Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

GAMEDAY! Pens host Hawks in rare matchup

December 20, 2011, 11:27 AM ET [ Comments]
John Toperzer
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Blackhawks (21-8-4, 10-6-1 Road) at Pens (18-11-4, 9-3-2 Road), CONSOL, 7:30 pm EDT

Follow me on Twitter @JohnToperzer



The Penguins are holding a rare optional game-day skate Tuesday morning. Here are the players in attendance, according to the Penguins’ Web site: Tyler Kennedy, Jason Williams, Steve MacIntyre, Jordan Staal, Eric Tangradi, Craig Adams, Joe Vitale, Deryk Engelland, Brooks Orpik, Alexandre Picard, Ben Lovejoy, Matt Niskanen, Simon Despres, Zbynek Michalek, Marc-Andre Fleury and Brent Johnson.

Michalek could return Tuesday. Coach Bylsma stated that Lovejoy figures to see action before the “break,” which leaves Tuesday and Friday as the only two games before Christmas.

Jordan Staal will again test his lower-body injury – we won’t know if he’ll play until coach Bylsma’s post-practice scrum, at the earliest. Craig Adams is also questionable for Tuesday.

The importance of Marc-Andre Fleury is magnified even more by the injuries that have hit the lineup. Having the Flower in goal, even though he hasn’t played his best hockey the last few weeks, stabilizes everything in front of him. Brent Johnson could probably do well for a week or two in Fleury’s absence, but let’s hope the Flower stays healthy. Not trying to jinx the team here, just stating a fact.



*****


Pens-Hawks: By the Numbers


Goals For/Against per game

Pens 3.15-2.61
Hawks 3.24-2.88


5-on-5 Play

Pens 1.02
Hawks 0.97


Power Play

Pens 19.7 percent, 13-for-66 (Home)
Hawks 25.9 percent, 15-for-58 (Road)


Penalty Kill

Pens 92.9 percent, 3-for-42 (Home)
Hawks 80.4 percent, 10-for-51 (Road)


Shots For/Against per game

Pens 33.5-27.5
Hawks 32.7-29.1


Winning/Losing Percentage Scoring First Goal

Pens .667 percent - .400 percent
Hawks .929 percent - .421 percent


Faceoffs

Pens 49.4 percent
Hawks 52.6 percent


Record Outshooting/Out Shot By Opponents

Pens 14-8-1/4-3-3
Hawks 13-7-2/7-1-1


Not-So Hidden Stat

The Blackhawks have the most points (46) in the NHL. Scoring first seems really important to their success. That .929 winning percentage when getting the game's first goal is the best mark in the league.

Chicago also features one of the best road power plays. The PK isn't very strong, however, and could give the Pens an opportunity to cash in on their own power play, which has played better as of late.


*****


Probable Starting Goalies


Marc-Andre Fleury

2011-12 (Overall) 16-7-2, 2.31 GAA, .914 save percentage, two shutouts
2011-12 (Home) 9-3-1, 2.14 GAA, .920 save percentage, one shutout
2010-11 (vs. Hawks) 0-0-1, 1.85 GAA, .935 save percentage

Ray Emery

2011-12 (Overall) 9-1-2, 2.50 GAA, .909 save percentage
2011-12 (Road) 3-1-1, 3.83 GAA, .871 save percentage
Career vs. Pens 4-3-2, 2.94 GAA, .884 save percentage



*****

2010-11 Pens-Hawks Series

Chicago used a Patrick Kane shootout score to knock off the Pens, 3-2, on Feb. 20 in the only meeting between the two teams. Matt Cooke netted a shortie, Brett Sterling tallied a late third-period goal and Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 29 of 31 shots. Patrick Sharp and Bryan Bickell scored for the Blackhawks with Corey Crawford making 24 saves in the win.

The game was indicative of how Pittsburgh persevered without many of its top players. Looking down through the starting lineup, these Penguins not currently on the roster all suited up against Chicago: Chris Conner, Ryan Craig, Alex Goligoski, Mike Rupp, Sterling, Max Talbot and Tim Wallace.

Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin both missed the tilt.



*****

Recent Hawks Play

The last time Chicago’s top tender, Corey Crawford, started he gave up three goals in 21 minutes of an overtime loss Dec. 5. Backup Ray Emery has scorched a blazing trail ever since. Emery has gone 6-0-1 in December after an unimpressive showing in October and November. He’s allowed three goals only once in those seven contests.

Crawford may be the no. 1 goalie in the long run, but coach Joel Quenneville will play Emery until he loses. A team knows it’s going good when Niklas Hjamarsson gets a goal, as he did in a 4-2 win over the ‘Canes on Sunday.



*****


Treasure Life & Let's Go Pens!
JT
Join the Discussion: » Comments » Post New Comment
More from John Toperzer
» To Bylsma or not to Bylsma, that is the poll question
» Game Night: A light-hearted approach to Game 4
» Pens better in Game 3 but still unable to beat Bruins
» Game Night: Pens need Wednesday win to keep dream alive
» History suggests Pens-Bruins series not over