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GAMEDAY! Rematch from a feisty first meeting

December 16, 2011, 10:42 AM ET [ Comments]
John Toperzer
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Pens (17-10-4, 9-7-2 Road) at Sens (14-14-4, 7-7-1 Home), 7:30 pm EDT

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Jordan Staal and Joe Vitale are game-time decisions, according to Pens coach Dan Bylsma. The team recalled both Eric Tangradi and Alexandre Picard on Friday morning, however, bringing into question who might sit.

Brent Johnson will start in goal for the Penguins. Interestingly, Johnson will be making his seventh road start in eight games in 2011-12. He hasn’t played particularly well but it’s interesting to note just how many times the team has started him away from CONSOL Energy Center.

On a positive note, Johnson holds an 8-1-1 career mark against Ottawa. Remember to check the Penguins’ Web site for additional game-day details as they become available during the day.



*****



Pens-Sens: By the Numbers


Goals For/Against per game

Pens 2.97-2.48
Sens 2.91-3.44


5-on-5 For/Against

Pens 1.03
Sens 0.85


Power Play

Pens 18.2 percent, 12-for-66 (Road)
Sens 16.1 percent, 9-for-56 (Home)


Penalty Kill

Pens 84.7 percent, 11-for-72 (Road)
Sens 75.4 percent, 14-for-57 (Home)


Shots For/Against per game

Pens 33.7-27.8
Sens 31.2-31.5


Record When Leading After 1st Pd/2nd Pd

Pens 9-2-3/10-0-2
Sens 4-1-2/7-1-1


Record When Trailing After 1st Pd/2nd Pd

Pens 5-6-1/3-7-1
Sens 5-9-1/3-12-1



*****

Pens-Sens: Season Series


The Pens hosted Ottawa on Friday, Nov. 25 in Sidney Crosby’s third game back and won, 6-3. Rookie Kaspar Daugavins scored for the Sens 79 seconds into the game but Pittsburgh answered with four goals in the next eight minutes.

Ottawa pulled goalie Craig Anderson after he stopped just four of eight shots, replacing him with Alex Auld. Auld looked good in getting a full workout, allowing two goals on 32 additional shots. Marc-Andre Fleury made 24 saves for Pittsburgh.

The big news of the night was Crosby’s cross-checking of Sens forward Nick Foligno in the Pens’ crease. Foligno and the Ottawa organization cried foul over Sid’s elbow to the head. Foligno, who fell over Fleury and earlier ran Steve Sullivan, has collected penalties in eight of his last 11 games, including a game misconduct for a boarding call on the Canucks’ Ryan Kesler less than one week ago.

After the Pens jumped out to the early lead, coach Bylsma switched up the lines and even put Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal and Crosby together.

“We play one shift, it’s three terrors, we surprised them,” Malkin told the Associated Press. “We never played (together before) and had good chances to score. I like it. It two great offensive guys who can control the puck and make passes.”



*****

Probable Starting Goalies


Pens Brent Johnson

2011-12 (Overall) 2-3-2, 2.83 GAA, .899 save percentage

2011-12 (Road) 2-3-1, 2.83 GAA, .905 save percentage

Career vs. Sens 8-1-1, 1.99 GAA, .940 save percentage, one shutout (no 2011-12 gms vs. Sens)


Sens Craig Anderson

2011-12 (Overall) 13-11-2, 3.42 GAA, .894 save percentage

2011-12 (Home) 6-6-1, 3.27 GAA, .892 save percentage

2011-12 (vs. Pens) 0-1-0, 26.13 GAA, .500 save percentage



*****


Injury Roll Call

Pens

Sidney Crosby – Out, no timetable for a return from concussion symptoms

Kris Letang – Out, no timetable for a return from concussion symptoms

Robert Bortuzzo – Out, no timetable for a return from concussion symptoms

Zbynek Michalek – Probable, expected to return from concussion symptoms

Jordan Staal – Questionable, game-time decision after Hartnell leg hit in Philly

Joe Vitale – Questionable, game-time decision with undisclosed injury

Brian Strait – Out, back practicing but will likely be sent to Baby Pens when healthy

Ben Lovejoy – Out, still not back from wrist injury

Dustin Jeffrey – Out, setback from knee surgery keeping him from lineup

Richard Park – Out, fractured foot will sideline him until January



Sens

Sergei Gonchar – Questionable, missed Wednesday against Boston with upper body injury

Milan Michalek – Out, no timetable for a return from concussion

Filip Kuba – Out, sidelined with shoulder injury

Patrick Wiercioch – Out, missing time after taking puck to the throat




*****


Treasure Life & Let's Go Pens!

JT
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