Game #24 - vs Ottawa Senators

Game 24

Penguins (13-8-2, 28 points) at Sabres (10-11-1, 21 points)

Why does it matter?
First off, I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. I know I did.

This one should be two points. It is the kind of game the Pens need to win if they want to earn one of the top seeds in the East and keep improving as a team.

What has been happening lately?

• Pens - 7-1-1 in their past 9 games. They gutted out a win over the Sabres on Wednesday night.
• Senators - Other than a hot streak that saw them win 8 out of 11, the Senators have been really bad. They have managed less than 20 shots per game over their last three games.

Questions to be answered

• This is the kind of game where the Pens need to knock down the Sens and not let them up. Will they be able to do it?
• It feels like the Pens have struggled with early starts. Can they get the legs going for the 1:00 drop of the puck?
• Can Sid keep his point streak going?

Keys to the game

• Dictate the pace of play. The Sens are not doing much offensively right now.
• Keep the PK strong. The one way I think the Sens can steal this game is with their power play.
• Attack Gonchar and Phillips - both are a team-worst -12.