Exam Time!

December is upon us, a time when post-secondary students gear up for their semi-annual version of the playoffs - exams! I've got my patchy Sidney Crosby-style playoff beard! Do you?

Speaking of Crosby and tests, His Lordship, Evgeni Malkin and a guy who's mad at Marian Hossa roll into town Saturday to take on the Sens. Yes Virginia, those upstart Pittsburgh Penguins make their one and only Scotiabank Place appearance of the regular season today at 2PM EST. With the Senators having won three of their last four and having picked up points in five of six, some are suggesting this team may be turning the corner. It's possible. Alex "Bauldinator" Auld has kept up his surprisingly strong play, the team has been stingy defensively, and the offense has scored more than 3 goals in two of their last four outings. Nevertheless, some people, myself included, require further convincing that the ship has been righted and that a 12th consecutive playoff appearance is nigh.

A real test of where exactly this Senators team is at may come today against Dany Sabourin and co. The Penguins come into this one a respectable 6-2-2 in their last 10 with a solid 8-3-2 road record this season. They currently sit 4th in the East, and boast the number 1 and 2 scorers in the NHL in Malkin and Crosby respectively. The Pens are tied for 5th in the league with 82 goals for, and don't look now, but in 11 games this season, the aforementioned Sabourin has a 1.86 GAA to go with a 931 sv%, good for 2nd and 4th in the league respectively. Not bad for a guy who's just filling in for an injured Marc-Andre Fleury.

If Ottawa can limit Pittsburgh to 2 goals or less and contain Crosby and Malkin, while putting up some offence of their own, this game could be a step in the right direction for the boys in red. Should they achieve these goals, the Over the Edgers will spout their fickle praise, all will be well in the watering holes of yee olde Bytowne, and the only debate amongst Senator fans will concern whether the parade should run down Bank or Elgin (I vote for Innes Rd. starting at Cyrville, through Blackburn Hamlet, and east to Tenth Line. You know, past all the scenic box stores. Who's with me?) Should the Senators fail to meet these objectives, well... I think you all know what to expect.

GDT and stream link up later today courtesy our good friend Andy.