Good evening Penguins fans and welcome to the latest edition of Big Dave's Pens Pregame. The Penguins are currently rolling on a six game win streak after fighting (quite literally) their way to a shootout victory in Winnipeg on Thursday night. Tonight, the opponent is the same as last Saturday, the abysmal Buffalo Sabres. It's Pens/Sabres live from Buffalo at 8pm, the Pregame however, is now!
Tonight's game day tune is from one of my favorite bands. They are natives of upstate New York so it fit for tonight's opponent. Off their album, Clash Battle Guilt Pride, Polar Bear Club's "Screams in Caves." Enjoy!
The State of the Penguins
Also rolling along with the team is the penalty kill. They started a streak three weeks ago today against the Islanders that has seen them kill off thirty-four (34) consecutive penalties. That is an impressive number considering some of the power play units they faced during that span - including a 7-for-7 showing against the Islanders to start the streak. They will look to continue their streak, as the team does, tonight when they face the ever struggling team from upstate New York.
Abandon Ship and Wait for the Savior
The Sabres are struggling. They have scored fewer goals overall on the season than the Penguins have scored on the power play alone. They were skunked by the Pens last Saturday at Consol Energy Center by a final score of 5 to 0. They are taking undisciplined penalties. They are not getting enough shots on goal and they simply are not playing well enough to win at this level. The Sabres were 2-8-1 going into last weeks game. This week, after falling to the Pens on Saturday night, they were able to pick up a shootout win over Detroit before losing to the Canadiens in a shootout on Thursday. They currently sit 3-9-2 and last place in the Eastern Conference. The Pens look to add to the Sabres woes tonight.
Leading Scorers:
- Drew Stafford - 7pts
- Tyler Ennis - 7pts
- Zemgus Girgensons - 4pts
Injuries:
- Marcus Foligno (soreness): Game-time decision.
- Patrick Kaleta (Face): OUT
Projected Lines:
- Torrey Mitchell - Tyler Ennis - Chris Stewart
- Matt Moulson - Zemgus Girgensons - Brian Gionta
- Marcus Foligno - Cody Hodgson - Drew Stafford
- Johan Larsson - Cody McCormick - Brian Flynn
Projected Pairs:
- Josh Gorges - Tyler Myers
- Andrej Meszaros - Rasmus Ristolainen
- Nikita Zadorov - Tyson Strachan
Jhonas Enroth will start for the Sabres.
News and Notes from Around the Pens
Penguins took the day off yesterday before skating today.
Beau Bennett made his season debut in WBS last night. He was a +3 with an assist last night. He will finish out the weekend most likely before joining the Pens for the last few games of the roadtrip.
Derrick Pouliot also returned to the Baby Pens lineup last nigh.
Projected Lines and Pairs
1. Chris Kunitz - Sidney Crosby - Patric Hornqvist
2. Pascal Dupuis - Evgeni Malkin - Blake Comeau
3. Nick Spaling - Brandon Sutter - Steve Downie
4. Zach Sill - Marcel Goc - Craig Adams
Pairs:
1. Kris Letang - Paul Martin
2. Christian Ehrhoff - Robert Bortuzzo
3. Rob Scuderi - Simon Despres
Marc-Andre Fleury will get the start in net.
My Keys To The Game
2. Bottom Six: The 3rd line has been hot lately and the fourth line has played commendably as well. These guys are keys to winning game, especially against good teams. However, in games like these, it allows them to get a little more ice time. It's important they take advantage of that and put up some points.
3. Power Play: The power play has been flying high all year, but Thursday night they got shut down by a very good penalty killing team. I want to see them get back on track tonight and hammer out a power play goal or two.
My 3 Players To Watch
2. Steve Downie: Like Sutter, he has played well the last few games and continues to build chemistry with Sutter and Spaling. One thing I would like to see him work on, starting tonight, is keeping is emotions in check. He couldn't do it against the Jets and it could have dearly cost his team.
3. Simon Despres: He has played incredibly well the last few games and is starting to find his offensive stride as well. I'd like to see him and Scuderi get more minutes tonight and see him put a bunch of shots on the net.
What You Need To KNow About Watching Tonight
- ROOT Sports will have the coverage again tonight. Bob Errey and Paul Steigerwald has the call at 7:00pm.
- Penguins Pregame starts at 6:30pm on ROOT Sports
- The Post Game show will follow the game action.
- Pens Radio Net and 105.9 The X will have the call starting at 6pm. Bob Grove will have the pregame starting at 6. Mike Lange and Phil Bourque will call the game action starting at 7pm. Bob Grove will follow the game with Penguins Hot Line.
That will do it for tonight. Thank you very much for reading.
I will not be on with a post game show tonight.
Thanks again and enjoy the game!
Cheers!