Why you'll watch - January - 09-16-10
Something we've done the past few offseasons is examine schedule, and just in case you needed a little bit more enticement to watch a team like the Penguins, come up with reasons to watch all 82 games on the slate. (And we're a little lean on material until camp starts later this week.)
Here's why you should watch in January.
Jan. 1 - vs. Capitals - Because... well... do you really have that much interest in the Capital One Bowl?
Jan. 5 - vs. Lightning - Because Paul Szczechura is one of the most difficult names on Earth to spell. And we needed an excuse to use this clip:
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Jan. 6 - at Canadiens - Because you can admit it. You sing alone to that annoying "Ole, ole, ole," chant:
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Jan. 8 - vs. Wild - Because chances are you only know Minnesota captain Miiko Koivu for being Saku's little brother. The truth is, he's one of the best all-around, complete players in the entire NHL:
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Jan. 10 - vs. Bruins - Because even at age 42, former Penguins forward Mark Recchi, is still getting it done for the Bruins:
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Jan. 12 - vs. Canadiens - Because the Canadiens are trying to convince the world (and maybe themselves) that Carey Price was the right goaltender to hang on too:
Jan. 15 - at Bruins - Because Bruins captain Zdeno Chara is pretty much the only guy in the NHL who regularly uses a slapper in the shootout:
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Jan. 18 - vs. Red Wings - Because even if these team only meet twice a season at most, it's still one of the NHL's hottest rivalries:
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Jan. 20 - at Devils - Because you still want to chant "Mooooooossssseeeeee!!!!!" anytime Johan Hedberg makes a save:
Jan. 22 - vs. Hurricanes - Because hopefully for his sake, Cam Ward got that hole in his glove fixed:
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Jan. 25 - vs. Islanders - Because you only get so many times in your life to watch the greatest (and only) NHL player from Delaware, Mark Eaton:
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(Photos: Winter Classic-Dave Sandford/Getty Images; Price-Bruce Bennett/Getty Images; Hedberg-Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)