Good evening Penguins fans and welcome to the latest edition of Big Dave's Pens Pregame. Tonight, the Penguins welcome an old friend in Jordan Staal and the Carolina Hurricanes to Consol Energy Center.
The puck drops on the action at 7:00pm tonight, but you can begin enjoying the Pregame right now...
Tonight's "Big Dave's Gameday Jam" continues on last night's Star Wars theme. I hope most of you have gotten out to see it. I, for one, absolutely loved it. This music comes off the soundtrack for the new films and is entitled "The Jedi Steps and Finale." Its from the part where... Ahhhhhh, just kiddin'. I won't spoil it for you. Enjoy the great work of John Williams while you read.
The State of the Penguins
The Penguins played what was by far some of the ugliest hockey they've played all season in their home-in-home series with the Bruins the last three days. In both games, mental lapses, half-hearted efforts and atrocious special teams play were center stage. The Penguins have just played downright terrible hockey. No other way to put it.
But new coach Mike Sullivan still believes and God bless him for that. The poor guy stood behind the bench all night Friday one more lackadaisical play away from an aneurysm. Thankfully, it didn't happen but the Penguins still looked terrible.
The power play is just unfathomably bad. The superstars are playing far from super and playing nothing remotely resembling a star. The likes of a few, namely Sheary, Daley, Maatta, Hornqvist and Cullen have at least tried to make things happen, often to no available. Meanwhile, the likes of Cole, Kunitz, Warsofsky, Zatkoff, and Fehr have been so bad, it's amazing they are even allowed to step on the ice.
But that was all last night, maybe tonight we will see a different team. Maybe tonight, with a rookie goaltender making his NHL debut and an undrafted kid out of UMass producing the offense, the Penguins will be able to beat the down-and-out Carolina Hurricanes. And hey, maybe some of these other guys will show up too. Whose to say? Crazier things have happened.
Carolina drama: The Hurricanes
The Hurricanes are trudging through another abysmal season as they look to return to prominence after raising Lord Stanley's Cup a decade ago. Many players from that team are gone, but the notable hold overs are captain Eric Staal and goaltender Cam Ward. Both are shells of their formers selves and Staal is rampant in trade speculation.
Carolina is in full rebuild mode, as they have been for nearly four years now, yet they don't seem to be getting any closer to fixing things. Part of the issue is the horrible contract of Cam Ward. Once one of the elite, the former Conn Smythe winner has been a complete disaster in recent years. Injuries, terrible play and the lack of defensive support has made Ward anything from a fan favorite these days in Raleigh. Up front, Eric Staal and his brother Jordan were supposed to be a dynamic duo that would return the Canes to the post season, but the trade has been far better to the Penguins and now both are speculated to be moved in the near future. Then you have the young talent that hasn't developed or is injury prone. Prime example number one there is Jeff Skinner, who shows flashes of brilliance then finds himself on the IR list for extended periods of time. Others have the potential, but haven't realized it yet.
The one thing the Canes do have going for them are a duo of young, good defenseman. The first is US Olympican Justin Faulk. The 23-year-old is having a career year for the Canes, currently leading them in assists and points. He has posted 26 points thus far, though he has a minus-8 rating. The other bright spot was the 5th overall pick in this year's draft, Noah Hanifin. He has proven to be a solid defenseman, currently leading the blue line corps with a minus-2 rating. He has also added a goal and seven points in 28 games this season. These two will be the building blocks for the future, along with the likes of forward Victor Rask, who has been incredibly good of late and posted 22 points on the season thus far.
But Carolina is still in the cellar. While they are two points ahead of the Blue Jackets in the Metropolitan, the Canes are once again destined for a top 5 pick in the draft. The Pens need to take advantage of this down team.
The Lowdown on Carolina:
- The Hurricanes currently sit 7th in the Metro with a 12-15-3 record.
- They were shutout last night by Florida 2-0 and have gone 4-5-1 in their last 10 games.
- The Canes are 6-8-2 on the road this season.
- Carolina's minus-21 goal differential is second worse in the Metropolitan Division entering tonight.
Scoring Leaders:
- D Justin Faulk - 26pts (12G-14A)
- C Victor Rask - 22pts (9G-13A)
- C Eric Staal - 18pts (5G-13A)
- RW Kris Versteeg - 17pts (4G-13A)
- LW Jeff Skinner - 17pts (14G-3A)
Injury Report:
- LW Nathan Gerbe (lower-body) is OUT tonight. He is still roughly 2-4 weeks away from return.
- D James Wisniewski (lower-body) is OUT tonight. The veteran defenseman tore his ACL on Opening Night against the Predators. He will miss the remainder of the season.
Projected Lines:
- Kris Versteeg - Eric Staal - Elias Lindholm
- Joakim Nordstrom - Jordan Staal - Andrej Nestrasil
- Jeff Skinner - Victor Rask - Phil Di Giuseppe
- Brad Malone - Jay McClement - Chris Terry
Projected Pairs:
- Ron Hainsey - Justin Faulk
- John-Micheal Liles - Brett Pesce
- Noah Hanifin - Jaccob Slavin
Eddie Lack is expected to start in net tonight for Carolina.
News & Notes From the Penguins
- Besides the player's prides, no other injuries than those to Fleury, Bennett and Letang.
Transaction Report:
- F Daniel Sprong was reassigned to Charlottesville of the QMJHL.
- F Scott Wilson has been recalled from Wilkes-Barre. He currently leads the Baby Pens in goals.
Pens/Canes Matchup Notes:
- The two teams split the season series last year, each winning one game at home and on the road. (2-2-0 records)
- LW Chris Kunitz led the Penguins in scoring in the series, posting 2 goals and four points.
- C Sidney Crosby had three assists in four games.
- C Eric Staal led the scoring for the Canes, posting 2 goals and 6 points in four games.
- D Justin Faulk had a goal and four points in the season series, as did winger Elias Lindholm.
- Pens are 7-3 in their last 10 v. Carolina including a 7-2 mark in their last 9 home games against them.
- Sidney Crosby has points in 13 of his last 15 games v. Carolina.
Miscellaneous Notes:
- Phil Kessel will play in his 700th NHL game tonight.
- Ben Lovejoy will play in his 300th NHL game tonight. This will also be Lovejoy's 150th game in a Penguins sweater.
- Matt Murray will make his NHL debut tonight. He was 12-4-0 in WBS this season before being called up.
My First 1/3 Grades
G - Marc-Andre Fleury (A+): The Penguins do not get this far without the Flower. They easily could have went 1-9 to start the season if Fleury wasn't in such fine form. His current injury really hurts the team, as he has really been the only reliable player game-in and game-out. For the season, Fleury has posted 13 wins in 25 games. His GAA is up to 2.29 after being in the 1.80 range in the first month of the season and currently holds a .925 save percentage. Fleury needs to get back in there to solidify this team. Without him, and in light of the coaching changes, the Penguins don't have much chance in turning this season around.
G - Jeff Zatkoff (B): You cannot knock Zatkoff for how he has played this year. He has rarely gotten in the net with Fleury playing so well, but when he has, he's performed. He has two wins and earned points in three of his five starts this season. Zatkoff will get starts now that Fleury is injured, and he needs to be better than he has. That isn't a knock on him, it is a knock on what is in front of him.
D - Adam Clendening (C): It is really hard to gauge this young defenseman. He has constantly been scratched in favor of Rob Scuderi, much to the detriment of his development and GMJR's wishes. In the 8 games he has played, he has been solid. He has one assist in those 8 games and has taken four minor penalties. I would like to see him play more games moving forward, but unless injuries occur, I don't see it happening, unfortunately.
D - Olli Maatta (B): I think Olli Maatta has been good this year and better of late. He was definitely coddled by Johnston in the early going, then tethered to Scuderi for a good portion of the season. Since he's been moved back to the top pair, he has produced great defensive play and several points. In 24 games, Maatta has four goals, eight points and plus-9 rating. Going forward, Maatta will need to continue his outstanding play. Without it, the Penguins defensive corps will be an even bigger issue.
D - David Warsofsky (C+): This kid has talent, but his biggest issue is he is undersized as a defenseman. He has great feet and moves the puck well, which is why he runs the PP as well as he does. He also has no issues shooting, which is something our defensemen don't do enough in my opinion. He could clean up his play in his own zone a bit, primarily by not getting caught pinching as much as he does. So far through 7 games, he has no points and a minus-4 rating while averaging 18 minutes a night. I don't know what the Pens plan is for him going forward. He certainly will be the odd man out with Letang returns, but could he be used a piece for a possible winger acquisition? Just something to think about.
D - Trevor Daley (N/A): Hard to judge him on a season's work when he's only played here for one game. For that reason, he will not get a grade. I will say, going forward Daley will be a key piece for the Penguins. He has good feet and is calm on the puck. He reminds me a lot of Sergei Gonchar. With Gonchar on the staff, I think he can groom Daley into an even better puck moving d-man and make this trade an absolute steal.
F - Matt Cullen (B-): Cullen has been good thus far. He is outstanding in the faceoff circle and on the PK, which is what we were told going into the year. He has lived up to that. He also has shown he can create offensively both 5-on-5 and on the PK. He has 3 goals and 8 points so far, which is more than the majority of the team's fourth liners last year for the whole year. Cullen needs to maintain this level of play going forward. His PK and faceoff skills are key to this team, but he has also taken Sergei Plotnikov under his wing and helped him develop. I think he will help other young forwards as the season progresses as well.
D - Brian Dumoulin (A): He was a major wild care entering the season and he has been the Penguins best defenseman all season long. He went from a kid playing 14 minutes a night to the guy the coach depends on in all situation. With Letang out, his numbers have jumped greatly and he deserves it. His chemistry with Ben Lovejoy is great and the two have become the shutdown pair for the Penguins. Through 30 games, Dumo has seven assists, a plus-2 rating and 32 blocked shots on the season. Dumoulin will need to continue this pace for the rest of the year. If he can do that, he can really help the Pens without them being forced to make another trade for a defenseman.
F - Kevin Porter (C+): Porter has only played a handful of games for the Penguins this year, but he has impressed me. He is your prototypical NHL fourth liner, but he does have the ability to create offense every now and then. His biggest help comes on the PK where he has excelled and really stood out to me. He has an assist in 9 games this year. I don't see Porter being a regular contributor all season, but he is good in a pinch.
D - Ben Lovejoy (B+): Lovejoy has been another pleasant surprise for me this year. While many out there complain about his play, I look at Lovejoy and think he is providing exactly what we need. He is responsible in his own end, a steadying presence for Brian Dumoulin and a good penalty killer. On the year he has 2 goals, 6 points, a plus-6 rating, 54 blocks, 56 hits and averaging 19:32 a night. Lovejoy needs to maintain this level of play the remainder of the year. His chemistry and success with Dumoulin has greatly helped the Penguins and they will continue to play a big role down the stretch.
F - Nick Bonino (C-): I have not been impressed with him at all this year. While he has been pretty solid on the PK, he has left a lot to be desired offensively. He only has 3 goals and six points on the season, which is not good for a player of his stature. He was pegged as a 40-50 point scorer and I don't think he has a snowball's chance in hell of getting near that this year. Granted, he has had a revolving door of wingers most of the season, but he can be doing more and will need to moving forward.
F - Chris Kunitz (B-): I have been frustrated most of the season with the play of the 36-year-old veteran. While he has remained a physical presence, leading the team with 123 hits through 30 games, his hands still have not returned to him after a down year last year. He has 4 goals and 11 points so far. What has frustrated me about Kunitz has been his role on this team. I don't think he is a first liner any more. I think he should be on the 3rd line where he could really help the bottom six and Nick Bonino. Instead, Crosby is getting his way and the veteran has been on his wing and not doing much. I have lost count of how many primo chances he has failed to make this season. If Kunitz is going to continue to play on the top line, he simply needs to score.
F - Eric Fehr (C+): I am hot and cold when it comes to Fehr. I really love his penalty killing skill, and especially his knack for generating great scoring chances while shorthanded. On the other hand, I don't like how he hasn't played as big as his frame allows and I had hoped he be more of an offensive threat. He has played well when on the RW with Cullen and Plotnikov and I think his shuffling up and down the lines isn't helping the veteran on a new team. I'd keep him with Cullen and Plontikov and let them continue to generate chances on the fourth line. Through 20 games, Fehr has 3 goals (2 shorthanded) and five points.
F - Beau Bennett (B): I am really disappointed Bennett got knocked out for a few weeks in the Washington game this week. He has been one of the few forwards all year I have been consistently content with. He has already set a career high in goals with 5 through 24 games and has 10 points. The other plus for Bennett is he hasn't been afraid to shoot, and those shots have all been quality scoring chances. I hope he returns from this injury and can play to the same level he did prior, because the Beau Bennett I saw the first 24 games looked a lot like a 1st round pick we used on him five years ago.
D - Ian Cole (C): I have been incredibly disappointed with Cole's play this year, as has the majority of you out there. We saw what he was capable of down the stretch last year and he proved to be exactly what the Penguins needed in a bottom pair defenseman. Then this year, he was tossed up on the top pair with Letang and expected to play 24+ minutes a night. He was miscast and gassed after 10 games. This upcoming Christmas break will do him a ton of good. Cole is a minus-14 through 30 games with only 4 assists. He has not shot nearly enough and hasn't been good defensively. His one plus is he is blocking a lot of shots, currently leading the team with 62. Going forward, I'd like to see him play with Trevor Daley on the bottom pairing and settle back into the role he should play. I think we will see the guy we saw down the stretch return. Or at least I hope we do.
F - Daniel Sprong (C): It is hard to grade this kid because he really hasn't been given much of a chance. Johnston completely screwed up his usage and frankly, I think he'd be much better off back in Juniors at this point playing 18 minutes a night. He has 2 goals thus far, but he is still making mistakes away from the puck and has looked incredibly flat for the last month now. I don't know what to do with him moving forward. I think he should at least get a look with Sid on the top line, but I don't see it happening. Ultimately, I think he should just go to Juniors so he is playing consistently.
F - Conor Sheary (N/A): Like Daley, I can't grade him after only one game. However, I really like his game and I cannot wait to see what he can do going forward.
F - David Perron (B): Many have been disenfranchised with the winger, and I was too until he was reunited with Malkin and Kessel in November. From then on, he has been pretty solid and reliable. He plays his role well and is doing everything he can to generate offense for his team and animosity amongst the opposition. I'd like to see him score more than the 4 he has, but that can be said for everyone. If he keeps playing like he has, I'll be content with him.
D - Kris Letang (C): Letang has been really bad. There really is no denying that. While he has a goal and 14 points, his play in his own zone has been absolutely atrocious. For a guy on the top pair, this just cannot be. He is often out of position and it has been way to easy for opponents to get in his head. I still think he plays too many minutes, which isn't helping him either. Going forward, Letang needs to return to the Norris Trophy candidate he is. He will be paired with Maatta upon his return and from there, he needs to take off for his sake and the Pens.
F - Sergei Plotnikov (C+): While he hasn't scored liked I'd hoped, he certainly has created his chances. He has good chemistry with Matt Cullen and he has proven himself not only as a physical presence, but also someone who can kill penalties. On the year, he has two assist and a plus-1 rating through 24 games. I'd like to see him remain with Cullen and Fehr on the 4th line the remainder of the year. That trio has provided the Pens with some great offensive chances and a formidable forechecking line.
F - Evgeni Malkin (A-): It is hard to fault the one Penguins superstar that has produced points consistently to this point. While he hasn't been his usual dynamic self, he has been great for the last six weeks or so. He leads the team in goals (14), assists (13) and points (27) so far this season and I expect that to continue. The Pens have failed to score as a whole, but Geno has still been able to create chances for himself or his linemates when he is inclined to do so. I can't say the same about Sid who has not been able to create like Malkin has. Going forward, Geno needs to be the key cog in the Penguins offense, otherwise they are dead, period.
F - Patric Hornqvist (B-): There is no discounting this guy's effort. He takes an absolute beating every night and he is the only Pens forward that consistently goes to the net. He has not scored as we'd hoped, but neither has anyone else. Through 30 games, Hornqvist has five goals and 10 points, but remains a mins-4 on the year. Hornqvist has been completely misused this year. He does not belong on the third line and for whatever reason, Sid just can't do anything with him. I find this baffling, considering the duo sparked immediately last year. I'd like to see Horny back in the top six before too long, otherwise they are wasting his talents and salary on a third liner.
F - Phil Kessel (B-): I haven't been overly thrilled with Phil, but I can't say I am completely disappointed either. He has posted 9 goals and 18 points, but he hasn't looked like they dynamic sniper we had seen with the Leafs and the US Olympic team. We rarely see him streak down the wing and snipe shots home and he has looked completely uncomfortable on the power play. Going forward, I'd like to see Kessel use his speed more to create coming down the flanks and just fire the puck on net with every chance he gets.
F - Sidney Crosby (C+): Yeah, Sid is not getting the pass because he has the second most points on the team. In fact, the only reason his grade is a C+ is because he has 19 points. He has not looked like the world's best player that we are so accustomed to seeing and he has rarely generated much of anything. I think he would benefit from a sports psychologist, as a friend of mine suggested. It worked for Fleury and it would allow Sid to get his mind right, because something is certainly astray. He needs to go back to where he found success, near the net both at even strength and on the power play. If he does that, I think we will see the "old" Crosby return. If he doesn't do that, then the Penguins season is done, period.
Projected Pens Lines & Pairs
- Chris Kunitz - Sidney Crosby - Conor Sheary
- Patric Hornqvist - Evgeni Malkin - Phil Kessel
- Scott Wilson - Nick Bonino - David Perron
- Sergei Plotnikov - Matt Cullen - Eric Fehr
Pairs:
- Olli Maatta - Trevor Daley
- Ben Lovejoy - Brian Dumoulin
- Adam Clendening - Ian Cole
Matt Murray will start in net for the Penguins tonight.
My 3 keys to the Game
2. Power Play: Its got to be fixed and now. Crosby has to play down low with Hornqvist. If he swings up to the half-wall, you sit him. Warsofsky shouldn't be allowed near the ice tonight, let alone the power play. Let Daley work the point and fire shots in. Malkin needs to fire one-timers from the right half-wall, provided by Daley. Hornqvist, Sid and whoever else is out there need to collapse the net and they need to knock home rebounds. If they don't act like it's a man-advantage, then don't put the stars out there. I'm done with their games.
3. Role Players: Guys like Sheary, Cullen, Maatta (even though he isn't a role player), Horqnvist, Plotnikov, they need to be big tonight. These are the guys who give 110% every shift. They need to continue to do that, even if the rest of the guys around them don't. They can make a huge impact, especially against the Hurricanes.
My 3 Penguins to Watch
2. Matt Cullen: Cullen has played well. He is great in the faceoff circle, incredibly responsible defensively and on the PK and creates offensive chances for the fourth line. I think it would go a long way for the 39-year-old vet to knock a goal in tonight.
3. Patric Hornqvist: He's got to start scoring, but he cannot change the way he's going about the game. He is the only Penguin that goes hard to the net and he worked his tail off last night and got beat to hell by the Bruins defense. But every shift, Horny was back in front of the net, no matter what. He's a real gamer and needs to keep it up. It would just be a bonus if he scored a goal or two.
What to Know for Watching/Listening/Attending
- The puck drops on Pens/Bruins at 7:00pm. Gates at Consol open at 6:00pm.
- The Penguins will wear their traditional home jerseys tonight.
- The Pens Gear Gameday special is 25% off Touch and GIII for Her!
- This year's "Pens and Paws" calendar is now available. You can pick one up behind section 120 or 217 tonight or order online. To purchase online, use the following link: http://pittsburghpenguinsfoundation.org
- Also just in time for the holidays, you can purchase a copy of Eric Fehr's children's book "The Bulliest Dozer" at the Pittsburgh Penguins Silent Auction stand behind the First Niagara Club 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 if you're watching tonight's game:
- ROOT Sports has the coverage tonight. Paul Steigerwald and Bob Errey with the call beginning at 7:00pm. Dan Potash will have the interviews.
- Penguins Pregame will precede the game coverage beginning at 6:30pm.
- Penguins Post Game will follow the game action.
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 7:00pm.
- Penguins Pregame will precede the game coverage at 6:00pm. Josh Getzoff will host.
- Penguins Hot Line will follow the game action.
Pens Points:
- Attending the Game: 50pts
- Concession Purchases: 10pts
- Merchandise Purchases: 10pts
- ROOT Sports Pregame Keyword: 5pts
- ROOT Sports Post Game Keyword: 5pts
- Pens Radio Keyword: 5pts
- Miller Lite Nite at Highland Bar: 25pts
- Miller Lite Niten at Guntown Bat in Cannonsberg: 25pts
- Miller Lite Nite at Belmont 2 in Butler: 25pts