It is a special night and if you're lucky enough to be in attendance, you know that. I have been there for Hockey Fights Cancer Night before and it truly is a special evening. The purple and pink jerseys, the fans with the purple and the signs, it is very moving. If you have or know someone who has fought cancer, you know how horrible a disease it truly is. It's never easy to go through, but nights like tonight make it just a little easier, give a little bit of hope. So truly, enjoy this special evening the Pens will be hosting this evening.
Tonight's game day song is from one of my favorite bands of the 1990s and California based. Off of their new album Somewhere Under Wonderland, "Earthquake Driver" by Counting Crows. Enjoy!
With that, let's jump into the Pregame show everyone...
The State of the Penguins
The Pens offensive exploded for seven unanswered goals against the Devils in the last 35 minutes of their game Tuesday night. Not only did they get that many goals, but they were from a diverse group. We saw the big guns like Crosby, Malkin and Dupuis put up goals, but we also saw guys like Comeau and Craig Adams put one in the back of the net. It was an impressive showing of offensive firepower and more importantly, it was an impressive showing of the intestinal fortitude of this team to come back from early adversity. I'd like to see it happen more consistently, but for now, the Pens are flying high.
The Pens come into this game getting healthier and getting stronger as a group. We have seen guys like Rob Scuderi and Simon Despres rebound form rough campaigns in 2013-14 and guys like Dupuis and Letang return from serious medical issues to perform at a high level. We are closer and closer to getting Robert Bortuzzo back in the lineup and Beau Bennett is just over a week away from making his season debut.
The Pens will lose Olli Maatta next week when he undergoes surgery to remove that tumor, but will we see the evolution of another young stud defensemen? Will we see Scott Harrington finally get his chance? Or Derrick Pouliot? Either way, it is good to be a Penguin or a fan of them right now and tonight is no different. It's Hockey Fights Cancer Night and the defending champs are in town. Let's shift gears now and take a look at the Kings.
All Hail the Kings
The Kings are off to a resounding start in their championship defense season. They are currently 6-1-2 overall and sit just two points behind the streaking Anaheim Ducks. The Champs will come in with a chip on their shoulder, as they dropped a disappointing game to our rivals in Philadelphia Tuesday night in overtime. The Kings are led by the line of Tyler Toffoli, Jeff Carter and Tanner Pearson, which has produced 34 total points in just nine games. Drew Doughty leads the defensive corps that is missing one of their better players in Slava Voynov, who is indefinitely suspended after a domestic violence arrest. Jonathan Quick is off to a great start, winning five of his first eight and with two shutouts in those games. The Kings are no team to toy with. Hopefully, the Pens are aware of that as well.
Here is what you need to know regarding the Kings:
Kings are 6-1-2 overall. Good for 14 points and 2nd in the Pacific Division.
They come in having loss to the Flyers in OT on Tuesday night, score 3-2 in Philadelphia.
The Kings made really made no offseason acquisitions. However, they did promote Tanner Pearson for good to be a top six winger.
D Willie Mitchell was the Champs only offseason loss.
The Pens split their season series with the Kings last season.
- Pens hada +2 goal differential
- Killed 5 of 7 penalties
- Was only 2 for 10 on the PP
Leading Scorers:
- RW Tyler Toffoli - 13pts (5G-8A)
- C Jeff Carter - 12pts (5G-7A)
- LW Tanner Pearson - 9pts (7G-2A)
- D Drew Doughty - 5pts (5A)
Injury Report:
- C Anze Kopitar missed the game v. PHI on Tuesday with an upper-body injury, but he practice yesterday and is expected to play tonight.
- W Trevor Lewis (upper-body) has been out for over a week now, but he may be in the lineup tonight.
- LW Marian Gaborik hasn't played since opening week with an undisclosed injury. He continues to skate, but is not expected to play tonight.
- D Slava Voynov is suspended tonight.
Projected Lines:
- Tanner Pearson - Jeff Carter - Tyler Toffoli
- Kyle Clifford - Anze Kopitar - Justin Williams
- Dwight King - Mike Richards - Dustin Brown
- Jordan Nolan - Jarret Stoll - Trevor Lewis
Projected Pairs:
- Drew Doughty - Jake Muzzin
- Alec Martinez - Robyn Regehr
- Matt Greene - Brayden McNabb
Martin Jones was the first Kings goalie off the ice, so he will likely get the start in net for them tonight. Quick will back up.
Kings players to watch tonight:
- Justin Williams: One of my favorite players in the league and, I personally feel, would be a tremendous fit on this Penguins team. He is a winger who has little in the flash department, but plenty of thunder. He scores and makes it look easy and so you don't even notice him. He's a great talent and a three-time Cup champion.
- Tanner Pearson: This kid emerged on the scene last year during the Stanley Cup Playoffs and was a major contributor to the team. He got big minutes in big games and he was rewarded again this season. He has taken advantage of the time and has put up 13 points in just 9 games. Not too shabby for a 23 year old "rookie."
- Anze Kopitar: It will be interesting to see if he will play tonight after leaving early Sunday and sitting Tuesday. I love this guy as well, he is the superstar version of Jordan Staal. He can score, but his defensive skills are second to none. He will whoop you on both ends of the ice and completely embarrass you. Oh, and he has a couple rings too.
News and Notes Around the Pens
Jayson Megna was recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this morning. The forward has 3 points (2G-1A) in 9 games so far. It is possible he gets in over Sill who has been less than effective thus far. NOTE: Sill has played 9 games and if he plays more than 10, he would be required to pass through waivers to be sent to WBS. Tonight would be game 9 for Sill if he plays.
Robert Bortuzzo continues to skate with the team and could go tonight. Coach Johnston said Borts is ready to go tonight or Saturday but will definitely be in the lineup come next week.
Beau Bennett skated with the team again today and is progressing towards a return. He would be eligible to return to the team from LTIR Tuesday night in Minnesota.
Marc-Andre Fleury was the first goalie off the ice and you can expect him in the cage tonight agains the Cup Champs.
Pens have won 6 of their last 8 games against the Kings.
Forward Chris Kunitz has goals in four consecutive games against the LA Kings and five of his last 6 against them.
Projected Lines and Pairs
- Chris Kunitz - Sidney Crosby - Patric Hornqvist
- Pascal Dupuis - Evgeni Malkin - Blake Comeau
- Nick Spaling - Brandon Sutter - Steve Downie
- Zach Sill - Marcel Goc - Craig Adams
NOTE: If Megna plays over Sill, I think you may see him on the 3rd line with Sutter/Downie and Spaling with Goc/Adams on the 4th line.
Pairs:
- Kris Letang - Olli Maatta
- Paul Martin - Christian Ehrhoff
- Rob Scuderi - Simon Despres
Marc-Andre Fleury will start in the cage for the Penguins.
My Keys To Tonight
Pepper Quick: Some goalies do better when facing a lot of shots, and Jonathan Quick is no different. However, you cannot afford to be too choosy. Fire the puck on net and be ready to smack in rebounds if they are given up. Guys like Kunitz, Hornqvist and Dupuis will be key in this. Get to the puck to the net and the bodies must follow.
Star Power: The Pens stars shined the last two games and it needs to continue tonight. The Kings may be the best team they have faced thus far this year, and it will require the Pens best to be just that. Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Fleury need to be on there game and produce.
My 3 Players To Watch
2. Pascal Dupuis: Like Comeau, he is on a hot streak the last few games as well. He seems to be completely fine after that serious knee injury and he has found great chemistry with Malkin and Comeau. He continues to play flawlessly on the penalty kill. Games that require grinding require guys like Pascal Dupuis. Expect him to play a big part in a Penguin win tonight.
3. Patric Hornqvist: As I said in the keys, I think it's vital that the Pens pepper Quick and convert on the rebound opportunities. That means Patric Hornqvist needs to be in his spot and on his game. He did a great job of it Tuesday night against the Devils, the Kings are just a much better version of them. Create havoc in front of the net and take advantage of loose pucks there.
What you Need to Know If you're Attending/Watching
- Doors open at 6:00pm.
- Puck drop is at 7:00pm.
- The Pens will wear their typical home black jerseys tonight.
- There is no giveaway for tonight's game.
- The Pens Gear "Gameday Special" Is 30% off all Pens halloween gear.
- As mentioned, it is Hockey Fights Cancer night at the arena. Consol will be purpled out and the Pens expect the fans to wear it too. If you have purple/pink, be sure to wear it to the arena. Don't have any purple or Hockey Fights Cancer gear? Fear not, Pens gear has you covered.
- Also, the Pens will wear special purple jerseys for warmups that will be auctioned off in the coming weeks to raise money for the Mario Lemieux Foundation and UPMC CancerCenter.
- The Penguins Wives and Girlfriends will also be selling pucks behind sections 121 and 224 to raise money also for the Lemieux Foundation and UPMC CancerCenter. They will be sold for $50 a piece and they are asking for CASH (FYI).
What you need to know if you are WATCHING the game:
- ROOT Sports has the game coverage in the Pittsburgh area and it will be on NHL-US Network as well. Coverage starts at 7:00pm.
- ROOT Sports will have the Pre and Post game shows as well.
- Pens Radio Net and 105.9 The X will have the radio call. Mike Lange and Phil Bourque with the radio call.
Pens Points are available tonight, the usual methods as all home games:
- Attending the Game
- Buying Merchandise
- Buying Concessions
- Pens Radio Net Keyword
- ROOT Sports Pregame Keyword
- ROOT Sports Postgame Keyword