Faceoff Factor

Blurbs From The Burgh

Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins

Dec 17, 11:02 AM | Hype this story!

Penguins Going Duck Hunting?
According to the San Jose Mercury News, the Pittsburgh Penguins were among 14 teams scouting the Anaheim Ducks versus. San Jose Sharks game yesterday.

Reportedly, the Ducks are interested in making one more move, presumably to shed a defenseman, in order to trim their payroll for next season. A trade isn’t expected until after the holiday trade freeze, but nothing is for certain at this point.

Simon Suspension Eminent
After stepping on Penguin forward Jarkko Ruutu’s leg late in Saturday’s game, New York Islanders winger Chris Simon was given a match penalty and a game misconduct for intent to injure.

And, though there is no hearing scheduled yet, it is all-but certain Simon will be suspended for the seventh time in his career. Most recently, he was suspended for 25 games for swinging his stick at Ryan Hollweg’s face.

Apparently he didn’t learn his lesson.

Poor Play Leads To Players-Only Meeting
After Saturday’s narrow victory, the Penguins held a players-only meeting to discuss a lack of passion and desperation during a five minute power play near the end of the game.

“When you have a five-minute power play with five and a bit left, sometimes it’s easy to think the game is over,” Sidney Crosby said. The game was far from over, as the Islanders were down by just one goal and nearly tied the game several times.

Therrien said the team “didn’t have the right attitude.”

Injuries Continue To Plague The Penguins
Marc-Andre Fleury and Maxime Talbot both have found themselves in the press box watching games they much rather would be part of. Both young players are recovering from high ankle sprains, which will keep them out of the lineup until the end of December, at the earliest.

But, the new got worse Saturday, as defenseman Rob Scuderi left the ice obviously in pain and did not return after blocking two shots with his leg. He is expected to be re-evaluated today.

And, Ruutu, who, as mentioned above, had his leg stepped on by Simon, said: “It’s sore, but that’s all I have to say about it.” Though there is no news of an injury, it is far from certain that he is 100 percent.

Gonchar Couldn’t Fend Off The Flu
The flu has been running rampant in the Penguins locker room. Most of the players have been able to fend off the bug, but defenseman Sergei Gonchar was unable to bring himself to play Saturday night.

Goaltender Dany Sabourin played the entire game against the Islanders despite vomiting several times Saturday morning. “I felt better as the day went on,” he said.

A Pain In The Neck
Erik Christensen has missed the previous two games each for a different reason. Thursday night, the coaching staff wanted to dress seven defensemen against the Ottawa Senators. Saturday, Christensen was battling the after effects of a collision with the boards.

“I feel like I was in a car accident,” he said. The incident happened Friday morning at practice.

James Makes His Debut
Conner James may not have made his NHL debut Saturday – he did so briefly in 2005, playing two games for the Los Angeles Kings – but it might as well have been. He played 7:15 on the fourth line, and apparently impressed coach Michel Therrien, who said: “I thought he was good.”