First game of the pre-season. Three days into training camp. We get an immediate look at what makes a winning team led by can’t shoot, new-stick, Captain Sidney Crosby. The Penguins overcome a 3-goal third period deficit and defeat the Blue Jackets in overtime. Most athletes have that strong will to compete. A few special ones take that will to another level. Crosby is one of the special ones. Even in a game that meant nothing, he had to compete. This inner drive that he has is what puts him above the rest. And he has the ability to get his teammates to jump on board with him. Starting with the all-important Big Mac goal, Crosby just took over the game and led the charge back. We are truly blessed to be able to enjoy watching another ‘best in the world’ type player here in the Burgh. The ride last year was awesome, and now it’s time to begin another ride. Final destination? Who knows? Wherever it goes, it’s sure nice to know that Crosby will be driving the bus.
Notes: It certainly looks like the Penguins have plenty of depth at all positions. A good thing, especially in an Olympic year. Some positive assets will begin the season in Wilkes-Barre getting ready to help the Pens when called upon.
Please never take fighting out of the game. Last night there were a couple of great bouts. The Deryk Engelland pummeling of Blue Jacket Doug Lynch was fun to watch.
That’s the view from E-11.
Does anyone have any info on Konstantin Pushkarev besides the outdated HF profiles and that he was a 2nd round pick with the Kings in 2003? This guy just shows up which is kind of strange at this juncture. Except that I think we all know the role he’s here to fill. Hopefully he works out better than Janne Pesonen, eh.
Crosby will have 46 goals this season.
Any word on any pain or injury on Sergi’s knee from the playoffs???
I love to read Sid is firing the biscuit, he needs to be more selfish some might call it but he needs to fire it more, not give up some good chances.
Crosby is unique to being Sidney Crosby. He’s testing out a new stick not attempting to be the next Ovechkin that fires pucks as soon as he blows by the blue line and who misses the net just as often as he is on target. The skill and tenacity that he exibits on a daily basis is only match by a very few in the history of the NHL. Ovechkin gets the attention of hockey fantasy team players and Crosby and Malkin play a well rounded two way game. IMO there isn’t anything “suspect” about his game unless you want him to be more like someone else. He just isn’t. He’s Crosby and it’s pretty hard to convieve he can play with much more determination. Maybe he can. If he can I’d look forward to it also.
I neglected to point this out in my wrap up of the first game, but Crosby was shooting at just about every opportunity. I think he was credited with 7 shots on goal, but he had many more shots that did not find the mark. In addition, he took about a half dozen slapshots. That is about the sum total for all of last season. He was frequently poised and ready to take one-time shots. I would have to say that he must like the feel of his new stick.
This is further evidence that supports STH35’s point in this article. Here is a kid, who is arguably the best player in the NHL, spending his offseason working on an area of his game that was considered suspect. This could be scary for everyone else in the league.
I look forward to seeing The Kid shooting more often and with more determination.
Maybe I needed a hockey-fix because I felt good reading this until the last sentence. We are truly blessed to see so many good hockey players come thru the Igloo. In fact, in Pittsburgh sports in general.
However, fighting was never “in the game” – it’s something that is more noticed during the playoffs. I don’t have any major problem with it until someone comments that it’s part of the game. It isn’t.