The Penguins go into their match up tonight at Mellon Arena hoping to rid themselves of some devils...demons if you will, that have plagued them since the start of the NHL season. Of course they will also be dealing with the Devils that hail from New Jersey, but that will be a tough task if they have yet to vanquish their own.
The Penguins have not looked like the team most people thought they would be coming into the season. Their defense has been average at best, goaltending sub par, and their young stars have yet to make a significant impact. That could be changing for the better, if Saturday night's game in Toronto is any indication. Sidney Crosby picked up his first two goals of the season and Jordan Staal had some great scoring chances. However, he still seems to be fighting the puck as he tries to get a handle on it.
Evgeni Malkin has been a bright spot, as he has picked up a point in each game this season, but he needs to stay on his skates. He has fallen or been knocked down more during the first four games than I can remember all of last season. My thought is that he may have gotten new skates and is trying to get accustomed to them. That fact has not been confirmed for me but is logical. The young Russian needs to realize how big he is...his frame is reminiscent of Jaromir Jagr and he should not be knocked down as easily as he has been. He may be realizing his size; he drew a penalty Saturday night by keeping his feet moving and not falling immediately. If he makes that a habit, he will be an all around better player in both ends of the rink.
The Penguins offense did look great against the Leafs in posting 50+ shots...they will look to continue that tonight against a Devil team that tends to give them fits.
The silver lining, if there is one, is that the Devils have not looked great thus far this season. Plus, Marty Brodeur is having a very unMartylike start. His 3.26 gaa and .879 s% are among the league's worst. I am sure that he will get on track, but let's hope that it isn't tonight. If the Penguins can find a way to keep the pressure ramped up, as they did to Vesa Toskala this weekend, things should go well.
The Devils have not necessarily been lighting it up, as they have only 13 goals in their first 5 games. The Penguins will have to pay special attention to Patrick Elias, Zach Parise and John Madden...all three tend to be Penguin killers.
Brooks Orpik is expected to play, as is Darryl Sydor, if something changes, look for the newly recalled Alain Nasreddine to suit up...Georges Laraque will most likely miss his third game with a sore groin.
Stay tuned...I will be live at Mellon Arena tonight. Also, this is the last call for 5 Burning Questions...which will hit the presses soon!
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