New York Islanders at Pittsburgh Penguins
New York - 8-9-0 - 16 pts - Fourth in Atlantic
Pittsburgh - 5-8-5 - 15 pts - Last in Atlantic
Since the Pens last saw the Islanders almost two weeks ago, the Pens have staggered forwards, taking a few steps and then retreating a few steps. The Isles were embarrassed their next game by Ottawa, but since then have won two out of three (two of those games were on the road). Their power play has been clicking a bit, going 4-14, and their penalty kill has been sharp, allowing only one goal in 14 chances over the three game stretch.
As a road team, the Isles aren't very good so far this year (3-6). Let's hope they don't start a new trend tonight.
They recently (last game) put Aaron Asham on the top line with Yashin and Satan. That's kind of surprising, since he wasn't very impressive during the last game with the Pens. He made a few big errors, and by the end of the game was skating around looking for anyone to instigate.
The Islanders are top heavy, with Satan and Yashin right around a point per game average. You stop their big guns, and keep them off the power play, and you can beat them.
As much as I hate to say it, this is a game the Pens should win at home against a team that's usually pretty poor on the road. Tonight will be a good measuring stick for the level of the Penguins desire.
Hopefully we'll see Fleury in goal, though if I'm Edzo, and I really don't think that Saturday was Thibault's fault, I might start him again tonight just to show confidence in him.
Here's hoping for a win!
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I'm completly confused on what to think of Thibault. Part of me wants to say he's crap and can't be the starter we were hoping to get when we traded for him. Another part thinks that he's a soild goalie who just needs his chance to play multiple games in a row to get his flow and confidence back. Either way I would like to see Fluery in net at least one game before Caron comes off IR.
I agree with you, Pat, that tonight is one of those games the Pens should win. I know it sounds funny saying that about a team that's only won 5 games so far, but if we want to be in the mix come playoff time, this is the type of game we have to win. As usual it will come down to the Pens working harder than the Islanders. Either way I'll be watching. Unless it turns out like the NY game Saturday which was the first game all year I turned off in the 3rd because I was so pissed watching them play so bad.
Here's to a better game tonight!
Go Pens!
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