The Vancouver Canucks are in Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins at Consol Energy Center tonight! The Penguins are coming off a tight, 1-0 win, against the New Jersey Devils, two nights ago. They came out with the win, but had to deal with some losses. Scott Wilson, who was making his National Hockey League (NHL) debut, was injured during the game and didn't return. He ended up having a lower body injury. The big hit of the night was on defense, which is already missing a key player in Kris Letang. Robert Bortuzzo laid a heavy hit on Jaromir Jagr during the second period of the game, which sent Jagr to the locker room. Yesterday, the NHL player disciplinary suspended Bortuzzo for two games for interference. Now they are down two defensemen, but at least Brain Dumoulin was called up from WBS yesterday.
Even with these misfortunes, the Penguins are rolling along. They are the only team in the NHL who have three players with at least 25 points: Sidney Crosby with 33, Evgeni Malkin with 30, and Patric Hornqvist with 25. The team is reaching new franchise records and milestone every game, it seems. Craig Adams will tie the longest games played streak in team history, at 313 games (including tonight). He ties Ron Schock with 313 games also.
Thus, the Penguins have five shutouts through their first 24 games, which is the most in team history during that span. In addition, the Penguins are averaging 1 shutout every 4.8 games, which is only second behind the New York Rangers at 1 shutout every 4 games.
Now as for game day, the morning skate was optional. Those who skated were Spaling, Comeau, Ebbett, Downie, Sill, Goc, Megna, Maatta, Adams, Despres, Dumoulin, and Bortuzzo. Johnston said that Greiss would start in net, which is his first home start. Also, Letang's groin injury will take about two weeks.
As for how the Penguins fare against the Canucks, they have won four straight games against the Canucks. This dates back to November 17,2010. They have won 12 of the last 17 in Pittsburgh. The last three games versus the Canucks have gone to a shootout, with the Penguins winning all three.
The Pens line up is as follows:
Forwards
Spaling, Sid, Hornqvist
Megna, Geno, Comeau
Ebbett, Sutter, Downie
Sill, Goc (welcome back), Adams
Defense
Dumoulin, Martin
Maatta, Ehrhoff
Scuderi, Despres
Greiss in the net!
Play By Play
Pens 0 Canucks 3
Pens 0 Canucks 3
3rd Period
0:00- That will be it for this game and the Canucks dominate the Pens with a 3-0 win. The injuries became apparent in this contest. They will have to regroup and step it up next time.
1:01- The injuries to the Pens lineup are showing in this contest. They have to figure out something till those players can return.
1:58- Getting into the offensive zone is becoming a huge problem for the Pens, as the Canucks are hassling them in the neutral zone.
3:33- Time is becoming an enemy of the Pens.
4:10- The Cancuks have no problem killing off the Pens power play.
6:10- Edler hauls down Crosby and gets a holding penalty. The Pens get a power play opportunity.
6:44- Megna steps from behind the net to the front, but Lack is there to stop Megna's shot attempt.
8:46- Finally some offensive zone pressure by the Pens, but too much passing. They need to put pucks on net if they want to comeback in this game.
11:15- Greiss comes up with a big pad save.
11:56- Both teams are back to full strength.
13:56- Downie is in the box along with a Canuck when a scrum ensued, after Crosby's shot attempt. 4 on 4 hockey time.
13:57- Crosby gets behind the Canucks defense, but Lack robs him with two pad saves.
14:41- Good news as Despres is back on the Pens bench.
15:45- Despres heads down the runway. I am not sure if he has just an equipment issue or went to the locker room, but I will keep you updated.
16:02- The Canucks are able to get some great chances on net, as they pin the Pens in their own zone. The Pens end up icing the puck.
17:59- The Pens get physical and crash the net. Sutter is pushed into Lack, which sends the goaltender falling down and dislodging the net.
18:46- Crosby gets a shot on the doorstep of Lack, but his attempt is blocked.
19:57- Hornqvist is not out to start the third period.
20:00- The Pens only have 20 minutes to make this a game! Time to do something! Lets Go Pens!
2nd Period
0:00- FINALLY! The second period comes to an end with the Canucks extending their lead 3-0 over the Pens!
1:00- The Pens look like they have no fire in their eyes.
2:43- Lack holds the puck for a whistle. A shoving match ensues, but the refs break it up.
4:54- That will be it for the Pens power play.
6:06- Richardson scores a shorthanded goal. Greiss goes behind the net to play the puck. Hanson slashes Greiss's stick to make him cough up the puck. Hanson passes to Richardson and he puts it in the open net. 3-0 Canucks.
6:54- Pens power play time as the Canucks get a too many men on the ice penalty.
7:02- Comeau levels a Canuck at the blue line and shook the ice with his hit!
7:13- Hornqvist went to the locker room.
8:26- Mattias scores. Despres turns over the puck behind the net. Richardson finds Mattias, who finds the back of the net. Canucks extend their lead to 2-0.
8:32- Hornqvist is leveled by Stanton in the neutral zone and heads straight for the bench. No call on the hit.
12:55- Make that 2 for 2 on the penalty kill for the Pens.
14:55- Canucks with a power play chance as Downie heads to the box. He is found guilty of delay of game.
15:21- The Pens are having a hard time of exiting their own zone and controlling the puck. The Canucks are just pinning them in their own zone and outplaying them at this point.
17:48- Richardson rings a shot off the goal post. Way to close for comfort!
20:00- Time to get back to Pens hockey! Second period is underway and lets take the lead Pens! Lets Go Pens!
1st Period
0:00- That will be it for this game and the Canucks dominate the Pens with a 3-0 win. The injuries became apparent in this contest. They will have to regroup and step it up next time.
1:01- The injuries to the Pens lineup are showing in this contest. They have to figure out something till those players can return.
1:58- Getting into the offensive zone is becoming a huge problem for the Pens, as the Canucks are hassling them in the neutral zone.
3:33- Time is becoming an enemy of the Pens.
4:10- The Cancuks have no problem killing off the Pens power play.
6:10- Edler hauls down Crosby and gets a holding penalty. The Pens get a power play opportunity.
6:44- Megna steps from behind the net to the front, but Lack is there to stop Megna's shot attempt.
8:46- Finally some offensive zone pressure by the Pens, but too much passing. They need to put pucks on net if they want to comeback in this game.
11:15- Greiss comes up with a big pad save.
11:56- Both teams are back to full strength.
13:56- Downie is in the box along with a Canuck when a scrum ensued, after Crosby's shot attempt. 4 on 4 hockey time.
13:57- Crosby gets behind the Canucks defense, but Lack robs him with two pad saves.
14:41- Good news as Despres is back on the Pens bench.
15:45- Despres heads down the runway. I am not sure if he has just an equipment issue or went to the locker room, but I will keep you updated.
16:02- The Canucks are able to get some great chances on net, as they pin the Pens in their own zone. The Pens end up icing the puck.
17:59- The Pens get physical and crash the net. Sutter is pushed into Lack, which sends the goaltender falling down and dislodging the net.
18:46- Crosby gets a shot on the doorstep of Lack, but his attempt is blocked.
19:57- Hornqvist is not out to start the third period.
20:00- The Pens only have 20 minutes to make this a game! Time to do something! Lets Go Pens!
2nd Period
0:00- FINALLY! The second period comes to an end with the Canucks extending their lead 3-0 over the Pens!
1:00- The Pens look like they have no fire in their eyes.
2:43- Lack holds the puck for a whistle. A shoving match ensues, but the refs break it up.
4:54- That will be it for the Pens power play.
6:06- Richardson scores a shorthanded goal. Greiss goes behind the net to play the puck. Hanson slashes Greiss's stick to make him cough up the puck. Hanson passes to Richardson and he puts it in the open net. 3-0 Canucks.
6:54- Pens power play time as the Canucks get a too many men on the ice penalty.
7:02- Comeau levels a Canuck at the blue line and shook the ice with his hit!
7:13- Hornqvist went to the locker room.
8:26- Mattias scores. Despres turns over the puck behind the net. Richardson finds Mattias, who finds the back of the net. Canucks extend their lead to 2-0.
8:32- Hornqvist is leveled by Stanton in the neutral zone and heads straight for the bench. No call on the hit.
12:55- Make that 2 for 2 on the penalty kill for the Pens.
14:55- Canucks with a power play chance as Downie heads to the box. He is found guilty of delay of game.
15:21- The Pens are having a hard time of exiting their own zone and controlling the puck. The Canucks are just pinning them in their own zone and outplaying them at this point.
17:48- Richardson rings a shot off the goal post. Way to close for comfort!
20:00- Time to get back to Pens hockey! Second period is underway and lets take the lead Pens! Lets Go Pens!
1st Period
0:00- Greiss with two big saves right before the horn sounds. The first period comes to an end with the Canucks leading 1-0 over the Pens.
0:37- The Pens ice the puck as tie whines down.
3:58- Sid comes flying down the wing, but he is rushed. He lets go of a hard backhander, but Lack is ready to make the save.
4:17- Mark that as a successful penalty kill for the Pens.
4:46- Goc and Sutter get a shorthanded chance. Goc makes a beautiful saucer pass across the ice to Sutter. Lack denies Sutter's shot with the glove!
6:17- Comeau sends Tanev into the boards and is called for boarding. It was the right call as Tanev was in a vulnerable position. The Pens bring out the penalty kill unit.
6:24- The Pens power play is killed off by the Canucks.
7:10- Sid had a wide open net, but his shot went wide of the net. His shot came off a rolling puck.
8:24- Edler heads to the box for slashing and gives the Pens the first power play of the game. Edler slashed Malkin so hard, it broke his own stick.
8:54- Malkin lets go of a nice backhand shot, but Lack is up to the task. Malkin looks to be doing fine after talking to the trainer.
10:24- Malkin and Higgins collide. Both look shaken up after the big collision.
11:27- Richardson scores. Maatta turns over the puck and Matthias gets behind the defense. He circles the net and outlets to Richardson, who puts one past Greiss. Canucks up 1-0 on their second shot of the night.
12:36- Adams gets a chance up front, but his shot is blocked away.
13:48- This game is back and forth with little whistles to start.
15:19- The Pens with a good start to this game and get an early game on net. Greiss hasn't had to handle the puck yet.
0:37- The Pens ice the puck as tie whines down.
3:58- Sid comes flying down the wing, but he is rushed. He lets go of a hard backhander, but Lack is ready to make the save.
4:17- Mark that as a successful penalty kill for the Pens.
4:46- Goc and Sutter get a shorthanded chance. Goc makes a beautiful saucer pass across the ice to Sutter. Lack denies Sutter's shot with the glove!
6:17- Comeau sends Tanev into the boards and is called for boarding. It was the right call as Tanev was in a vulnerable position. The Pens bring out the penalty kill unit.
6:24- The Pens power play is killed off by the Canucks.
7:10- Sid had a wide open net, but his shot went wide of the net. His shot came off a rolling puck.
8:24- Edler heads to the box for slashing and gives the Pens the first power play of the game. Edler slashed Malkin so hard, it broke his own stick.
8:54- Malkin lets go of a nice backhand shot, but Lack is up to the task. Malkin looks to be doing fine after talking to the trainer.
10:24- Malkin and Higgins collide. Both look shaken up after the big collision.
11:27- Richardson scores. Maatta turns over the puck and Matthias gets behind the defense. He circles the net and outlets to Richardson, who puts one past Greiss. Canucks up 1-0 on their second shot of the night.
12:36- Adams gets a chance up front, but his shot is blocked away.
13:48- This game is back and forth with little whistles to start.
15:19- The Pens with a good start to this game and get an early game on net. Greiss hasn't had to handle the puck yet.
20:00- Welcome back to Goc! The puck drops and it's officially hockey night in Pittsburgh! Time for the Pens to get to work! Lets Go Pens!
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