Game #44 - vs Atlanta Thrashers

Game 44

Thrashers (18-17-6, 42 points) at Penguins (26-16-1, 53 points)

Mellon Arena - Pittsburgh

Why does it matter?
The Pens are playing a team that has a longer losing streak than they do, so I'm not sure it matters at all to the NHL community. To Pittsburgh, however, it only matters that they find a way to earn two points.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - Five straight losses, four of them on the road, with an abysmal power play.
  
• Thrashers - Eight straight losses, six of them on the road, with an abysmal power play.

Questions to be answered

• Which offense will show up, the indifferent one that managed 26 shots in Tampa or the intense one that fired 48 shots in Florida?
  
• A few games back, we were talking about the power play finally looking good. Where is it now? Can the power play contribute? The Pens are 16-2 when they score on the power play!!
  
• I'm still looking for a shut out from a Pens goalie. Can they get one? (this question is staying here until they do)
  

Keys to the game

• Dictate the tempo - the Thrashers are inconsistent and can be shut down.
• Focus on stopping Kovalchuk - most of the Thrashers offense begins and ends with him.
  
• Pray for a shutout by the Pens. If there were ever a time when one was needed, it is now.