GDT - Penguins @ Senators, 7:30PM, Friday, December 16, 2011

VS
Who: Pittsburgh Penguins @ Ottawa Senators
When: Friday, December 16, 2011 @ 7:30PM
Where: Rogers Sports-Net East

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The Story:

The Sens will hope to even up the season series, dropping the first meeting 6-3 in Pittsburgh on November 25. The last meeting saw Sidney Crosby pick up 3 assists but also engage in a scrum in front of the Penguins net with Nick Foligno which led to some heated comments from Bryan Murray towards Crosby, Dan Byslma and Brendan Shannahan.

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Ottawa (14-14-4)

The Sens lost to the defending Stanley Cup Champions 5-2 on Wednesday night. They sit 5th in the Northeast division, and 12th in the conference with 32pts in 32 games.

Milan Michalek will likely miss his 2nd straight game after suffering a concussion when he collided with Erik Karlsson. He is now tied for the league lead in goals with Steven Stamkos with 19 each. Karlsson is now 2nd in the league lead for assists behind H. Sedin's 27 with 24.

Team Leaders:

Goals: Milan Michalek (19)
Assists: Erik Karlsson (24)
Points: Jason Spezza (32)
PIMs: Zenon Konopka (106)
+/-: Erik Condra (7)

Players-to-Watch:

Jason Spezza

Erik Karlsson

Starting Line-up:

Colin Greening - Jason Spezza - Daniel Alfredsson
Nick Foligno - Peter Regin - Bobby Butler
Erik Condra - Zack Smith - Chris Neil
Kaspars Daugavins - Zenon Konopka - Jesse Winchester

Chris Phillips - Brian Lee
Jared Cowen - Erik Karlsson
Matt Carkner - David Rundblad

Alex Auld

Injuries:

Filip Kuba, Sergie Gonchar, Milan Michalek

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Penguins (17-10-4)

The Penguins fell to the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 on Tuesday. They should be well rested having two days off before their Tuesday game, as well as two days off between Tuesday and tonight's game. However, they will play tomorrow vs. Buffalo. Pittsburgh is 3rd in the Atlantic division and 5th in the Eastern conference with 38pts in 31 games.

Team Leaders:

Goals: James Neal (17)
Assists: Evgeni Malkin (18)
Points: Evgeni Malkin/James Neal (29)
PIMs: Arron Asham (33)
+/-: Matt Niskanen (12)

Players-to-Watch:

James Neal

Evgeni Malkin

Starting Line-up:

Chris Kunitz - Evgeni Malkin - James Neal
Pascal Dupuis - Jordan Staal - Tyler Kennedy
Steve Sullivan - Joe Vitale - Matt Cooke
Steve MacIntyre - Craig Adams - Arron Asham

Deryk Engelland - Paul Martin
Brooks Orpik - Matt Niskanen
Alexandre Picard - Simon Despres

Brent Johnson

Injuries:

Sidney Crosby, Richard Park, Zbynek Michalek, Kris Letang, Dustin Jeffrey, Ben Lovejoy, Brian Strait, Boris Valabik

I think they win this one tonight with a good bounce back game from Anderson. 4-2 Sens, empty netter.

Based on this week, sens have averaged 45 shots per game. Fleury has a 0.917% SV. That means we can likely get 3.7 goals, so we round down and get 3 goals as worst case.

Too bad Anderson lets in 5 GA each time. I don't need to do a calculation for that

GDT good enough for now. Used dailyfaceoff lines and they didn't have anyone on the 2nd line LW, so that will have to be edited when they figure out who is playing there. The Penguins are hurting bad with injuries.

Both teams are coming off losses... Pens are 5-4-1 in their last 10, Sens are 4-4-2. This should be a close one... and will most likely come down to Anderson vs Fleury.

All the vital stats here:

Michallica wrote:Based on this week, sens have averaged 45 shots per game. Fleury has a 0.917% SV. That means we can likely get 3.7 goals, so we round down and get 3 goals as worst case.

Too bad Anderson lets in 5 GA each time. I don't need to do a calculation for that

How about that game vs the Sabres?

Give him credit where its due if you're going to slam him when he's "bad".

This'll be an interesting game. Winnable IMO, depending on Anderson I guess.

Is Michalek back tonight?

No changes tonight, so no Michalek.

Malkin has been Dung the last couple of games. He will win this game by himself if we don't stop him.

Big Ev wrote:Malkin has been Dung the last couple of games. He will win this game by himself if we don't stop him.

Cross check to the windpipe might do it.

SeawaySensFan wrote:

Big Ev wrote:Malkin has been Dung the last couple of games. He will win this game by himself if we don't stop him.

Cross check to the windpipe might do it.

The old VBC. Voice Box Chop.

ALEX AULD STARTS

good thing I have an exam and will miss the game

Big Ev wrote:ALEX AULD STARTS

good thing I have an exam and will miss the game

I will be changing my prediction...

SeawaySensFan wrote:

Big Ev wrote:Malkin has been Dung the last couple of games. He will win this game by himself if we don't stop him.

Cross check to the windpipe might do it.

I suggest knee on knee, less risks of a suspension

Big Ev wrote:ALEX AULD STARTS

good thing I have an exam and will miss the game

I need an exam too