The Canes look to complete a season sweep of the Pens.
The Canes snapped a 4 game skid with a win in Columbus. The forwards took most of the night off and let the dmen take over the scoring, at least until Jarvis had a late tap in. Pesce had his first career 2 goal game, Chatfield had a highlight reel shorty, Slavin blew one past Korpisalo, Burns scored on a wrapper when the Jackets fell asleep. Aho and KK added 2 assists each. But the big news was the return of Freddie Andersen, playing for the first time since November 6. It wasn’t all good news though; Pacioretty left with a lower body injury in the first. It’s not related to his Achilles tear and it’s not a long term thing according to RBA, but he won’t play today and probably not tomorrow.
The Pens are skidding, losers to Winnipeg at home last night and 3-5-2 in their last 10. The Caps have blown past them in the standings and they only have a 1 point lead on the Isles for the last wild card spot, albeit with 2 games in hand. Marcus Petterson was a late scratch, Letang and Petry were also out. The Pens were forced to turn to Dustin Tokarski in goal, making his first start since last April. Tristan Jarry hasn’t played since being injured in the Winter Classic and Casey DeSmith was pulled after allowing 3 goals on 5 shots against Vancouver on Tuesday. Crosby leads in goals and assists, Guentzel is averaging a point per game and Malkin nearly is. Brock McGinn is on pace for a 20 goal season, Jeff Carter is old but still effective. We should see DeSmith in goal, he’s at 3.17/.904. As mentioned, he was pulled from his last start and has been uneven in his last few games, playing great against Arizona on Sunday, allowing 5 goals on 31 shots to Vegas before that. The Pens are 14th in goals per game, 17th in goals against. With all their offensive firepower, their PP isn’t great, only 19th. They’re 2nd on the PK though.
Expect worse ice than usual, State hosts Miami at noon. Black jerseys tonight, Bally Sports South for TV.
The Canes snapped a 4 game skid with a win in Columbus. The forwards took most of the night off and let the dmen take over the scoring, at least until Jarvis had a late tap in. Pesce had his first career 2 goal game, Chatfield had a highlight reel shorty, Slavin blew one past Korpisalo, Burns scored on a wrapper when the Jackets fell asleep. Aho and KK added 2 assists each. But the big news was the return of Freddie Andersen, playing for the first time since November 6. It wasn’t all good news though; Pacioretty left with a lower body injury in the first. It’s not related to his Achilles tear and it’s not a long term thing according to RBA, but he won’t play today and probably not tomorrow.
The Pens are skidding, losers to Winnipeg at home last night and 3-5-2 in their last 10. The Caps have blown past them in the standings and they only have a 1 point lead on the Isles for the last wild card spot, albeit with 2 games in hand. Marcus Petterson was a late scratch, Letang and Petry were also out. The Pens were forced to turn to Dustin Tokarski in goal, making his first start since last April. Tristan Jarry hasn’t played since being injured in the Winter Classic and Casey DeSmith was pulled after allowing 3 goals on 5 shots against Vancouver on Tuesday. Crosby leads in goals and assists, Guentzel is averaging a point per game and Malkin nearly is. Brock McGinn is on pace for a 20 goal season, Jeff Carter is old but still effective. We should see DeSmith in goal, he’s at 3.17/.904. As mentioned, he was pulled from his last start and has been uneven in his last few games, playing great against Arizona on Sunday, allowing 5 goals on 31 shots to Vegas before that. The Pens are 14th in goals per game, 17th in goals against. With all their offensive firepower, their PP isn’t great, only 19th. They’re 2nd on the PK though.
Expect worse ice than usual, State hosts Miami at noon. Black jerseys tonight, Bally Sports South for TV.
