Tonight the Penguins will play their fifth consecutive game against the Western Conference. The Minnesota Wild are the opponent this evening and the Penguins will look to take nine out of a possible ten points against those Western Conference opponents. This version of the Wild is not like the last version the Penguins played. A lot of the players are similar, but they have a new bench boss with Bruce Boudreau. Every time Boudreau has coached a full season in the NHL his team has won its divison. Now I don't think the Wild are going to win the Central given how tough it is, but it does speak to Boudreau's ability to get his teams to play a brand of hockey that is successful. Currently the Wild are third in the Central Division.
Pittsburgh and Minnesota have some statistical similarities so far this year.
At even-strength these two teams are among the best in the league at generating offense. Minnesota is second best in the league in GF/60 at 5v5 at 2.86 and Pittsburgh is third at 2.81. Last year Minnesota was 19th in the league at 2.10. The Boudreau impact is being felt already. A number of Wild players are producing at even-strength so far.
They have eight players producing at around top line level. That is a balanced attack so far in this young season.
Pittsburgh also has a nice balanced attack
Tom Kuhnhackl is currently a healthy scratch because Conor Sheary is healthy again. Tough to bench the guy leading the team in even-strength production.
Goaltending has been good for both teams. Minnesota is eighth overall in the NHL with an even-strength save percentage of 93.6 and Pittsburgh is 11th at 93.0. Marc-Andre Fleury was the first goalie off the ice at practice today and will be the likely starter for the Penguins tonight.
Here is today's matchup
Two players were on the ice today that have been injured
No big news out of Pens' morning skate. Fleury was 1st goalie off. Sprong, Pouliot, both of whom skated before practice, are "progressing."
— Bill West (@BWest_Trib) November 10, 2016
The healing process continues for both players.
The game against Edmonton was the first time this year that Sidney Crosby was held off the scoresheet.
Thanks for reading!