Monday, January 17, 2011

Game #47 - vs Detroit Red Wings

Game 47
Red Wings (28-11-6, 62 points) at Penguins (28-14-4, 60 points)

Why does it matter?
Datsyuk, Modano, Stuart, Cleary, Holmstrom, Osgood, Howard... do these names sound familiar? None of them will play for the Red Wings, presenting a very different team than the one the Penguins are used to seeing. Still, it is a premier match up, and the Wings are the top scoring team in the NHL. It will be a tough game.

What has been happening lately?
  • Pens - Two straight nice wins on the road have taken the edge off of the rough stretch lately.
  • Red Wings - Even with their injuries, they've managed points in every game but two since Christmas.
Questions to be answered
  • Can the Pens keep the intensity up even though the Wings are depleted?
  • Can the Pens get to the power play? The Wings have allowed a power play goal in four of the past five games.
  • Will the team scoring continue? The Pens have been getting balanced scoring across their lineup recently.
Keys to the game
  • Be ready to go. The Wings will be especially gritty given that they're missing so many players.
  • Keep Franzen in check. He, along with Zetterberg, are the biggest offensive threats the Wings have.
  • Match up against Lidstrom?? Believe it or not, the All-World defenseman is a -1 on the season.

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