Game #18 - at Atlanta Thrashers

Game 18

Penguins (8-8-1, 17 points) at Thrashers (7-6-3, 17 points)

Why does it matter?
The Pens badly need some momentum. They also badly need another good performance out of Marc-Andre Fleury.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - A great win at home over the Lightning last night will hopefully start the ship sailing in the right direction.
• Thrashers - They had lost three in a row before a great performance from Pavelec on Thursday night against Minnesota.

Questions to be answered

• Who gets the start in goal? My money is on Fleury.
• The Thrashers are pretty bad defensively (29th in goals against and 27th in PK %). Can the Pens push the tempo and put the puck in the net?
• Can the Pens control the Thrashers on the power play? The Atlanta boys are 4th in efficiency, and unlike the Lightning, they get goals from a bunch of players.

Keys to the game

• The Thrashers will allow a ton of shots, but not take many penalties. Keep them bottled up and work for the quality shot... don't just throw pucks at the net.
• Build on the performance from last night.
• Watch out for Byfuglien. He's a top-scoring defenseman this year, but has an all-around type of game.