Hey its the Penguins and Sabres!!! ICE BOWL! Oh, the game before the Winter Classic. Mmm, oh well its still a good matchup. These two teams like to skate up and down and probably a pleasure for the Sabres following Ottawa and New Jersey. But this one is at the Igloo and indoors, but that place can open up. So I say lets open the roof for a period. Get a little use to outdoor hockey. The puck drops at 7:30 and Ill be doing something, that doesn't involve watching this game. Well maybe who knows.
Hey what are the Penguins doing?
Well the Pens are right behind the Sabres in the standing being at 6th while the Sabres are 5th, who lost, yet moved up the standings? Both teams have 40 points, 19 wins, but the Sabres have played one less game and have one less loss. The team is pretty offensive with 107 goals on the year but also giving up 111 goals. They lost Fleury for a couple months, which won't help their piss poor defense. The Pens are pretty much the same at home as on the road. Dangerous, but yet have glaring weaknesses. And are 4-4 in their last 8 games.
Who does what for the Pens
Well it starts with 87 Sidney Crosby. He is the real deal and the future of the team and the league, he really is amazing and will only get better. He has 50 points on the year, a majority of it assists. He is followed by the other big talent on the team Evgeni Malkin who has 40 points, 14 goals and 26 assists. Gonchar is third on the team with 30 points, then Sykora is 4th with 20 points. There is drastic number decline on this team. Jordan Staal is certainly struggling this year with only 9 points in 37 games and a bad -11. He is playing the tough lines, and not locking anyone down. The goaltenders are an issue with career backups Dany Sabourin and Ty Conklin. Not sure who will be in net. But either way the Sabres should have some good chances.
Outlook
The Sabres blew a lead yesterday, and pulled out a point. I think they are more confident going in against the Pens then the Devils. I look for a return to the winning ways tonight, to set up well for the rematch on New Years in what should be an interesting game. Well enjoy there people. These games are fun.
