The bad news is raining down on Steel Town this week.

A week ago Jim Balsillie pulled out of the deal to purchase the Pittsburgh Penguins franchise for $175 million, and just a few days later, the Pennsylvania gaming panel awarded a slots license to another bidder, rather than the Isle of Capri Casinos which had promised to build the franchise a new $290 million dollar stadium if they secured the license. Compounding that, Owner Mario Lemieux issued a statement yesterday suggesting the team will begin looking into relocation.

Talk about a crap storm for the fans of the Penguins, who have been mired for years in bankruptcy, the gutting of their club's best players, and having to watch an awful product on the ice. Now, the Penguins boast two of the NHL's best players in Crosby and Malkin, and the franchise appears to be turning a corner by showing signs of it's future greatness. Similiar in many ways to the Quebec fans who had to not only watch their team up and leave for Colorado, but a year later see that same franchise hoist the Stanley Cup. The Penguins club will be a winner in the very near term, and it would be a crushing blow to the fans of this city to move the franchise to which they have been so dedicated.

Quick Shave:
Dallas Stars goalie Marty Turco has shutdown the West's second best club for the second straight time. The Dallas Stars defeated the San Jose Sharks 3-0 last night. Turco made 20 saves for his 4th shutout of the season. Well my game of the night prediction was anything but. The Buffalo Sabres marched into Nashville and hammered the Predators 7-2. Buffalo Sabres, Pominville, Afinogenov, and Kotalik all had 2 goal games in the rout over the Nashville Predators. After going on a 5 game winning streak, the New York Rangers have taken a major turn for the worse, and have lost 4 straight. Last night they did their best Leafs impression, by carrying a 2-0 lead into the third and blew it, to lose to the Florida Panthers by the final of 3-2. The Montreal Canadiens continue to roll, and the Philadelphia Flyers continue to roll over. The Habs beat the Flyers 4-2 last night. The St. Louis Blues have a 2 game winning streak! Last night they defeated the Los Angeles Kings 5-2 for their second straight. The Calgary Flames and Colorado Avalanche game was postponed last night because apparently Denver looks like Hoth from the Empire Strikes Back right now. I recommend seeking shelter within the intestines of a Taun Taun, or Jose Theodore. I guess the scrum at practice did little to help the Ottawa Senators. The Tampa Bay Lightning whooped up on the Sens for a 4-2 victory. Muckler, Murray....can you say FIRED?

Game of the Night:
NY Islanders at Carolina 7:00 PM

Let's see how the new look Islanders matchup against the Stanley Cup Champs. The Islanders made a few roster moves before the trade freeze, that actually lightened their salary cap load to the tune of $6 million. Is GM Garth Snow planning a big pickup for a playoff push? Could be. Look for Markus Naslund to find the net three times tonight as the Canucks visit Columbus. Enjoy the games!

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh