40-15-4 | 84 Points 35-12-14 | 84 Points
Penguins Report: Stadium Series Practice
Friday, 02.28.2014 / 10:56 AM / Penguins Report
Pittsburgh Penguins
- Crosby vs. Toews
- Walking to the field
- Practice pics
- Quotes on the great outdoors
- Locker room's all set up
- Locker room interviews
- Team updates
- Practice notes
- Video open
- Start the day
QUOTE 'EM: PENS TALK THE GREAT OUTDOORS
--Michelle Crechiolo
PENSTV SOUND
Sidney Crosby
James Neal
Marc-Andre Fleury
Brandon Sutter
--Sam Kasan & Michelle Crechiolo
CROSBY-TOEWS I
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews have won two Olympic gold medals together for Canada and have captained their respective teams to Stanley Cup championships.
But one thing they haven’t done is faced off against each other in an NHL regular-season game.
An odd thing considering they’ve both been in the league for the past seven seasons.
Jonathan Toews Chicago Blackhawks Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Penguins Stanley Cup
“It’s kind of weird that it’s taken this long,” Crosby said. “I think I’ve been hurt for a few games, but I think just knowing that either we’re going to go head-to-head or if not, I think he’s a guy who’s pretty competitive. That whole group of guys that I’ve played with for the last few weeks are pretty competitive guys and have a lot of pride, so I’m sure they’ll be up for this one.
“But yeah, going head-to-head against Jonny, I’m sure it’ll be a good challenge.”
Penguins forward Craig Adams was a member of the Blackhawks for parts of two seasons. He’s seen both Crosby and Toews in action and sees a lot of similarities between the two.
“They’ve got a lot of similarities, even a little bit in their personalities, too,” Adams said. “Obviously they're both great players and they've got that drive, they've got that competitiveness, which I think every great player has to have. And they take a lot of responsibility on the success of their teams and they feel like they've got to go out and lead the way. That's one of the great parts about playing in the NHL, is getting to play with great players.”
An it’s even better when the best players in the world go head-to-head.
--Sam Kasan
PRACTICE PICS
View from the press box
Rob Rossi with an awkward photobomb dance behind Chris Kunitz
Tanner Glass filming me filming him. I see you seeing me.
Coach Bylsma
A young Maatta fan takes in the skate from the glass
Kunitz with the stick snapper shot
Football Fleury in position for a save
Crosby. 'Nuff said.
Crosby speeding up ice
Bales and Fleury
Malkin is the international man of mystery
James Neal goes with the footbaal stripes under his eyes
--Sam Kasan
TEAM UPDATES
Head coach Dan Bylsma had a few notes for the media following the team's practice/family skate at Soldier Field.
- Paul Martin had surgery on his broken hand. Doctors decided surgery would be a better avenue for a quicker recovery. Roughly still the same timeframe.
- Kris Letang was on the ice for the family skate for a casual skate.
- Tanner Glass' five-minute major/game misconduct penalty for elbowing against Montreal was rescinded by the NHL.
--Sam Kasan
PRACTICE NOTES
All of the healthy Penguins were present for practice. They did not do line rushes during their skate.
--Michelle Crechiolo
GETTING READY TO START
The Pens just made the long trek from their locker room to the ice sheet at Soldier Field. Photos of the walk...
This picture does not to justice to the actual size of this logo
A view of the ice at Soldier Field
You can see the Chicago skyline from the ice. Absolutely gorgeous, breathtaking view. What a scene.
Robert Bortuzzo one of the first to walk over for practice...
Matt Niskanen
James Neal also with the eye black
Simon Despres with a smile
Coach Bylsma
Assistant coach Tony Granato
Cool shot of Jeff Zatkoff walking out
--Michelle Crechiolo
EQUIPMENT UNLOAD
The Pens' hardworking equipment staff drove to Chicago on Tuesday to start setting up the locker room, and today they went directly to the stadium to finish the job after the team landed this morning. The players' gear is in their stalls and they are ready for practice...
--Michelle Crechiolo
NEW OPEN
The Pens unveiled a new video board open Thursday night. And it's pretty sick. Check it out below...
--Sam Kasan
START THE DAY
Good morning hockey fans! Today the Pens boarded a morning flight to Chicago. They'll hold a practice later today at Soldier Field and also have a family skate. Saturday night they'll take on the Blackhawks in the final Stadium Series matchup.
Stick here at the Pens Report for tons and tons and tons of photos from the practice/family skate and practice udpates.
And here are some game notes for tomorrow's game for you to brush up on...
- The Penguins play an outdoor game for the third time in franchise history when they visit the Chicago Blackhawks (TV: NBC; Radio: 105.9 the X) at Soldier Field.
- Pittsburgh is 11-3-3 in its last 17 games dating back to Jan. 3.
- Tonight the Penguins are looking to avoid going three straight games without a victory for the third time this year.
- The Penguins have a five-game unbeaten streak (3-0-2) against the Blackhawks dating back to Feb. 14, 2007.
- Pittsburgh won the most recent matchup between the teams, 3-2, on Dec. 20, 2011 at CONSOL Energy Center. Evgeni Malkin earned assists on all three Penguins goals that night and Matt Niskanen had two helpers. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 36 of 38 shots for the Penguins.
- This is Pittsburgh’s first visit to Chicago since a 3-2 shootout loss to the Blackhawks on Feb. 20, 2011 at the United Center.
- Penguins captain Sidney Crosby had the NHL’s top-selling jersey on NHL.com for the period from Oct. 1-Feb. 25. Evgeni Malkin placed eighth on the list and Marc-Andre Fleury ranked 23rd.
Stick tap: Pens PR
Been awhile since I've seen one of these! Good stuff Kip!And for the record I don't like the Pens' uniforms so feel free to shoot me
