Why you'll watch - January - 7-23-09
Something we've done the past two offseasons is examine the recently revealed 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.
So without any further delay, here's why you'll be watching in January.
Jan. 2 - at Lightning - Regardless of the mess that surrounds them, Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis are still one of the best duos in the sport:
Jan. 3 - at Panthers - Because you'll staring at snow on your driveway and FSN Pittsburgh will show countless teaser shots of South Beach coming back from commercial:
Jan. 5 - vs. Thrashers - Because Colby Armstrong is still your favorite Penguins even if he doesn't play for them any more:
Jan. 7 - vs. Flyers - Is there anyone more suited to be the Flyers' goaltender than Ray Emery?
Jan. 9 - at Maple Leafs - Maybe Marc-Andre Fleury will fool the spotlight guy at Air Canada Centre again:
Jan. 11 - at Wild - Because Miiko Koivu is a dang fine player:
Jan. 13 - at Flames - Because Jarome Iginla is far too often left out of the "best all-around player" conversation:
Jan. 14 - at Oilers - The OIlers and Ales Hemsky play like it's still 1984:
Jan. 16 - at Canucks - Maybe we can get another Sidney Crosby/Roberto Luongo penalty shot like we did two seasons ago:
Jan. 19 - vs. Islanders - Perhaps Martin Biron will get a chance to get ripped up play against the Penguins:
Jan. 21 - vs. Capitals - Marc-Andre Fleury > Alex Ovechkin:
Jan. 24 - at Flyers - Because Scott Hartnell is actually an alright dude:
Jan. 25 - at Rangers - Scott Hartnell and Sean Avery in back-to-back games?
Jan. 18 - vs. Senators - Because we can run this picture of Daniel Alfredsson repeatedly:
Jan. 31 - vs. Red Wings - Because Marian Hossa is with the Red Wings. What? He left? How about Ty Conklin? St. Louis? Mikael Samuelsson? Oh well. We guess a boring old Stanley Cup re-match will have to suffice:
Tomorrow - February/March
(Photos: Beach and Alfredsson-Photobucket; Armstrong-Dave Sandford/Getty Images)