Q’s Cuties: Winter Classic Edition
We watch a ton of hockey in this house, but it’s mostly Blues and Penguins on our tv. Thus, I HAD to do a Winter Classic edition of Q’s Cuties, especially since my favorite player in the league is Jordan Staal. And don’t worry, I don’t think I can curse him more than I already have. After watching lots of the HBO 24/7, I feel I am thoroughly prepared for tonight’s game. Here is who my eye will be on from each team (but I’m rooting for the Pens!):
From the Pens:
Staal makes his comeback tonight!
Jordan Staal #11, Center: This cutie is making his healthy debut TONIGHT! I’m sure most Penguins fans are as excited as I am to see this center back in action for the first time this season. Staal has had 49 points in each of his last 2 seasons, and the combined foot/hand injury was the first time Staal had missed a game in the regular season in his career. Watch for this cutie to ease back into the action- he may not be a big point maker tonight, but after being gone fans can be certain he’ll have his head back in the game.
This "pretty" face won my heart in 24/7
Maxime Talbot #25, Center: This cutie has made an impression on me throughout the 24/7 series. Really, I just love his eyes. Sure he does cheesy car commercials in Pittsburgh, but he’s pretty…. so I guess that makes the cheesiness ok. Talbot may only have 11 points this season, but his winning smile gave him a place on tonight’s Featured Cuties list. Watch to see if Talbot can prove to be more than a pretty face.
Sid- No more mustache, please!!!
Sidney Crosby #87, Center: No matter what you think about this cutie, 2 things can probably be agreed upon. 1: Crosby is a heck of a hockey player. 2: Now that he shaved his mustache he should never ever grow another one. Crosby leads the league in points (65) and goals (32). He just came off a 25 game point streak. Pretty amazing for a guy who is only 23. Between the 05-06 season and the 08-09 season, Crosby has had only 1 season with less than 100 points, and that was the season he played only 53 games (07-08: 72 points). I know Crosby gets a lot of flack for being a “whiner,” but you can’t look at a game like today’s and not realize what an impact he could make. Keep your eye on Crosby in front of the goal- he has some magical hands that make the puck do amazing things.
From the Caps:
Vespas are cool, right?
Mike Green #52, Defense: This cutie may be a whiner, and may be constantly hurt, but he is one heck of an offensive minded defenseman. And he’s environmentally friendly! Fans, and teammates, may laugh at his Vespa, but Mike Green is just showing his concern for the environment…. we hope. Green is currently tied in 5th on the team for points (17). He is on a 3 game point streak, and now that the Capitals finally seem to be out of their losing mindset Green is likely to keep his offensive play going. Keep an eye on this cutie to be a physical, yet whiny, defenseman- he has 34 penalty minutes so far this season, but HBO’s 24/7 shows his body may not be quite as invincible as he wants it to be.
Backstrom is a difference maker for the Caps
Niklas Backstrom #19, Center: This cutie has the second most points on the Capitals with 36, 6 points behind team leader Alexander Ovechkin. Backstrom seems to be one of the backbones of this team, and his 14 penalty minutes show that he keeps things a bit cleaner than his teammates. He may not be the point leaderr the “biggest” name on the team, but Backstrom has definitely made a name for himself on the Capitals.Keep your eye on this cutie to be one of the big point makers for the Caps- he had 1 point in the last loss against Pittsburgh.
