Monday’s Practice Report; Penguins prepare for game 4 of the East Finals
The Pittsburgh Penguins just concluded their afternoon practice as the team prepares for game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals Tuesday night. After going through an optional practice Sunday afternoon, the Penguins went through a full squad practice today. Up 3-0 in the series, the Penguins are focused on ending the series Tuesday night and earning their second consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. Lines in practice were Kunitz – Crosby – Guerin Fedotenko – Malkin – Talbot Cooke – Staal – Kennedy Dupuis – Adams – Satan Winning 5 of 6 games when dressing seven defensemen, it is unlikely that head coach Dan Bylsma will alter his lineup. According to my source on the scene the Penguins went
Lovejoy emerging as one of the Penguins top 5 prospects
The Carolina Hurricanes believe Matt Cooke’s knee-to-knee hit on Eric Cole in the third period of Game 1 should be reviewed by the league. All indications are the the league has no interest in dishing out a fine or suspension to Cooke. If the NHL were to suspend or fine Matt Cooke, it would look like they were giving star treatment to Alexander Ovechkin for his knee-to-knee hit on Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar. Sergei Gonchar played just under 22 minutes in game 1 and his upper right leg contusion is improving everyday. Pittsburgh held an optional practice Tuesday morning and will go through a full squad practice Wednesday morning. There’s some speculation that a few teams could target defenseman Ben Lovejoy
Ruutu, Cole to be re-evaluated on Tuesday
Two key forwards, Tuomo Ruutu and Eric Cole each suffered injuries in Carolina’s 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh Penguins in game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Ruutu was injured in the 1st period and did not return to the game. We’re told he suffered an ankle injury and will likely be held off the ice for the next couple days. The Hurricanes will practice Tuesday morning at 11:30 a.m. Winger Eric Cole who is scoreless in the post-season suffered a knee injury in a collision with Pittsburgh’s Matt Cooke. Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice was angry after the game, believed Cooke should have been called for a penalty and claimed it was a “knee-to-knee” hit. Cook defended himself calling