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Ya gotta beat the best. So goes the saying...and tonight, one of the best rivalries in all of sport continues as the Penguins come to town to take on the Flyers. The gross taste in my mouth, aside from this shit-tacular coffee I'm forcing down, is the taste of defeat, held over from earlier in '09 when Pittsburgh took us behind a shed and did with us how they pleased. That first round exit was heartbreaking. No matter that the Pens were the eventual Cup winners, that didn't make it feel any better. The loss in last year's playoffs was the moment where Homer decided that he needed more puzzle pieces, and got us some of the best free agents on the market. So maybe it's a blessing in disguise, the fact that we got beat by the Pens last year, to force our hand to get better penalty killers, grinders, and shut down behemoths. Either way, the palette gets wiped clean tonight as the Battle for Pennslyvania wages on.
We all know what Pittsburgh brings to the table. Arguably the top 2 players in the entire league, along with a top 5 goalie. Much like the Washington game we'll be seeing Pronger and Kimmo a lot tonight, shadowing both Crosby and Malkin wherever they go. The Pens lost last night to the Coyotes 3-0. You did read that right...and got sloppy, giving the Yotes 9 powerplays. Maybe they were looking past that game or maybe they are just a a big bowl of turds, but either way they'll be ready for tonight. There is no such thing as fatigue this early in the season so don't expect the Pens to be flat. They like playing at the Wach and have a lot of success here. The biggest matchup I'll be watching for is Malkin's cheekbones against Pronger's elbow.
Playing a rival is such great hockey...we know the opposing team very well. We know their style, their player-types, their strategy, and strengths and weaknesses. We know that stopping Crosby from getting points is nearly impossible, as is making Geno Malkin not look like his mom fucked a horse. We know that Tyler Kennedy, Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis, are not nearly talented as they get credit for and are so effin' lucky they play with who they do that they make the collective Flyers fanbase dry-heave. But, playing a rival is about hating the other team, and Pittsburgh does it as well as anyone.
Word's coming down from Timmy P that Rabbit won't play. We'll be seeing our first shots of Asham and Cote tonight, in what should be a game they both see as extremely important. Both guys have been healthy scratches for obvious reasons so far this season, but with Betts out for some time and the team not taking chances with Rabbit, they'll both prove to be intergral parts of tonights game. For Ash, he'll probably be playing on the third line with Giroux and Powe. I look for him to grind his heart out and would not be suprised if the guy gets an apple tonight. He's been in the league long enough to see what's happening to his playing time and will capitalize whenever he gets a chance. As for Rockin' Riles, he just needs to bring the engergy. He'll see about 5 minutes of ice time and needs to play his game tonight. That probably means dropping the mitts, with a much needed win against Eric Godard. I wouldn't mind seeing a big knuckle busting bout tonight from Cote or Carcillo, and Pittsburgh has plenty of heels to take on. Godard, ex-Devil Mike Rupp, and one punch Fedetenko (boom goes the dynamite). Expect Asham, Cote, Carcillo or Lappy to drop the mits tonight and make it unbearable for anyone wearing a powdered blue jersey.
The powerplay is looking tasty to start the season, and the addition of Giroux to it will only help. X figures to be an important part of the game tonight. Aside from the PP, he'll be working on the 3rd line and I look to him to capitalize againt PigFace-Staal-Cooke line. We all saw what Richie does against the league's elite, and I'd expect another solid performance tonight. With Betts out, we'll be seeing alot more of #18 on the PK. I'll be watching the defense, and seeing if they can return to form like they were against Carolina and NJ. Emery needs to have a big game tonight and I look to him to be our best player. In short, everyone needs to play well tonight, and doing so against a rival like Pittsburgh is always important. The guys will be jacked up for this one, as will the crowd. We're on home ice and should be ready to dominate the Pens tonight. Going for a 4-0-0 record will be tough, hell, it's always tough playing the Pens, but I see us really getting to them, throwing off their game, and shutting them down in the end. The universe will recognize who is the best team from Pennslyvania after tonight is over. An epic day awaits us. Happy weekend everybody. Lets Go Phillies. Lets Go Flyers.
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