Road Trip Blues

The Pens enter St. Louis tomorrow night at 8:30 following a three game road skid. To make matters worse, they may be without league phenom Sidney Crosby who will be a game time decision. St. Louis is a team that is without a doubt below the Penguins ability level; whether the Penguins are capable of playing at their own ability remains a question and will ultimately determine the outcome of this game.

I'm thinking that the Penguins will play with the "desperation" that Sid says they need, but only in the third period. I don't think that they will come out strong and it might take nothing less than Michel Therrien pulling down his pants in front of the team to illustrate how embarrassing their play has been. Sometime between moons-over-my-hammy and the drop of the puck in the 3rd, the Pens will pull it together. This is where the desperation and at-will-scoring will finally make an appearance this season. Let's not forget to mention someone else that needs a seat at the dinner table, the road power play. The way I see things, the Pens will tie it up in the 3rd with a power play goal from the point. It's not going to be from Malkin, but look for Goligoski or Letang to remember how to shoot. From there, I believe we'll play off that momentum and get a big goal from one of our grinders. Look for Max "handlebars" Talbot or Mike Zigomanis to get on the board late for the game winner. It is these unsung heroes that the Penguins have a wealth of that will make or break this season for the 'Burgh, not Sid and Gino.

Matt@Penstation