Let's Go Pens

Another win without Crosby or Malkin. Dustin Jeffrey was centering the first line. After a one-on-one with Disco Dan at the morning skate, Tyler Kennedy came up big with the game's opening goal.

Ray Shero had a game plan in the off-season; that plan was to make the defensive unit a brick wall. So far mission accomplished. #1 on the PK, #2 in the league in goals against.

Without the scoring prowess of two superstars, the defense needs to keep the game within reach.

I'm sure that Shero has something up his sleeve for the trade deadline. My personal opinion is that he will be dangling Alex Goligoski as bait. Out of our 7 regular defenders, he is the worst defensively. However, he does have the offense skill that teams covet. With all 7 defenders under contract next season, and the rapid ascension of prized prospect Simon Depres, one of our d-men are expendable. Orpik and Letang are untouchable. Martin and Michalek were just brought in for a hefty price. That leaves Goligoski and a very reasonable contract, Deryk Engelland with limited offensive skill, and still unproven Ben Lovejoy. Goligoski easily brings the most returns in a trade. A young, offensively skilled defensemen that can run you point on the powerplay is just what teams are looking for. He packaged with a winger or a nice prospect, might be able to bring in a solid winger to play along side Malkin or Staal.

As for tonight, my dad, a recently converted hockey fan, and I were talking about goalie fights. I said they never happen, the last one I can remember was during the nasty Colorado/Detroit series of the late 90s/early 2000s.

Well tonight we got to see another. DiPietro will probably be out 4-6 weeks after that punch. Good thing they signed him for 15 years, well done Garth Snow.




Like I said, my dad is fairly new to hockey but already has his own opinions on how to improve the game:

1. No Goalies
2. 4 posts
3. Shared penalty boxes
4. Fighting at intermission
5. Drinking on the bench
6. No helmets
7. More Canadian teams (his only good idea)
8. Players miked
9. One referee

He must have went to the James Harrison School of Commissioning