Game Time: 7:00pm/ET
From: Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
Penguins Record: 6-4-2 (7th in Eastern Conference)
Oilers Record: 6-5-1 (9th in Western Conference)
Last Meeting: Dec 5th, 2007 @ Edmonton (4-2 Pens)
[Boxscore] [Video]
From: Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
Penguins Record: 6-4-2 (7th in Eastern Conference)
Oilers Record: 6-5-1 (9th in Western Conference)
Last Meeting: Dec 5th, 2007 @ Edmonton (4-2 Pens)
[Boxscore] [Video]
PENGUINS LINES:
Max Talbot - Sidney Crosby - Miroslav Satan
Pascal Dupuis - Evgeni Malkin - Petr Sykora
Tyler Kennedy - Jordan Staal - Matt Cooke
Paul Bissonnette - Mike Zigomanis - Eric Godard
Brooks Opik - Kris Letang
Rob Scuderi - Hal Gill
Darryl Sydor - Alex Goligoski
PENGUINS PROBABLE GOALTENDER: Marc- Andre Fleury (5-3-2 / 2.34GAA / .925 SV%)
OILERS LINES:
Robert Nilsson - Shawn Horcoff - Ales Hemsky
Dustin Penner - Andrew Cogliano - Sam Gagner
Ethan Morreau - Marc Pouliot - Erik Cole
Steve MacIntyre - Kyle Brodziak - Zack Sortini
OILERS LINES:
Robert Nilsson - Shawn Horcoff - Ales Hemsky
Dustin Penner - Andrew Cogliano - Sam Gagner
Ethan Morreau - Marc Pouliot - Erik Cole
Steve MacIntyre - Kyle Brodziak - Zack Sortini
Sheldon Souray - Lubomir Visnovsky
Tom Gilbert - Theo Peckham
Tom Gilbert - Theo Peckham
Jason Strudwick - Steve Staios
OILERS PROBABLE GOALTENDER: Mathieu Garon (3-3-0 / 3.18GAA / .895 SV%)
OILERS PROBABLE GOALTENDER: Mathieu Garon (3-3-0 / 3.18GAA / .895 SV%)
PENGUINS LEADERS:
GOALS: Satan (6)
ASSISTS: Malkin (14)
POINTS: Malkin (18)
+/-: Crosby (+3)
OILERS LEADERS:
OILERS LEADERS:
GOALS: Moreau (4)
ASSISTS: Hemsky (9)
POINTS: Hemsky (12)
+/-: Penner (+5)
The Penguins' offense came alive in their last game. Six goals against St. Louis may have brought their confidence back. They're also back at home for the first time since October 23rd, when they beat Carolina 4-1. However, they are coming off a long layoff. The Pens haven't played since Saturday so they could be a little sluggish.
And, no surprise, they've switched up their lines. Pascal Dupuis returns from injury to play on the second line with Malkin and Sykora, as opposed to the first line with Crosby where he's spent most of his time since coming over from Atlanta. Taking his spot on Crosby's wing is Max Talbot. I think it's a good move. Crosby likes to pass a lot more than Malkin does, so he needs someone who can finish. While Talbot is not a sharpshooter I think he can get the job done better than Dupuis could. These lines look to be the most balanced they Penguins have put together all season, so we'll see how it works out. I'd say midway through the first Therrien will start switching anyway, so the point might be moot.
Missing from the Penguins line-up is Fedotenko who is out with an undisclosed injury. On defense, Mark Eaton takes a seat in favour of Darryl Sydor.
The Oilers Ladislav Smid left their last game against Columbus with a mild concussion and he will miss the game tonight. Denis Grebeshkov is doubtful to appear as well.
I think this has the potential to be a fast-paced, exciting game. The Oilers scored four unanswered goals yesterday in Columbus, but ended up losing the game as the Blue Jackets scored three in the third to earn a 5-4 victory. I predict something similar in Pittsburgh tonight. Both of these teams are pretty streaky and have trouble holding the lead. The edge goes to the rested Penguins over the Oilers who are on the second game of a back-to-back.
And, no surprise, they've switched up their lines. Pascal Dupuis returns from injury to play on the second line with Malkin and Sykora, as opposed to the first line with Crosby where he's spent most of his time since coming over from Atlanta. Taking his spot on Crosby's wing is Max Talbot. I think it's a good move. Crosby likes to pass a lot more than Malkin does, so he needs someone who can finish. While Talbot is not a sharpshooter I think he can get the job done better than Dupuis could. These lines look to be the most balanced they Penguins have put together all season, so we'll see how it works out. I'd say midway through the first Therrien will start switching anyway, so the point might be moot.
Missing from the Penguins line-up is Fedotenko who is out with an undisclosed injury. On defense, Mark Eaton takes a seat in favour of Darryl Sydor.
The Oilers Ladislav Smid left their last game against Columbus with a mild concussion and he will miss the game tonight. Denis Grebeshkov is doubtful to appear as well.
I think this has the potential to be a fast-paced, exciting game. The Oilers scored four unanswered goals yesterday in Columbus, but ended up losing the game as the Blue Jackets scored three in the third to earn a 5-4 victory. I predict something similar in Pittsburgh tonight. Both of these teams are pretty streaky and have trouble holding the lead. The edge goes to the rested Penguins over the Oilers who are on the second game of a back-to-back.


No comments:
Post a Comment