Good day Penguins fans and welcome to the latest edition of the Big Dave's Pens Pregame. Tonight, the Pens continue their series with the Tampa Bay Lightning at Consol Energy Center.
The puck drops on the action at 8:00pm, but the Pregame is live now...
The @pensfan2259 "Big Dave's Gameday Jam" selections continue and boyyyyy, did he pick a good one today. How could you not be a fan of DMX? Seriously, nothing gets me more amped up than a little "X Gonna Give It To Ya" or "Ruff Ryders Anthem." @pensfan2259 picked arguably his third best song, and it is a good one for tonight. It is "Party Up!" Enjoy!
P.S. In case anyone was wondering, you can professionally track whether DMX is currently incarcerated using the link provided: http://isdmxinjail.com/
The State of the Penguins
That is how I feel about the Penguins from time-to-time and one of those times is now. The Penguins were atrocious on Friday night. That was by far one of their worst performances under Mike Sullivan and definitely the worse game they have played in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Penguins lost Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals despite having so many things in their favor. Firstly, the Penguins dodged the first major bullet with Steven Stamkos and Anton Stralman sitting in the press box in Game One. Both remain out due to injury, though they could return sometime in this series. Then, the Lightning lost their top goaltender in Ben Bishop in the first period when he needed to be stretchered off the ice. Though Tampa says he is just day-to-day, the injury looked much worse than they are possibly letting on. Finally, you have the penalties. Pittsburgh got a 5 minute power play two minutes into Friday's contest after Ryan Callahan placed a high hit on Kris Letang. The Lightning also took a couple other penalties giving the Pens power play opportunities.
What did the Penguins do with all these favorable circumstances? They squandered them handsomely.
The Penguins were flat out bad in Game One. They were lazy, played with little urgency and simply thought they could win that game on talent alone. As Herb Brooks would say, "you aren't talented enough to win on talent alone." Despite having some of the best players in the world, that statement still applies to this Penguins team.
So where do they go from here?
The Penguins need to come out and put their stamp on this game, and early. They cannot afford to sit back and hope the games comes to them again. If Tampa is without Stamkos, Stralman and now Bishop, they are without 3 of their best players. With that in mind, the Penguins need to go and take advantage of said situation. They need to use their speed, pressure the 21-year-old Andrei Vasilevsky with a lot of shots and play their up-tempo, north-south game.
If the Penguins can do that, they should send this series back to Tampa with a split. If they play like they did Friday tonight, well then your fingers should be inching closer to the panic button...
Scouting the Enemy: Tampa Bay Lightning
With some of the big names on the shelf entering Game One, and some of the names that left the action banged up during it, the Lightning easily could have lost that game. But they didn't. In fact, the Lightning played one hell of a good game Friday night at Consol Energy Center.
The Lightning are a good team. As I mentioned in the Pregame for Game One, they didn't get this far solely on luck. The team is built solidly and they are going to grind you down in an effort to earn wins. They are the prototypical playoff team and it is no surprise that they not only have played well, but have made it this far.
Tampa came to play Friday night. They exerted their will on the Penguins and dominated them for roughly 55 minutes of this game. They looked adversity in the face at several turns, and each time made it bow down to them. That is what good teams do. They find a way to win. Tampa played well and found a way to win on Friday.
Now, they hope to take a commanding two-games-to-one lead over the Penguins and sweep the road trip. The status of Ben Bishop will be up in the air, as their Vezina goaltender left on a stretch in Game One. He is considered day-to-day according to the team. The status of Steven Stamkos is still considered indefinite, but defenseman Anton Stralman could return as soon as tonight if not this week in Tampa. Despite the injuries, Tampa will continue to play their game. They will look to use their speed, play a trapping defense and do everything they possibly can to grind away another victory. If the Penguins don't engage in this game, Tampa could easily head home up 2-0.
Tampa Playoff Scoring Leaders:
- C Tyler Johnson - 13pts (4G-9A)
- RW Nikita Kucherov - 12pts (9G-3A)
- C Alex Killorn - 10pts (4G-6A)
- D Victor Hedman - 10pts (4G-6A)
- LW Jonathan Drouin - 10pts (2G-8A)
Injury Report:
- G Ben Bishop (lower-body) is considered day-to-day after being stretchered off during Game One Friday. Bishop reportedly has not structural damage to the knee according to the team, but his status remains unclear for tonight.
- C Steven Stamkos (blood clots) will remain OUT to start the series. Stamkos had surgery to remove a blood clot from his arm near the end of March and was given a 1-3 month timetable. He has resumed skating with the team, but he has not been cleared to play in games.
- D Anton Stralman (lower-body) is a game-time decision tonight. Stralman broke his leg in March and has not played since. He is skating with the team, but it took longer for the leg to heal than expected. I expect him to play in this series, and many think he could slot back in there this evening.
- RW Erik Condra (undisclosed) is likely OUT tonight. Condra has been out with an undisclosed injury the last few games.
Projected Lines:
- Ondrej Palat - Tyler Johnson - Nikita Kucherov
- Alex Killorn - Valtteri Filppula - Jonathan Drouin
- Cedric Paquette - Brian Boyle - Ryan Callahan
- JT Brown - Vladislav Namestnikov - Jonathan Marchessault
Projected Pairs:
- Victor Hedman - Matt Carle
- Jason Garrison - Andrej Sustr
- Slater Koekkoek - Braydon Coburn
Andrei Vasilevsky will start in net for the Bolts tonight.
News & Notes From Around the Penguins
- D Brian Dumoulin (upper-body) practiced fully Sunday and is expected to play tonight. Dumoulin took a high hit from Ondrej Palat late in Game One, but the 24-year-old defenseman said he could have returned to the game had there been more time. He said he'd be in there tonight.
- F Tom Kuhnhackl and F Chris Kunitz both did not skate Sunday, but will play tonight according to HCMS.
Penguins Playoff Scoring Leaders:
- RW Phil Kessel - 12pts (5G-7A)
- C Sidney Crosby - 11pts (3G-8A)
- C Nick Bonino - 10pts (2G-8A)
- C Evgeni Malkin - 9pts (3G-6A)
- RW Patric Hornqvist - 9pts (6G-3A)
Miscellaneous Notes:
- The Wilkes-Barre Penguins' (Pittsburgh AHL affiliate) season ended last night. They lost 3-2 in OT to the Hershey Bears.
- The Wheeling Nailers' (Pittsburgh ECHL affiliate) have made it to the ECHL's conference finals and are currently tied 1-1 in that series.
- C Sidney Crosby's assist on Friday night was his 83rd career assist in the playoffs. That is now 2nd best all-time in Penguins history.
- RW Patric Hornqvist has scored 8 career playoff goals with the Penguins. All 8 have been scored at Consol Energy Center.
#AskBigDave
This is a really good question and one that is really hard to answer. As I wrote in my Pregame for Game One, I would have started Marc-Andre Fleury in Game Five of the Washington series. The Pens were up 3-1 and they could afford to lose that game if Flower was particularly rusty. You couldn't put him in there Game Six or Seven (if it had gotten that far).
I have no qualms with Sullivan going with Murray in Game One either. He is playing really well and definitely has the confidence of everyone involved. With Fleury being out nearly six weeks, putting him back in their in Game One would have been a risky move.
Now, I still go with Murray tonight. He didn't play great in Game One, but he was far from the reason the Penguins lost that game. In fact, with better play in front of him, he very well may have gotten them a win in that one. I don't know if I could say the same for a rusty Fleury in that situation.
Hope that answers your question.
From Robert H. on the Tweety: "Do you see anything major with Hornqvist and Letang's argument during the PP in Game One?"
Robert, I wouldn't look too much into it. That is nothing more than a situation where lines got crossed and in the heat of the moment they both snarled at each other a little bit. I think with the way the game was going and how the team was playing, they just got caught up in the moment. If we see it again, then it may be something to be concerned with, but as of now, it's nothing.
Projected Lines & Pairs
- Conor Sheary - Sidney Crosby - Patric Hornqvist
- Carl Hagelin - Nick Bonino - Phil Kessel
- Chris Kunitz - Evgeni Malkin - Eric Fehr
- Tom Kuhnhackl - Matt Cullen - Bryan Rust
Pairs:
- Trevor Daley - Kris Letang
- Brian Dumoulin - Ben Lovejoy
- Ian Cole - Justin Schultz
Matt Murray is expected to start in net tonight.
My 3 Keys to the Game
2. Power Play: It absolutely NEEDS to start doing something. The inadequacies of that unit since the start of the second round, and let's face it, the majority of the season, is ridiculous. Maybe there are too many cooks in the kitchen, but they need to find a way to coexist and make something happen. For example, 4 shots on a 5 minute power play is simply a disgrace. Pens need to get more pucks on net and more opportunities on the advantage, period.
3. Spark Plugs: I'm not looking at the stars to be the key guys tonight. I'm looking at the spark plugs, the guys that go out there and give it all every shift and make things happen. I think guys like Hagelin, Hornqvist, Rust, Sheary, Kuhnhackl and Cullen are going to be huge tonight. I hope I am right...
My 3 Penguins to Watch
2. Carl Hagelin: While he doesn't do the net work of Hornqvist, Hagelin uses his speed and tenacity to make things happen. I want to see him use that speed and make the Lightning chase him, force them to take penalties in an effort to slow him down. Finally, I want to see him be an absolute beast on the forecheck, which should lead to more offensive zone time via turnovers.
3. Bryan Rust: The kid is due. He has played really well and is a combination of the two gents above. I think Rust will utilize his speed to make something happen tonight, and don't be surprised when he crashes the net looking for a dirty goal. He wants one as much as we all want him to get one.
What to Know About Attending/Watching/Listening
- Gates open at 6:30 for the 8pm puck drop.
- The Penguins will wear their "Pittsburgh Gold" jerseys tonight.
- Be sure to stop by PensGear Wednesday night to purchase your 2016 Eastern Conference Final merchandise including the brand new “The Journey Continues” tee!
- All fans in attendance tonight will receive a Penguins rally towel and Pittsburgh Gold t-shirt.
- Big Screen at First Niagara Fan Zone – Fans without tickets to Monday’s game are invited to catch the game on the Big Screen at the First Niagara Fan Zone located at the Peoples Gate! The First Niagara Fan Zone opens 3 hours before game time. All fans are invited to test their skills at a giant hockey inflatable, play interactive games, take advantage of free face painting and visit with Iceburgh and members of the Pittsburgh Penguins Ice Crew prior to the game!
- Miller Lite Party Plaza – Enjoy 24 oz. Miller Lite beers for only $6 at the Miller Lite Party Plaza located at the Verizon Gate! Opening 3 hours before game time, the Miller Lite Party Plaza will help you get ready for the game with free interactive games and a DJ!
- Bud Light Party Plaza - Enjoy 24 oz. Budweiser and Bud Light beers for only $6 at the Bud Light Party Plaza located at the Trib Total Media Gate! Opening 3 hours before game time, the Bud Light Party Plaza will help you get ready for the game with free interactive games and a DJ!
- Food Trucks – Grab a bite to eat before the game with the Penguins Food Truck round up lining Centre Avenue! Food trucks scheduled to appear prior to Monday’s game include: Las Chicas Mexican, Franktuary, Pittsburgh Smokehouse, Pittsburgh Pierogi Truck, Cool Beans, Dairy Queen, Dunkin’ Donuts and Nakama.
- Stop by Burgatory’s Burger & Shake Stand inside CONSOL Energy Center on Monday to try a Black & Gold Cake Shake. Thanks to Burgatory, $1 per shake served will benefit the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation.
- “The Bulliest Dozer,” co-written by Penguins center Eric Fehr, is now available for sale at the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation’s silent auction stand outside of the First Niagara Club. This children’s book about why bullying doesn’t pay is signed by Fehr for just $20. You can also purchase the book by using the Foundation’s mobile bidding app at bidpal.net/pens.
Here is what you need to know for WATCHING tonight:
- The game is NATIONALLY televised on NBCSN at 8:00pm tonight.
- Coverage should begin at 7:00pm on NBCSN with pregame coverage.
Here is what you need to know if you're LISTENING to tonight's game:
- 105.9 The X, the Penguins app, the Penguins website and iHeart Radio app are all places you can pick up the game tonight.
- Mike Lange and Phil Bourque will have the game call beginning at 8:00pm.
- Penguins Pregame will precede the game coverage at 7:00pm. Josh Getzoff will host.
- Penguins Hot Line will follow the game action.
Pens Points:
- Attending the Game: 50pts
- Merchandise Purchase: 10pts
- Concession Purchase: 10pts
- Pens Radio Keyword: 5pts