You may be right drew and it'll be compulsive viewing for sure , however Pens perform tonight it may be time to take them on in regulation on Sunday in Ottawa , they've lost the last couple of regular season games in Ottawa quite heavily ( albeit last season )and the latter was on the back of 2 divisional games , of course they've avenged all that with some convincing wins on home ice and they did win the play-off series in 6 games as expected.
Just thinking ahead to what might be really and the fact they'll start short in regulation with all the euphoria ( especially if they win tonight ) means they may be a better regulation lay than back on Sunday.


Good luck tonight 

HAYDEN - the way the Penguins move without the puck is what draws me in to be honest.  Apart from traffic in front of the net it is the speed of counter.  Absurd as this may sound, you would be better off giving the puck away in your own end of the ice than in the Pen's defensive area as by the time you try to turn around and retreat it is too late.  At least if you give it up close to your own net you'll be facing the right direction!

I'd advocate trying to shoot from range against them, never committing more than 3 players much beyond the blue line.  Then let the forwards scrap tooth and nail around the net.  If you try to stand toe-to-toe, so to speak, against these blokes you will come off second best a high percentage of times.  They look as though they are improving their understanding by the match - and I see only overconfidence beating them tonight - something which is possible.

I am surprised that the book isn't evs the pair and will punt Pittsburgh heavily - that's the black spot on them

Going to look at the rest after wrapping the presents up

Forgot to mention but no doubt you've seen that Devils have fired MacLean today which is hardly a surprise , interesting they play Islanders tonight and are as low as 1.84 regulation , seems a low price but probably best leaving the game alone as you can't tell for sure what reaction there'll be 

Usually the team who has fired their coach more often wins its 1st homegame (don't have straight stats here sorry). However, Devils did it today and play that game already tonight so what can they do this quick period (all happened just few more hours ago)? Lemaire knows the system of theirs and he's very good pal for both Lou and Martin(just have to say it because mr.Brodeur is more than just a goalie in this organisation to be honest) after several seasons as a coach there before.

Devils has played better lately especially in their special units. Unfortunately all the other areas are not the same level including Brodeur's play himself. They sure miss too much Parise. Kovalchuk is more a lonely warrior than a team player. They are not scoring too often. Anyway, Islanders should be a catch they could eat at lunch. Another lack of scoring team meets another.

Lemaire is the coach who strongly believes in defensive system in his team. In his philosophy is better win 1-0 than 8-7. Only points count not how attractive game they play. His system has been effective and he's one of the bests in his job no doubt about it.

Not how I'd planned 1st period to go but take what luck is coming when you play most of it with 3 skaters

11/5, just didn't have enough on

Great bouceback from Canucks after the disappointment of last night.

Nothing much in the big game.  Fleury playing great so far but have a feeling this will be settled by penalties

At the moment it's a good professional job from Pens that's taken the sting out of Caps and silenced the crowd , looks unlikely but can't help thinking back to that same match-up here in last Feb when Caps looked dead at 1-4 down , only takes one spark


Good luck guys 

This game illustrates the different styles of play perfectly for me in that if these two meet in the intensity of a 7 match play-off series then Pens would be big favourites , the fits and starts of Caps play more suited to regular season as shown season after season.

They did well Kanu after losing a 3 goal lead as well , nice1 

That's Caps for you though , unreliable when they're ahead and never beaten when they're behind , their style of play always gives both themselves and the punters a chance of winning and losing.

Great SO in New York and into R10 & still going 

Well played pens, but not much between them on this evidence.  Like caps to turn it around in WC

Did you really think the SO was so good in MSG HAYDEN?  Some of the goal attempts were pretty shoddy (granted the pessure ramps up with each miss) and Staal's effort was almost laughable .

It was good to see Ottawa come away with a win (for my pocket anyway) and in the Eastern conference they are the team that may get on a roll and muscle in on the playoffs.  Also nice to see there is life left in Minnesota, just.

Have a good Christmas folks, hopefully speak Boxing Day

Thought's for the upcoming games later please folks?

St Louis to win ML
Toronto to win 1st period

Told you they were drunk predictions

All the best folks

Enjoy ND and good luck if you've had a bet

http://www.fromsport.com/v-0/14/78/v-147910.html

Columbus have looked pretty ordinary just lately, and though they should be fresher, think Minnesota will win at a good price tonight.

Elsewhere, maybe Colorado to beat the Redwings?

Good luck, I'm better at this when drunk, apparently

Dallas ML
St Louis ML
Carolina to win first period

Good Luck

It appears not , nice1 

I was really impressed with the U20s game last night between Canada and Czechs. Real high tempo game with plenty of big hits and some great skill. Thought the boy Schenn for canada looked a real player and look forward to watching the rest of the tournament.