By Dejan Kovacevic | Trib Total Media columnist
Looking ahead to faceoff …
Game: Penguins (8-3) vs. New Jersey Devils (6-1-3)
Time: 1:08 p.m.
Site: Prudential Center, Newark, N.J.
TV, radio: Root Sports, NHL Network (national), WXDX-FM 105.9
Here is the official live box score.
Here is the Trib’s Penguins page.
Game On at 1:00 on NHL Network (If weather permits, I would suppose!)
Let’s Go Pens!
JAL’s Sugar Shack Morning Links
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DW8ecqu0Iw
Yahoo Sports
Penguins-Devils Preview
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/penguins-devils-preview-193123002–nhl.html
New Jersey Star Ledger
Devils set for Martin Brodeur’s 1,200th game, payback for Penguins
http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2013/02/devils_set_for_martin_brodeurs.html
Sugar Shack Jimmy Gilmer & The Fireballs – 1963 Spent 5 weeks at number 1. Group had a couple of other hits, Daisy Petal Pickin reached number 15 in 1964 and Bottle of Wine number 9 in 1968
Theme this week was restaurants, cafes,etc.Places that serve food.
Sometimes you put songs on here that I just have to listen to. Today was not one of those days.
Can’t a winner for everyone every day
“Kill the DJ, kill the DJ, kill the DJ,…kill the DJ!”.
“You can get anything you want at Alice’s Restaurant——excepting Alice.”
That was earlier in the week
Liriano finally signs.
If you were going to give him almost 13 million guaranteed, and it drops to 1 million, what does that say about your original offer?
It says the situation changed from the time of the original offer.
Stop making sense. Not allowed.
What is the temperature today Drew?
It says he broke his arm.
I’m really going to watch Boychuk today as I’ve read he’s been playing well on a line with Malkin and Neal but has yet to register a point in five games and only has 5 shots and 6 hits. I understand he’s skating well and helping along the boards but at some point, he’s just going to turn into a third wheel like Jeffrey and Tangradi if he doesn’t start producing points.
Curious to see how the team looks without Letang on defense, especially the power play. I heard Martin looked good out there the last game in his place and I’ve made it quite clear that I think Letang has been part of the issue with the top unit.
I’ve paid some attention to him, and he has been playing well, Eric. His speed is great, he has good vision, good passes, He seems to be smart. The goals should come. i don’t expect a profilerate scorer like Neal, but some goal scoring would be nice
The one thing that I notice about boychuk is you don’t hear his name called a lot; which to me is perfectly fine on that line. Tangradi and Kennedy just seemed to get in the way more than anything else while Boychuk is like a wall flower. If Ray Shero had done his job and got him in the deal with Sutter we’d probably be undefeated…. Sorry Jandy had to say it
pffffttt!! lol
Geez, we got Sutter and a #8 draft pick. You’re greedy!
He picked him up for nothing in return.
yup
This is my thought exactly (minus the jab at Shero)
Guys I was kidding about the jab at Shero.
TJ, you forgot your emoticon, then!
I saw “Ted” last night. Enjoyed it overall, but Seth’s humor often skews to the scatological, which is just too juvenile for my tastes. Generally a funny movie, though.
Should be interesting, him hosting the Oscars. He can be brutal on celebrities taking themselves too seriously, so could be a good show.
I appreciate the juvenile humor. Hey, at least I’m honest. And it doesn’t go as far as South Park.
I hope the show is better than the ads with Seth. They have been pretty lame. He’s minting money right now. “Ted” has grossed over $200 mil.
Lets be honest here…. Who wouldn’t have wanted their teddy bear to talk when they were 6 or 7. The movie was one of those ones you have to watch once. Its one of those “oh my god” did I just see that type of humor movies. Favorite part of the movie was when he was working in the grocery store…. that was pushing the limits of “oh my god” did I see that but gosh was it funny
Oshkosh b’gosh!
I loved your detasseling and fanzine story from a day or two ago!!
Thanks for sharing it!
To those for whom those are two foreign words, you’ll have to go back and find Oshkosh b’gosh’s story . . . . . . . or move to Iowa.
We have a Pittsburgh fan in Iowa. They would need to move to Montana; we haven’t made it that far yet.
Stinks about the same as Tangradi. Just in a different way.
Milo, not really. Boychuk is smaller, but he uses his speed to get around defenders and get in good position.
Good morning Jandy.
I was going to disagree with you but that avatar makes it down right impossible.
hey, good morning, Milo, my friend. Disagree away, it’s ok. I love diverse opinions. Makes things spicier
The PP seemed calmer and more organized w Martin at qb. Be interesting what bylsma does when Letang returns. Ive been critical of Martin but he’s earning his salary thus far. Good on him.
So what if the Super Bowl was this weekend in New York?
good point!
Just like the power outage. There’d be an investigation to determine the cause.
ESPN would report that it was weather that caused the snow.
Could be worse… Could have Solomon Wilcots standing outside to get an official word from Mother Nature on what caused the storm
They could move the game to Pittsburgh.
I hope all the electrical devices are working at Prudential Center.
I hope that includes the tasers. (It IS Newark.)
Sign in with a post to Lunatic Nation
Dejan’s Lunatic Nation – at the Trib,
Arizona – Tucson, Chandler, Phoenix, Sunnyslope, Davis-Monthan AFB*
Arkansas – Rogers
Austrailia – Mackay
California – Bakersfield, San Francisco, UNION CITY, Los Angeles, Newport Beach, Hollywood, Huntington Beach, Yuba City, Solana Beach, Yorba Linda, Yuba City*, Edwards, Long Beach, Modesto, Davis
Canada – Toronto, Winnipeg, Moncton – New Brunswick, Ontario – Muskoka
China – Beijing
Colorado – Ft Collins, Estes Park*, Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs
Connecticut – Cos Cob, Bridgeport, Wallingford, Norwalk, NEWTOWN
Costa Rica
Czech Republic
Delaware – Newark
Denmark – Greenland – Thule*
District of Columbia
Florida – Palm Harbor, Orlando, Valrico, Gainesville, Daytona Beach, Oviedo, Tampa, Jacksonville, Sarasota, Palm Beach Gardens, Cape Coral, Coco Beach (Major Nelson and Mary Ann), Niceville (Red Neck Rivera), St Petersburg, Pembroke Pines, Ft Lauderdale, Palm Beach Gardens
Georgia – Marietta, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Acworth
Germany – Leverkusen/Cologne
Hawaii – Honolulu
Idaho – Mountain Home, Coer d’Aline, Mountain Home AFB*
Indiana – Indianapolis, Burns Harbor, South Bend, Bicknell, Ft Wayne
Iowa – Bettendorf, Humboldt
Illinois – La Salle, Peru, Payson, Chicago, Palatine (3 inmates there), Lincoln Park, Grayslake, Algonquin
Japan – Tokyo
Kentucky – Louisville, Bowling Green, Lexington
Louisiana – Slidell
Maine – Bangor
Maryland – Arnold, Odenton, Severn, Baltimore, Waldorf, Hagerstown, Chevy Chase, Hampstead
Massachusetts – Boston
Michigan – Kalamazoo, Eaton Rapids, Lansing, Ann Arbor
Mississippi – Biloxi
Missouri – St Peters***
Montana
Nebraska – Omaha
New Hampshire – Barrington
New Jersey – Chesterfield, Princeton, Roxbury, Lebanon, Lincoln Park, Berkeley Heights, Somerville, Hammock, Barrington, Delran, Pennsville
New Mexico – Mike
New York – New York, Smithtown, Manhattan, Long Island, Nyack
Nevada, Las Vegas
North Carolina – Asheville, Hickory, Charlotte, Raleigh, Charleston, Wilmington, Chapel Hill, High Point
North Dakota
Ohio – Cincinnati, Columbiana, Westerville, Green, Hilliard, Toledo, Louisville, Columbus, Perrysburg, Pickerington, Youngstown, Cleveland, Olmsted Township, Liberty Township, Warren, Oregon, Wintersville, Austintown, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base*, New Philadelphia, Powell, Canton, Salem, New Albany, Bloomingdale
Pennsylvania – Downtown, Hopewell, Indiana, North Wales, Franklin Park, Forest Hills, Lansdale, Philadelphia, Du Bois, Reading, Crafton, Arnold, Wexford, Mt Lebanon, Canonsburg, Lancaster, Huntington, York, Boiling Springs, Philly suburbs, Morningside, Harrisburg, Lawrenceville, Bradfordwoods, Norristown, Hanover, Clearfield, Sewickley, DuBois, Plum Boro, Slippery Rock, Wilks-Barre, Sharpsville, Bessemer, Greensburg, Washington, Imperial, South Side, Duncansville, Newville, Sheppton, Grove City, Butler, Allentown, Ross Township, Blairsville, Flood City (Johnstown), Overbrook, Danny’s Hoagies, Baldwin, Economy, Sharpsville, Erie, North Huntington, Bellfonte, West Mifflin, Kennywood, Pleasant Hills, Beechview (Mad Turk, No 200), Macgunie, Mechanicsburg, Uptown, Cambria County, Mon Valley, Salisbury, Coraopolis, Emsworth, Cranberry Twp, Garrett, O’Hara Township, McCandless Township, 115 Federal Street, Bethel Park, Harrison City, Penn Hills, Kittanning, Dover, Lebanon, Upper St Clair, Rennerdale, Oakland, Scranton, Moon (RMU), State College, Erie, Penn Twp, Stowe, Elizabeth, Hermitage, Easton, Carlisle, Finleyville, Belle Vernon, Madison, Sellersville, Waynesburg, Warren, Beaver Falls
The Philipines
Rhode Island
Singapore
South Carolina – Duncan, Longs, Columbia, Bluffton, Greensville
South Korea – Seoul, Mike
Sweden
Tennessee – Smithville, Nashville
Texas – Tyler, San Antonio, Belton, Houston, Katy, Plano
Utah – Salt Lake City, Provo
Vermont – North Bennington
Virginia – JAL, Hampton, Rescue, Richmond, Front Royal, Woodbridge, Suffolk, Warrenton, Springfield*, Virginia Beach, Fairfax, Arlington, Yorktown, Henrico, Aldie, Manassas, Newport News
Washington – Seattle, Nine Mile Falls, Spokane, Sammamish
West Virginia – Martinsburg, Morgantown, Wheeling, Mt Olivet
Wisconsin – Madison, Oshkosh, Hortonville
Wyoming – Caspar, Lander
306 locations represented in the blog,
Honorary members, people that have, in our opinion, made a difference
Beano
Lemonaid Guy
The Gunner
Mr Roberto Clemente
Mike Lange
Myron Cope
The Honorable Mayor Richard Caliguiri
Kevin Mcclachety
13 countries
43 states, plus the District of Columbia, missing 7 states, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Hawaii, Alabama, Kansas and Oklahoma
Two planets, at least confirmed
Honorable mention, England – London – Lisa
Asterisks denote confirmed hero’s, military, police officers or firemen/ladies
2/9/2013 9:40 AM
Which octogenarian will the Devils have in the net today?
lol Uncle Daddy’s 1200th game. He’s old as dirt
Uncle Daddy….now THAT is funny!!!!
I can’t take credit for it. FaceOffFactor has a writer who grades the games. It’s a good column after the games. Mike Adams came up with that one. I love to use it, tho. It fits!
Is that you son-in-law’s site, J-girl?
Yes, Spunky it is.
You have a good memory, Grandpa
As long as it wasn’t yesterday.
lol
Just watched the Crosby homer video for the first time. I heard about it back when it happened but never saw it- holy crap he freakin blasted it!
Is there anyway Neal the SEAL can sign Sid to take over for Travis Wider when hockey is over?
Then who would be the head chef in the Pirates’ clubhouse, Brad?
Brad, Crosby is all muscle. I hear his legs are like tree trunks. Malkin says he (Malkin) has skinny legs, he needs to work out to get strong legs like Sid. Those guys crack me up.
I’m surprised you didn’t compare him to Letang (winking yellow happy man face)
Errr……. gotta think……
Pedro? I’m sure he cooks a mean steak. He’s not exactly tipping the scales at 150 either. But now that I think about it, 2 of the least Fabio-physiqued guys on the team made some of the most spectacular defensive plays last year.
If Snider could translate that extra poundage into more than his 1 Pirate HR, he can cook and eat all he wants. Nobody says much about Prince Fielder, but, if he didn’t hit his dingers, that’s all anybody would say. Like a couple years ago when he was supposedly a vegan or something, and got off to a slow start.
Snider needs to produce a Pedro-like year, then he can wear a chef’s hat in the games for all I care.
I have no problem with big boned guys in baseball. Kruk, Fielder(s), Sabathia, Ruth- they all seemed to do ok. I might think twice if he wears a chef hat and an apron though.
I heard Pedro cooks up some mean room service
3 rays of sunshine for me this past week: the tickets for 3 spring training games in Bradenton arrived this week.
Now I ask that Drew refrain from posting how many rays of sunshine counted this morning looking out his window.
I got mine too. That’s always a good day.
December 14, 1975 ——— not a good day. In fact, one of the worst in Pirate history!!
TC, did you get your restraining order against Drew yet?
Jandy, I was thinking of making a mask of an emoticon, maybe this one
, and wearing it while I’m at the games. We know how much Drew hates those (heck, he may even hate smiling). He wouldn’t bother a person wearing one of those.
You going to look like Hannibal Lecter? Why not just get a Ray Lewis helmet with that ridiculous cage on the front?
Look like Hannibal Lecter vs having Drew bother you at a Spring Training game.
You decide.
lol
3 DAYS UNTIL THE BEGINNING OF PIRATE SPRING TRAINING!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know there are still a lot of question marks with a lot of potential starting pitchers that will be in camp for the Bucs, but for some reason I like the depth and potential. Or should I say I am trying to be optimistic. It could turn out good….or really bad.
Ah. Prognostication.
We’ll mark you down for good or bad.
Well the nice thing about the depth is that when AJ turns into NY version of AJ and Wandy can’t talk to the catcher cause he only speaks spanish, and when Liriano breaks his pitching arm, and Mcdonald comes back to pitch like Ronald McDonald we will have plenty of options in the minors to come in and be as good or worse..
Duly noted. This is the first reference in 2013 that the Pirates will have problems because Wandy won’t be able to understand the catcher.
I saw a user name of BMTIB bidding on a spanish version of Rosetta Stone the other day. Could be a coincidence
Maybe Wandy speaks French. Martin is French-Canadian, and spent a lot of time in Paris.
saw great note from Penguins reporter for Hockeybuzz.com’s John Toperzer.
The top defense pairing of Orpik and Martin have 1 minor penalty while playing over 539 minutes so far this season.
So I looked into that, Pens have 3 of the top 20 defensemen with the least amount of penalties taken per 60 minutes of TOI.
Martin and Letang tied for 1st with 0.00 and Orpik is 17th at .3
Hopefully, Despres will cut down on his minor penalties (7 so far) and if you wondered about how Engelland stacks up for Dmen having played at least 10 games, he’s 18th worst in NHL with 1.3 penalties per 60 minutes TOI. The worst is Flyers defensemen Braydon Coburn with 3 penalties per 60 minutes.
And the call that Orpik got on Ovie last game was so ridiculous. If your going to take a penalty on Ovie at least do some damage. Such a ticky tack call
Good stuff, Eric…and TC I agree!
Jeezus Jandy it’s 2 letters… TJ. You’ve called me like 3 different names in the past 2 days!!
Don’t mess with the Teej
“scuuuusseeeeee me!
Besides, it’s not Jeezus, it’s Mother Theresa
I was going to predict:
Liriano – Cy Young Award Winner
Charlie Morton – Comeback Player of the Year
Jeff Karstens – will never resign with the Pirates
Russel Martin – All-star, and a big improvement over Barajas.
But I erased it and went with what I wrote above.
Hoping Boychuk can start to pick up some points. He doesn’t look out of place with 18 and 71, but can he produce? Pens need another winger, period. Would anyone out there consider trading Letang for a high quality winger and a top six large body on the blue line? Interested in opinions.
I would have been if Despres, Morrow and Dumoulin were established.
Reese isn’t the type to be able to log those minutes taken by Letang or his 2-way role.
Probably a moot point as I think Shero has said he wants to sign Malkin and Letang long-term.
I wouldn’t trade Letang unless it involved a Shea Weber or Karlsson. I would however be happy if they get Malone or a similar type player for a mid-low draft pick. I like what I’ve seen from Boychuck, just not sure he can finish. Maybe he’ll get started today. I could probably poke one in playing on that line for crying out loud (or at least get hit by an errant shot that finds its way into the net- it worked for Colby).
Here is the Trib’s Penguins page. Rob Rossi is stuck in the blizzard.
And they mocked you DK when you went to Canada.
You think that’s the ONLY reason?
Sure, he SAYS he is stuck in the blizzard . . . . but he probably just can’t find a parking place like 24/7!
Southhampton up 2-0 over Man City at 23 minutes
Pens start with Crosby between Kunitz and Malkin…. good first shift.
And to the PP the Pens go
1-0 Pens
PP goal by Simon Despres, Dupuis and Sutter blocking view for Brodeur…
goal awarded to Sutter (deflection), assists Despres and Kennedy.
outstanding setup by Dupuis and Sutter in front of net… 9 high and 16 low
4-1 shots on goal in our favor. Let’s keep it up.
Peter BeBoer (yawn).
Good PP kill. I don’t think the devils had one shot on goal.
The Devils are looking for trouble today.
because this game is over Bortuzzo and Clarkson are going to be combatants.
before this… argh
Crosby takes a good hit nowhere near puck by Clarkson… unreal Malkin gets interference penalty… same thing by Clarkson and nothing. Officiating in NHL sucks.
I particularly hate linesmen.
this is REALLY p*ssing me off! GrrRrr!
ANOTHER power play for NJ.
The Devils are playing like the Flyers today. The Pens need to keep their cool.
Pens are taking too many penalties.. Dupuis off for hit to head.
that was sad on Duper’s part…stupid
Stuper Duper ?
you could say that lol
Kovalchuk has played 9 minutes already.
Updated stat sheet
Kovalchuk 10:53 (thanks to 6 minutes on PP)
Martin 9:27 and Orpik 8:58
The penalties limited Crosby 4:49 and Malkin 5:59
This NJ team is pretty cheap
always cheap and sneaky
we need to keep our composure
Guess you just can’t check anybody anymore.
you can if you play for NJ
Way too many penalties. Living dangerously….
You just get that feeling that one more goal will be enough.
I don’t like the 2 goal lead lol
GENO better get it
I think 18 is due.
over due
are you kidding me????
How is there that much open space for a shooter 10ft from the net. Good Lord.
$%#@!
Bortuzzo is in the face of every player on NJ. I like the intensity, just hope he doesn’t get called for a bunch of late roughing calls.
And NJ ties it up…
keep it on the edge but don’t go over
Where u at 44? Geez.
yeah he was out of it there
Orpik seemed like he was po’d at somebody else but he seemed the most out of position of anyone…..dunno. Only saw one replay angle…..
I don’t think that was Orpik, looked the assignment was blown by Sutter.
man we blew it there
PP’s aren’t helping if we’re not converting
I’d like to know where this improved PP is since I was gone this week because what I’ve seen today is the same old stuff from Malkin and Crosby with sloppy passing, lack of skating/movement. Second unit did it right with screens.
It was better the last game
Typical Devils game, PPs don’t help
maybe I should just stop watching 2nd period of Penguins games
I don’t know. The last one against the Caps was pretty good.
zactly!
exactly, I missed that period. Only saw some of 1st pd in Philly.
a little rebound control would be nice smh
Nah maf not the issue today. Yiu cant play half the gottamn game short.
I AGREE!!
%^$@!
How many penalties now? Whoops there it is. Nj lead. Ugly.
Bylsma standing on the bench with his arms folded… great coaching.
If you’re DB do u bench 71?
I do. he’s costing us the game now
Malkin needs to sit until he learns some discipline
And again on pk. Ridiculous.
Shocker there. 3-1…..
TWELVE penalties. Pens have p-ssed this one away.
discipline
Or lack of. Response by Bylsma will be?……
that was what I was saying. Prolly no response
Yah gotcha. You have to wonder, if they cant keep a lid on it at this stage of the season, how good will their discipline be in the playoffs.
I confess last spring had a big effect on me.
I almost dont care how great they may look now.
Its all about the playoffs.
These kinds of games make me very nervous…..
U
What really bothered me was at the end of the game… Pens have a 6 on 4 PP advantage with Fleury pulled and NO ONE stood in front of Brodeur… in fact, there should have been two guys in front of him but no one.
That’s the kind of lack of discipline, lack of effort, lack of coaching that drives me nuts.
- Boychuk was pretty bad in this game and I know he has speed but he was off all game long.
- PP….ah… what PP?
Good thing the Pens get the Devils tomorrow in Pittsburgh.
Agree all points Eric. The only effective screen I saw on PP was early, 2nd string group, on the 1st goal. Total penalties what – 14?
That’s discipline all right ….
What the deuce was that?! I know Sid is putting up some points and getting his groove back, but man. He passes up shots left and right. He’s gotta average about 4 or 5 giveaways per game- most with dumb blind passes right through the middle. Geno’s been doing the same thing and now Neal (not the SEAL) is doing it too. Drives me nuts.
Geno’s gotta learn to stay outta the box. Bylsma needs to go to Starbucks before the game with DK and get a mocha injection. The PK is WAY too passive. Not enough challenging and not enough physical play. And there’s just no excuse for 8 minutes or whatever it was without a shot. No team is that good defensively that you can’t at least toss a floater from center ice at the goal.
And Tyler Kennedy is still crap.
Agreed
Officiating in sports is Bad! My list from bad to worse.
Baseball
Football
Basketball
Hockey (this is the only item I hate about hockey)