Hello Penguins fans and welcome to the latest edition of the Big Dave's Pens Pregame show. I hope you guys are surviving the snow well. I am currently in the heart of the storm in Reading and boy is it coming down. I hope you are all safe and sound. Today, our Penguins play a matinee at Consol Energy Center where they will host Daniel Sedin and the Vancouver Canucks.
Puck drops on the action at 1230pm today, but you can begin enjoying the Pregame right now...
Today's "Big Dave's Gameday Jam" just felt right for the opponent and the weather. Something mellow and catchy for us all on this Saturday. It comes from the English megastars Mumford & Sons. This song is the first track of their latest album, and is actually my favorite song of theirs by far. It is entitled "Tompkins Square Park." I hope you enjoy it with the Pregame today...
State of the Penguins
It is a word we have been hearing a lot about the last few days. Many of those in the Pittsburgh media have written, spoken, etc. lately that for the first time in a while there is belief in the Penguins room again. I think that belief is also starting to return to the fanbase as well with solid performances against Carolina and Philadelphia over the last few days.
Evgeni Malkin took it a step forward Friday when he told the media he believes the Penguins will make the playoffs. I give the longtime assistant captain credit for coming out and saying those words. I agree with the Penguins 1A as it were; I think the Penguins will make the playoffs too.
The Penguins have several things going in the their favor for such a belief.
Firstly, they are playing better hockey. There is no denying that what Mike Johnston was selling was way past the expiration date. In fact, it went bad in December 2014, not December 2015. What Mike Sullivan is selling though is Grade A and the team has bought into it. They are much more threatening offensively. They are executing the breakout and zone entries at a much higher rate than they were. (If you'd like proof of that, read this week's "Matt's Stats" by Matt Gajtka on DK on Pittsburgh Sports website.) The power play is actually successful and the penalty kill, which was strong under Johnston, is even better with Jacques Martin at the helm.
Then there is the fact that the Eastern Conference is an absolute dumpster fire. Besides the Washington Capitals, nothing is set in this conference. The Metro in particular has been mediocre, allowing teams like the Hurricanes and the Flyers to remain in the playoff race despite glaring holes on their rosters. If Columbus didn't start off so incredibly bad, they'd still have a chance too. There is no reason to think the Penguins cannot make a long playoff run with the current level of competition in the East, especially if someone eliminates the Capitals for them.
Finally, the schedule will help out the Penguins down the stretch. I believe this for several reasons. There is the fact that the Penguins will NOT play another game outside the Eastern Time Zone, which is huge for fatigue levels. Then there is the fact that ever game can be a four point swing. If you beat a Metro team, which the Pens have 20 more games against the division this season, you can earn in actuality four points, because you get two and you prevent the opponent two. It is key, and the Penguins need to take advantage.
It is time to believe again Pens nation. There is a chance, even a slim one, that this team could surprise us all.
Keeping Their Heads Above Water: Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks come to town today and they are one of the hotter teams in the league at the moment. Entering today, they have earned points of 8 of 10 games and have an overall record in that span of 6-2-2. This comes on the heels of losing the captain, Henrik Sedin, to injury. He likely won't return until after the all-star break. The same is likely for former Penguins Brandon Sutter. Sutter hasn't played since early November after suffering an abdominal injury that required surgery. Though he is close, he won't be in the lineup today either.
Despite injuries to key players, the Canucks continue to keep their heads above water in the lackluster Pacific Division. The hot play of late has helped, but they currently find themselves in a tie for second in the division with the San Jose Sharks.
Veteran winger Daniel Sedin has been a huge part of the team's success. He currently leads the Canucks in goals and scoring with 21 goals and 43 points on the year. His brother Henrik, before being injured, was the main supplier to many of Daniel's goals, assisting on 28 and posting 37 points overall. Jannik Hansen, who has enjoyed success alongside the Sedins, has had a great season so far with 12 goals and 23 points. Veteran Radim Vrbata, despite being rumored in trades, has posted 22 points and second year center Bo Horvat has 21 points through 48 games.
The Canucks would be more dangerous if they were getting solid defensive and goaltending play. Vancouver is a minus-15 thus far on the season and currently ranks 23rd in the league in goals per game average at 2.75. A surprising stat, considering the veteran presence on their blue line and in net. US Olympian Ryan Miller has been average at best, going 11-12-7 on the year with a 2.69 GAA. Jakob Markstrom has been much better, going 8-5-4 and carrying the team of late. He has a 2.38 GAA entering play today.
Vancouver has holes in their lineup, especially on the blue line. However, the Pacific (except for LA) is as bad as the Metropolitan. The Canucks should get a playoff spot, especially if they continue at this current level of play. Do not expect an easy win for Pittsburgh today.
What You Need to Know About Vancouver:
- 20-17-11 overall.
- Currently tied for 2nd in the Pacific Division with San Jose with 51 points.
- Vancouver has been good of late, going 6-2-2 in their last 10 games.
- The Canucks are 11-9-7 on the road this year.
- While Vancouver has scored, their 2.75 goals per game average and minus-15 goal differential have stopped them from being even better.
Scoring Leaders:
- LW Daniel Sedin - 43pts (21G-22A)
- C Henrik Sedin - 37pts (9G-28A)
- RW Jannik Hansen - 23pts (12G-11A)
- RW Radim Vrbata - 22pts (11G-11A)
- C Bo Horvat - 21pts (8G-13A)
Injury Report:
- C Henrik Sedin (undisclosed) is OUT today. Sedin took a nasty hit from Mikhail Grabovsky of the Islanders on the 17th of January. He has not played since and isn't expected to return until after the all-star break.
- C Brandon Sutter (abdomen) is OUT today. The former Penguins hasn't played since November, but he could play before the all-star break. He was ruled out for today unfortunately, so Penguins fans won't see the former third line center on the ice.
- D Dan Hamhuis (face) is OUT today. Hamhuis hasn't played since breaking his jaw in December against the Rangers. He likely won't return to the lineup until February.
Projected Lines:
- Daniel Sedin - Jared McCann - Jannik Hansen
- Sven Baertschi - Bo Horvat - Radim Vrbata
- Alex Burrows - Linden Vey - Emerson Etem
- Derek Dorsett - Mike Zalewski - Jake Virtanen
Projected Pairs:
- Alexander Edler - Chris Tanev
- Ben Hutton - Luca Sbisa
- Matt Bartkowski - Alex Biega
Expect Ryan Miller in net for the Canucks today.
News & Notes From Around the Penguins
- LW Chris Kunitz (lower-body) is a game-time decision today. Kunitz feel awkwardly late in the 3rd period on Thursday and missed practice Friday. He is experiencing issues likely with his rear end or lower-back.
- D Kris Letang (hand) is expected to play, but will be a game-time decision. Letang has played with the injury the last three games, but hasn't skated otherwise. I don't expect him to miss today either.
- RW Beau Bennett (upper-body) is a game-time decision today. Bennett skated with Crosby and Hornqvist on the top line in practice Friday and stated he felt ready but it was the coaches choice if he played today. I think we may see him.
- No update on Nick Bonino.
Pens/Canucks Notes:
- Final regular season matchup between these two team
- Pittsburgh won the first matchup in Vancouver on 11/4/15 by a score of 3-2.
- Phil Kessel leads Pittsburgh scorers with 2 points (both assists).
- Daniel Sedin and Jannik Hansen both scored in the first matchup for Vancouver.
Miscellaneous Notes:
- Pittsburgh has gone 4-0-2 in their last six games at Consol Energy Center.
- In those last 6 home games, Phil Kessel has been solid. Kessel has 5 goals and 7 points over those games.
- Sidney Crosby has a 7-game home scoring streak entering today. Sid has 7 goals and 13 points in that stretch.
- Patric Hornqvist has 13 points in his last 10 games.
- The Pittsburgh power play has scored in 11 of the last 15 games.
- Olli Maatta leads all NHL defensemen with a plus-18 rating. That is tied for sixth best among all NHL skaters entering today.
#AskBigDave
Wow, this is a really hard question. There are really a ton of ways I could go with this. If I had to pick just one song, I think I would probably go with a big song from the 1990s by The Wallflowers. Off their 1996 album "Bringing Down the Horse," I'd select the song "6th Avenue Heartache."
The title, "6th Avenue Heartache" alone works for this season. Though Consol is on 5th Avenue downtown, it's just one street off, but the Pens have certainly caused us all a lot of heartache to this point. But the song also has a glimmer of hope to it, just like the Pens have right now. I could probably find a better song, with a better explanation Reedie, but this was the first one that popped in my head when I read your question. I hope that is a decent enough answer.
Projected Lines & Pairs
- Chris Kunitz - Sidney Crosby - Patric Hornqvist
- Carl Hagelin - Evgeni Malkin - Phil Kessel
- Bryan Rust - Eric Fehr - Beau Bennett
- Tom Kuhnhackl - Matt Cullen - Kevin Porter
Pairs:
- Kris Letang - Olli Maatta
- Brian Dumoulin - Trevor Daley
- Ben Lovejoy - Derrick Pouliot
Marc-Andre Fleury will likely start in net today.
My 3 Keys to the Game
2. Power Play: The power play has been great since Sullivan took over. They have scored at least one PP goal in 11 of their last 15 games. They scored 2 against Philly on Thursday. I'd like to see another game like that with success on the man-advantage.
3. Build: The Penguins need to build off their win v. Philly Thursday with another one here. I think it is key to their season to get on a little bit of a run. This would be a decent time to start it against a quality team in Vancouver.
My 3 Penguins to Watch
2. Ben Lovejoy: Benny was pretty good against the Flyers and I am looking for more of the same today. I'd love to see him play alongside Derrick Pouliot today, especially since the two played well down the stretch last year. Lovejoy is a good defenseman when utilized correctly. I think Sullivan has asked more of him than he should, but I think today he has another solid day.
3. Carl Hagelin: Today is the day. He has come close in all three games since joining the team and today, is the day that Hagelin scores his first for the Penguins. He will use his speed and create an odd-man rush and he will bury one. That's my bold prediction today.
What to Know for Attending/Watching/Listening
- Puck drops on Penguins/Hurricanes at 12:30pm. Doors to Consol will open at 11:30am.
- The Penguins will wear their traditional home jerseys.
- Pens Gear Gameday Special is receive a free gift with a $50 purchase.
- “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.
- Groundhog Day is just around the corner – and Saturday you can meet the one and only Punxsutawney Phil in person! Just stop by the FedEx Level behind Section 110 before the end of the second intermission! Don’t miss your chance to see this legendary groundhog before he makes his prognostication on February 2!
Here is what you need to know for WATCHING tonight:
- ROOT Sports has the coverage tonight. Paul Steigerwald and Bob Errey with the call beginning at 12:30pm. Dan Potash will have the interviews.
- Penguins Pregame will precede the game coverage beginning at 12:00pm.
- 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 12:30pm.
- Penguins Pregame will precede the game coverage at 11:30am. Josh Getzoff will host.
- Penguins Hot Line will follow the game action.
Pens Points:
- Game Attendance: 50pts
- Concession Stand Purchases: 10pts
- Merchandise Purchases: 10pts
- ROOT Sports Pregame Keyword: 5pts
- ROOT Sports Post Game Keyword: 5pts
- Pens Radio Keyword: 5pts