Penguins (22-10-2, 46 pts)Panthers (15-16-0, 30 pts)
Where: Consol Energy Center
When: 7:00 ET
TV: FSNPIT
This game just has trap game written all over it. Both Pens and Panthers coming off huge wins (Florida hammered the Flyers 5-0 on Monday) but I just get the feeling that the Pens may be looking ahead to their road trip to Verizon Center tomorrow. Hopefully they will still show up enough to get the job done. 2 points are 2 points.
Opponents to Watch:
Michael Frolik: About as good as it gets offensively in Florida. 8 goals, 19 points aren't earth-shattering stats but nonetheless he is a dangerous 2nd liner.
David Booth: Tough, gritty guy who can screen, tip-in shots, and shoot. Probably an assignment for Orpik.
Dennis Wideman: He gets a lot of assists via tip-ins and one time passes.
PANTHERS STATS:
Win %: .484 (23rd)
Powerplay: 9.3% (30th)
Penalty Kill: 84.0% (9th)
Goals For: 83 (24th)
Goals Against: 78 (6th)
Differential: +5
Faceoffs: 52.5% (4th)
-The Panthers dismal PP has just 10 PPG all season. (doesn't sound that bad but to put it into perspective the mediocre PP unit of the Pens has 26)
-Panthers are 12-4 after scoring first, but just 3-12 after giving up 1st goal.
-Florida has given up 3 2nd intermission leads. (tied for most in league)
-Florida is 2nd from the bottom in recorded hits and averages a NHL low 8.0 PIMS per game. Should be a refreshing change of pace from the previous few slugfests the Pens have been involved in.
KEYS TO VICTORY:
-Ride the Geno wave.
-Score first
-Outskate them and outhustle them
Notes:
-Staal and Comrie out for the Pens.
-Bitz, Olesz, Stillman, and Dvorak out for the Panthers.
-Wouldn't be surprised to see Johnson in the net but that's just a guess.
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