The Pittsburgh Penguins could face their biggest test of the young 2014-15 season tonight when they host the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings are defending Stanley Cup Champions and have won it in two of the last three seasons.
In the past few years, the Penguins have breezed through the regular season only to be stopped short in the playoffs. The Kings have done just the opposite, finishing third in their division last season, and eight in the Western Conference in 2011-12. As a team looking for a return to playoff success, the Penguins could use tonight’s tilt against the Kings as a measuring stick.
“It’s a team that’s proven that they know what it takes to win,” said Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, “We want to go out there and prove that we can do the same.”
The Kings, on the other hand, may be hoping merely for survival. They have been without star forwards Anze Kopitar, Marion Gaborik, and Trevor Lewis. Kings’ Head Coach Darryl Sutter categorized all three players as questionable for tonight’s game.
The Kings are also without suspended defenseman Slava Voynov. The NHL suspended Voynov last Monday pending a formal investigation regarding his arrest on charges of domestic violence,
TONIGHT’S OPPONENT: The Penguins won’t have to face former Conn Smythe Trophy winner Jonathan Quick. Instead, the Kings will turn to backup Marvin Jones. The news isn’t all good for the Penguins, however. Jones’ numbers were actually better than Quick’s in 2013-14, with a .934 save percentage in 19 games. In two contests this season, he he’s allowed only one goal on 33 shots, and his .970 save percentage and 0.75 goals-against average are second in the NHL.
The Kings utilized a little-known salary cap trick to recall forward David Van der Gulik from Manchester of the American Hockey League for tonight’s game. The Kings’ salary cap situation has been dire since the suspension of Voynov left his $4.17 million cap hit on their books. Because Los Angeles played with 19 men (the usual roster is 20) in Tuesday’s overtime to loss to Philadelphia, they were able to recall Van der Gulik without any salary cap implications.
ALL IN THE FAMILY: King’s head coach Darryl Sutter is the uncle of Penguins center Brandon Sutter. This will be the fourth time the two have been on opposing benches in the NHL, and Brandon has gone without a point so far.
“It’s always nice to play against some family, and especially to beat him, so hopefully, we’ll have a good one,” Brandon Sutter said of the familial matchup.
The Sutter family has no shortage of NHL connections. Five of Darryl’s brothers, including Brandon’s father Brent, played in the NHL, as have two of Brandon’s cousins, including Darryl’s son, Brett.
UP AND DOWN: The Penguins recalled forward Jayson Megna this afternoon. Megna, 24 has two goals and one assist in nine games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL this season. He had five goals and nine assists with Pittsburgh in 2013-14. Megna is not expected to play tonight.
MINOR MATTERS: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defeated Lehigh Valley, 2-1 in overtime on Wednesday night. Andrew Ebbett scored in regulation and Jean-Sebastien Dea scored the game-winner. Both were power play goals. Matt Murray made 42 saves for the win. The AHL Penguins will travel to Norfolk for two games Friday and Saturday.
Wheeling (ECHL) will play at Reading tonight at 7:30.
