interesting line-up for Chicago

[Beveridge]

Kunitz would have got a boarding penalty for that hit he took last year.

[MRandall25]

I could throw an emergency one up but for preseason, might as well just continue in this thread since it was based on lineup for tonight.

On that note:

-Pens really slow to start
-Terrible turnover by Vitale that lead to Sharp (still my non favorite Pen) goal
-Bennett looking awesome again
-Kobasew looks to be serviceable
-D'Ag botched a great pass from Beau
-Crosby out killing on the PK (came out on in play ice change not for a faceoff)
-Pouliot will be a nice PP QB I think

Vitale has looked like dung

[westside]

Anyone outside the Pittsburgh area have the game blacked out in directv?

[Gaucho]

Not sure if I mentioned it yet, but i love Beau Bennett.

[pcm]

Interesting that Pouliot gets top PP time over Despres. Makes me wonder if the drama queens at the Trib aren't actually mouthieces for the Pen's PR spin... knowing that they would demote Despres to get under the cap, they're using the Trib queens to run smut articles about the kid?

Maybe a stretch. Maybe not.

[Beveridge]

Vitale trying to redeem himself. Good drive by Engo and good job by Vitale going to net.

[SolidSnake]

It's awesome baby!

[Beveridge]

Interesting that Pouliot gets top PP time over Despres. Makes me wonder if the drama queens at the Trib aren't actually mouthieces for the Pen's PR spin... knowing that they would demote Despres to get under the cap, they're using the Trib queens to run smut articles about the kid?

Maybe a stretch. Maybe not.

That is Pouliot's specialty. To suggest that the Pens are trying to bad mouth Despres through the paper is mega tinfoil hat material.

Despres getting top pairing minutes in AHL to start the season is better for him and better for Pens. Engelland, Nisky, and Orpik all have contracts that end after this season. 2 if not all 3 won't be back.

[westside]

Anyone outside the Pittsburgh area have the game blacked out on directv?

Anyone?

[Daniel87]

Beau Bennett is going to be on Malkin's LW to start the season. He's going to have his time.

Knowing Bylsma he'll probably share time with Jokinen.

But he'll still play a 3rd line role, IMO, if Jokinen plays/gets time with Geno. Which is probably why he's getting time with them now.

He's a special breed. He can score, but he also has the defensive awareness/ability to play a 3rd line role if needed.

I'd take full advantage of that if I'm the coach.

It's not something I'm losing sleep over, but it's ridiculous that in a game where Dupuis is out, we have freaking Chuck Kobasew in his place and not Bennett. I wish Bylsma would just let Bennett play with Neal and Geno every game to start the year, rather than going back and forth between players. He might do it, but I doubt it.

[pcm]

Isn't Kobesaw auditioning for a 3rd line spot... he should be playing with Sutter-D"Agostini then. And yes, not seeing Bennett with Sid is mind-boggling. I'm boggled I tell ya.

[pcm]

Vitale trying to redeem himself. Good drive by Engo and good job by Vitale going to net.

And good awareness by Jeffrey to make the play happen?

[Gaucho]

I thought Megna made it happen?

[Gaucho]

Jeffrey got the A, so guess not.

[hoser66]

Anyone outside the Pittsburgh area have the game blacked out on directv?

Anyone?

yes blacked out for me also... In Virginia

[DontToewsMeBro]

Steigerwald ruining goal calls like it's already November...must be in midseason form.

[pcm]

Nope Jeffrey... carbon copy of that short handed chance by Bortuzzo.

[Beveridge]

Vitale trying to redeem himself. Good drive by Engo and good job by Vitale going to net.

And good awareness by Jeffrey to make the play happen?

I didn't see who the 3rd guy was. Wasn't trying to leave someone out.

[pcm]

Seeing #45 I miss Asham. The only guy who showed up against the Flyers 2 years ago...

[Gaucho]

I was just about to praise Engo.

[BurghThing]

Nisky not playing like someone trying to earn a job

[MRandall25]

Nisky not playing like someone trying to earn a job

It's almost like he's playing scared because he knows he's the odd man out. Trying to hard not to make a mistake instead of just playing.

[murphydump55]

Isn't Kobesaw auditioning for a 3rd line spot... he should be playing with Sutter-D"Agostini then. And yes, not seeing Bennett with Sid is mind-boggling. I'm boggled I tell ya.

Kobasew is getting a long look to see if he'll be serviceable on this team. Part of his worth might be whether or not he can plug into the top 6 in case of injury. They know he can play bottom 6 already! By finding out if he can plug into the top 6, it increases his worth and they need to know this.

If Kobasew completely flops in the top 6 and shows he can't keep up, it decreases his value to strictly a bottom 6 guy, which we already have many of. This is what pre season games are for, to decipher a player's worth to the team in different roles.

They already know Bennett can play top 6 with Geno and Neal most likely, and they know that Crosby will be playing with Dupuis and Kunitz no matter what, so why would everyone get their panties in a bunch over Bennett not skating with him?

I don't give Bylsma a ton of props, but it's a smart move by him tonight.

[jimreb]

Anyone outside the Pittsburgh area have the game blacked out on directv?

Anyone?

yep blacked out in Eastern PA

[SolidSnake]

I'm loving Bort he's always getting under other player's skin