The Penguins won’t have much time to celebrate last night’s 6-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lighting, as they are right back in action tonight against the Montreal Canadiens.
TONIGHT’S OPPONENT: The Canadiens have been on fire lately, having won five consecutive games and eight of their last nine. Their winning ways haven’t been affected by their current five-game road trip necessitated by the IIHF world junior championship being held in Montreal.
In their previous four games on the trip, they are 4-0 and have allowed only five goals. The Canadiens haven’t given up more than two goals in a game since December 6, a streak of nine games.
Canadiens goaltender Carey Price has been doing most of the heavy lifting. He is tied for second in the NHL in wins, seventh in goals-against average, and sixth in save percentage. In his last eight games, he has seven wins and a .952 save percentage. Luckily for the Penguins, he played last night in New Jersey and the Penguins should see backup Dustin Tokarski instead.
Tokarski is 6-4-2 and has a .924 save percentage in 8 games this season. He has never faced Pittsurgh.
NEWEST ‘GUIN: David Perron, acquired from the Edmonton Oilers yesterday, will make his Penguins debut tonight.
Perron is six feet tall and weighs 200 pounds. He is a right-handed shot and is listed as a left-winger, but has can play either wing.
“Over the last few years, I’ve probably played equally right side or left side so whichever coach decides to put me is fine with me,” said Perron.
The 26-year old is in his eighth NHL season, having spent the first six of them with the St. Louis Blues after being their first-round draft pick in 2007. He was traded to the Edmonton Oilers in 2013 and spent the last season and a half with them.
WHO’S FIRST? The Penguins will be playing the first-place team in the Atlantic Division on back-to-back nights, as their victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning along with the Candiens 4-2 win in New Jersey last night has moved the Habs above the Lightning in the Atlantic Division standings. Both teams have 52 points. The Penguins are tied with the New York Islanders atop the Metropolitan Division with 53 points.
TRADED AWAY: The Penguins traded away their first-round draft pick in 2015, along with forward Rob Klinkhammer to acquire Perron.
The Penguins have traded their first-round pick twice before in recent history. They traded their 2013 first rounder to Calgary for Jarome Iginla, and their 2008 first-round pick went to Atlanta as a part of the Marian Hossa trade.
Both of those squads came up just short of their ultimate goals, with the 2008 team losing in the Stanley Cup Final and the 2013 team losing in the Eastern Conference Final.
PITTSBURGH DOUBLEHEADER: Fans attending tonight’s game will be able to stay and watch the end of the Pittsburgh Steelers versus Baltimore Ravens playoff game on Consol Energy Center’s video boards.
Only those with a game ticket can attend the Steelers watch party, and fans will not be permitted to exit and re-enter the building at any point. Limited concessions will remain open throughout the evening.
MINOR MATTERS: The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (20-12-3, 1st AHL East) shut out their opponent for the second consecutive game. This time the victim was the Binghamton Senators, and the perpetrator was Matt Murray. The rookie netminder made 30 saves for his third shutout of the season. Nick Drazenovic had two goals including the game winner, and also added an assist. Sahir Gill and Matia Marcantuoni both scored their first career AHL goals. The AHL Penguins travel to Hershey tonight for a 7:00 p.m. faceoff.
The Wheeling Nailers (14-14, 4th in ECHL North) came from behind to beat the Fort Wayne Komets 5-4 in a shootout. Defenseman Mike Ratchuck had an assist as he returned from injury. Eric Hartzell made 31 saves and went 5-for-5 in the shootout to earn his seventh win. Shawn Skelly was the only Nailers skater to score in the shootout. The Nailers road trip continues with a 7:35 p.m. faceoff in Cincinnati tonight.
Photo credit: NHL
