[Open Thread] Game Ten: Pittsburgh Penguins at San Jose Sharks (Tuesday October 28, 2008)

by Diecast Dude on Oct 28, 2008 7:00 PM PDT

	@
5-2-2		7-2-0
2nd Atlantic Division		1st Pacific Division
4th Eastern Conference		2nd Western Conference

Trick or treat time.

It's not often both teams from last year's Stanley Cup finals come to town in successive games. If nothing else, other than guaranteeing a full house it provides an excellent opportunity now that all parties concerned are legitimately into the season to see how a couple of league powerhouses stack up.

While on paper the Penguins are weaker than last year due to the defection of Marián Hossa to Detroit and losing Sergei Gonchar to injury, they still have Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. FrankD over at Pensburgh is dreading this game due to Pittsburgh's defensive woes, but I'm not exactly enthralled with the thought of seeing either of the above against a Sharks defense I'm not always comfortable with.

The last time the Penguins were in town was one of the best games in Sharks franchise history, a contest between Joe Thornton and Crosby as to which is truly the NHL's top dog. Tonight promises more of the same as two of the league's best seek to make a statement at the other's expense just in case they see each other again this season. And I'm not talking the game in Pittsburgh on February eleventh of 2009.

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Go Sharks.

Nabby should prove some doubters wrong tonight.

by Matthew_Taylor on Oct 28, 2008 7:45 PM PDT reply actions

10:12 1st

If you like action, you’re getting it tonight. Fast and occasionally furious at both ends of the ice.

by Diecast Dude on Oct 28, 2008 7:53 PM PDT reply actions

9:48 1st

CHOMP! Pavelski on a shorty!

by Diecast Dude on Oct 28, 2008 7:55 PM PDT reply actions

AARGH!

Marleau hits the post. Nevertheless, Sharks are flying. High intensity being brought by both teams. I feel sorry for the announcers tonight as it’s been non-stop play after play after play. Seriously good stuff.

by Diecast Dude on Oct 28, 2008 7:59 PM PDT reply actions

3:50 1st

At the risk of stating the obvious, Crosby and Malkin are scary good. And that’s by themselves. Together they’re pure jaw-dropping brilliance.

by Diecast Dude on Oct 28, 2008 8:06 PM PDT reply actions

End 1st

This is great hockey. No clutching grabbing or holding. Just skill and flow. It’s games like this that make this the great game it is,

by Diecast Dude on Oct 28, 2008 8:12 PM PDT reply actions

Great hockey

Sharks look fantastic right now. Crosby looks pretty amazing.

by Matthew_Taylor on Oct 28, 2008 8:13 PM PDT reply actions

18:25 2nd

Awesome glove save by Nabakov!

by Diecast Dude on Oct 28, 2008 8:29 PM PDT reply actions

Look at that glove save...

and tell me again that you think Nabby should be benched.

by Matthew_Taylor on Oct 28, 2008 8:29 PM PDT reply actions

People are actually saying that?

Hoo boy.

by Diecast Dude on Oct 28, 2008 8:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Sharks look good on this power play

compared to the first one

by idunno723 on Oct 28, 2008 8:32 PM PDT reply actions

14:26 2nd

Pace has slowed a bit from the first period, but it’s still brisk. Sharks are doing an excellent job of slipping behind the Penguins defense and generating scoring chances.

by Diecast Dude on Oct 28, 2008 8:37 PM PDT reply actions

i hate the crossbar today

by idunno723 on Oct 28, 2008 8:42 PM PDT reply actions

or not

it does some good

by idunno723 on Oct 28, 2008 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions

9:41 2nd

I couldn’t type fast enough to keep up with this action if I tried!

by Diecast Dude on Oct 28, 2008 8:43 PM PDT reply actions

8:57 2nd

Posts, crossbars, point-blank saves… this is as close to playoff intensity in October as you’re going to get. This matchup would make for a terrific Stanley Cup.

by Diecast Dude on Oct 28, 2008 8:48 PM PDT reply actions

Playoffs in October

I agree with you completely – this is a great test of the New Sharks, a playoff atmosphere without the threat of elimination. Detroit on Thursday will be an even bigger test and I’m not completely interested in wins or losses but more interested in how they play, respond, react and reach when they have to. I put my thoughts down in detail here , I think it’s a bigger test of those character and heart questions rather than just winning at this point.

by sfguy808 on Oct 29, 2008 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions

End 2nd

Whew! This is seriously intense.

by Diecast Dude on Oct 28, 2008 9:02 PM PDT reply actions

Go Sharks!

Just started watching.

by GoldenStateGuerrero on Oct 28, 2008 9:08 PM PDT reply actions

More great hockey

I’m glad to be seeing the Sharks play some good D.

by Matthew_Taylor on Oct 28, 2008 9:08 PM PDT reply actions

Teams looking very hesitant to start the 3rd.

by Matthew_Taylor on Oct 28, 2008 9:19 PM PDT reply actions

GRIER

He was really changed his game… I like how he is playing… 5 straight games with a point.

by Matthew_Taylor on Oct 28, 2008 9:40 PM PDT reply actions

nice shot by Grier

by Shark Man on Oct 28, 2008 9:41 PM PDT reply actions

umm corey Magget??

Ok someone doesn’t follow basketball

by Shark Man on Oct 28, 2008 9:42 PM PDT reply actions

Haha

I heard that too.

by GoldenStateGuerrero on Oct 28, 2008 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions

If not expanding exponentially ;)

by Mr. Plank on Oct 29, 2008 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Solid game tonight

Anybody have any thoughts?

Great fight by Shelley. On that note, I love his work on the checking line, he’s really been grinding away.
Clowe got lit up a couple times, but what are you going to do.
Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau are one of the most underrated defensive forwards in the game. Absolutely shut down Crosby.
Pickles looked really good as always- always quietly makes quality defensive plays.
Cooke looked good for the Pens.
Joe Pavs = Beast.

by Mr. Plank on Oct 28, 2008 10:16 PM PDT reply actions

Just a great game overall to watch. While I figured it to be higher scoring, if not for the posts/crossbars it could have easily been 5-3.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Oct 28, 2008 10:19 PM PDT up reply actions