4 Pittsburgh Penguins v. 5 Tampa Bay Lightning Series Thread

[pixburgher66]

I can agree with that.

Who do you think will be the first Pen to hit him in contact drills?

I think the coaching staff does it first. I'm pretty sure that part of the rehab is to just see how he'll respond to light contact first (so getting on the ice with strength and conditioning coach/trainer and getting roughed up a bit), then some checking against the boards, then full contact with the team. The players won't be hitting him until everyone is confident it'll be okay.

 

[The Croz Man Cometh]

I think the coaching staff does it first. I'm pretty sure that part of the rehab is to just see how he'll respond to light contact first (so getting on the ice with strength and conditioning coach/trainer and getting roughed up a bit), then some checking against the boards, then full contact with the team. The players won't be hitting him until everyone is confident it'll be okay.

It would also be nice to hear a report from someone other than Mark Madden regarding Crosby's status.

 

[evolver115]

The numbers actually suggest that they were a better defensive team before Crosby went down for the year. They allowed more goals per game in the second half.

considering who was skating with the Pens during that second half, and taking into consideration how minor of a drop-off the defensive ability was compared to the first half.... it's a minor miracle how well the overall record held up.

-Joe Vitale 9GP
-Ryan Craig 6GP
-Corey Potter 1GP
-Brian Stait 3GP
-Tim Wallace 7GP
-Andrew Hutchinson 5GP
-Nick Johnson 4GP

That's 35 games by AHL'ers who, by and large have very little business being up in the NHL. Yet, this team finished 4th in the entire NHL.

I'm impressed.

 

[The Croz Man Cometh]

considering who was skating with the Pens during that second half, and taking into consideration how minor of a drop-off the defensive ability was compared to the first half.... it's a minor miracle how well the overall record held up.

-Joe Vitale 9GP
-Ryan Craig 6GP
-Corey Potter 1GP
-Brian Stait 3GP
-Tim Wallace 7GP
-Andrew Hutchinson 5GP
-Nick Johnson 4GP

That's 35 games by AHL'ers who, by and large have very little business being up in the NHL. Yet, this team finished 4th in the entire NHL.

I'm impressed.

I agree. Don't forget Sterling though. A strong wind would blow him off the puck in the corners.

 

[evolver115]

I didn't put guys like Sterling, Jeffrey and Tangradi on that list because IMHO, they earned their keep while up in the bigs this season. But outside of Vitale, who was a beast in the FO circle.. those other guys probably don't quite have what it takes, yet.

 

[pixburgher66]

Sterling was a victim of the numbers game when it came down to it. He deserved more of a look up in the bigs...but the Ticket has work to do in the AHL too. Jeffrey had an amazing run this year and Tangradi looked fantastic in Atlanta. His confidence is growing, and that's a beautiful thing.

 

[evolver115]

Sterling was a victim of the numbers game when it came down to it. He deserved more of a look up in the bigs...but the Ticket has work to do in the AHL too. Jeffrey had an amazing run this year and Tangradi looked fantastic in Atlanta. His confidence is growing, and that's a beautiful thing.

I know it's piling on at this point with fretting over injured players, but DAMN... would I have loved to see DJ centering that top line, right now.

 

[evolver115]

Crosby and Neal Update:

Center Sidney Crosby is at practice for the Penguins this morning at their Southpointe Iceoplex facility.
However, Crosby has not been cleared for contact and is simply skating with teammates.

He is not expected to play Wednesday in Game 1 of a first round Stanley Cup playoffs against Tampa Bay at Consol Energy Center.

Crosby has not played since Jan. 5 while recovering from a concussion. He has been participating in practices, but without contact, for the past 11 days.

Also on the ice for the Penguins is left wing James Neal, who was injured Friday in a win at the New York Islanders. ~Rob Rossi TB~

 

[joe_baran]

Crosby and Neal Update:

Great news that Neal is back practicing and seemingly doing ok.

 

[Darkstone42]

It begins tonight!

 

[evolver115]

A great article about the regular season journey:

Still, some players cited their captain's mere presence in recent weeks as inspirational.

"There aren't words for how hard this has been for Sid," Talbot said. "But you don't ever see him walk into the locker room or the gym with his head down. I know there have been times when it was hard to do that. But he never let anyone see it. He's a single guy, young, far from his family, and his whole life is at the rink. This is someone who stays mad all day if he misses a couple passes in practice."

Talbot motioned to Crosby's empty stall.

"That's his level of focus, and that's where we get ours. We're still Sid's team."

Remarkable, resilient Penguins set for playoffs

 

[pixburgher66]

A great article about the regular season journey:




Remarkable, resilient Penguins set for playoffs

That's why Sid has been and will continue to be successful in this league. He's not THE most talented player in the league. In fact, I seriously believe that Malkin is. The difference is work ethic and desire. No one wants it more than him. I'm not doubting the desire of guys like OV, Toews, Malkin, Stamkos, or the like...but Sid is just in another world when it comes to wanting to win.

 

[evolver115]

I usually don't entertain the rumor mill, but in this case... what the hell.

mark madden is saying on his radio show, today that he has heard from 'a reliable source' that Sid is going to be cleared to practice w/ contact in the next couple of days, possibly before the end of the week.:ear:

 

[pixburgher66]

I usually don't entertain the rumor mill, but in this case... what the hell.

mark madden is saying on his radio show, today that he has heard from 'a reliable source' that Sid is going to be cleared to practice w/ contact in the next couple of days, possibly before the end of the week.:ear:

Madden knows people. And this is something that would be kept quiet as long as possible knowing the circumstances. That said, Madden has also thrown some pretty BS rumors into the mill before. To quell the feeling of excitement, here's this bucket of water:

The only person that has any idea of when Sid may be able to return to contact is his doctor. If his doctor hasn't made that decision yet, it doesn't matter what source you have in the organization. There is no timetable. Because there can't be a timetable. It's a day by day recovery period. Now, he could easily been cleared by his MD for contact if he clears tests this week, so there is a timetable, then a few people would know...but I'm just saying when it comes to injuries, unless you know the doctor and that doctor enjoys breaking HIPAA regulation, you know nothing.

 

[evolver115]

Madden knows people. And this is something that would be kept quiet as long as possible knowing the circumstances. That said, Madden has also thrown some pretty BS rumors into the mill before. To quell the feeling of excitement, here's this bucket of water:

The only person that has any idea of when Sid may be able to return to contact is his doctor. If his doctor hasn't made that decision yet, it doesn't matter what source you have in the organization. There is no timetable. Because there can't be a timetable. It's a day by day recovery period. Now, he could easily been cleared by his MD for contact if he clears tests this week, so there is a timetable, then a few people would know...but I'm just saying when it comes to injuries, unless you know the doctor and that doctor enjoys breaking HIPAA regulation, you know nothing.

It's hard to take Madden seriously, for obvious reasons. I still listen to him at work on the web because he does cover the Penguins on a daily basis unlike any other radio program I've ever heard(outside of Pens radio), and he's good for a laugh or two.

He opened his show with this little tidbit, today. And, considering that the Pens broadcast their games on the same station as Madden.... it takes some balls by him to put this out there and have it be completely bunk.

I'm desperate, what can I say

 

[pixburgher66]

Well, if there's two things most people know about Madden it's: he's butt ugly, and has balls of steel. The man could care less about publicity and responsible journalism (which is dead today).

 

[evolver115]

Well, if there's two things most people know about Madden it's: he's butt ugly, and has balls of steel. The man could care less about publicity and responsible journalism (which is dead today).

And I get that.... although, I don't equate it to him having balls of steel. He just doesn't care what people think of him, right or wrong.

In this case, though... if he's throwing this out there, and Crosby doesn't come back in any reasonable time, the harassment that will be doled out on him would be pretty substantial, especially when u consider how he welcomes hostile phone calls, emails, texts etc.

Maybe it's part of his schtick, and he's just trying to reap the benefits of the season, but the fan in me likes to think he's got something real, here.

 

[Darkstone42]

Speaking of Crosby, anyone else see this?

Encounter with Crosby warms the heart of Lisbon family - MorningJournalNews.com | News, Sports, Jobs, Lisbon, Ohio - The Morning Journal

 

[pixburgher66]

Speaking of Crosby, anyone else see this?

Encounter with Crosby warms the heart of Lisbon family - MorningJournalNews.com | News, Sports, Jobs, Lisbon, Ohio - The Morning Journal

Gosh I love that guy. Seriously...he's the type of guy that I'd want my kids to be like if I have them. Just genuine.

 

[Darkstone42]

Gosh I love that guy. Seriously...he's the type of guy that I'd want my kids to be like if I have them. Just genuine.

I don't think it's an old story, but I wanted to make sure before I gave it its own thread. Do you think now's a good time for that?