It is a very big night for a lot of teams in the NHL tonight, but for two teams it slightly different. Pittsburgh and Colorado are both getting stars inserted into their line-ups tonight, but I think it might be a bigger boost for the Avs.
The Avalanche, fresh off of receiving news that Marek Svatos and Ryan Smyth are both out indefinitely after Saturday’s win over the Kings. Tonight however, there will be a new-ish face to their lineup when Peter Forsberg makes his debut. Now, I do not think his return to the NHL will be enough to push the Avalanche back into a play-off spot, but with his leadership and the emotional boost he will provide might be enough to get them close.
Personally, I don’t think Foppa will even finish the season. He has admitted that his ankle, or as I like to call it, his glasskle, has been killing him since he re-joined the Avs. Unless there is something I am missing, his history has shown that he ankle is a piece of shit, and that it is not dependable. I am somewhat shocked he can still walk.
The Penguins on the other hand are getting their captain back. Sid the Kid has been out since he slid into he end boards awkwardly 21 games ago. No doubt that having Crosby in the line-up will make the Pens a better team, but here is my question. Who is going to play on the top line?
Do you move Malkin back to the second line, do you put Crosby on the second line, or do you just throw them both on the first line? There is no doubt that Malkin is having a Hart worthy season, especially since Crosby’s absence, but lets be honest, Crosby is the Kid. He is the guy that is under a long term contract, he is the guy that everyone talks about when you mention the Penguins. But do you demote the guy that has carried this team into Eastern Conference contention, or do you bring Sid back slowly? Whatever coach decides to do, its a nice predicament to be in!
