Shots from the Point: 12/05/09

In this Edition: Sid sidelined with a Groin Injury – Matt Cooke is Back, Chris Bourque is gone(?) – & SCF preview?

Matt Cooke Back
Penguins forward Matt Cooke returns to the lineup tonight after serving a two game suspension for his high hit on Ranger’s forward Artem Anisimov last Monday.  Cooke’s return means that the highly reviled Chris Bourque’s services are no longer needed and as such he was placed on waivers yesterday (he was on a one-way deal if you can believe it)  GM Ray Shero did the right thing picking up a utility forward on the wire before the season started but now we all know why the Capitals also wanted to be rid of The Jerk Store.  Bourque missed opportunity after opportunity and did not play the game at an NHL level.  If he clears waivers Saturday (by noon EST which is 30 mins from the time of publishing) he’ll land in Wilkes-Barre with the baby Pens.  Cooke’s return also raises the question of what to do with Mike Rupp.  Rupp has been outstanding and its a debate as to which move by Shero was the best in the offseason:  Jay McKee or Mike Rupp.  Regardless Rupp needs playing time as he is being slightly wasted as a fourth line wing.   We talk so much about the winger we need, he isn’t a bad option right now but neither is Matt Cooke.

Injury Update

Captain Sidney Crosby will Miss tonight's game with a Groin Injury

Let me just get out the magic 8-Ball.  OK there are two rumors surrounding Chris Kunitz.  He’ll be back mid-December or he’ll be back mid-January.  The sum total of information states that he is making slow progress and up until two seconds ago I would have said no problem, take you’re time, we are ok.  However it was just reported (and I mean as I typed this (twice)) that Sidney Crosby left today’s practice prior to the Blackhawks game early.  Sure Kunitz is not a center and as the news comes that Sid will miss tonight’s game with a groin injury now, maybe, time is not so much a luxury.  Alex Goligoski is making good progress and should not be rushed.  Martin Skoula has played solid for the Pens.  Of note however is the Kris Letang was not present at all for today’s skate.

“My groin is bothering me a bit,” Crosby said. “I won’t be playing tonight. It’s something that’s been bothering me for three or four days and I’m going to sit this one out.”

Stanley Cup Finals Preview (with Sid out now maybe not so much)
There are some people, mostly Blackhawks fans who are touting tonight’s game as a preview of the Stanley Cup Finals.  First I really cannot stand the presumptive-ness, by any team.  The Stanley Cup is a 117 year old icon to what is great about tradition in sport and should be revered.  I will NEVER assume that my team will even qualify for the playoffs to contest the cup until their magic number is 0.  All of this talk is just that, talk.

Second, well lets remember what happened last time the Blackhawks met the Penguins in the SCF:

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