Welcome guest blogger Sheldon Smith @Sheldons465 for his Tuesday preview

Pens (13-6, 8-2 Road) at Panthers (5-9-4, 2-4-3 Home), BB&T Centre, 7:30 pm ET, ROOT Sports


For the second time in less than a week, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Florida Panthers renew acquaintances, except this time, the game takes place in sunny Sunrise, Florida. On Friday night, the hometown Penguins were victorious, coming out on top 3-1. Goals by Chris Kunitz, Matt Niskanen and Dustin Jeffrey sealed the win for the Pens, who overcame a second-period goal by defenseman Mike Weaver.

This game, as Pens fans remember, is headlined by the horrific collision involving Florida defenseman Erik Gudbranson and reigning NHL MVP Evgeni Malkin. Coach Dan Bylsma said on Monday that ‘Geno’ won’t be accompanying the team on their three- game road trip, which also includes games in Carolina and Montreal.

The Pens seemed to rebound nicely without Malkin in their lineup against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, as James Neal slotted in on the top line with Crosby and Kunitz. The line displayed good chemistry, though Crosby noted that it’d be better if they played closer to the front of the goal instead of in the slot.

Last Friday saw the season debut of the Panthers’ highly regarded goaltending prospect, Jacob Markstrom. In that game, the Pens outshot Florida 40-23, and Markstrom, at times, stood on his head with Pittsburgh dominating a lot of the play. The Penguins started out guns a blazin’ in the first period, outshooting the Panthers 12-3, while also having two power plays to the Panthers’ one, but the game was knotted at zero after one.

Chris Kunitz was lauded by coach Bylsma for going to the net on the Penguins’ power play in the second period. “I’m not sure we win if we don’t get a goal like that,” Bylsma said. “We might not get a goal in this game if it’s not for him going to the cage and getting that kind of goal.”

Tuesday’s game will most likely see the Penguins face-off against perennial nemesis, Jose Theodore. Theodore’s numbers against the Penguins is a staggering 20-5-3-1. For as well as Markstrom played on Friday and Sunday evening, he has been sent back down to San Antonio of the AHL, and Coach Kevin Dineen will ride incumbent started Theodore and back-up Scott Clemmensen.

Pittsburgh will have to keep a sharp eye on the Panthers’ top line of rookie Jonathan Huberdeau, hulking Drew Shore and Peter Mueller. Huberdeau paces the rookie goal-scoring race, with eight goals, including his entry into the goal of the year award, with his filthy deke against Ilya Bryzgalov of the Flyers.

Brandon Sutter seemed to enjoy his time in a top-6 role with the absence of Malkin. The second line with Sutter, Pascal Dupuis and Beau Bennett displayed good chemistry for their first game together without ‘Geno’ in the lineup. Bennett’s first NHL goal happened on Sunday evening against the Lightning, via the sublime pass of Sidney Crosby. It seems as though Pittsburgh has found that other scoring winger they have been craving. The fans in Pittsburgh are embracing Bennett as a youthful injection into the lineup.

For the Panthers, last season was a revelation for the franchise, as they shocked their division opponents in capturing the Southeast Division. This year, though, has been a struggle, especially on home ice. The Panthers’ record at the BB&T Centre has been a lacking 2-4-3, while the Penguins bring into town the best road record in the Eastern Conference, and second-best in the league behind the Chicago Blackhawks. The last win for the Panthers on home ice was on Jan. 31. With it being three plus weeks since a victory for their fans, hosting the Penguins might not be the best elixir to cure their misfortunes.

Aside from Malkin, the Pens are fully healthy, while the Panthers seem to be harboring the walking-wounded. LW Sean Bergenheim, lower body, D Michael Caruso, upper body, D Ed Jovanovski, lower body, LW Scottie Upshall, lower body, RW Kris Versteeg, upper body are among the key players which the Panthers are missing.


Treasure life!

Sheldon Smith

Join the Discussion: » 432 Comments » Post New Comment

» 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