Given only three chances in what was a relatively penalty free game, the Penguins converted twice on the night with a Malone goal in the first and Crosby tally in the second. The offense is finally back to producing, hitting the mark 11 times in the last two games. The Pens are starting to show signs of a full range hockey team as they're playing both sides of the puck much better and the goaltending debacle begins to settle itself down.
The Pens' biggest obstacle this week may in fact be themselves. Although too early to necessarily constitute as a 'streak', the Penguins have won their last two in a row. Now five days separate them between their next and last game of the month against the Dallas Stars. Hopefully the time away from the ice won't shut them down.
Penguins Goals
1st Period
Staal from Roberts-Kennedy
Malone from Gonchar-Letang
Armstrong from Crosby-Gonchar
2nd Period
Crosby from Gonchar-Christensen
3rd Period
Whitney from Roberts-Kennedy
Fleury - 28-28
Pavelec - 29-34
Coming soon: November in review, Dallas Stars preview and a look at the All Penguins team featuring the All-time best roster consisting of players to ever wear the black and gold.
After facing the hook from Coach Therrien against the Ottawa Senators, Marc-Andre Fleury started and finished a 5-0 shutout performance against the Atlanta Thrashers. This goes down as his second blank of the year, the first coming against the Rangers in October.
The game started with what appeared to be the look and feel of a Saturday night blowout when the Penguins walked out of the first period up 3-0. As noted in the past games against the Avalanche, Rangers and Islanders, a two or three goal lead is hardly a cushion. However, it would be more than enough tonight, as the team would later pad the lead even more with two more goals.
Sergei Gonchar had a three point game, dishing three helpers that left the Thrashers seeing red.
Jordan Staal managed to break his season long drought with the first goal of the game, only his second on the year. After going 13 pointless games, Staal has a goal and an assist in the past two.
Ryan Malone scored his third goal in two games on a Gonchar pass halfway through the first. The scoring depth on the team is certainly apparant, as is the hitting from the fourth line consisting of Laraque, Ruutu and Hall.
The power play unit was playing at an extreme level tonight. Given only three chances in what was a relatively penalty free game, the Penguins converted twice on the night with a Malone goal in the first and Crosby tally in the second. The offense is finally back to producing, hitting the mark 11 times in the last two games. The Pens are starting to show signs of a full range hockey team as they're playing both sides of the puck much better and the goaltending debacle begins to settle itself down.
The Pens' biggest obstacle this week may in fact be themselves. Although too early to necessarily constitute as a 'streak', the Penguins have won their last two in a row. Now five days separate them between their next and last game of the month against the Dallas Stars. Hopefully the time away from the ice won't shut them down.
Penguins Goals
1st Period
Staal from Roberts-Kennedy
Malone from Gonchar-Letang
Armstrong from Crosby-Gonchar
2nd Period
Crosby from Gonchar-Christensen
3rd Period
Whitney from Roberts-Kennedy
Fleury - 28-28
Pavelec - 29-34
Coming soon: November in review, Dallas Stars preview and a look at the All Penguins team featuring the All-time best roster consisting of players to ever wear the black and gold.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Penguins vs Thrashers preview
Tonight the Pens take on the Thrashers at home in Pittsburgh for the first of four faceoffs this season.
The Thrashers started the season off 0-6, on what can only be described subtly as "The wrong foot." After firing Head Coach Bob Hartley, the team made a dramatic turn around that has since brought them to a .500 win percentage with a record of 11-11. On the wake of their first playoff berth in franchise history, the Thrash are looking for a repeater under the leadership of Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa.
Kovalchuk, went two consecutive games with a hat trick against both Tampa Bay and Ottawa, while Hossa has been nothing short of prolific averaging nearly a point a game. In there most recent game Friday night, The Thrashers were shutout by Martin Brodeur and the Devils squad, delivering Kovi and the gang their first loss in four games.
The Pens are hoping to wrap up the month of November on a positive note. In the 11 previous games this month, the Penguins hold the record of 3-7-1. As far as the Atlantic Division race is concerned, this was no doubt a harsh month for the Penguins to slump. Out of 18 potential points within their division, the Pens barely walked away with five. They suffered two losses from the Flyers, the Devils and one regulation loss and overtime loss from the Rangers.
However, things have started to look like they're turning around. In their last four games the Pens are 2-1-1. Most recently Pittsburgh dropped Ottawa in a 6-5 shootout victory that proved a variety of morale boosts to the struggling squad. The team tied their highest single game performance of the year (5-0 against the Devils), beat one of the best teams in the league and additionally sent a message out to teams everywhere that they're ready to play.
Tonight, the Penguins are hoping to finish the remainder of this month with two more wins. They'll have to fight past the Thrashers and goalie Johan Hedberg before the last battle of November against the Stars.
The puck drops tonight at 7:30.
The Thrashers started the season off 0-6, on what can only be described subtly as "The wrong foot." After firing Head Coach Bob Hartley, the team made a dramatic turn around that has since brought them to a .500 win percentage with a record of 11-11. On the wake of their first playoff berth in franchise history, the Thrash are looking for a repeater under the leadership of Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa.
Kovalchuk, went two consecutive games with a hat trick against both Tampa Bay and Ottawa, while Hossa has been nothing short of prolific averaging nearly a point a game. In there most recent game Friday night, The Thrashers were shutout by Martin Brodeur and the Devils squad, delivering Kovi and the gang their first loss in four games.
The Pens are hoping to wrap up the month of November on a positive note. In the 11 previous games this month, the Penguins hold the record of 3-7-1. As far as the Atlantic Division race is concerned, this was no doubt a harsh month for the Penguins to slump. Out of 18 potential points within their division, the Pens barely walked away with five. They suffered two losses from the Flyers, the Devils and one regulation loss and overtime loss from the Rangers.
However, things have started to look like they're turning around. In their last four games the Pens are 2-1-1. Most recently Pittsburgh dropped Ottawa in a 6-5 shootout victory that proved a variety of morale boosts to the struggling squad. The team tied their highest single game performance of the year (5-0 against the Devils), beat one of the best teams in the league and additionally sent a message out to teams everywhere that they're ready to play.
Tonight, the Penguins are hoping to finish the remainder of this month with two more wins. They'll have to fight past the Thrashers and goalie Johan Hedberg before the last battle of November against the Stars.
The puck drops tonight at 7:30.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Penguins edge 6-5 shootout victory over Senators
How does that old saying go - old rivalries die hard? Penguins beat the best team in the league?
I forget. Whatever the answer may be, the Penguins showed last year's playoff rival and this year's league leading Ottawa Senators squad a thing or two about rivalry.
The game jumped to a quick lead, as two of the four Ottawa shots hit the mark past Fleury. Therrien didn't waste any time giving MAF the hook, and Sabourin was home in net for the second half of the first and the remainder of the game.
Evgeni Malkin proved that fore-checking is a necessity in any All-Star's repertoire, when he single handedly busted through the Senators' defense to notch one past Gerber from about 11 feet out for his 15th consecutive game with a point. Eighteen seconds later, Ryan Malone decides to play a game of "Anything you can do I can do better" and ties the game at two.
Heading into the second, both teams were tied at two.
Eight minutes into the second period, new-comer/sent-back-down/welcome-back-to-the-team Tyler Kennedy unleashed a heat seeking turn-around wrister that found the cage and flicked the red light. Jordan Staal received an assist on the play, breaking what has no doubt been a very disappointing pointless streak.
The Senators wouldn't wait long to retaliate. Within eight minutes later, the Sens put two past Sabu to take a 4-3 lead heading into the third.
The third period didn't exactly start off as Pittsburgh had intended. A Schubert tip-in put the Pens down by two, with an entire period still left to play.
In what can only be deemed rally fashion, Ryan Malone connected on a pass from Gonchar to cut the Sens' lead to one. A little over a minute later, Gonchar decided he'd do it himself this time. Similar to how the Rangers have begun including their defensemen as offensive threats, so to did the Penguins when Gonchar drove towards the net and snapped the tying goal past Gerber.
At this point, the Pens fans began to pray for a goal, wait for the chance and hope the Senators wouldn't be the first to do it. Dany Sabourin's play reached epic proportions, as flailing saves and a trusty catching mitt brought the game to overtime.
The five minutes of "oos" and "ahhs" from close chances on both ends of the ice proved to be nothing more than a delay to the inevitable shootout.
Ottawa's only shootout goal came from a Jason Spezza shot right through Sabourin's unguarded five hole. And for the record, there is absolutely no way of writing that line without eliciting some sort of immature giggle from a reader.
The next shot, the Penguins' first, was solely that of Erik Christensen. Known for his excellence in the shootout, but otherwise poor play as of late, Christensen attempted to beat Martin Gerber on the left side of the net. What looked like a save in fact came back as a goal, when Gerber slipped the puck into the net with his blocker hand.
From there, with the shootout tied at one a piece, the next shots went like this.
OTT Vermette-Miss
PIT Sykora -Save
OTT Heatley -Save
PIT Crosby -Save
OTT Fisher -Save
PIT Malkin -Save
OTT McAmmond-Save
At last, the unlikely hero Jarkko Ruutu took the ice for the Pens' fifth shot. through a faked shot, leg lift-drag, Ruutu backhanded the game winner home for a two point win and team retribution for the 2007 Eastern Conference playoffs.
Tonight's win gives the Pens seven points on the month, with two games still remaining. Additionally, it is the team's first shootout win of the season and a huge morale boost for a struggling club.
It was a game of adversity and persistence for the Pens. Down 2-0, the Pens came back to tie it. Soon enough when down 5-3, the Pens came back to tie it. Finally when tied 5-5, the Pens went on to win it.
The Pens power play unit converted only once out of eight chances, one of which included a five-on-three chance that, similar to last night's loss to the Devils, failed to turn. Know this - beware of the Ottawa Senators. There power play unit was on fire, at one point scoring two of two chances, for an overall two-for-four performance for the night.
Therrien further expressed his confidence in the younger players tonight when he allowed Tyler Kennedy to take the ice in what was more than well deserved.
Penguins Goals
1st Period
Malkin from Sykora
Malone from Crosby-Armstrong
2nd Period
Kennedy from Staal
3rd Period
Malone from Gonchar-Letang
Gonchar from Armstrong-Malone
OT
None
Shootout
Christensen and Ruutu for a 2-1 shootout win
I forget. Whatever the answer may be, the Penguins showed last year's playoff rival and this year's league leading Ottawa Senators squad a thing or two about rivalry.
The game jumped to a quick lead, as two of the four Ottawa shots hit the mark past Fleury. Therrien didn't waste any time giving MAF the hook, and Sabourin was home in net for the second half of the first and the remainder of the game.
Evgeni Malkin proved that fore-checking is a necessity in any All-Star's repertoire, when he single handedly busted through the Senators' defense to notch one past Gerber from about 11 feet out for his 15th consecutive game with a point. Eighteen seconds later, Ryan Malone decides to play a game of "Anything you can do I can do better" and ties the game at two.
Heading into the second, both teams were tied at two.
Eight minutes into the second period, new-comer/sent-back-down/welcome-back-to-the-team Tyler Kennedy unleashed a heat seeking turn-around wrister that found the cage and flicked the red light. Jordan Staal received an assist on the play, breaking what has no doubt been a very disappointing pointless streak.
The Senators wouldn't wait long to retaliate. Within eight minutes later, the Sens put two past Sabu to take a 4-3 lead heading into the third.
The third period didn't exactly start off as Pittsburgh had intended. A Schubert tip-in put the Pens down by two, with an entire period still left to play.
In what can only be deemed rally fashion, Ryan Malone connected on a pass from Gonchar to cut the Sens' lead to one. A little over a minute later, Gonchar decided he'd do it himself this time. Similar to how the Rangers have begun including their defensemen as offensive threats, so to did the Penguins when Gonchar drove towards the net and snapped the tying goal past Gerber.
At this point, the Pens fans began to pray for a goal, wait for the chance and hope the Senators wouldn't be the first to do it. Dany Sabourin's play reached epic proportions, as flailing saves and a trusty catching mitt brought the game to overtime.
The five minutes of "oos" and "ahhs" from close chances on both ends of the ice proved to be nothing more than a delay to the inevitable shootout.
Ottawa's only shootout goal came from a Jason Spezza shot right through Sabourin's unguarded five hole. And for the record, there is absolutely no way of writing that line without eliciting some sort of immature giggle from a reader.
The next shot, the Penguins' first, was solely that of Erik Christensen. Known for his excellence in the shootout, but otherwise poor play as of late, Christensen attempted to beat Martin Gerber on the left side of the net. What looked like a save in fact came back as a goal, when Gerber slipped the puck into the net with his blocker hand.
From there, with the shootout tied at one a piece, the next shots went like this.
OTT Vermette-Miss
PIT Sykora -Save
OTT Heatley -Save
PIT Crosby -Save
OTT Fisher -Save
PIT Malkin -Save
OTT McAmmond-Save
At last, the unlikely hero Jarkko Ruutu took the ice for the Pens' fifth shot. through a faked shot, leg lift-drag, Ruutu backhanded the game winner home for a two point win and team retribution for the 2007 Eastern Conference playoffs.
Tonight's win gives the Pens seven points on the month, with two games still remaining. Additionally, it is the team's first shootout win of the season and a huge morale boost for a struggling club.
It was a game of adversity and persistence for the Pens. Down 2-0, the Pens came back to tie it. Soon enough when down 5-3, the Pens came back to tie it. Finally when tied 5-5, the Pens went on to win it.
The Pens power play unit converted only once out of eight chances, one of which included a five-on-three chance that, similar to last night's loss to the Devils, failed to turn. Know this - beware of the Ottawa Senators. There power play unit was on fire, at one point scoring two of two chances, for an overall two-for-four performance for the night.
Therrien further expressed his confidence in the younger players tonight when he allowed Tyler Kennedy to take the ice in what was more than well deserved.
Penguins Goals
1st Period
Malkin from Sykora
Malone from Crosby-Armstrong
2nd Period
Kennedy from Staal
3rd Period
Malone from Gonchar-Letang
Gonchar from Armstrong-Malone
OT
None
Shootout
Christensen and Ruutu for a 2-1 shootout win
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