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Injuries sure to test Penguins’ mettle
by Tony on 10/29/09 at 03:31 PM ET
Comments (15)
It’s those damn hockey gods. Yeah, that’s it.
First it was the Game Seven hero, the team’s #1 grinder. Then came their powerplay quarterback . Now it’s the team’s leading scorer for the last two years, not to mention the reigning Art Ross and Conn Smythe trophy winner.
News that Evgeni Malkin will be out of the lineup for 2-3 weeks nursing a strained shoulder has spread like wildfire throughout the Penguins’ blogosphere.
Now, unfortunately, we get to see how the Penguins fare for the first time without the other half of their dynamic duo.
Malkin, along with teammate Jordan Staal, has been the Penguins’ thoroughbred, appearing in 254 consecutive games since missing the first four games of the ‘06-’07 season after suffering a dislocated shoulder at the hands of former teammate John Leclair. It should be noted that Malkin’s current injury is not with the same shoulder as 2006 injury. He’s played through illness, as was reported after the ‘08 Finals, and by all reports, wanted to continue playing now with this nagging shoulder injury. But it was HCDB who put a stop to that, and I agree with Disco. Get that shoulder healed up now, before it gets aggravated and Malkin is out for a significant period of time.
Fortunately for the Penguins, this is really nothing new for them, although this will be the first time that Malkin has been out for a while. Sidney Crosby missed five games last season, not to mention missing 29 games in ‘07-’08. Sergei Gonchar will not only be out for up to six weeks currently, but only played in 25 games last season after dislocating his shoulder. Marc-Andre Fleury only played in 35 games in ‘07-’08 after suffering a high-ankle sprain.
Naturally, the spotlight will shine even brighter now on Crosby, as if it didn’t already. But now, the task would appear to be even tougher for Crosby. With Malkin out, a primary scoring weapon is not in the lineup. But, more importantly, it will now allow opponent’s #1 defense to focus their attention on Crosby’s line, as opposed to deciding whether to play against the Crosby or Malkin lines. But while that might make things more difficult, a good thing to take out of it is that it’s already obvious that Crosby has been in much more of a shoot-first mentality, and not the forcing of the pass at all costs. Who knows what will happen in these next few weeks, but I wouldn’t be surprised in the least to see Crosby turn it up even more than he already does.
The other Penguin whose name is already being mentioned to take up the slack caused by the Malkin absence is Staal. Staal has only missed one game since the start of his rookie year in ‘06-’07. Of course, as the #2 overall pick that year, many have expected his offensive numbers to quite a bit higher than they have been, although the vast majority are more than satisifed with his outstanding two-way play. Well now, with Malkin out, Staal will most certainly be bumped up to center the #2 line, most likely with Ruslan Fedotenko on one wing and a few different candidates to fill the other wing. It will be interesting to see how Staal performs in this scenario centering a “scoring” line vice a “checking” line.
The call-ups for the Penguins will be center Mark Letestu and right winger Chris Connor from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Connor was called up because it’s already been announced that winger Tyler Kennedy will miss tomorrow night’s game in Columbus as well.
Filed in: Pittsburgh Penguins | The Confluence | Permalink
Tags: NHL-Hockey, Pittsburgh+Penguins,
Comments
Yup, that was a typo, thanks…
I would think the Pens have plenty of options remaining before Rupp gets anywhere near the top two lines.... Not that I’m not pleasantly surprised with his performance so far, but let’s not get carried away… 
I would think Adams would take Staal’s place on the 3rd line, but as you said, with TK out as well, HCDB is gonna most likely mix and match during this timeframe with the hottest hands.... Chris Bourque will need to contribute a little more to remain that high in the lines… Look for Chris Connor up there as well.... That little speedy bastard almost made the team out of camp.....
Posted by Tony from Virginia Beach, VA on 10/29/09 at 04:57 PM ET
but let’s not get carried away…
Yeah I know, you’re right. It must be all this early season success.
Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 10/29/09 at 05:12 PM ET
Personally, I’m glad you Pittsburgh fans are experiencing some success and good times.
I mean, any fan-base loyal enough to push their NHL team to the brink of bankruptcy, twice, is a loyal fan-base that deserves nothing but a winner, and good times...all the time (’cuz, we all know what happens when you guys don’t win).
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 10/29/09 at 05:48 PM ET
Red winger - i’m pretty sure we just have to go to any of the countless red wing blogs to see what happens when i good team loses, and is over the hill..i’ve never seen such whining, must be why you chose to come and comment on this story right? luckily Malkin will be back in 3 weeks perfectly fine, and the Red Wings will still have Osgood in net. Enjoy the regular season this year as much as you can, because all the cast offs the wings have now, are going to do nothing in the playoffs.
Posted by Greg on 10/29/09 at 05:53 PM ET
Greg, we have four Cups in eleven years.
Yourself?
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 10/29/09 at 05:57 PM ET
First it was the Game Seven hero, the team’s #1 grinder
Wouldn’t that be Rosby?
Oh, wait, you mean a different kind of grinding ...
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 10/29/09 at 05:59 PM ET
Red Wings fans have no class. How embarrassing for the fine folks in Michigan.
Posted by So Cold from the D on 10/29/09 at 06:02 PM ET
How embarrassing for the fine folks in Michigan.
I’m not in Michigan, according to your leader, Tony F.
Actually, I’m in Mario’s basement. Sid says ‘hi’.
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 10/29/09 at 06:04 PM ET
Red Wings fans have no class.
Fixed.
Posted by So Cold from the D on 10/29/09 at 06:07 PM ET
Would we have “class” if we pushed our team to the brink of bankruptcy twice? (yet we haven’t, with a history more than twice as long as yours).
Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 10/29/09 at 06:11 PM ET
Red Winger - i myself have no cups in 28 yrs, i didnt know you played though? judging by your photo, is that you Draper?
also, nice to see you’re still hanging on to the sid in mario’s basement argument after all your posts, plus i’d rather live in mario’s basement and have a winning team then be 1 pt up on Nashville in the basement of the Central Division? how many more tuesday’s is that now?
Posted by Greg on 10/29/09 at 07:16 PM ET
Fortunatley for the Penguins, they have the depth that most teams like to tell themselves they have. Staal is a second line center on any other team in the league, so this is his opportunity. and thankfully they still have Fleury in net, could be a lot worse...(your cue Draper)
Posted by Greg on 10/29/09 at 07:31 PM ET
Don’t blame Red Winger, no no no. He has to find something to keep his mind off of the Wings losing to the Avs. Twice. Already.
It’s okay, though, only 29 more Tuesdays, right Red Winger?
HA.
Posted by Flashtastick56 from Milford, CT on 10/29/09 at 08:05 PM ET
Greg, we have four Cups in eleven years.
Yourself?
3 in 18. Disgraceful, I know.
Posted by steve on 10/29/09 at 09:43 PM ET
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I would like to see Danny give Rupp more time up on the top 2 scoring lines. He’s got skills.
Tony I’m pretty sure Staal was 2nd overall not 3rd, anyway how about these two lines: Fedotenko, Staal & Rupp on the second unit, then you can go with Dupuis, Adams & Cooke on the checking line. The new 4th line will probably not get as much ice time as regulars (Dupuis & Adams) 4th liners get. The main reason being the regular 4th liners also kill penalties.
Also, we need Kennedy back ASAP.
Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 10/29/09 at 04:49 PM ET