Good evening Penguins Nation! Welcome to the latest edition of Big Dave's Pens Pregame.
Tonight, our Penguins finish off the final game of their 5 game home stand when they host Art Ross winner Jamie Benn and the Dallas Stars at Consol Energy Center. Puck drop is at 7:00pm, but the Pregame show starts right now...
Tonight's "Big Dave's Gameday Jam" comes from one of my favorite spinoff bands of all-time. I have always been a huge fan of guitarist Slash, formerly of Guns N' Roses, and I heard this song at the arena last week and decided to use it tonight. This song, comes from Velvet Revolver. They were essentially 3/5 of Guns N' Roses and added Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots as their singer. It is a solid song and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Just try to ignore Weiland's awkward dancing and gyrating. Enjoy "Slither!"
The State of the Penguins
While the Pens have been up-and-down so far this young season, the superstars have been far more miss, than hit to start it off.
That all changed in the last three games.
Evgeni Malkin is currently riding a four game point streak, including the game-winner in OT on Tuesday. Malkin was struggling dating back to last season before breaking out against Ottawa a week ago tonight. Now, the big Russian is flying high and reeking havoc on his opponents.
Same could be said of Sidney Crosby, who finally seemed to find himself Tuesday night. While Crosby has created chances all season, he had yet to find the back of the net or a point entering the Florida game. Against Florida, Crosby erupted. He posted a goal and two assists to lead the Penguins to victory, but he also attempted fourteen shots and registered nine on goal in his 20 minutes of ice time. More importantly, as DK on Pittsburgh Sports' Josh Yohe wrote, Sid looked like Sid again. He was weaving in and out of defenders. He was creating opportunities to score for himself and his linemates. He was even drawing penalties again. Sidney Crosby has arrived and the NHL ought to be trembling because of it.
While the superstars have been the big news around the team the last few days, the team itself appears to have figured out its opening week troubles. The defense has been leaps-and-bounds better. Brian Dumoulin has emerged as legitimate NHL defenseman, capable of playing top-four minutes and running Mike Johnston's system. Rob Scuderi, much to the eyre of the fan base, has not only played well, but posted assists in consecutive games. Nick Bonino and Matt Cullen have transformed the bottom six from two lines taking up some time to two, legitimate scoring lines. While they have only produced one goal on the season, they have created as many opportunities as the big guns. Of course, I'd be remissed if I did not mention the play of Marc-Andre Fleury. Coming off a career year in 2014-15, Fleury has picked up right where he's left off and held Pens opponents to an average of 1.85 goals against per game.
This morning, the Penguins got even more good news... Pascal Dupuis will play tonight.
The Penguins are playing solid hockey. The superstars are superstars again and the bottom six are legitimate contributors in all facets of the game these days. It's been fun to watch.
Tonight, the Penguins go for their fourth straight win as they look for a little revenge when they host the Dallas Stars at Consol....
These Guys Are Good: Dallas stars
The Stars have continued their stellar play since opening night. Despite dropping their second game of the year, the Stars have bounced back to win four straight games entering tonight. The Stars lone loss came via Colorado in a 6-3 shootout in the Mile High City. Since then, the Stars have taken down the likes of Tampa Bay, Florida, Edmonton and Philadelphia on Tuesday night.
So how have the Stars done it?
Well, there scoring depth has been incredibly deadly. They have produced 21 goals in just six games, which is currently second in the league. Jamie Benn has continued his Art Ross run with 10 points in just six games this year, as has his linemate Tyler Seguin. Veteran center Jason Spezza has anchored the second line and produced seven points, including four goals. Rookie sensation John Klingberg has continued his stellar play into his sophomore campaign. He has four assists thus far.
On the back end, the roughly eight million dollars GM Jim Nill has invested in goaltending has paid off. Kari Lehtonen is 3-0-0 with a 2.35 goals against average. Offseason signing Antti Niemi has been solid as well, going 2-1-0, including a shutout of the Penguins on opening night.
The Stars are a deadly scoring team. Their defense has been solid and Niemi and Lehtonen have been good in net. At this level, the Stars are a playoff team. If they take it up a notch, they are a legit Cup contender.
The Lowdown on the Stars:
- The Stars are currently 5-1-0 on the season. Their 10 points has them sitting atop the NHL's Central Division.
- Dallas are winners of four straight games and currently are 3-1-0 on the road this season.
- The Stars have a plus-7 goal differential and currently sit T-2 in the NHL in goals for.
Dallas Scoring Leaders:
- LW Jamie Benn - 10pts (6G-4A)
- C Tyler Segin - 10pts (4G-6A)
- C Jason Spezza - 7pts (4G-3A)
- RW Ales Hemsky - 6pts (1G-5A)
- C Cody Eakin - 4pts (3G-1A)
Injury Report:
- F Brett Ritchie (wrist) returned to the ice in a non-contact jersey. He is still several months away after September surgery, but it's encouraging that he is skating.
- F Travis Moen (upper-body) is a game-time decision tonight. He missed the last two games but has skated with the team this week.
- F Curtis McKenzie (lower-body) is OUT tonight. He was injured last Thursday and is on IR.
- F Patrick Eaves (lower-body) is OUT tonight. He will miss several week after sustaining an injury v. Edmonton last week.
Line Combinations:
- Jamie Benn - Tyler Seguin - Patrick Sharp
- Vernon Fiddler - Jason Spezza - Valeri Nichushkin
- Mattias Janmark - Cody Eakin - Ales Hemsky
- Antoine Roussel - Radek Faksa - Colton Sceviour
Defensive Paris:
- Alex Goligoski - John Klingberg
- Johnny Oduya - Jason Demers
- Jyrki Jokipakka - Jordie Benn
Dallas Power Play Units:
- Benn, Spezza, Seguin, Sharp and Klingberg
- Janmark, Eakin, Hemsky, Goligoski and Demers
Antti Niemi is expected to start in net tonight.
News & Notes From the Penguins
- F Pascal Dupuis (lower-body) will PLAY tonight! He has missed the first two weeks with lower-body issue.
- F Eric Fehr has continued skating with the team this week. He was working on corner drills this morning. He is still likely a few weeks away, but he is getting closer.
- F Beau Bennett skated Wednesday morning, but is "not ready for game action" according to HC Mike Johnston.
- F Kevin Porter sustained an injury in Tuesday's win v. Florida and missed practice yesterday. He skated this morning and will be a game-time decision.
- Daniel Sprong missed Tuesdays game and practice yesterday to deal with visa issues. He skated this morning but will NOT return to the lineup tonight.
Roster Moves:
- D Tim Erixon has been reassigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
- F Tom Kuhnhackl was placed on waivers yesterday with the attention of being assigned to Wilkes-Barre.
Pens/Stars Matchup:
- Dallas won the first matchup of the season on Opening Night in Dallas. The final score was a 3-0 shutout. Jamie Benn, Mattias Janmark and Ales Hemsky scored for Dallas. Niemi got the shutout in net.
Projected Lines & Pairs
- Chris Kunitz - Sidney Crosby - Phil Kessel
- David Perron - Evgeni Malkin - Patric Hornqvist
- Sergei Plotnikov- Nick Bonino - Pascal Dupuis
- Kevin Porter - Matt Cullen - Bryan Rust
Defensive Pairs:
- Kris Letang - Ian Cole
- Ben Lovejoy - Brian Dumoulin
- Olli Maatta - Rob Scuderi
Marc-Andre Fleury will start in net.
My 3 Keys to the Game
2. Superstars: The stars came alive on Tuesday. The three-headed monster of Crosby, Malkin and Kessel had six points between them while Kris Letang added two assists and Fleury got the win. The Penguins need this level of success from this group every night if they hope to have a long, successful season.
3. Blocked Shots: Dallas likes to shoot and they are pretty good at it. The Penguins defense will need to make sure they get in front of as many shots as they can to help out Marc-Andre Fleury. Look to the likes of Letang, Scuderi, Dumoulin, Lovejoy, Cullen and the NHL's second in blocked shots Ian Cole to lead in that regard.
My 3 Penguins to Watch
2. Nick Bonino: I love the way Nick plays and the chances he creates on the bottom six. Unfortunately, he has had a revolving door of wingers over the first six games, but he has still created chances even with the miss-matched lines. Tonight, he will be flanked by Pascal Dupuis, which should add even more to the offensive punch of the third line. I think Bonino scores his first tonight as a Penguin.
3. Brian Dumoulin: Dumo was an "x-factor" going into the season and has shown to be a huge positive for the Penguins in the early going. The young defenseman has gotten steadily better in every game and has received extra ice time as a result. His skating is outstanding and he seems able to start the breakout better than just about everyone but Letang on the defensive end. I think he has another solid night tonight skating alongside Ben Lovejoy.
What to Know if you Are Attending/Watching/Listening
- It is a 7:00pm puck drop, with the doors of Consol opening at 6:00pm.
- The Penguins will wear their tradition home black jerseys.
- The Penguins will wear their "Hockey Fights Cancer" jerseys in pregame warmups. These purple, warmup worn jerseys will be signed and auctioned off starting on October 30th on the Penguins website.
- Tonight's giveaway is a Penguins Cancer Awareness Tumbler presented by UPMC Cancer Center.
- The Pens Gear gameday special is "Buy More! Save more!" Enjoy $5 off $25, $10 off $50 or $25 off $100 purchases
- Also, be sure to check out the Penguins line of "Hockey Fights Cancer" gear at Pens Gear. A portion of the proceeds will support the Lemieux Foundation and UPMC Cancer Center.
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
Thank you for stopping by to check out the Pregame. The blog, Twitter and Facebook pages continue to grow thanks to the support and spreading of the word by you fans. I couldn't do this without you all.
I will have post-game thoughts tonight. Be sure to check back around 11pm for my latest View From Where I Sat.
That will do it for me. Everyone enjoy the game. Welcome back Duper and LETS GO PENS!!!!