Game 22 Preview: Penguins At Senators

Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins

Nov 22, 12:24 AM | Hype this story!

 vs.

7:30 @ Scotiabank Place
Fox Sports Pittsburgh / SPPV (Ottawa)
Season Score: First Game
 
Inside The Game
Coming off of a well-played 2-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils, the Pittsburgh Penguins will be looking for a similar effort but different results in Ottawa as they face off against the Senators in a Thanksgiving showdown.

Last season, these two teams took a heated regular season rivalry into the first round of the playoffs, where the Senators pounded the Penguins in five games.  The rivalry may be renewed, and it certainly has the potential to be as one-sided as it was in the post-season, as the Senators are off to a red-hot start, while the Penguins are one of the most surprising teams in the NHL, and not in a good way.
 
Prediction
I hate to say it, but I just can’t come up with any way the Penguins can possibly beat this juggernaut of a team.  The Senators seemingly have no holes, and with the Penguins’ struggles so far, it would take a major breakdown for the Senators or an incredible performance by the Penguins for this to end favorably.

But, since we are here for the Penguins, we must list the keys to victory.  One, forecheck, forecheck, forecheck.  If the Penguins have the puck, the Senators can’t score.  And the harder the Penguins play, the more penalties the Senators will take.  Two, stay out of the penalty box.  The loss to the Devils is a perfect example of how special teams can decide a game — and the Senators have the players to put it away quickly.  Three, pepper Martin Gerber (or Ray Emery) with as many shots as possible.  The Senators defensemen (and forwards such as Antoine Vermette) block more shots than anyone in the league.  The more shots taken, the more shots will hit the net.

Final score: 4-1, Senators win in a dominating performance.
 
Team Stats
  GP W L OT Pts GF GA PP% PK% L 10 Standings
Penguins 20 8 11 2 18 57 64 21.0 82.5 2-7-1 5th, Atlantic
Senators
 		 16
 		 4
 		 0
 		 2
 		 32
 		 63
 		 43
 		 16.3
 		 84.4
 		 7-3-0
 		 1st, Northeast
 
Team Leaders
Stat # Penguins Stat # Senators
Goals 11 Crosby Goals 15 Alfredsson
Assists 20 Malkin Assists 15 Heatley/Spezza
Points 30 Crosby Points 26 Alfredsson
PIMs 45 Malone PIMs 52 Neil
Wins 5 Fleury Wins 13 Gerber
Note: Info up-to-date as of 11:15 pm, Wednesday, November 21, 2007.
 
Injuries
Pittsburgh Injury Ottawa Injury
Talbot, DTD Ankle Sprain    

Comments

  1. Ashley Gallant

    Nov 22, 06:35 AM

    I think Gerber will get the start for the Sens tonight since Emery played last night…and lost. Given that, and the fact that the Sens haven’t lost consecutive games for a year (wouldn’t that be nice), my prediction is also an Ottawa win.

    Happy Thanksgiving guys! Eat lots of turkey :)

  2. Matt Bodenschatz

    Nov 22, 10:55 AM

    Thanks for the input, Ashley. I think this one is a lost cause, as much as I hate to say that. I’ll be watching anyway!

    Happy Thanksgiving to you as well…though I don’t believe it applies to you! :)

  3. Nathan

    Nov 22, 02:19 PM

    I started thinking about this game after last night’s game, and I would be VERY surprised to see the Penguins lay an egg tonight. An elite team like Ottawa (and the one who kicked them out of the playoffs last season) will have them ready, and I expect a very entertaining game and close game.

    And hopefully Ottawa has some ice fit to stickhandle on.

  4. Luke

    Nov 22, 05:07 PM

    i’ll go out on a limb and take the penguins 5-4 in OT how bout them apples

  5. Matt Bodenschatz

    Nov 22, 06:28 PM

    I sure hope you guys are right! Thanks for the comments, and enjoy the game!

  6. Ashley Gallant

    Nov 22, 08:41 PM

    haha yeah Matt, unfortunately my Turkey Day was in early October, but I sure could have used a nice holiday today. Thanks anyway! :)

    And Luke, I’m likin’ them apples…Just hope your prediction comes true.

    Hope you guys have fun watching the game!

  7. Ashley Gallant

    Nov 22, 11:23 PM

    Hey Luke, where do you get your apples? Your prediction was almost spot on…

    Nice to get a sweet win…and against Ottawa too!

  8. DaBich

    Nov 23, 06:27 AM

    OH MY GOD! Luke, I want some of those apples lol. Nathan, good call. You guys had it right on.
    What a great game to watch. Lots of everything, and fighting added in. Rutuu makes a funny hero.
    My Turkey Day was great. I’m thankful the Pens won this one!

  9. Matt Bodenschatz

    Nov 23, 11:12 AM

    Thanks all for the comments! And thanks to Luke and Nathan for their bold prediction. Oh, and I’ll have you know that I haven’t worn my Armstrong jersey all season until last night. Coincidence that they won and he played like the old Colby on the night I break it out? I think not.

  10. DaBich

    Nov 23, 03:03 PM

    Be sure to wear it Saturday night! lol

  11. Ashley Gallant

    Nov 23, 03:38 PM

    They say hockey players are superstitious, but ‘they’ haven’t met hockey fans :)

    I haven’t worn my Crosby jersey for the last couple of games…do you guys think I should wear it Saturday? Maybe help start a new points streak…

  12. Matt Bodenschatz

    Nov 23, 05:35 PM

    Go for it Ashley!

  13. Ashley Gallant

    Nov 24, 11:06 PM

    Hey Matt, did you wear your Army jersey tonight? I wore my Crosby jersey and look what happened…a nice 5-0 win over Atlanta. I think I see a connection here. We must all wear our Penguins jerseys for every game, no exceptions.

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