Penguins Scheduling

Penguins home opener against Devils Oct. 11

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Penguins general manager Ray Shero today announced the team will play its home opener on Saturday, Oct. 11, against the New Jersey Devils at Mellon Arena. Game time is 7:30 p.m. The complete regular season schedule will be announced tomorrow.

The Penguins will play six games against Atlantic Division opponents, four games against other Eastern Conference opponents, and one game against all Western Conference teams. They also will play three additional games against Western Conference teams Detroit, San Jose and Columbus.

The Penguins also announced their preseason schedule, which includes a game against a Finnish team in Helsinki, Finland. The preseason schedule, with home games in capitals:

Saturday, Sept. 20 TAMPA BAY 7:30 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 22 at Tampa Bay 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 24 TORONTO 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 26 at Toronto 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 2 at Jokerit (Finland) 11:30 a.m. (Pittsburgh time)

Players will report to training camp at Mellon Arena Sept. 16.

So, we get to see our own Malone and Scary Gary in our fist preseason game. I like this. It will be the worst last year in the East versus the best. We will see how the battle of the GM's ended up.

So, I love the offseason pickups. The more I think about it, the happier I get. I see perfect fits and cuts where we needed more well-rounded players. I keep thinking about us losing Hossa and realized that he doesn't deserve us. We will prove that quality is better than quantity. By saying this I mean that we saved 4 million taking Satan over Hossa's 7.4 million. We also saved money on Malone's deal in exchange for Fedotenko. They are similar players and Fed costs less. Also, you have to take into consideration that Malone had his best season ever last year and it might be his all-time high. I also think that the Lightening put alot of trust into his skills. I think he has more grit and heart than skills. He was on Malkin's line, remember? Malkin makes everyone on his line better, as does Sid. I can easily see us making the finals again. I love the lineup and the security for the next few years.