Strait...

[GeoTank]

HE'S BAAAACK !

So Nisky must be out, shoulder? now long? anyone hear anything?

OR.... is this just in case?

[Henry Hank]

Niskanen seemed pretty upset after he got hurt, he was slamming his stick in the hallway to the locker room, so I think he knew he probably was hurt pretty bad. I think he had a shoulder injury originally and must have re-injured it.

I'm not the biggest Niskanen fan but I hope it's not too serious and he's back soon. With Lovejoy also out, they're otherwise going to be forced into playing a rookie in the first round. That could be a problem against Philly.

[meecrofilm]

Expect Nisky to miss that last two games, even if he starts to feel better. Could put us in a tough situation as HH points out, but you can do a lot worse than Strait as your #8 defenseman.

[shmenguin]

interesting that strait seems to be ahead of depres in the pecking order. strait plays more of a non-nonsense game, so it makes sense. i'm a big fan. he plays fast and hard.

[Idoit40fans]

Uh...if Niskanen is out, isn't strait either 6 or 7?

[meecrofilm]

Uh...if Niskanen is out, isn't strait either 6 or 7?

I was referring to his place on the Pens' defensive depth chart if everyone were healthy. Didn't think that would be too tough to deduce.

[sil]

...to the cup!

[Henry Hank]

interesting that strait seems to be ahead of depres in the pecking order. strait plays more of a non-nonsense game, so it makes sense. i'm a big fan. he plays fast and hard.

I think Despres got benched in his last game (against the Islanders) after he messed something up. Strait got to stay up for an extra game so it's expected that he's the first guy to get the call-up. This is a big opportunity for Strait if he's pressed into regular duty. It's his chance to make an impression since he figures to be on the bubble going into next season.

[The Snapshot]

interesting that strait seems to be ahead of depres in the pecking order. strait plays more of a non-nonsense game, so it makes sense. i'm a big fan. he plays fast and hard.

I think Despres got benched in his last game (against the Islanders) after he messed something up. Strait got to stay up for an extra game so it's expected that he's the first guy to get the call-up. This is a big opportunity for Strait if he's pressed into regular duty. It's his chance to make an impression since he figures to be on the bubble going into next season.

I don't think Strait is ahead of Despres. They are not competing for the same slot. When Martin or Letang gets hurt, it is Despres that gets called up. When the bottom pair get hurt, it is Strait. Watch Strait's icetime if he dresses. It will be marginal at best. He will not take a regular shift as the 3rd pair guy. If Niskanen is out a while, he may in fact start to be given slightly more icetime in phases though.

If the Playoffs were starting tomorrow, not sure who would have been recalled because you do not want to start the playoffs with basically 5 D and a spare.

[RxBandit66]

I like Strait because he does not take unnecessary chances in terms of pinching or getting caught up ice. For as limited as his NHL time has been, he has shown some of the instincts of a veteran. Sure, a team like the Flyers could give him some trouble because of their depth, but they have a number of rookies at various positions as well. This will be a huge opportunity for him to show what he can do at this level. If he does well in a Pens-Flyers playoff matchup, that will likely be the toughest competition and intensity he will ever face, and he can probably handle anything at the NHL level.

[IanMoran]

I hope all 3 injuries are ok, but tbh the only guy that I feel would be a significant loss is Sullivan.

[Rylan]

Why do people underestimate Niskanen?

[IanMoran]

I don't I feel Niskanen has been really good. I just think Strait is quite capable playing as a 5th / 6th defender

[Idoit40fans]

Uh...if Niskanen is out, isn't strait either 6 or 7?

I was referring to his place on the Pens' defensive depth chart if everyone were healthy. Didn't think that would be too tough to deduce.

I dont udnerstand how someone would interpret it any other way. In the same sentence you reference niskanen being out.

[shmenguin]

who underestimates niskanen? he's been almost universally appreciated around here this year.

[Three Stars]

Strait Up - To the tune of "Straight Up" by Paula Abdul.



Lost to a team
in 14th place, way to go.
If you are all that you seem
Then Straitsy, you're moving to The Show

Played like a fool before
Wouldn't like to get my team caught
losing eight to four
How about some actual defense--please

Strait up, now tell me
Do you really want to stay at home whenever oh oh oh
Or are we caught in run and gun?
Strait up, now tell me
Is it gonna be you on D forever oh oh oh
or until game eighty-one?

(Le)Tang's standing still
Waiting for pass...to get through
I keep getting chills
When I think Paul Martin is there too

Played like a fool before
Wouldn't like to get my team caught
losing eight to four
How about some actual defense--please

Strait up, now tell me
Do you really want to stay at home whenever oh oh oh
Or are we caught in run and gun?
Strait up, now tell me
Is it gonna be you on D forever oh oh oh
or until game eighty-one?

Bylsma's so hard to read
Strategies are weak
LGP gets tension.
Bet his ego's playing games
Pens just have to say--bye bye bye bye bye bye bye bye bye

Do do you play D
Do do you love D (Straitsy)
Do do you play D
Do do you love D (Tell me Straitsy)

Played like a fool before
Wouldn't like to get my team caught
losing eight to four
Are you stay at home for me
Or is the neutral zone a mystery--Brooks
I don't mean to make demands
But your play and that loss go hand in hand
How about some actual defense--please

Strait up, now tell me...

Strait up, now tell me
Do you really want to stay at home whenever oh oh oh
Or are we caught in run and gun?
Strait up, now tell me
Is it gonna be you on D forever oh oh oh
or until game eighty-one?

Strait up, now tell me
Do you really want to stay at home whenever oh oh oh
Or are we caught in run and gun?
Strait up, now tell me
Is it gonna be you on D forever oh oh oh
or until game eighty-one?

Spoiler:

I've been meaning to make this for a while. Just was waiting for the right time.

[The U]

If Niskanen was really hurt would he have been able to hulk up and smash his stick against the wall?


Hopefully precautionary. No need for Nisky, Vitale, Sullivan to play until Game 1.

Wouldn't want Letang, Sid, Malkin, Neal playing on Saturday either. No need to play a meaningless game but I guess they need enough skaters to play the game.

[Gaucho]

Saturday's game is anything but meaningless.

[The U]

Pens win or Flyers lose tomorrow and yes, Saturday is meaningless. The only meaningful thing that could happen would be somebody suffering an injury during the game.

[Gaucho]

It's pretty much Game 1, or even Game 2, of the series. I'd think none of the players want to miss it.

[The U]

Nobody would be playing to win. Neither team would show any strategy or reveal game plans, it would be very vanilla. Vanilla PP/PK, breakouts, etc. the whole game will be about sending messages, getting even, and taking runs at guys. Neither team should be excited about potentially losing key players to injury. It would be the equivalent of a preseason nfl game in that the only thing u care about is getting through without injury.

[Fire0nice228]

I agree, depending on tomorrows outcomes, if Saturdays game is meaningless as far as standings I'd tell the third and fourth line guys to bring their lungs because the top unit wouldn't see anything but powerplay time and a 2 or 3 shifts a period.

[Gaucho]

I get the impression that the players are already licking their chops in anticipation of that game. But then again, you could be right and nothing much happens.

[The U]

Shanny will probably warn each team before the game.

If you are the Flyers why not tell Rinaldo to try to elbow Crosby or Letang in the head at every opportunity? Knock Sid out for the season and serve a 5 game suspension or something. Would be worth it, to knock a star out of the Pens lineup.

Bylsma is already gearing up to start MAF tomorrow and play Johnson this weekend. No doubt in my mind that Jeffrey, Park, Tangradi dress on Saturday.

[sniper]

I agree, depending on tomorrows outcomes, if Saturdays game is meaningless as far as standings I'd tell the third and fourth line guys to bring their lungs because the top unit wouldn't see anything but powerplay time and a 2 or 3 shifts a period.

If Saturdays game means nothing in the standings I don't think Crosby, Malkin, Fleury, or Letang play. Neal may not either. Depends on how many healthy players they have to replace those guys. I doubt the Flyers will play Giroux and a few others. The game is meaningless. Why subject your best players to abuse when you don't have to? If the Flyers want to get at those guys they'll have to wait until the playoffs when taking a liberty with them may result in a penalty which ultimately may lead to a lost game and series. Nothing can be gained by playing the star players Saturday if the standings can't change.