Pens averaging 33 shots/game
Leafs averaging 21 shots against/game

I think this will be the stat to watch.

Yes, if the Pens don't take the Leafs seriously, the Leafs will end up winning the game.

Worried that the pageantry of opening night doesn't work out for alot of teams. Here's hoping they get the players on the ice as quickly as possible.

Guess there's no banners to hang from last year.

The Leafs looked bad the other night but got better as the game went on. Never overlook any advisary.

I think its more about the Pens D than anything else.

If the Pens try to win the game by reverting to a track-meet attitude w/ lax D, it'll be close. If the Pens play the way the did vs. the Rangers and Flyers w/ solid offensive pressure and a tight defensive game, then it'll be a devisive Pens W.

Wait... the Pens Gear store at Consol is open all day?

Wtf! I was planning on getting to the game early to hit it up... I work downtown too

Wait... the Pens Gear store at Consol is open all day?

Wtf! I was planning on getting to the game early to hit it up... I work downtown too
- nhindian

Yeah, it's open on non game days too.

haaha, yeah I know of Paul Gardiner, as per Jake, no decision has been made on him but with Carlyle you never know, I will be pleasantly surprised if he was to play tonight.
- LeafMan

I know I'm quoting myself but Gardiner is now listed to play tonight, that's Carlyle for you.

If the Leafs put the Nazmainian Devil between Phil and Lupul its a done deal leafs 6 - 5

As long as the Pens win I don't care about the score but since we're not looking past the Leafs I say 7-3 Pens!!!

Could it be our first Shannaban video...oh i hope so, this was the biggest part that I missed during the lockout
- ryman1566

Here's Schenn's hit on Volchenkov:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-fefHXcuzk

He jumped just a little bit

As long as the Pens win I don't care about the score but since we're not looking past the Leafs I say 7-3 Pens!!!
- lloyd095

I can see a 3 point night for Crosby. Malkin/Neal 2 points each.

Here's Schenn's hit on Volchenkov:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-fefHXcuzk

He jumped just a little bit
- Orpik44

If that doesnt get a 1 game suspension then there is no point with having Shanban around.

Its not a terrible hit and doesn't look bad because Volchenkov got up. But that is the sort of hit with a flying elbow gives a concussion.

Suspend him and tell him do it again and its 10.

Gotta stamp out the stupid stuff, and that one is stupid.

Ok now this is weird...First Mark Eaton signs a PTO in WBS and now Tom Kostopolous????

http://www.wbspenguins.co...-signs-pto-with-penguins#

If that doesnt get a 1 game suspension then there is no point with having Shanban around.

Its not a terrible hit and doesn't look bad because Volchenkov got up. But that is the sort of hit with a flying elbow gives a concussion.

Suspend him and tell him do it again and its 10.

Gotta stamp out the stupid stuff, and that one is stupid.
- walshy66

Completely agree. If that was someone a few inches shorter then it's possibly a season ending injury, maybe worse. I'm all for big hits, but there is no reason to leave your feet

Ok now this is weird...First Mark Eaton signs a PTO in WBS and now Tom Kostopolous????

http://www.wbspenguins.co...-signs-pto-with-penguins#
- Reverend Killtaker

Maybe just depth for the WBS team. Or solid call ups if needed

Maybe just depth for the WBS team. Or solid call ups if needed
- drummer829

Theyre both WBS try outs so they cant be called up unless they sign NHL contracts.

I think its more about the Pens D than anything else.

If the Pens try to win the game by reverting to a track-meet attitude w/ lax D, it'll be close. If the Pens play the way the did vs. the Rangers and Flyers w/ solid offensive pressure and a tight defensive game, then it'll be a devisive Pens W.
- s0rcerer1984

This is where they got into trouble at the end of last year starting with the Winnipeg game in late March IMHO...they started basically trying to just outscore everyone and the system went out the window...that worked fine against the lower tier teams but not so much against Philly. They blew those leads in games 1 and 2 and it got in their heads and that was all she wrote...so I agree, this will be a good test to see if they have recommitted to the system...stay disciplined and focus against a team they should beat. If they win 3-1 or 4-1 instead of 7-4, or 6-5, we'll have our answer.

John Toperzer: Gameday: Underestimating the Maple Leafs would be a mistake
Pens and Leafs split 2011-12 season series
- the-mitch-wilsons

Nah, underestimate them.

This is where they got into trouble at the end of last year starting with the Winnipeg game in late March IMHO...they started basically trying to just outscore everyone and the system went out the window...that worked fine against the lower tier teams but not so much against Philly. They blew those leads in games 1 and 2 and it got in their heads and that was all she wrote...so I agree, this will be a good test to see if they have recommitted to the system...stay disciplined and focus against a team they should beat. If they win 3-1 or 4-1 instead of 7-4, or 6-5, we'll have our answer.
- Emperor Filonius

I do not mind a 1-2-2 with a lead, rally I don't.

I do not mind a 1-2-2 with a lead, rally I don't.
- powerhouse

Neither do I. Situational hockey. When you have a 3 goal lead with less than have the game to go, the first priority should be to defense first and scoring more goals second....simplify your game, make the safe plays, force the other team to press and counter-attack. That went right out the window last year...hoping the return to sanity continues.

John Toperzer: Gameday: Underestimating the Maple Leafs would be a mistake
Pens and Leafs split 2011-12 season series
- the-mitch-wilsons

How can you possibly say they split the series last year when the Leafs took an extra point from the SO loss?

Just kidding. Props to you: I found the little recaps of each game last year to be very interesting.

I can't possibly see how the Leafs win this thing tonight, but then again, they split the series last year.

I mean the Leafs won it!

Darn it!

Neither do I. Situational hockey. When you have a 3 goal lead with less than have the game to go, the first priority should be to defense first and scoring more goals second....simplify your game, make the safe plays, force the other team to press and counter-attack. That went right out the window last year...hoping the return to sanity continues.
- Emperor Filonius

Agreed to and heartily!

Theyre both WBS try outs so they cant be called up unless they sign NHL contracts.
- Reverend Killtaker

Well I mean if they do sign.

Take it easy on the Leafs- said every Leafs fans ever.