Liveblog: Penguins vs Thrashers Gameday – Update 2

Update 2 – Post-Practice Wrapup
Dan Bylsma also confirmed that Brooks Orpik would return to action tonight, however he would not set D-pairings in stone saying that he and Assistant Coach Mike Yeo would get together this afternoon and get them set.   The Penguins did not practice in their forwards or defensive pairings at practice, likely a shadow games move to make sure Atlanta doesn’t know what they will face defensively when FreeCandy gets back on the ice tonight.

Also Marc-Andre Fleury was rockin’ new pads, glove, and blocker at today’s practice.  He is breaking them in which means they may be a little stiff for tonight’s game.  It’s probably meaningless but also worth mentioning.  Oh and they are white.  Flower worked with an Ottawa eye doctor when he lost the yellow pads in the spring of 08′ and they determined white pads made it harder for shooters to see openings against.

Update 1 – Orpik’s Return Official
The Penguins have officially announced that Brooks Orpik will return tonight against the Atlanta Thrashers putting 3 of the 6 starting defensmen back on the ice.

Penguins regulars Tyler Kennedy, Chris Kunitz, Kris Letang, Alex Goligoski, and Jay McKee will all remain out with injury. Letang was the only one to practice in a red no-contact jersey.

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The Penguins set out for game two of this three game road trip tonight against the Atlanta Thrashers.  Game time is 7:00pm EST on FSN.  Pittsburgh swept Atlanta last year in its four meetings with Evgeni Malkin averaging better than 3 points per game.  However these are not last year’s Thrashers.  They lead the league in defensive scoring, which means that the Pens’ forwards cannot play a collapsing style of defense in their own zone, they must cover the point.  Atlanta also has a top 5 PP so dumb mistakes must not happen tonight.

On the recovery front both Chris Lee and Nate Guenin were reassigned to Wilkes-Barre Scranton Friday evening signaling that HCDB expects a minimum of three original 6 defenseman to play,  Sergei Gonchar appears to be no worse for wear from his first game back off of a wrist injury and all indications are that Brooks Orpik intends to play as well tonight.  So queue up the Pearl Jam.  Despite being yanked in two of this last three road starts, Marc-Andre Fleury is the projected starter.

Yesterday’s Official preview listed the following D-pairings:
Gonchar-Lovejoy
Skoula-TBD Freecandy (edited by SLBD)
Eaton-Engelland

Given that Guenin is gone, all of the the other Pens Dmen are on the shelf and not cleared for contact.  It has to be Orpik back or Nate  is turning his car around.  FC did leave practice early Friday, but it was for a puck to the chin that required stitches to close.  If Sarge, FreeCandy, and Robot all start, it is likely that Lovejoy will pair off with Gonch and Derek Engelland will take a scratch on his way back down even though Orpik is Sarge’s usual D-partner.  Look for that to be confirmed at some point after the morning skate.  Also of note is that a CTRL-F (search) for the words Tyler, Kennedy, or TK comes up with no result on the same game preview or the release following Friday’s practice that Mr. President was obviously not on the ice for.  So much for the 7-10 days riff that HCDB sold us on November 10th.

Of note, and don’t effin freak out or anything, but Sidney Crosby didn’t practice Friday.  Infamous “Maintenance Day” according to HCDB.  Usually that’s followed up in 36-48 hours with a 2-4 week lower body injury, but I think this might be the exception to that rule, but only because he’s a forward and also doesn’t suffer the curse of wearing the “A”.   Additionally, Chris Bourque (aka Jerk-Store) evidently is having problems making friends with the existing Pens and has resorted to trying to find buddies amongst the WBS call-ups, including tossing Nerf football with Lovejoy.  Likely he figures he’s going to see them again real soon.

Tonight is also Colby Armstrong reunion night, so if the ladies are all quivery, you know why.  Much more after the morning skate and presser (probably in one big update as my father-in-law is in town).

SLBD – likely not calling the game on Twitter tonight due to said father-in-law visit.