Left-Handed Larceny

Off With a Bang

Pens Flyers NHL Season Opening Preview

By Caleb Musselman

When I was 10 years old, my parents came into my room and told me we were going to Disney World. I was giddy. However, just one week later, they told me the plans fell through. Just two weeks later, like a bad horror film, the same exact scenario played out; plans made, plans cancelled. Finally, just a few days before summer began my Dad told me that we were going to Busch Gardens. It’s not Disney World, but it’s still a theme park.

                Why do I bother telling this story? Because, quite honestly, this is the only parallel to the NHL offseason that I can possibly come up with. We don’t have a full season, but at least we have hockey. It’s not Disney World, but it’s still a theme park.

I’m not even going to touch the topic of Donald Fehr. As for Gary Bettman, this picture should suffice (1-2-3 Lockouts! Ah-Ah-Ah).

Photo Cred www.puckedinthehead.com

This weekend kicks off one of the most exciting NHL seasons in recent history. After the 04-05 lockout, the league was forced into rule changes just to keep its dwindling fan base intact. Not this time around. With hockey rapidly increasing in popularity throughout the past 8 years, this abomination of a lockout was met with much more hostility. Fans from around the nation pleaded with players and owners to figure out a deal that would save their beloved hockey. After months of negotiations (and Bettman family vacations), the Zamboni is now back on the ice and NBA teams are forced back into sharing arenas.

We are now three days from lift-off, and the NHL has done something very right. The Flyers will be hosting the Penguins in the season opener on Saturday, reigniting hockey’s fiercest rivalry, and sending the NHL into a 48-game sprint to Lord Stanley’s Cup.

What to expect: First, expect energy but not necessarily quality. The first few weeks of the season could be very ugly. These two teams loathe each other more than the Hatfields and McCoys, and this intense hatred will only be fed by months of inactivity and frustration. Expect the first period to be absolutely crazy. I’m guessing at least 3 goals will be scored in the first period. Expect big hits, sloppy goaltending, and short shifts.

Second, expect to see a significant drop off in the second period. These guys may be fit, but there is no simulation for being in game shape. Penalties will be plentiful during the second two periods of play when players begin using their sticks instead of skates to keep up.

Third, expect to see James Neal with a target on his back. The Flyers will do their best to keep their heads, but they want to light him up after his embarrassing display of dirty hits in Game 3 of last year’s Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

Fourth, expect to see Malkin in peak form. He is the most dominating player in the league, and he will continue his dominance with at least one goal on Saturday. The Flyers goal should be to limit his impact, not stop it. There is no stopping this Russian.

Photo Cred www.nhl.com

Finally, expect to see great leadership. After Crosby’s poor display of play and leadership in last year’s quarters, he will quickly right the ship in the 2013 season. He is a fantastic player who simply allowed his emotions to get the best of him in a hot situation. On the other side of the ice, expect to see Claude Giroux back to his old tricks. Last year, he established himself as a superstar who can lead even the Broad Street Bullies to play clean, tough hockey.

Envision a litter of 10 puppies that have been penned up in a cage for hours being released into the backyard to run free. Then after a few minutes they are taken away and 10 more puppies are released to wrestle, tackle and bark at each other until the dinner bell rings. By the end of this play date, both litters will be nestled up in the locker room sleeping in a large pile with their jerseys still on their backs. The fans are ready, Bettman. Release the puppies.

The away team domination continues in this series. Both teams with promising seasons in front of them. Malkin fuels the Penguins to the one-goal regulation win.

Result:  Penguins 5 – Flyers 4