Match-up - Pittsburgh Penguins (3-2) @ Columbus Blue Jackets (2-3) Road/Home records - 1-1 -------------- 1-1 TV - NBCSN, CBC, ROOT, FS-Ohio, RDS Puck drop - 7:00 p.m. ET Series - Pittsburgh leads 3-2 Starting goalies - Fleury (3-2, 2.78, .911SV%) vs Bobrovsky (2-3, 3.00GAA, .916SV%)
Projected lines for the Penguins:
Chris Kunitz - Sidney Crosby - Lee Stempniak Jussi Jokinen - Evgeni Malkin - James Neal Joe Vitale - Brandon Sutter - Beau Bennett Tanner Glass - Marcel Goc - Craig Adams
Brooks Orpik - Paul Martin Rob Scuderi - Kris Letang Olli Maatta - Matt Niskanen
Projected lines for the Blue Jackets:
Boone Jenner - Ryan Johansen - Jack Skille Matt Calvert - Brandon Dubinsky - Cam Atkinson Nick Foligno - Artem Anisimov - R.J. Umberger Derek MacKenzie - Mark Letestu - Blake Comeau
Fedor Tyutin - Jack Johnson Ryan Murray - James Wisniewski Nikita Nikitin - David Savard
Notes:
- The Blue Jackets need to come out and throw pucks at Fleury every time they get a chance. Coming off a very shaky performance in Game 4, the Blue Jackets didn't really test Fleury and made it about as easy as it could have been for him. It doesn't take Fleury much to implode, so if they can get an early goal or two, and get in his head, the flood gates may just open.
- Columbus played Pittsburgh very tough at evens during the first two contests, but since then the Penguins have carried the play decisively during 5 vs 5 play. If Columbus wants to come back in this series, they need to generate a little more at evens. They can't rely solely on Sergei Bobrovsky and their power play to get them into the 2nd round.
- Sidney Crosby has been beaten like a drum by fans around the league - including Pittsburgh's - for his supposed lack of production. The reality is he's averaging over a point a game, and almost four shots per contest. He's also killing the Blue Jackets in possession, as the Penguins have out attempted the Blue Jackets 95-63 during 5 vs 5 play when Crosby's on the ice. He's been good to this point, and if he ups his game to another level, the Jackets are toast.
- Brandon Dubinsky was held pointless for the first time this series in Game 5. They need him to bounce back and contribute tonight.
- Boone Jenner has a point in every game thus far and has scored in three straight. Will that trend continue?
- Special teams will be very important in this game. The Blue Jackets have done a good job of capitalizing on their opportunities when given a power play, and they'll need to do that once again, because at even strength it's been a bit of a struggle. They also need to make sure they stay disciplined because, though Pittsburgh's PP has struggled at times, the Pens have way too much talent to consistently take penalties and expect to kill the off.
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