Pittsburgh Penguins Pregame Notes: Vs Anaheim Ducks
The Pittsburgh Penguins (32-19-5) host the Anaheim Ducks (23-24-9) tonight at the Consol Energy Center.
The Ducks are in the midst of an eight game road over a span of 15 days. Reigning NHL MVP Corey Perry and his team began the season with a 7-13-4 record before head coach Randy Carlyle was fired and replaced with former Washington Capitals bench boss Bruce Boudreau.
Boudreau and the Ducks have certainly turned things around this season but currently sit eight points out of a playoff spot with less than 30 games to go. Anaheim compiled a very nice 9-2-1 record in January.
Team Scope
Outside of the Ducks’ ridiculously talented top four players, they lack skill. Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan and Teemu Selanne carry the team offensively, though none of them are on a point per game pace this season.
Selanne has 18 goals and 51 points in 56 games to lead the Ducks, while Perry’s 27 goals and 77 penalty minutes are both tops on the team.
The Ducks are always an interesting team to watch in person because of their top-heavy talent, but the team’s lack of depth is its downfall.
Noted Penguin kill Jason Blake has nine points in 20 games this season. I fully expect him to record a point tonight. That’s just the way it goes.
Stat Watch
The Penguins have an admirable 17-7-2 home record this season, while the Ducks are a less-than-impressive 8-11-7 on the road.
Pittsburgh is 7-2-1 in its last 10 games, while Anaheim has a 6-2-2 record, including a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Wild last night.
The Penguins’ top defensive pairing of Brooks Orpik and Kris Letang will likely have their hands full tonight, but if they can limit the chances of Anaheim’s top line, the rest of the Penguins should have a fairly easy game.
Jonas Hiller (20-19-9, 2.72, .907) is expected to start in net for the Ducks, while Marc-Andre Fleury (29-13-3, 2.35, .911)will be between the pipes for Pittsburgh.
Puck drop is 7:08 PM and will be televised on Root Sports.
Let’s Go Pens
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