Game Thread: @ St. Louis Blues

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Pittsburgh Penguins
Overall record: 11-5-0 (22 points, 0.688pct)
Road record: 4-3-0 (8 points, 0.571pct)
Last 10: 6-4-0 (12 points, 0.600pct)
Streak: -1
GFA: 3.00
GAA:2.38
PP%: 20.7%
PK%: 82.6%
Projected lineup:
L1: Chris Kunitz - Sidney Crosby - Pascal Dupuis
L2: Jussi Jokinen - Evgeni Malkin - Beau Bennett
L3: Tanner Glass - Brandon Sutter - Jayson Megna
L4: Dustin Jeffrey - Joe Vitale - Craig Adams
D1: Brooks Orpik - Paul Martin
D2: Matt Niskanen - Kris Letang
D3: Olli Maatta - Robert Bortuzzo
G: Marc-Andre Fleury

St. Louis Blues
Overall record: 10-2-2 (22 points, 0.786pct)
Home record: 6-1-1 (13 points, 0.650pct)
Last 10: 6-2-2 (14 points, 0.700pct)
Streak: +2
GFA: 3.43
GAA: 2.29
PP%: 24.5%
PK%: 83.3%
Projected lineup:
L1: Alex Steen - David Backes - TJ Oshie
L2: Derek Roy - Vladimir Sobotka - Chris Stewart
L3: Jaden Schwartz - Patrik Berglund - Vladimir Tarasenko
L4: Adam Cracknell - Maxim Lapierre - Ryan Reeves
D1: Jay Bouwmeester - Alex Pietrangelo
D2: Barret Jackman - Kevin Shattenkirk
D3: Jordan Leopold - Roman Polak
G: Jaroslav Halak

Series notes
All-time: Blues lead series 67-48-2 plus 18 ties
Last meeting: 1/24/12 @ St. Louis, Blues won 3-2 in SO

Doob's take
The Doobster doesn't have a good feeling about this at all. Hate to be that guy, but I really don't see any reason to believe that we're going win this game. Blues are statistically better, they're deeper, they're playing better, they're the hotter team, they have a better offense & defense, they play in a tougher conference, I just hope we don't get blown out or injured. Doobster hates picking against the Pens but I have to go with the Blues, 4-2.

 

[Todd1a]

Pittsburgh Penguins
Overall record: 11-5-0 (22 points, 0.688pct)
Road record: 4-3-0 (8 points, 0.571pct)
Last 10: 6-4-0 (12 points, 0.600pct)
Streak: -1
GFA: 3.00
GAA:2.38
PP%: 20.7%
PK%: 82.6%
Projected lineup:
L1: Chris Kunitz - Sidney Crosby - Pascal Dupuis
L2: Jussi Jokinen - Evgeni Malkin - Beau Bennett
L3: Tanner Glass - Brandon Sutter - Jayson Megna
L4: Dustin Jeffrey - Joe Vitale - Craig Adams
D1: Brooks Orpik - Paul Martin
D2: Matt Niskanen - Kris Letang
D3: Olli Maatta - Robert Bortuzzo
G: Marc-Andre Fleury

St. Louis Blues
Overall record: 10-2-2 (22 points, 0.786pct)
Home record: 6-1-1 (13 points, 0.650pct)
Last 10: 6-2-2 (14 points, 0.700pct)
Streak: +2
GFA: 3.43
GAA: 2.29
PP%: 24.5%
PK%: 83.3%
Projected lineup:
L1: Alex Steen - David Backes - TJ Oshie
L2: Derek Roy - Vladimir Sobotka - Chris Stewart
L3: Jaden Schwartz - Patrik Berglund - Vladimir Tarasenko
L4: Adam Cracknell - Maxim Lapierre - Ryan Reeves
D1: Jay Bouwmeester - Alex Pietrangelo
D2: Barret Jackman - Kevin Shattenkirk
D3: Jordan Leopold - Roman Polak
G: Jaroslav Halak

Series notes
All-time: Blues lead series 67-48-2 plus 18 ties
Last meeting: 1/24/12 @ St. Louis, Blues won 3-2 in SO

Doob's take
The Doobster doesn't have a good feeling about this at all. Hate to be that guy, but I really don't see any reason to believe that we're going win this game. Blues are statistically better, they're deeper, they're playing better, they're the hotter team, they have a better offense & defense, they play in a tougher conference, I just hope we don't get blown out or injured. Doobster hates picking against the Pens but I have to go with the Blues, 4-2.

if my lightning can beat them doobee I will take the penguins in a tight one 3-2

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

True, didn't pick the Lightning to beat the Blues either. At the same time, really don't like my Pens' chances of beating any top notch team right now. What happened at MSG was very alarming. Hopefully the Pens bounce back, but IDK, a lot of players need to up their game right now.

 

[evolver115]

I don't know Doob. I like our chances tonight. I remember our last match with the Blues from 2011. It was an awesome game and went to a shoot out. I could see that happening again provided Fleury bounces back from his sub par start from Wednesday.

Can't wait for this one!

 

[thedddd]

I just hope they are motivated and play with some heart and intensity.

 

[element1286]

I just hope they are motivated and play with some heart and intensity.

Yep, Blues play a fast, intense game, if they aren't ready to play, they are gonna lose a 5-1 or 6-2 type score.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

I don't know Doob. I like our chances tonight. I remember our last match with the Blues from 2011. It was an awesome game and went to a shoot out. I could see that happening again provided Fleury bounces back from his sub par start from Wednesday.

Can't wait for this one!

Hope you're right, just sort of down on the team right now after that Rangers game . Hopefully we bounce back.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Ugh, another loss, at least the effort was there tonight tho. Hopefully we get back on track against the Flyers on Wednesday night.

 

[scoutyjones2]

What effort? No offensive presence for extended amounts of time...again, Malkintent is a POS...Letang needs to be made a forward...And why the hell is Bortuzzo even playing?

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

I didn't give us much of a chance to win that one. I give us props for keeping it close. Hopefully we beat the Flyers. Lose to the Flyers and it's a sure sign we're in trouble.

 

[thedddd]

What effort? No offensive presence for extended amounts of time...again, Malkintent is a POS...Letang needs to be made a forward...And why the hell is Bortuzzo even playing?

Martin is out is my only though, you know it is now the jockeying for LTIR cap space.

They really aren't playing that well right now and I don't see the coach helping the situation by not doing anything to help get these players motivated to play. Just think if Malkin/Letang keep this up there won't be a playoff series for them to worry about.

 

[scoutyjones2]

Holy shit this team is made of glass...and not Tanner! I think they hurt themselves getting on/off the bus!

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Holy shit this team is made of glass...and not Tanner! I think they hurt themselves getting on/off the bus!

New Penguin theme song,

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGU_4-5RaxU]Blondie - Heart Of Glass - YouTube[/ame]

 

[element1286]

It was the exact type of game the Pens play against Stl, Bos, Lak, fast, physical teams that play a very good team defensive game; muddle around the perimeters, either get outshot, or throw some bloopers at the net to make it look like you are working hard, and no net front presence.

I'd love to defend Malkin, but he needs to learn to vary his game, you cannot carry the puck into the offensive zone every single time. When he learns to dump and chase on occasion, his line will be much more effective. Right now, he is playing soft Euro hockey that isn't going to cut it against any decent team.

 

[scoutyjones2]

I hardly ever recognize/realize that Malkintent is even on the ice...he only makes any kind of presence during the PP...POS!!!!