By Dejan Kovacevic | Trib Total Media
Looking ahead to faceoff …
Game: Penguins (14-8) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (9-11-1)
Time: 7:38 p.m.
Site: Consol Energy Center
TV, radio: NBC Sports Network, WXDX-FM 105.9
Here is the official live box score.
Here is TribLIVE’s Penguins page. Rob Rossi and Josh Yohe are on the scene. Here’s Josh’s online-only recap of the Penguins’ morning skate today.
Bennett sent to WBS per Penguins Twitter
are you kidding me????? WTH?
I need to find a reason why this is happening… just got home and instant analysis of the headline is…. WHAT!
I have no words…does that mean there are only two scratches tonight? (Martin and Bortuzzo)
The FAN reported that as well, thats odd, what with Boykin or whatever his name is being reported to be on waivers?
Wonder if Playoffs has a line for whether the Pens have more goals tonight than the Bucs had hits.
Shouldn’t be hard.
I don’t get it. Why waive Boychuk if you were sending Bennett down any way?
Wait… I can hear it now “Well we felt that it was in the best interest of Boychuk if he went to a team where he had an opportunity to play.”
So who is next in line Kostopulous?
This just in, the BMTIB now runs the Pens
Kidding, but maybe Boychuk did not go on waivers?
If he didn’t then I would put the Pens front office right up there with the White House when it comes to being honest about things.
That’s not funny, Biz!!! >:/
They are expecting Boychuck to clear waivers. I really see that happening.
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Just got home, I really need to understand this demotion for Bennett. I mean, I know Bylsma’s handling of Bennett hasn’t been all that great but this… come on man!
There is no understanding something this STUPID!
It’s part of “our game”. Which is ironically starting to sound like “the plan”.
I’m starting to get curious about something… Sending Bennett to the minors and waiving Boychuk does more than just clears 2 players off the roster it also clears their salaries off the cap. No matter how small an amount they were making per game its still money thats saved and could be useful a month from now when the trade deadline rolls around.
Good point
ESPN is reporting, no ties in hockey
But why cut the salaries now? Wait until later….sheesh!
Every day on the roster a pro-rated portion of their salary goes toward the cap; so by removing them today the money they would have earned from here to the end of the year is essentially freed up. Your not really cutting salaries as much as you are creating cap space by sending Bennett to the minors and waiving Boychuk.
I despise the Lightning. And that wormy guy who coaches them.
Win
WIN
Demonic looking Guy Boucher? hahaha!
I just read that Malkin being active forces someone off the 23-man active roster, so Boychuk to waivers until Tuesday at Noon doesn’t open up a spot so Bennett to WBS for paperwork reasons.
That makes sense
and everyone said “ahhh”
Thanks for clarification. This makes some sense now.
Gonzaga pulls down the #1 ranking for the first time ever. And for the presser, they send out ASSISTANT coach Tommy Lloyd. He was subbing for coach Mark Few, who was said to be fly fishing and unavailable for comment.
Think somebody was sending a message about the value of rankings and the risk of head swelling?
DK: That’s hilarious.
having lived in Spokane for a few years and having met Mark Few, that decision doesn’t surprise me in the least. Great guy.
Can’t imagine you living anywhere else, Eric. You, Milo and 21 are quintessentially Pittsburgh to me! (I mean that as the highest compliment).
Considering how many times the top ranked team in a particular week has lost this season its a great message to send.
I don’t know why Jamie Dixon didn’t have one to explain his new method of offense called “just play ball”.
I like Dixon
He’s still relatively young
He has time to learn
Gettin more talented guys every year
Hope, but expect
Much more hope with him
That means they’ll lose this week.
5 game suspension for Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta is about where I thought the NHL would go but it isn’t enough.
Amazing how Cooke sets the standard for repeat offenders, then this decision for a third time offender.
Just shows you what a two faced azzmunch Shammyhan is!
Penguins lines
1st: Kunitz – Crosby – Dupuis
2nd: Cooke – Malkin – Neal
3rd: Jeffrey – Sutter – Kennedy
4th: Glass – Vitale – Adams
Scratched: Boychuk (on waivers)
DP1: Orpik – Niskanen
DP2: Eaton – Letang
DP3: Despres – Engelland
Starter: Fleury
Backup: Vokoun
Tampa Bay lines
1st: Conacher – Stamkos – Purcell
2nd: Killorn – Lecavalier – St. Louis
3rd: Palat – Thompson – Pyatt
4th: Crombeen – Hall – Panik
DP1: Hedman – Carle
DP2: Aulie – Brewer
DP3: Lee – Bergeron
Starter: Lindback
Backup: Garon
Garon starting.. not Lindback
Orpik-Letang is top pairing (yikes)
Stan Savran said the Bennett RA just a paper formality. Very wise to sit him for a game. Maybe it’s just a precursor to RA’ing Despres to Wheeling and naming Vokoun the #1 starter. At least Tyler Kennedy wasn’t scratched. He’s sooooooo much better than Boychuck.
Sorry TJ. Goalkoun.
I guess Bylsma didn’t think four goals was bad, he’s got Orpik and Letang as the top defensive pairing.
So, who do you think the first cuts in Pirates’ camp will be?
Please. Make it 0-for-spring Hawpe. Please.
And then there’s this new, unknown, fill-in beat writer who can’t help them win a game unless i’m in the house.
I thought you were the fill-in beat writer.
They don’t have to cut Hawpe, Drew. He can opt out at the end of March or thereabouts if he doesn’t make the ML roster.
Other teams will be ringing his phone off the hook by then. Right?
Strange things going on in Texas with Nolan Ryan. It seems he is being pushed aside and may leave.
So was the one hitter today sort of like jmac’s homer party where he was just focused on throwing fastballs or whatever it was? Maybe they were just trying to clearly identify the strike zone?
1-0 after one period of play.
Good to see Engelland muscling up on the gateway to the west. Now if one of our other D get physical on a guy tall enough to ride the thunderbolt I’ll be really Impressed.
1-0 after first. Chippy. Even St. Louis got into it. Twice.
Just thought I’d give an update to you baseball-soccer-Gonzaga fans.
NBC announcer just, um, announced that Kunitz’s goal at 4 minutes in was the Pens’ 12th goal this season within the first 5 minutes of a game, by far leading the NHL.
Conversely, the Pens (he announced) have only given up 1 goal in the first 5 minutes of a game.
And just, um, announced that today would have been the 82 birthday of Badger Bob. With a nice tribute.
Though you are all probably watching the same thing.
They don’t allow us to hear the NBC broadcast. We’re forced to listen to the locals. Or mute them & sync up the radio as I’ve been doing for years.
steigy drives me nuts
not me. i moved. no longer my problem.
would prefer Lange on the TV side.
TB amazing tending in that power play. Now the goalie is hurt.
Is anybody watching?
don’t MAKE me get naked again.
(though it did bring a victory, didn’t it?)
Go for it, Drew!
so we don’t know where Stamkos is?
Friggin Stamkos
I wanna see the replay
nah not even close
goal waved off. right call.
hmmm we must be watching the same game
yes. but you probably have your clothes on.
shhh! They’ll tell us to get a room again!
second clank shot. Letang earlier.
i think both were letang. he’s gonna get p***ed off if that keeps up.
EYE am getting p***ed off Grrrr!
“It wasn’t necessarily about the money. It was, at that point, about earning that respect and feeling like I was respected around here,” Flacco said Monday just minutes after signing the contract that includes $52 million in guaranteed money.
That’s sickening enough to make me put my clothes back on.
Didn’t know Drew was such a Puckhead.
There’s another naked joke in there.
at least he didn’t say pucker
i shouldn’t have gone there
ROFL! Drew, whatever you’re drinking, share
Cigar City Brewing, Jai Alai India Pale Ale.
Holy Crap. Brewed in Tampa. MY fault
I’ll have one of each
LOL Spunky, keep him going
Wouldn’t be a Pens game without Orpik writing welfare checks all night long.
i like that
+1
Like
But don’t like that I don’t know why.
How does a guy go from one of the hardest hitting/working/etc D men to a lost soul looking like.he is waiting on a PAT bus??
Sumpin wrong here.
Pens getting defensively sloppy again…Fleury keeping them in the game
::sigh::
i didn’t like that. i need to put on my rally poodle. even if i have to shower again.
Do something, Drew!!!!
i’m changing my beer choice. (see above)
rally poodle is a beer?
see FURTHER above for beer choice.
oops!
Pens with a chance to tie it up on the PP…sounds like a recipe for failure, no?
we need to score on this PP
Dayum, Lindback looking good
The Pens could make Stephen Hawking look good.
Great. Goalie #2 is now starting to get it together.
We need another groin pull.
Too bad Dejan is in Bradenton.
lol
I guess the Pens objective on the PP is to shoot lots of pucks into defenders legs so they’ll be bruised up enough to weaken as the game goes on.
What is it with the second period?
yeah I know, Eric!
Time to cancel the cocktails and shooters they hand out after the first.
Is there an all you can eat shrimp cocktail bar in the locker room after the first?
Tyler Kennedy can’t even dump the puck effectively.
Liked Cutch’s new commercial.
That last goal deflected off a NOSE. Gave him a bloody nose.
He’s a bloody hockey player.
yeah well, if the Lightning win by a nose I’m gonna be p^^^ed!
Dan Frawley scored one like that once.
which century was that in, Milo?
That goal looked more painful than Armstrong’s tummy tally from way back when.
they’re killing me
Fleury has been feistier than Orpik tonight.
You mean waving your stick at the puck carrier isn’t feisty enough for you? I will say this, no one can keep a consistent gap like Orpik…always exactly 15 feet of ice between him and the forward…that’s got to be worth something, right?
Love the Orpik criticism, I thought I was the only one noticing. No one screens the goalie better than Orpik. This went on pretty much all of last year too.
DK: A net-front defenseman has to be in front of the net, right?
nice check by Letang
These guys couldn’t score if presented with an open net :/
Was that Craig MacTavish out there?
Did I miss a vehicular homicide ?
For all the complaining Brooks Orpik did during the lockout I’d say he should be giving some of his salary back. I can’t remember a “shut down” defensemen consistently giving up goals right in front of his own net. Its absolutely ridiculous the way he’s played lately.
Paul Martin last year.
Back to the tic tac toe cross ice passes on the PP again. Even Steigerwald mentioned the amount of times the Pens passed the puck across the ice through the seam of the Lightning defense. And all those cross ice passes accounted for ZERO goals. The plan is obviously working.
It is. Buccos managed to avoid a no hitter this time.
Watch everyone how a PP is supposed to work.
I just watched Engelland make 3- 4 good plays in the last few minutes. Imagine that!
I can’t
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeaaay Geno!
what a goal by Malkin
Amen, eric…did you happen to see what happened behind the net?
Brooksie is p^^^ed
Anyone see what happened behind the Pens net?
He got hit clean by Lecalvier.
He has never had a problem taking himself out of the play to complain.
No I caught just a glance…before it was out of sight of the camera
Holy freakin geno!
What’s Orpik bitching about?
Just before Geno took off with the puck, someone hit him behind the net
Maybe he’ll wake up now.
lol
Its amazing; Brooks can find an official but he can’t find the guy he’s supposed to be keeping away from the net.
Wow; hello Sidney
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice setup for that goal.
WTF is Malkin doing with a drop pass at center ice. DRIVES ME NUTS.
Did everyone see that…. Kennedy actually shot the puck while in front of the net. I think thats his first shot on net this season that wasn’t from behind the goal line
actually that was a terrible shot… went high.. should have been a low shot with Sutter in front of net.
It still would have been high right if it wasn’t gloved.
Agreed; terrible; but it was from the correct side of the goal line. C’mon Rome wasn’t built in a day
Lol guess so.
Guy Boucher’s scar is very upset.
lol
DK: Monsieur Boucher was very upset, as well. Hence, this magnificent quote after the game: “We gave Malkin the puck at our blue line. … Might as well just put the gun to our heads. Might as well just shoot yourself.”
hey, where is Sarah?
I’ll be happy if they can hold onto a one goal lead for a change…oh, and have someone kick St. Louis in the vag.
don’t be putting down women like that
Notice how Eaton actually makes the effort to skate the puck out aggressively instead of taking the limp-wristed apprehensive approach of making a pass from 20′ inside his own end like a certain no. 44 likes to do…and like a certain player who’s name rhymes with Jay Britney used to do as well.
Sorry meant rhymes with “Brian Britney”…got my Britney’s mixed up. lol
Loving the compete level by Despres
Eaton as well. Seems like at least he remembers what it takes.
I both hate that term & agree with you 100%.
Pens actually looking like they know how to play with a lead in a close game. Love the two amazing goals, but this development means even more for the future.
P.S. I’ve been impressed with Eaton tonight.
that seals it
Malkin gets loose puck, finds Neal and he buries it into the empty net.
I love Guy Boucher. He’s completely insane.
If Drew can take credit for Pirate wins I’m claiming credit for the Pens win tonight. Did not turn the game on till right after the Malkin goal.
The blade of that stick was above the goal post
Maybe it was, but are you allowed to hit Fleury in the face w/the stick???
I guess if it’s a goalie it’s not considered high-sticking?
Unless its Matt Cooke and then it would be intentional and they would ask he be tossed from the league
Right you are TJ !
Granted, Stamkos was playing the puck, Fleury was not standing upright, on his knees I think, but the stick was well above Stamkos waist.
What IS the high stick rule, goalie or not?
The stick is above the crossbar.
Anyone but Stamkos and thats not a goal. That review was wayyyyyy to quick for something that looked pretty freaking close to me.
Pens have now given up 3 goals or more in 14 of 23 games.
Tampa Bay has allowed 3 or more in 15 of 22
I just read a great article on ESPN. Dusty Baker must be the most immature manager in all of sports. He might be the only guy I know that would start an arguement with the opposing manager when they met at home plate to exchange lineups.
Mark Eaton + 100. Brooks Orpik and Tyler Kennedy + -100.
Engelland was pretty good too.
Got er done he did!
Yes he was and I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who noticed.
Every time I see the clips of the Pens passing out pizza to the kids standing in line for the Student Rush tickets I just say to myself “how cool is that”! (and I am a really cynical old fart that always figures there is a sinister motive to stuff like that)
The Pens “really do” enjoy doing it. The smiles on their faces are real.
Great org from top down!
GO PENS !
+1
Malkin Shines in Return
http://pittsburghfancentral.blogspot.com/2013/03/malkin-shines-in-return.html
@DK: You think its time to start asking shero about Martin’s no trade clause? Defense looks more playoff ready with martin out and despres is looking legit. If you think back to letang at his age and its pretty clear despres has a chance to be a top 4 guy for many years if he keeps his head right. Also threw up a lil bit when i read rossi’s post about despres for johnson…
DK: Tried to figure out what you were asking. Read this a couple times. Sorry.