Tuesday Practice Report: Ponikarovsky to play with Crosby?; Goligoski the 7th D in practice

Tuesday Practice Report: Ponikarovsky to play with Crosby?; Goligoski the 7th D in practice

11:25am - Tuesday, March 16th, 2010 by DePaoli

SouthPointe -- Pittsburgh Penguins star center Evgeni Malkin did not practice today as the Penguins returned to the ice this morning.

Malkin who had an X-ray on his right foot that came back negative on Monday is listed as day-to-day. A team source said at this point, he's regarded as doubtful for Wednesday's game against New Jersey but will travel with the team.

With Malkin sidelined, the Penguins altered their lines this morning and there are strong indications that Alex Ponikarovsky will play with Sidney Crosby Wednesday night.

Today in practice, Alex Ponikarovsky and Pascal Dupuis skated with Sidney Crosby on the top line.

Jordan Staal centered Chris Kunitz and Bill Guerin today.

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Comments

Chancebd7

Mckee Deserves to be in there he had a good game on sunday

03/16/2010 1:33pm

Cory7321

I like that 1st line a lot

03/16/2010 1:33pm

Cory7321

I would have Rupp center that 3rd line though not TK

03/16/2010 1:34pm

Jeff2266

TKs play maker abilitly is needed on that line, dont think Rupp could bring that IMO

03/16/2010 1:43pm

joepuck66

Agree Jeff--Rupp has looked really ordinary lately.

03/16/2010 1:46pm

BillCitro

When Rupp has space to shoot he's dangerous. Otherwise, unless he's playing nasty, which he hasn't been doing consistently, he's a dime a dozen player.

03/16/2010 1:48pm

Chancebd7

Agreed bill Rupps wrister is nasty, but hasnt been getting open too much.

03/16/2010 1:52pm

deesh138

Kennedy is more of a shooter than a playmaker, IMO, and that is what provides him with most of his value.

03/16/2010 1:53pm

deesh138

Put Talbot at 3rd line center, move TK to 3rd line wing, and drop feds to the fourth.

03/16/2010 1:54pm

Chancebd7

i think the coaches talked with kennedy about shooting too much...on sunday he passed up some shots and made some good set up passes

03/16/2010 1:54pm

mwalluk

If all else fails, I don't think DB would hesitate swapping Talbot with Feds on the 3rd line.

03/16/2010 2:04pm

Jeff2266

Kennedy creates shots off the cycle for himself and others. Something Cooke Feds and Rupp just dont do

03/16/2010 2:19pm

Jeff2266

Whats everyone early opinion on Poni?

03/16/2010 2:26pm

deesh138

Early opinion, doesn't create much for himself and is still finding his niche. Wouldn't be surprised if he does well though.

03/16/2010 2:32pm

jeffed

I don't have a problem with Poni. He's shown some flashes.

03/16/2010 2:39pm

CM2005

For the limited PP time Ponikarovsky has seen he's done quite well. He battles on the wall, and he's hard to move in front. I think Cooke is underrated. He always works hard, does the dirty work, and has shown the ability to create turnovers and scoring chances. He's also a +15. Staal, Kennedy,Cooke are all plus, and Malkin, Talbot, and Gonchar are -'s. Just something to think about.

03/16/2010 2:48pm

Jeff2266

When u get someone at the deadline hes suppose to be a difference maker and hes no where close to it. Doesnt add that much to the team at all. I cant say im suprised becuase ive seen him play but hes a very average player at best IMO. 4yr 16mil for him is down right laughable But i hope he turns it around with Sid

03/16/2010 2:48pm

deesh138

Not all deadline deals are difference makers, and many are not expected to be either. It's only been a handful of games, and the Pens have won the majority of them.

03/16/2010 2:53pm

Jeff2266

Ya i realize not all can be but they paid a somewhat high price. What ive seen from him lately is what ive seen his entire career and so im just not that optimistic that hes going to start tearing it up, but i hope im wrong.

03/16/2010 2:56pm

Jeff2266

I thought Stepniak would have been a better pick up and cheaper to get just beacuse he brings something differnt. Fedotenko and Poni are the same player and thats y that line always looks so flat

03/16/2010 2:58pm

roaddogg925

CM you are right. As much as I hate to say it, right now; if we need a goal, I'd rather have Cooke, Staal and Kennedy on the ice other than Geno and his wingers. Makes an argument to just play Malkin on Sid's wing and go from there for a while.

03/16/2010 3:02pm

hockeytim

I hate to say this, but Malkin's injury may just be enough to give him a game or two off to refocus on his game. I didn't really miss him on the power play, and for that matter, I didn't miss Goligoski either. Speaking of GoGo, would he be considered to play against another team's top offensive line since he was being rotated with Orkpik and Letang at practice. I could see that being a disaster.

03/16/2010 3:45pm

hull07

Just read Downie was fined by the League today for his cheap shot at Sid's legs.

03/16/2010 5:41pm

SV84

Just when I thought Melrose couldn't down the Pens anymore. He didn't mind the Downie hit and actually kept sayin he should take his shot on him when he gets a chance.

03/16/2010 6:14pm

SV84

Oh and he's also a favor of the star treatment.

03/16/2010 6:16pm

Jerkhart66

Downie's hit was by far one of the dirtiest plays i've ever seen.....I think its worse than when Simon stepped on the back of Rutuu's leg. and they basically threw him out of the league for that...

03/16/2010 6:56pm

Schmidty0818

I was watching the replay of the Tampa game. I thought I saw a comment that Feds leveled Stamkos at some point during the game. Can anyone tell me what period it was in, cause I can't seem to locate it.

03/16/2010 10:45pm

Schmidty0818

Oh nevermind...guess it was the fight b/t Hedman and Feds, not a big hit.

03/16/2010 10:54pm

Samtheman

there was a hit center is stamkos and cooke thats about it

03/16/2010 11:33pm

dirtmccurt

Yeah Orpik crushed Stamkos, Stamkos crushed Cooke and Feds fought Hedman.

03/17/2010 12:41am

Buccigross on ESPN says Cooke should have been suspended for the rest of the season...anyone else think he went a little overboard saying that...and yes i know the minimal credibility of ESPN on hockey related articles

03/17/2010 10:01am

Chancebd7

ESPN says what ppl want to hear....im sure all other fans would have loved to see that

03/17/2010 10:17am

wolfman

on that account OV would be suspended for the year too... if that were the standard ruling it would be clear to the players, press and fans. given the current position everyone will remain confused and in debate.

03/17/2010 10:26am

joepuck66

What you guys don't understand is, outside of Pittsburgh, the perception is that Matt Cooke is a dirty player who cheap shots players and deserves to be suspended. The Media (Don Cherry) wants two sets of rules, one for guys like Matt Cooke and one for players like Ovechkin.

03/17/2010 10:50am

most people know cooke is dirty, even pittsburgh fans...its just how he is

03/17/2010 10:51am

and as for the two sets of rules...it depends how it is used. Suspensions for repeat offenders should get increasingly worse...but regardless of being a repeat offender, a suspension worthy hit is still the same...maybe it just warrants less of a suspension

03/17/2010 10:53am

↑ previous comments ↑

So yea, if cooke makes an illegal hit he should be suspended longer than a guy like Staal because he didnt learn his lesson from the previous suspensions

03/17/2010 10:55am

joepuck66

Well I'm of the opinion that Ovie should have been suspended for the Gonchar hit last playoffs but Ovie > Gonchar in the league's view. I thought Richards and Cooke should have been suspended, but this notion that you can determine a player's intent is just plain stupid.

03/17/2010 10:56am

i agree with all of that joe

03/17/2010 11:05am

Jeff2266

You cant judge intent players will be able to hid their emotions and play dumb like i didnt mean to shoulder him in the head.

03/17/2010 11:13am

stoopidful

For you all that think that Downie was not sufficiently punished for his dirty slew foot on Crosby, take a look at the official pens site and see Letang massage Downie's adam's apple and chin with his elbow while but ending him with his stick. The looks on both players' faces is priceless.

03/17/2010 1:38pm