Talbot's Outlook Not Good For Game 1

Justin Maffei | Pittsburgh Penguins

May 8, 02:15 PM | Hype this story!

According to TSN.ca, Penguins Center Maxime Talbot did not practice in Pittsburgh’s full practice on Wednesday. He attempted to skate on his own, but was unable to skate for longer than a few minutes. This likely means that Talbot will sit out for at least Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals.

If this is the case, look for the line-up to be the same as the Game Five line-up that Michel Therrien deployed against the Rangers.

Dupuis – Crosby – Hossa
Malone – Malkin – Sykora
Ruutu – Staal – Kennedy
Roberts – Hall – Laraque

According to the Post-Gazette, Therrien has not said what the defensive pairings would be. Hal Gill and Rob Scuderi were paired together to face off against the Jagr line, meaning that Ryan Whitney and Kris Letang were paired together. However, during the first series, it was Gill-Letang and Scuderi-Whitney. Do not be surprised if the pairings return to the way they were during the Senators series. Philadelphia does not have the offensive talent that the Rangers have and thrive on throwing their weight around. Having one good defensive defenseman in each pairing would probably work in the Penguins favor.

Comments

  1. Justin Maffei

    May 8, 02:28 PM

    I would not mind seeing Taffe in a game in this series. He has to be chomping at the bit after playing as well as he did all season.

  2. Nathan

    May 8, 02:51 PM

    Justin – Who do you take out then? No reason for Taffe to play unless someone gets hurt. You can’t take any of these guys out for any good reason:

    Hall – PK, right-handed faceoff
    Kennedy – Speed, work-ethic, and chemistry with Staal and Ruutu
    Roberts – Should be self explanatory
    Laraque – Has shown no reason to be sat

    Anyone else I think is really part of the core of this playoff team.
    ———————————————-
    Unless you’re just stating that for whatever reason, if Taffe did get into this series, you wouldn’t mind.

  3. Jesse Marshall

    May 8, 03:34 PM

    Philadelphia doesn’t have the offensive talent the Rangers have?

    No, they have double.

    7 – 20+ goal scorers.

  4. Justin Maffei

    May 8, 06:34 PM

    sorry jesse, i should have been more clear….they don’t have a superstar that the team revolves around….they don’t have a guy with jagr’s fire power, which is why scuderi and gill were paired together

    and nathan, i am just saying that i would not mind seeing him in. such as, if someone is banged up and needs a day off. you are very right that no one really deserves a demotion.

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