Saturday, March 20, 2010

Game #72 - vs Carolina Hurricanes

Game 72
Hurricanes (29-33-8, 66 points) at Penguins (42-24-5, 89 points)

Why does it matter?
Another chance for two points, and another chance to keep the pressure on the Devils to win. Also, a chance to even the wins against the Canes, who have beaten the Pens twice this season.

What has been happening lately?
  • Pens -Glass half full - if you ignore the games against the Devils, the Pens are 6-0-1 since the break.
  • Canes - Since the end of January, the Canes have been one of the better teams in the NHL.
Questions to be answered
  • Can the Pens get to the power play? The Canes don't take many penalties, but they allow goals when they do.
  • Will the same effort be there from the last game against the Canes, but with better goaltending this time?
  • Will Geno play? He skated yesterday and might play. If I'm HCDB, I sit him one more game - you have Detroit and Washington as your next two opponents.
  • Finally! Fleury got the shutout! I removed my long-standing question!
Keys to the game
  • Stop Staal and Whitney. They always seem to kill the Penguins.
  • Control the boards and dominate the offensive zone time. The goals will go in if the effort is there.
  • Clean up the mental mistakes - again. This is an ongoing process - get the mind into the playoff mindset so you're ready when they arrive.

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