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

Biggest question though is, who is Paul Gardiner? Jake could come back into the lineup though.

For better or worse looks like Reimer will be getting his first start in 10 months tonight. Could be a high scoring affair overall.

I agree, it's not wise to underestimate any opponent, I just think things are set up for a smackdown tonight.

Team is playing well.

Crosby is hearing grumblings about his slow start.

Home opener.

Riemer in net.

Just a small typo, no biggie, it is Jake Gardiner and not Paul, also he is not listed to play tonight.

so my friend just sent me a text of the line for the pensgear store.. holy $h!t!! you should see how long it is, sticks sold out in minutes.. I really hope they have enought to restock the shelves come game time... ill be really pissed if things are picked clean by the time I get there....

I agree, it's not wise to underestimate any opponent, I just think things are set up for a smackdown tonight.

Team is playing well.

Crosby is hearing grumblings about his slow start.

Home opener.

Riemer in net.
- canadianpenfan

Personally dont see it. We always play the Pens well. You should win but I dont see a blowout.

Personally dont see it. We always play the Pens well. You should win but I dont see a blowout.
- Trejetta

Fair enough. We all have opinions.

Just a small typo, no biggie, it is Jake Gardiner and not Paul, also he is not listed to play tonight.
- LeafMan

Longtime Penguins and Leafs fans will understand the Paul Gardner-Jake Gardiner mix-up. Thanks for letting us know he's out for tonite.

JT

so my friend just sent me a text of the line for the pensgear store.. holy $h!t!! you should see how long it is, sticks sold out in minutes.. I really hope they have enought to restock the shelves come game time... ill be really pissed if things are picked clean by the time I get there....
- nh4442

I waited about 40 minutes just to get into the store

I waited about 40 minutes just to get into the store
- cap1681

thats sucks... is the store open every day? I dont go downtown so I wouldnt know..

Longtime Penguins and Leafs fans will understand the Paul Gardner-Jake Gardiner mix-up. Thanks for letting us know he's out for tonite.

JT
- the-mitch-wilsons

I think "long time" is a nice way of saying old, because I got it immediately, lol

I was at the game back on Jan 31...when the puck went in to tie the game late, it was by far the best moment I've had (and the loudest I've heard) at Consol in person.

thats sucks... is the store open every day? I dont go downtown so I wouldnt know..
- nh4442

Don't know. I walked up there from the North Shore because i heard it was opening at 10. I think it is open every day.

Just a small typo, no biggie, it is Jake Gardiner and not Paul, also he is not listed to play tonight.
- LeafMan

Carlyle said still no decision made on if he will play tonight or not. Still a chance.

Dont want to see him rushed but it would be nice to have him back there.

Please dont hurt us too bad tonight.

Sincerely,

Leaf fans and James Reimer.

Carlyle said still no decision made on if he will play tonight or not. Still a chance.

Dont want to see him rushed but it would be nice to have him back there.
- Trejetta

HMMM ... could be a rough one for the Leafs. Reimer in net and no Gardiner. Leafs usually play us tight, but on paper, this smells like a blowout. That said, the game isn't played on paper.

Longtime Penguins and Leafs fans will understand the Paul Gardner-Jake Gardiner mix-up. Thanks for letting us know he's out for tonite.

JT
- the-mitch-wilsons

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.

Speaking of old Penguins, in honor of former Pen Randy Carlyle's visit to Pittsburgh tonight, I thought I'd post a couple fun links:

Carlyle score a PP goal against Philly and the late Pelle Lindberg back in the "OMG, WTF were they thinking with those pants!?!" era:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncpFV3tyPz4

Carlyle has a minor disagreement with Brandon Sutter's uncle Brian about the best after hours jazz spot to visit in St Louis...or something like that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RvcwYflDSE

HMMM ... could be a rough one for the Leafs. Reimer in net and no Gardiner. Leafs usually play us tight, but on paper, this smells like a blowout. That said, the game isn't played on paper.
- Oneonta Penguin

If they can manage to stay out of the box they should be able to keep the game respectable.

Its going to be hard enough to maintain Crosby, Malkin, Letang and Neal even strength let alone down a man

On a side note ... looks like Brayden "I like to fly in the air to hit people" Schenn has a meeting with Shanny regarding last night's hit on Volchenkov. Hope he gets some sort of suspension. Everytime the kid throws a hit, its illegal.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/st...st-hearing-brayden-schenn

If they can manage to stay out of the box they should be able to keep the game respectable.

Its going to be hard enough to maintain Crosby, Malkin, Letang and Neal even strength let alone down a man
- Trejetta

This is true. The Pens PP has looked really good in the first couple games.

On a side note ... looks like Brayden "I like to fly in the air to hit people" Schenn has a meeting with Shanny regarding last night's hit on Volchenkov. Hope he gets some sort of suspension. Everytime the kid throws a hit, its illegal.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/st...st-hearing-brayden-schenn
- Oneonta Penguin

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

there is no reason to say the pens will blow out the leafs. On paper the Leafs look bad, but they gave Buffalo a run and havent played terrible like some other teams. If the Pens play their game, then they should be fine, but we have seen Pitt collapse during games before. Hopefully the Pens offense keeps producing and their PP/PK stays consistent

Fair enough. We all have opinions.
- canadianpenfan

Please tell them to try and keep it respectable..

No more than 8 goals for.. Reimer needs some confidence. If you could ask Malkin, Neal and Crosby to hurt themselves on the way to the arena that would be good to.. Without them, Leafs should only lose by 4 or so.

Please tell them to try and keep it respectable..

No more than 8 goals for.. Reimer needs some confidence. If you could ask Malkin, Neal and Crosby to hurt themselves on the way to the arena that would be good to.. Without them, Leafs should only lose by 4 or so.
- PatC80

Leafs always play us tough, even when it looks like they shouldn't, their speed always gives us fits. this will be no more than a 2 goal game. thinking 5-3 and that includes an empty netter.