Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Game #78 - at Boston Bruins

Pittsburgh Penguins (44-23-10, 98 pts) at Boston Bruins (35-35-6, 76 pts)

Prior meetings:
Penguins 5, Bruins 0 on March 25th in Pittsburgh
Bruins 5, Penguins 4 (SO) on January 18th in Boston
Bruins 4, Penguins 3 (SO) on November 22nd in Pittsburgh

First, player news for the game:
  • Gary Roberts, as of Wednesday night, is not expected to play in this one. He didn't practice today.
  • Ronald Petrovicky will play in place of Roberts.
  • Tim Thomas will be back between the pipes for the Bruins. Let's hope the Pens can keep at him - he's been successful against the Flightless Birds in the past.
The Pens need to keep things simple. Play a solid road game. Nothing fancy. Just grind it out.

The power play has been red hot, but you could see they had a little more trouble when the Caps turned aggressive on the PK, trying to take away time and space. The Pens didn't adapt well to that, though it may have been because they already had three power play goals that game. Expect more of the same from the Bruins, and especially in the playoffs, no matter who they play.

The Bruins are coming off of a win over the Senators (in Ottawa), so clearly they're capable of putting together a solid game. The last time they won back to back games, though, was at the beginning of March. If the Pens can avoid the slow start, and don't take the Bruins lightly, they'll be OK.

Bruins blog - Bruins Nation
Check out their review of the loss to the Penguins, along with some word of a practice without pucks that followed their Sunday debacle.

The Pens need the win to keep up with the Devils in the division. I know it's currently Tampa in the 7th spot, but that could easily change since only three points separate 6th from 11th. Get the #2 spot, Pens!!

Let's Go Pens!

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