Assistant coach Rick Tocchet leads players through a drill at the morning skate today. — DEJAN KOVACEVIC
BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC
NEW YORK — Sights, sounds and the scene from Madison Square Garden …
• The Penguins’ just-completed morning skate was optional, but the lineup for Game 1 against the Rangers tonight was crystallized at all positions.
Christian Ehrhoff and Derrick Pouliot will be out, though both skated and could return soon. Their place on defense will be taken by the longtime Wilkes-Barre pairing of Taylor Chorney and Brian Dumoulin. For both, this will mark their Stanley Cup playoff debuts.
The other pairings remain Paul Martin and Ben Lovejoy, Rob Scuderi and Ian Cole.
Up front, Scott Wilson and Craig Adams stayed out longest on the ice, and they’ll be scratched.
The leaves the lines as:
Daniel Winnik-Sidney Crosby-Patric Hornqvist
Chris Kunitz-Evgeni Malkin-David Perron
Beau Bennett-Brandon Sutter-Steve Downie
Nick Spaling-Maxim Lapierre-Blake Comeau
• A couple minutes with Downie, Perron and Dumoulin …
• I can’t say enough about how loose, relaxed, even peaceful the atmosphere was around the visitors today. Nothing at all like Columbus last spring. Nothing at all like the final few weeks of this regular season, for that matter.
In addition to the skate being made optional, the hardest drills and so forth clearly were left behind yesterday in Pittsburgh, with the coaching staff emphasizing lightening up with fun-type work. That carried over into the locker room, where players were smiling, laughing, playing pranks, etc.
It was a welcome departure, to be candid. Even from Buffalo, where the worry about needing to beat the league’s worst team was very real.
At the same time, each time I asked anyone if the pressure was off, they balked.
“I try not to pay attention to it either way, to be honest with you,” Crosby said of outside expectations. “I’ve been on both sides of it. I don’t think it really changes your approach that much. Once you get in, it doesn’t really matter. The expectations for us, even though they might not be quite as high from the outside, I think in here we want to move on. We’re going to do our best.”
• New York will have Rick Nash back for Game 1, Alain Vigneault told us. Nash had been out with the flu, though, and doesn’t figure to be at full strength.
And no, this isn’t the playoff flu that afflicts him every year. Separate malady.
• The Penguins weren’t the only Pittsburgh team on some people’s minds.
J.T. Miller, the Rangers’ winger raised in Coraopolis, referred unsolicited to the Pirates getting blanked back-to-back by the Tigers back home and asked, “Where’s the offense?”
Mike Emrick, Hall of Fame broadcaster for tonight’s game and obsessed Pirates fan, was equally anguished: “Put me out there! I’ll at least stand in front of a pitch and get hit!”
• Here’s the Stanley Cup playoff preview column, if you missed it. It’s really set some in the New York media ablaze, which has been kind of funny, to be honest. Nothing at all in there that isn’t supported by ample evidence, ample evidence and more ample evidence.
You almost have to wonder if being the overwhelming underdog may help them in this series. This is the first time this group does not have the pressure of being picked to go to at least the conference finals. Everyone expects them to lose...and lose big. The talent is there to play with the Rangers. We will see about the mental part.
Well I don't expect the Rangers to hit the ice in anticiption of the Pens imitating a bull fighter and yelling "Ole" while they point way to Fleury...in other words, despite what the media may try to paint, the Rangers know the Pens are coming to play
Rocco
4-16-2015, 2:16 pm
Sean, sorry to be negative, well, not really, but where do you see the talent on hand that allows them to compete with the NYR? This may be the least talented roster they've had since Crosby was drafted.
There's Crosby, Fleury and Hornquist. 71 is clearly not healthy and hasn't scored in weeks. With 58 out the only legit D-man they have is Martin. There is not another forward or dman after the ones I've mentioned who'd be claimed in a playoff pickup game with any of the top 4 teams in the conference.
Coopenhagen21
4-16-2015, 1:17 pm
I'm really starting to dig the underdog mentality. its been awhile and who knows how much it'll help them.
I'm starting to dig it too, and leaving work early to pick up a fresh log of cope and watch these boys shock the world tonight
Dapp27
4-16-2015, 1:18 pm
At first I wanted to point out that in 1999 with a less than stellar defensive group of Kaspar, Hatcher, Slegr, Werenka, Dollas, Tamer and Moran we were the 8th seed with only 90 points and upset the heavily favored #1 seed NJ Devils. Then I went back and watched the OT game 6 on You Tube. We had some great forwards and a money goaltender in Barrasso. Jagr, Lang, Straka, Titov, Kovalev, Tyler Wright and Hrdina just looked like they played harder than this group now. After watching #68 in that game I am convinced, as great as Malkin and Crosby can be at times, we will never witness again what #66 and #68 could do in taking over a series. Hope I am wrong. It happened once before right?
Dapp I was at that game 6 against nj. A lot of people thought that was the last penguins game we'd see as the teams future was in serious doubt. Jagr played through a hamstring injury and I honestly think that was the gutsiest performance I have ever seen. I will never boo jagr and I always vote that game as one of my main reasons. Do you have a link?
Because they can give it but, they cannot take it. It's OK if they talk smack about other teams but, if you mention how much King Henrik flops they get up in arms over it.
TomPaulBillyBob
4-16-2015, 2:29 pm
Oh yes, the Bettman's NHL and the right arm each time Hank gets spooked comment...what a bunch of candy-asses
Adam
4-16-2015, 2:05 pm
I love the evidence you posted. It's OK though, they'll still deny it.
Will root for the Pens until the bitter end. Having said that, the playoffs are off and running with normal buffoonery. Subban's slash on Stone last night was exactly what's wrong with the NHL. The Sens coach didn't help the cause with his statements, but his point is valid. Bring up a goon from the minors and take Subban out - what's the worst that happens?
Sticks may break the wrist on Stone but PK will never be suspended.
Dapp27
4-16-2015, 2:28 pm
Remember the dust up in December with Britt McHenry the female reporter from ESPN and all the crap Dejan and Madden took for calling her out? If anyone wants to see what her true character is, check out the newest video with her and a parking lot attendant. Tells you all you need to know, and please Lord someone forward this to Madden.....http://heavy.com/sports/2015/04/watch-britt-mchenry-espn-curses-out-parking-lot-attendant-temper-tantrum-video
Thanks Dapp. All class that one. Her parents must be so proud.
Jay Baileys
4-16-2015, 4:29 pm
Wow classy broad!
Milo Hamilton
4-16-2015, 4:37 pm
And now a sincere and heartfelt apology on Twitter. She went to Northwestern you know. Just ask her. She's a Broadcast Journalist Monsoon.
Milo Hamilton
4-16-2015, 5:28 pm
Britt has been suspended for one week by ESPN. That's pretty lame considering Tony Kornheiser got 2 weeks for questioning Hannah Storm's choice of wardrobe.
seantcampbell3
4-16-2015, 3:08 pm
It's painful to see fans counting the Pens out already.
I can't wait to watch playoff hockey! They don't have to be cup favorites for me to enjoy watching my team.
DK -- since I'm new, this may be water under he bridge and already discussed a billion times, but will links within the app to other columns of yours or even outside sites eventually be able to be opened in the app? Ex: click link in Twitter, opens in Twitter browser.
That being suggested, You the man. Love that you lit a fire with Henry's flops.
The app opens in your browser of choice. That's actually ideal.
Roman
4-16-2015, 6:21 pm
I prefer opening in the app with the ability to open in my browser once reaching the site -- so that's why I asked. And having your articles open right in the app. Probably because I'm used to Facebook and Twitter. No big deal...not complaining :).
Milo Hamilton
4-16-2015, 4:39 pm
There's a fine line between loose and whistling past the graveyard.
April 16, 2015
Coverage: Loose, relaxed, having fun
by Dejan Kovacevic • Coverage • Penguins
Assistant coach Rick Tocchet leads players through a drill at the morning skate today. — DEJAN KOVACEVIC
BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC
NEW YORK — Sights, sounds and the scene from Madison Square Garden …
• The Penguins’ just-completed morning skate was optional, but the lineup for Game 1 against the Rangers tonight was crystallized at all positions.
Christian Ehrhoff and Derrick Pouliot will be out, though both skated and could return soon. Their place on defense will be taken by the longtime Wilkes-Barre pairing of Taylor Chorney and Brian Dumoulin. For both, this will mark their Stanley Cup playoff debuts.
The other pairings remain Paul Martin and Ben Lovejoy, Rob Scuderi and Ian Cole.
Up front, Scott Wilson and Craig Adams stayed out longest on the ice, and they’ll be scratched.
The leaves the lines as:
Daniel Winnik-Sidney Crosby-Patric Hornqvist
Chris Kunitz-Evgeni Malkin-David Perron
Beau Bennett-Brandon Sutter-Steve Downie
Nick Spaling-Maxim Lapierre-Blake Comeau
• A couple minutes with Downie, Perron and Dumoulin …
• I can’t say enough about how loose, relaxed, even peaceful the atmosphere was around the visitors today. Nothing at all like Columbus last spring. Nothing at all like the final few weeks of this regular season, for that matter.
In addition to the skate being made optional, the hardest drills and so forth clearly were left behind yesterday in Pittsburgh, with the coaching staff emphasizing lightening up with fun-type work. That carried over into the locker room, where players were smiling, laughing, playing pranks, etc.
It was a welcome departure, to be candid. Even from Buffalo, where the worry about needing to beat the league’s worst team was very real.
At the same time, each time I asked anyone if the pressure was off, they balked.
“I try not to pay attention to it either way, to be honest with you,” Crosby said of outside expectations. “I’ve been on both sides of it. I don’t think it really changes your approach that much. Once you get in, it doesn’t really matter. The expectations for us, even though they might not be quite as high from the outside, I think in here we want to move on. We’re going to do our best.”
• New York will have Rick Nash back for Game 1, Alain Vigneault told us. Nash had been out with the flu, though, and doesn’t figure to be at full strength.
And no, this isn’t the playoff flu that afflicts him every year. Separate malady.
• The Penguins weren’t the only Pittsburgh team on some people’s minds.
J.T. Miller, the Rangers’ winger raised in Coraopolis, referred unsolicited to the Pirates getting blanked back-to-back by the Tigers back home and asked, “Where’s the offense?”
Mike Emrick, Hall of Fame broadcaster for tonight’s game and obsessed Pirates fan, was equally anguished: “Put me out there! I’ll at least stand in front of a pitch and get hit!”
• Here’s the Stanley Cup playoff preview column, if you missed it. It’s really set some in the New York media ablaze, which has been kind of funny, to be honest. Nothing at all in there that isn’t supported by ample evidence, ample evidence and more ample evidence.