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Penguins Notebook: Talbot might dress vs. Buffalo
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BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Max Talbot is a high-energy guy and, more often than not, a high-volume one.
He has been decidedly subdued for much of this week, however, after being a healthy scratch for the Penguins' past two games.
But it is possible that Talbot's exile will end when the Penguins face Buffalo at 7:08 p.m. today at HSBC Arena.
Yesterday, Penguins coach Dan Bylsma wouldn't commit to dressing him against the Sabres but acknowledged that it's a possibility.
"We always consider changes for the lineup, after every game," he said. "[Those judgments hinge on] the team we're playing and what we need. We're certainly thinking about [dressing Talbot]."
Talbot, who missed the first quarter of the season while recovering from shoulder surgery, was taken out of the lineup for a home-and-home series against Philadelphia to open a spot for enforcer Eric Godard, whose fighting ability is a valuable asset against opponents such as the Flyers.
Talbot has one goal and two assists in 12 games.
The Penguins probably won't find out for certain until sometime today whether they will be facing Sabres goalie Ryan Miller or his backup, Patrick Lalime.
They aren't likely to object if Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff opts to give Miller the game off, though, considering that he entered the Sabres' game against Toronto last night leading the league in shutouts (four), save percentage (.937) and goals-against average (1.88).
"We do prepare for Ryan Miller," Bylsma said. "We also prepare for the other guy, as well. But [Miller] is a big part of their team and one of their best players. So we're going to prepare for seeing him, for sure."
Forbes magazine rated Penguins fans the best in the NHL.
Toronto placed second in the rankings, which were made public on Forbes.com, while Philadelphia is third.
The criteria for determining the order were average regular-season home attendance (as a percentage of capacity), regular-season local TV ratings (as a percent of the team's metro area population) and team merchandise sales.
Even though the Penguins didn't play last night, their coaches didn't have the evening off.
Bylsma and goaltending coach Gilles Meloche planned to attend the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins' game in Syracuse, while assistant coaches Mike Yeo and Tony Granato were to scout the Buffalo-Toronto game at HSBC Arena.
Although the Penguins do extensive video scouting, Bylsma believes there are benefits to seeing an upcoming opponent in person.
"I think you get a better feel for how a team plays, when they play well, from going to a game," he said. "I think you get a better feel when you watch it live.
"You watch video, but sometimes when you go to a game, you get a sense of how a team plays when they're playing well."
Ten players participated in an optional workout in the Buffalo suburb of Amherst yesterday. They were forwards Tyler Kennedy, Max Talbot, Craig Adams, Mike Rupp and Eric Godard, defensemen Brooks Orpik, Jay McKee, Alex Goligoski and Martin Skoula and goalie Brent Johnson. ... McKee spent his first 10 NHL seasons in Buffalo before moving to St. Louis as a free agent in 2006, so the game tonight has more significance for him than most. "This town holds a special place in my heart," he said. "It's always fun playing here."
First Published December 19, 2009 12:00 am
