Game 21 Preview: Penguins Host Devils

Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins

Nov 21, 01:11 PM | Hype this story!

 vs.

7:30 @ Mellon Arena
Fox Sports Pittsburgh / Fox Sports NY (New Jersey)
Season Score: Devils 2, Penguins 1
 
Inside The Game
With center Maxime Talbot out of the lineup for the Pittsburgh Penguins, the lines have changed rather significantly, with Jordan Staal and Adam Hall moving from wing to center, Erik Christensen finding a spot on the second line, Tyler Kennedy Returning, and one of Colby Armstrong/Mark Recchi being scratched.  But with an opponent struggling on special teams, the Penguins may have an opportunity to earn a much needed victory on home ice. 
 
Prediction
Look for the Penguins to come out strong, as they have had three days off.  If they can put together a 60-minute effort, this game is theirs to lose.  However, a lapse in intensity for even a 10-minute stretch could be costly, even against a low-scoring Devils team.

The keys to tonight’s game will be for the Penguins to play with intensity all night long; drive to the net at every opportunity to get the power play units on the ice against a week Devils penalty kill unit; and play sound in the defensive zone to protect whichever goalie mans the pipes..

Final score: 3-2, Penguins win and begin an upward trend.
 
Team Stats
  GP W L OT Pts GF GA PP% PK% L 10 Standings
Penguins 20 8 10 2 18 56 62 21.0 82.5 3-6-1 5th, Atlantic
Devils 20 8 10 2 18 48 56 12.5 76.7 5-4-1 4th, Atlantic
Team Leaders
Stat # Penguins Stat # Devils
Goals 11 Crosby Goals 7 Pandolfo
Assists 20 Malkin Assists 12 Parise
Points 30 Crosby Points 18 Parise
PIMs 40 Malone PIMs 52 Clarkson
Wins 5 Fleury Wins 6 Brodeur
Note: Info up-to-date as of 12:00 pm, Wednesday, November 21, 2007.
 
Injuries
Pittsburgh Injury New Jersey Injury
Talbot, DTD
 		 Ankle Sprain
 		 White, IR
Janssen, IR		 Right Eye
Dislocated Right Shoulder

Comments

  1. DaBich

    Nov 21, 01:23 PM

    I’ll be watching, but I’m not holding my breath. As I said in an earlier comment, the less I expect, the less upset I will be….who knows, maybe even pleasantly surprised!

  2. Matt Bodenschatz

    Nov 21, 01:46 PM

    I think the problem with this team is that we all expected too much after last season. The fact is, this team remains in a growing mode, and that is evidenced by their team slogan of “Experience The Evolution,” which did not change from last year.

    This team continues to evolve, and with time, they will become a very good team. But Rome wasn’t built overnight, and last year’s surge was proof of what they will do in the near future, but not necessarily this season.

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