Engelland Manning Up, Neal Signing Deals

If there is one player that any of us could pick out as most improved from last year, it would have to be defenseman Deryk Engelland. Notorious for having fists of fury and being one of the damn grittiest players in the game, Engelland has surpassed expectations this year by getting in the plays more and exploring the ice. He is more than half of a set of bash brothers. He is a true force on the ice.

Engo is contributing big time, enhancing his offense, but still plowing guys left and right and keeping Flower protected in the cage. This week, Engs has taken a puck to the face, a skate blade to the cheek, engaged in some scrums, all the while remaining in play. This man has balls like no other player I have seen in recent history. He took a fucking skate to his face. And then kept playing. To top off a week where he is taking a physical beating and seemingly loving it, Engs pulled his first multipoint game tonight, earning 2 assists against the Canadiens.

In the second period, Engo laid out 4 hits and an assist on Joe Vitale’s first goal of the season with a slammer from the point that Vitale helped across the line. In the third period, Engelland shot one high from the side, which Carey "Price Price Baby" stopped. Arron Asham caught the puck midair off the rebound and batted it in to put the Pens up 0-3.

James F’n Neal is maintaining a good pace for goal lead with the Leaf’s Phil Kessel. Both sit at 7 goals after tonight. Last year’s reaction to Neal was mixed. He’s been a 20 goal scorer since he came to the NHL, but things weren’t really clicking when he joined Pittsburgh in February of last season in a trade that brought him and Matt Niskanen from Dallas in return for Alex Goligoski. Goose had immediate success with the Stars, but Neal struggled to get a goal to hit the net.

If you know me, I was not among the Neal haters turned “I’ve always loved him!” fans. He is an excellent player and his confidence is shining. With Geno and Sid out of the line-up, Neal is making his mark with this team and seems to have found a nice stride with Steve Sullivan on his wing. One thing I hope Head Coach Dan Bylsma has learned is that Marc Letestu cannot center for Neal. It didn’t work last season, and it didn’t work in the one period that they played together a few nights ago that ended with a line of Sulley-Park-Neal.

Other game notes:

Dustin Jeffrey and Brooks Orpik made their season debuts this evening. Jeffrey had 3 shots on goal in his 7:34 on ice. Orpik logged 17:54, which Bylsma stated after the game was a bit more than they originally planned.

Asham played his 700^th NHL game tonight against the team he started with, and ironically playing for the first team he ever played against.

Hal Gill received a nice ovation from fans, though he now plays with the Habs. This was Gill's 1000th game. I like Gill. I wish him well. He won a cup with us and is a good player. Miss watching him light people up. Going to the game on Saturday against New Jersey and I am actually pretty stoked to see Petr Sykora play, even though he will be wearing a Devils jersey.

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Twitter: @Letangueray
Email: snwats58@gmail.com