Blackhawks (21-8-4, 10-6-1 Road) at Pens (18-11-4, 9-3-2 Road), CONSOL, 7:30 pm EDT
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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Treasure Life & Let's Go Pens!
JT