Good evening Penguins fans, and welcome to the latest edition of Big Dave's Pens Pregame. Glad to have you all back tonight for the Pens showdown with current Presidents Trophy front-runners Washington.
Puck drops on the fourth installment of Pens/Caps at 6:00pm this evening, but you can begin enjoying my latest pregame now....
Today's "Big Dave's Gameday Jam" comes from one of my favorite movie trilogies of all time. While I am not a fan of the books, Peter Jackson's interpretation of JRR Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" is phenomenal. Besides the acting and story telling, what really makes these movies amazing are the scores composed by Mr. Howard Shore. Shore has conducted music for some of the best films over the past quarter century, including "Silence of the Lambs, Seven, Philadelphia, Gangs of New York, the Departed and the Middle Earth trilogies (LOTR and The Hobbit Trilogy). I absolutely love his music, and this song today comes from one of the best battle scene in any of the Lord of the Rings movies. It's the music from the battle sequence at the end of "The Fellowship of the Ring," entitled "Amon Hen." Enjoy!
The State of the Penguins
Following the Penguins 4-1 win over their rivals in enemy territory on Saturday, DK on Pittsburgh Sports' Josh Yohe tweeted, "No sense of satisfaction in the locker room. More a sense of, 'We're a good team and we're just getting started.'" That is the mindset of a team that knows they should be winning these games, and that they won't be satisfied by the occasional win streak or good showing.
No, what we are seeing from the Penguins for the first time in a few years is a drive to prove something and to do so convincingly. The Penguins have always had high expectations around them, this year was no different. But after the start, the firing of a coach, struggle of superstars and chasing a playoff spot so late in the year, the expectations definitely were lessened.
Now, the Penguins are playing great hockey, as evidenced not only by their current five-game win streak, but also by the last two games. The superstars, even with Malkin out, are shining bright again. And, maybe most importantly, the Penguins have a drive to prove everyone wrong. They are hot at the right time of year and if they can keep this going, there is no telling what they could do in the playoffs.
Talent only gets you so far, as we have seen over the last few seasons. It's that desire, that unquenchable drive to prove every detractor wrong that wins big games, playoff games and playoff series. The Penguins have that right now, and for the first time since 2009...
Election Winning Play: The Washington Capitals
Washington remains the only team in the NHL that has punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs and have all but clinched the Metropolitan Division. While they have cooled down from their torrid first half pace, the Capitals are still a very, very good hockey club. Over their last 10 games, they have gone 6-3-1, including winning their last two games. They are staying relatively healthy, missing only top defenseman John Carlson; who is expected to return as soon as next weekend in New Jersey.
As always, it is the star power that is making things happen in the Nation's Capitol. Alex Oveckhin was the only player in the NHL to break the 40 goal plateau entering Saturday night. He currently sits on 42 for the season. But it is not that Russian that has made the headlines in DC, but the one centering the Caps' second line; Evgeny Kuznetsov. The 23-year-old in just his second full season in the NHL currently leads the Capitals with 53 assists and 73 points. He is certainly having a breakout campaign. Then there is Nicklas Backstrom, who after missing the first couple games of the year has picked up right where he left off from last season, posting 63 points through 67 games. Finally, there is Braden Holtby, who appears to be well on his way to winning the Vezina Trophy this year. Through 57 games, Holtby leads the NHL with 43 wins and currently holds a 2.20 GAA and .923 save percentage.
The Capitals are a talented hockey team. They are also very deep. I still believe they are the cream of the crop in the Eastern Conference. That being said, while their regular season performance has been impressive, they still have a lot to prove in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. I think this is their year, but we won't know until we get to the playoffs.
What to Know About Washington:
- 51-14-5 overall record.
- Currently sitting on 107 points, which leads the Metropolitan, the East and the NHL.
- Washington has won their last two entering tonight, and has gone 6-3-1 over their last 10 games.
- The Caps are 23-8-3 on the road this season, including 2-0 in Pittsburgh.
Scoring Leaders:
- C Evgeny Kuznetsov - 73pts (20G-53A)
- LW Alex Ovechkin - 63pts (42G-21A)
- C Nicklas Backstrom - 63pts (18G-45A)
- RW Justin Williams - 48pts (21G-27A)
- RW TJ Oshie - 44pts (22G-22A)
Injury Report:
- D John Carlson (lower-body) is OUT tonight. The talented young defenseman has missed the last month with a lower-body issue, but he is skating and should return to the Capitals lineup over the next week.
Projected Lines:
- Alex Ovechkin - Nicklas Backstrom - Jay Beagle
- Andre Burakovsky - Evgeny Kuznetsov - TJ Oshie
- Jason Chimera - Marcus Johansson - Justin Williams
- Daniel Winnik - Mike Richards - Tom Wilson
Projected Pairs:
- Karl Alzner - Matt Niskanen
- Brooks Orpik - Dmitri Orlov
- Nate Schmidt - Taylor Chorney
Braden Holtby is expected to start in net.
News & Notes From Around the Penguins
- D Ben Lovejoy is a game-time decision tonight. Lovejoy was activated off IR before Saturday's game in Philadelphia, but he was held out of the lineup. Very possible he gets back in there today.
- RW Beau Bennett (upper-body) is OUT today, but could return to the lineup this week.
Pens/Caps Matchup Notes:
- Fourth of five regular season matchups between these two teams.
- The Capitals have won the last two games, including both in Pittsburgh to date.
- Phil Kessel, Nick Bonino and Olli Maatta are the Pens leading scorers who will play in this game. Each has two, but injured center Evgeni Malkin had three points in the season series so far.
- TJ Oshie and Nicklas Backstrom lead the Capitals in scoring v. Pittsburgh. Each has four points through the three games.
Miscellaneous Notes:
- The Penguins enter this game on a five-game win streak, and a 7-3-0 overall record over their last 10 games.
- With a win, the Penguins could tie their season-high win streak of six.
- Pittsburgh is currently 6-1 over their Metropolitan stretch of games.
- C Sidney Crosby enters this game on an 11-game point streak.
- C Nick Bonino has had consecutive multi-point games (1G-3A).
#AskBigDave
Honestly, with the way these guys are playing right now and the way they think they have more to prove, I think this team could make a lot of noise in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. For the first time in a while, this team seems to have a swagger about it that they haven't had in years and more importantly, that drive to prove every detractor of theirs wrong.
I love that attitude!
I honestly think with the way the Penguins are playing they could make a run. Add in Evgeni Malkin, who I feel will pull what Patrick Kane did going into the playoffs last year, and this team gets even better. I love the way the kids like Sheary, Rust, Kuhnhackl and Sundqvist are playing, but I also love the way the team is fighting as a whole. They play for each other and they leave it all on the ice. It is a lot of fun to watch.
So John, I don't think a run to the Conference Finals is out of the question, especially with a favorable first round matchup.
From Tyler M. on Facebook: "Do we trade Phil Kessel in the offseason and get some nice legs in cheap free agents or keep him depending on how far we go in the playoffs?"
That is a really tough question to answer right now Tyler. I would say if you could trade Phil and get some good pieces back, you do it simply for the cap space. However, with the "down" year he has had, I don't think you get the necessary value in a deal.
And at this point Tyler, I'd like to see how he plays down the stretch and into the playoffs. If he catches fire now and becomes dynamic again, I think you role with him and keep him. I think the talent is certainly there, and he has played miles better the last two games.
The other issue is I don't think you get the pieces back in a deal. It's always fun to scheme these big deals for big name players, but it just doesn't work that way in real life. I don't think Kessel is going to go anywhere because it would be so hard to move his contract and to somewhere he'd accept a trade too; remember, he has a NTC. The other thing is, even with the freed up money, the summer of 2016 free agent class is not that impressive. If anything, the Penguins would overpay for far inferior talent.
So Tyler, I would be willing to give Kessel the benefit of the doubt and hold on to him for at least one more year. If the perfect deal comes up, then of course you entertain it, but otherwise roll with The Phil next year.
Projected Lines & Pairs
- Chris Kunitz - Sidney Crosby - Patric Hornqvist
- Carl Hagelin - Nick Bonino - Phil Kessel
- Tom Kuhnhackl - Matt Cullen - Bryan Rust
- Oskar Sundqvist - Eric Fehr - Conor Sheary
Pairs:
- Olli Maatta - Kris Letang
- Brian Dumoulin - Trevor Daley
- Justin Schultz - Ian Cole
Marc-Andre Fleury will start in net this afternoon.
My 3 Keys to the Game
2. Shut Down Ovi: The Penguins have done an amazing job of shutting down Alex Ovechkin this season and that needs to continue. Ovi has often torched the Penguins, and the longer they can put that off the better chances the Pens have at winning.
3. Second Line: For the second consecutive game, the line of Hagelin-Bonino-Kessel has been really, really good. That needs to continue. The Penguins need that trio to keep creating chances, but also to keep potting them. The points over the past two games is what we should be seeing from them consistently, not on occasion. If they can be big again tonight, the Pens should get their sixth straight win.
My 3 Penguins to Watch
2. Tom Kuhnhackl: I really like the way the young German has played lately, and he has had a couple really good chances on the doorstep. I think tonight he finally cashes in. He has played so well at both ends of the ice, and he, Cullen and Rust have the perfect mix of talents to create a great line. I think he plays really well tonight.
3. Nick Bonino: This guy needs to keep this run going. What we have seen the last two games out of Bones is exactly what I thought we were getting when GMJR made the deal for him in late-July. Bonino has been good at both ends of the ice, created plenty of offensive chances, and most importantly producing points. With Malkin out, he has got to keep it going.
What to Know For Attending/Watching/Listening
- Puck drop is at 6:00pm with the doors to CEC opening at 5:00pm.
- The Penguins will wear their Pittsburgh Gold jerseys tonight.
- Stop by Pens Gear tonight for the gameday special. Tonight, it's 30% off ladies apparel!
- Be sure to stop by the 116th U.S. Open Championship display behind the Captain Morgan Club during Sunday’s game to get a photo with the U.S. Open trophy. Oakmont Country Club is home to golf’s grandest stage this summer as they are set to host their record ninth U.S. Open in June. The trophy will be on display through the end of the second intermission.
- “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 http://bidpal.net/pens
Here is what you need to know for WATCHING tonight:
- The game will be nationally televised on NBCSN and should be called by Doc Emrick and Eddie Olczyk starting at 6:00pm.
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 6:00pm.
- Penguins Pregame will precede the game coverage at 5:00pm. Josh Getzoff will host.
- Penguins Hot Line will follow the game action.
Pens Points:
- Game Attendance: 50pts
- Concession Purchase: 10pts
- Merchandise Purchase: 10pts
- Pens Radio Keyword: 5pts