Game Day: Penguins vs Bruins, Going for 8

This game has trap game written all over it. 

Pittsburgh is far from a bad team. They’re just battered. They’re missing Crosby, Malkin and Orpik. If you’re the Bruins, maybe mentally you’re looking past this game. Huge mistake.

Someone sent in this picture but it doesn’t make much sense:

Missed 24 games and is still only 13 points out of first in the points race. #JustSaying

If you’re a Bruins fan, it is great that Crosby and Malkin are out. B’s don’t have to worry about the best player in the game or another top ten player. As a hockey fan, it is a bit of a let down because Crosby and Malkin are exciting to watch.

Penguins are injured but gritty. They played last night against the Devils too. Could be tired. Lots of reasons for the B’s to think this will be easy. B’s overlook them for one second and it could be a long night. Our dear Bruins have been playing some great hockey. A win against the Penguins would be huge. Habs are playing good and still in the rear view mirror. 

This game is going to be really, really, REALLY annoying if you’re watching it on TV. All you’re going to hear from the annoucers is shit about Savard and Cooke or how Bartkowski is from Pittsburgh. We get it. We all saw the hit. Thousands and thousands of times. Don’t need to keep replaying it every thirty seconds.

And announcers…. we get it…. all Barkowski’s starts this season have been against the Penguins. Hahahahaha how amusing. There. Shut up.

After the jump… projected roster, game day links and game day video…

Bergeron is out attending to “personal matters” and Kampfer is out due to a mild concussion sustained against the wussy Lightning.

It will be interesting to see how the B’s chemistry plays out as taking Bergeron out of the lineup has resulted in some significant line shifting. Guess we’ll see what happens tonight.

That is okay though. The Bruins have a secret weapon.

We’d still love to see what would happen if Orpik and Boychuk hit each other at center ice. Maybe next year/playoffs.

Projected Roster (Boston.com):

Milan Lucic-David Krejci-Nathan Horton
Brad Marchand-Rich Peverley-Mark Recchi
Tyler Seguin-Chris Kelly-Michael Ryder
Daniel Paille-Gregory Campbell-Shawn Thornton

Zdeno Chara-Johnny Boychuk
Tomas Kaberle-Dennis Seidenberg
Matt Bartkowski-Adam McQuaid

Tuukka Rask
Tim Thomas

Seguin is back in after sitting for some weird reason. I guess when you’re playing your best hockey of the season you should take a seat. On the plus side, Seguin always seems to play his best after watching a game. We’re betting he’ll be eager to make an impression tonight.

Game Day Links

• If you haven’t read this yet, you should really check out Mary Paoletti’s piece on concussions in the NHL.
• James Murphy discusses how awesome Lucic is.
• On Tuesday you should come out and watch the Bruins vs Habs game with Days of Y’Orr and Boston Sports Then and Now.
• New England Hockey Journal discusses Rask’s success on the B’s 6-0 road trip.
• John Buccigross gives his top ten contenders for the Stanley Cup (including the B’s)

Game Day Video