Good evening Penguins fans and welcome to the latest edition of Big Dave's Pens Pregame. Tonight, the Penguins return home after taking Game Two on the road and hope to take control of their series over Washington.
Puck drops on the action tonight at Consol Energy Center at 8:00pm, but the Pregame is live now....
@pensfan2259 continues to select my "Big Dave's Gameday Jams" for me as his record while doing so is pretty respectable. Tonight, he is going with the rock band Disturbed. I'm not a huge fan, but to each their own. Here is "Stricken," enjoy!
The State of the Penguins
That was the name of the game on Saturday night. The Penguins got redemption for their lackadaisical performance in Game One when they defeated the Capitals 2-1 in Game Two. With the win, the Penguins have knotted up the series coming back home tonight.
This game was far from perfect, but the Penguins did play much, much better Saturday than in Game One.
Firstly, the Penguins got off to a better start. They failed to score in the opening period, but the Pens did play pretty well to get the game going, despite losing Olli Maatta in the first couple minutes to an unnecessary hit by former Penguin Brooks Orpik. Maatta is likely out tonight, and Orpik will miss the game due to suspension.
Next, the Penguins played their game. Unlike Game One, where the Pens often fell back into a defensive stance, they went out and imposed their will against the Capitals. It took nearly 10 minutes into the second period for the Capitals to register a shot, and the Penguins outshot their opponent 28 to 10 after two periods. Despite a hesitant stretch in the first half of the third period, the Penguins continued to execute their game and dictate the pace.
Finally, the Penguins got a huge win on the road with goals from secondary guys. While Crosby has struggled post points through two games, secondary guys like Carl Hagelin and Eric Fehr game up huge in this one. Hagelin scored the first goal of the game on a nice pass from Nick Bonino. With the game tied late, former Capital Eric Fehr made his old mates weep as he backhanded a nifty shot past Braden Holtby that turned out to be the game-winning goal. Secondary scoring has been the key to the Penguins success since March 1st, and if it continues, the Penguins should continue to succeed.
Tonight, the Penguins hope to continue the momentum and take control of the series. Two wins at home before heading back to Washington for Game Five would be huge. The road to that opportunity starts tonight. The Penguins need to get off to a good start, play their game and, shockingly enough, put more pucks behind Braden Holtby. Should be fun...
The Washington Capitals
Washington entered the game on the high of a Game One overtime win. It should have given them a jump in the early going. Instead, the Penguins imposed their style of play and dictated the pace of the game from the get-go. The Caps were lucky to escape the first forty minutes of this game down only 1-0.
The third period was a different story. The Penguins didn't exactly collapse and play defensively, but the Capitals came out with the intention of taking this game back. Despite coming up short, they nearly accomplished the feat.
The Caps scored an early goal to tie it up when Kris Letang was called for an incredibly soft tripping call. Marcus Johansson scored his second of the playoffs and grabbed the momentum for Washington. The next 15 minutes were terrifying for a Penguins fan, as the Caps continued to pressure the Pens on every shift. Fehr's late goal didn't take much wind out of Washington's sails, but they couldn't get the late equalizer, and they dropped Game Two.
Now, the Penguins have the momentum and are heading home to their barn. The Capitals look to snatch the momentum, and control of the series back tonight. They likely will have to do it without Brooks Orpik, who is going to be suspended for his dangerous hit on Penguin defenseman Olli Maatta early in Game Two. The Penguins faithful should be loud and proud tonight, and the Capitals will do everything they can to turn Consol into a graveyard before the final horn...
Capitals Playoff Scoring Leaders:
- D John Carlson - 8pts (3G-5A)
- RW TJ Oshie - 7pts (4G-3A)
- C Nicklas Backstrom - 7pts (2G-5A)
- RW Marcus Johansson - 7pts (2G-5A)
- LW Alex Ovechkin - 6pts (3G-3A)
Injury Report:
- D Brooks Orpik (suspension) is OUT tonight. Orpik was suspended three games for his dangerous hit on Pens defenseman Olli Maatta early in Game Two.
Projected Lines:
- Alex Ovechkin - Nicklas Backstrom - TJ Oshie
- Andre Burakovsky - Evgeny Kuznetsov - Justin Williams
- Jason Chimera - Mike Richards - Marcus Johansson
- Daniel Winnik - Jay Beagle - Tom Wilson
Projected Pairs:
- Karl Alzner - Matt Niskanen
- Nate Schmidt - John Carlson
- Taylor Chorney - Dmitri Orlov
Braden Holtby is expected to start in net tonight.
News & Notes From Around the PEnguins
- D Olli Maatta (upper-body) is OUT tonight. Maatta is day-to-day after taking a high hit from Caps D Brooks Orpik early in Game Two.
- No updates on G Marc-Andre Fleury or F Beau Bennett
Organizational Notes:
- F Pascal Dupuis has been named a finalist for the Masterton Trophy. The other finalists are Jaromir Jagr and Mats Zuccarello.
- The Baby Penguins have advanced to the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. They will face Washington's affiliate the Hershey Bears in the second round.
Miscellaneous Notes:
- C Evgeni Malkin has scored a point in each of his six playoff games and leads the team with 9 points in the playoffs.
- C Nick Bonino has a four-game point streak entering tonight (1G-4A).
- D Kris Letang played a game-high 34:22 in Game Two.
#AskBigDave
I really like the way the Penguins are not getting involved. The Capitals have some goons and some guys that will lay down the big, often dangerous hits. That is just who they are. They have speed on their team, but they are still a bit more "old-school" and believe they can wear teams down by hitting them constantly.
The Penguins are the opposite. They are part of the "new-school" where they are looking to not be physical and use their speed as much as possible. To each their own, but the Penguins way certainly seems to be working right now.
As to how the Penguins are responding to the Caps physicality and sometimes dangerous hits, I love it. The Penguins are not trying to be who they are not, i.e. a physical team. And maybe most importantly they don't go in there and take the even-up penalty. They let the Caps do their thing, they say something, but don't engage and get a power play. This team can't beat the Caps physically, but it can make them pay on the power play.
So I have no problems with the way the Pens are handling the Caps and their often questionable play.
From LetsTalkPens on the Tweety: "I am pretty interested in how Ovi-Crosby are struggling to put up points, how do you feel about it?"
I think it is really interesting how both Sid and Ovi have been really quiet through two games. It is really a "glass half-full" situation. On one hand, it is great Ovechkin has been really quiet. On the other, Sid isn't doing anything either, which doesn't help us.
I think the biggest issue as for Sid is that he is constantly matched up against Nicklas Backstrom. Backstrom won the majority of faceoffs against Sid, which resulted in Crosby defending more often than attacking. That is the way to quiet Sid.
As for Ovi, he has certainly had his chances. He had two breakaways in Game One and added an assist. In Game Two, he had some chances, but again was pretty quiet. Matt Murray was huge against him in Game One, and the rotating defensive corps was very solid against Ovi in Game Two. Also, as mentioned above, the Penguins controlled the flow of the game for the majority of the game, so Ovi was defending more often.
I think tonight should be interesting. I think HCMS will try to keep Sid away from Backstrom as much as possible, which should free up a little space for the Captain. With the Penguins having last change, I don't expect Ovi to get much more room out there.
Projected Lines and 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 should be between the pipes again tonight.
My 3 Keys to the Game
2. Top Line: The Sheary-Crosby-Hornqvist line has been realllllllly quiet so far. I don't like that. Hornqvist has gotten the chances, but failed to bury them. Conor Sheary has played really well, but has spent a lot of time defending because of Sid's struggles against Backstrom in the faceoff circle. Sid, well he hasn't been all that dynamic. I want to see that change tonight. I expect HCMS try to match lines, and get Sid out there against Washington's worst pair and hopefully a bottom six line.
3. GET LOUD!!!!: This one is for everyone in attendance tonight. Make Consol loud! The better the atmosphere, the more the Penguins will feed off it. Get into it, be loud and do it from the first puck drop. If the Pens get behind, stay loud. Don't leave early, don't get quiet. Leave with no voice. It's that simple. Make it happen!
My 3 Penguins to Watch
2. Nick Bonino: Bones has been really good in each of the first two games. That needs to continue. His line has been great for nearly two months now, and their production is the X-Factory in this series, as the Caps will still look to shut down Sid and Geno's lines before this one. Bones, Kessel and Hags need to keep up their high level.
3. Justin Schultz: Schultz is expected to slot back in the lineup with Olli Maatta out injured. I don't love it, as a healthy and full-strength Maatta is far superior, but I think Schultz can bring a lot more to this team now than Maatta has. I love his shot and his offensive instincts, and he has played pretty well defensively, especially alongside Ian Cole. This pair will be key tonight, and it will definitely be another thing to look at.
What to Know for Watching/Listening/Attending
- Gates open at 6:30 for the 8pm puck drop.
- The Penguins will wear their "Pittsburgh Gold" jerseys tonight.
- Be sure to stop by Pens Gear to pick up the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoff merch.
- All fans in attendance tonight will receive a Penguins rally towel and Pittsburgh Gold t-shirt.
- Fans attending Monday’s game are reminded to use tickets marked “Round 2, Home Game 1” when entering CONSOL Energy Center.
- 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.
- ROOT Sports coverage is over for the season.
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