Faceoff Factor

Game 69 Preview: Penguins At Panthers

Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins

Mar 6, 11:10 AM | Hype this story!

Due to limited access this morning, the game day notes will be old school, so to speak. They will return to the traditional form for Sunday’s game against the Washington Capitals.

Inside The Game
Well, there is no big story like the return of Marc-Andre Fleury or Sidney Crosby, but the game remains a big one for the Pittsburgh Penguins, who look to add to the conference-leading 83 points.

Crosby has a game under his belt, and Fleury has had two consecutive starts (including Tuesday’s shutout of the Tampa Bay Lightning) where he has looked excellent. In fact, according to a member of the LetsGoPens.com Message Board, Fleury has posted a .939 save percentage in his last 12 NHL appearances, dating back to the time just before his ankle injury.

The Florida Panthers also have a hot goalie: Craig Anderson, who has earned a shutout in each of the last two games. But the team continues to struggle when it comes to offense, as they have combined for two goals in the previous two games.

While the Panthers wouldn’t appear to be a difficult challenge for the Penguins, trips to Florida traditionally have caused problems. Regardless, the Penguins have won all three matchups against this Southeast Division team this season.

Probable goaltenders for tonight’s game are Fleury for Pittsburgh and Anderson for Florida.

Standings
Penguins: 1st, Atlantic Division; 1st, Eastern Conference; 4th NHL — 38-23-7 (83 pts)
Panthers: 3rd Southeast Division; 13th, Eastern Conference; 26th, NHL — 30-31-8 (68 pts)

Statistics
Power play: Penguins 21%; Panthers 19%
Penalty kill: Penguins 80.3%; Panthers 81.2%
Goals for: Penguins 200; Panthers 182
Goals against: Penguins 185; Panthers 196

Injuries
Penguins: Staal, DTD; Hossa, DTD; Beech, IR; Hall, IR; Roberts, IR
Panthers: Allen, IR; Zednik, IR; Dvorak, IR; Stumpel, IR; Murray, IR; Van Ryn, IR; Welch, IR