Game #81 - at Atlanta Thrashers

Game 81

Penguins (46-27-7, 99 points) at Thrashers (34-34-13, 81 points)

Why does it matter?
It's looking likely that the winner of the Atlantic division will have the #2 seed. That should be the focus - home ice through two rounds (should they make it through the first round).

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - The Pens took care of business in exemplary fashion against the Isles on Thursday.
  
• Thrashers - Atlanta wilted down the stretch (7 losses in 9 games) and cost themselves a playoff spot in the process.

Questions to be answered

• Will Sid hit 50 goals? He has 15 points (4 + 11) in his last 6 games.
• Can the power play keep going? Don't look now, but they have 5 goals in 15 chances over the last three games.

Keys to the game

• No mental lapses!
• Simplify the game. Go north and south, get pucks to the net and crash. That will be what drives success in the playoffs when teams tighten up.