GAME DAY-- Penguins Tonight

Yes, they might look cute, but they need to be destroyed.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are good at the Hockey, as you may or may not have heard. They have several excellent young players, the best probably being their raucous 1-2-3 punch at center:

Left to right: Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal, and Sidney Crosby.

The Czar is a big fan of Malkin, being a Saudi Arabian and all. Speaking of the Czar, the Pensblog has already called attention to the fact that the Czar has a colorful history with the Penguins:

Still the most awesome thing that's ever happened anywhere ever.

It's too bad Jarkko Ruutu doesn't play for the Pens anymore. Someone really needs to exact revenge for this shit:

What a one-timer. Canucky broadcasters are fucking idiots.

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A few excellent pieces today.

- Sean Leahy on some silly journo who stepped on the Penguins locker room logo. Superstition or great tradition or whatever, the team symbol is sacred.

- James Mirtle links to an Edmonton Journal article on the uselessness of the +/- stat. The Chronicle has been harping on this lately. We're with you, James. Junk it.

- Greg Wyshynski on the vilification of "free-thinking athletes," a la Vincent Lecavalier being worried about his reputation because he more than likely complained to the management about Barry Melrose. Good stuff on Henrik Lundquist pulling himself from the game against Vancouver last night; Wyshynski makes the argument that franchise players like Lundquist and Lecavalier should have serious clout, sometimes equal to that of the coach. I agree.

- Nice article by Mike Knobler on Bryan Little buying himself an apartment. The Chronicle complained about Knobler back during the summer...we're morons, of course; Knobler's been doing an excellent job.
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Prediction: Colby Armstrong, Chris Thorburn, and Erik Christensen all score goals.


Go Thrashers.