Tuesday night games in early February against anyone, let alone a Western Conference opponent, are rarely appointment-watching material. But this is.
This is a game that has been circled on the calendar since the NHL's schedule was released in late June. And it's not just because it's the first game in Pittsburgh against the expansion Vegas Golden Knights, the biggest story of the season with the NHL's No. 2 record and 74 points.
It marks the much-anticipated return of Marc-Andre Fleury. It promises to be an emotional night for all involved.
Three keys to victory:
1. It's going to take their best effort.
Certainly it's going to require a better effort than the one the Penguins' put forth on Dec. 14 in Las Vegas when they registered just 25 shots, their fourth-fewest this season. The Penguins' lone goal that night came off the stick of Ian Cole as the Penguins dropped their third straight:
The Penguins are in a much better place emotionally, physically and in the standings now, but a loss tonight would give Pittsburgh its first two-game losing skid since losses to the Hurricanes and Red Wings on Dec. 29 and 31.
The Knights have shattered whatever preconceived notions anyone may have had of an expansion team. Their 34 wins are already the most by a first-year team with plenty of season still left to play.
The novelty phase has worn off. The Knights are a legit team and can't be overlooked.
For a team of castoffs that have only been together for five months, the Golden Knights look like they've been playing together for a few years.
Despite their lack of superstars, the Knights support the puck and play as five-man units as well as any team in the league. Credit there goes to Gerard Gallant for installing a system that works for his team and makes them hard to beat.
They are fast and they can score with anyone. Vegas' 177 goals for are second-most in the NHL and its plus-37 goal differential is third-best. William Karlsson (27) and James Neal (22) have combined for 49 goals. The only teammate duos with more are the Islanders' John Tavares and Anders Lee (53), and Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel (52).
The Knights are 6-3-1 in their last 10 and they are 3-1 on their current six-game road trip. So much for that Vegas flu, eh?
2. They've got to get pucks on net.
You can't score if you don't shoot. More specifically, you can't score if those shots aren't on net.
In Saturday's loss at New Jersey, the Penguins had just 16 shots, a season-low, and attempted just 31. Sixty-six percent of those 31 were from low-danger areas. Predictably, the Devils dominated possession 65-35%, according to Hockeystats.ca. That's a recipe for disaster against Keith Kinkaid, let alone a goalie as good as Fleury.
"When you miss the net as often as we did tonight, it just kills plays," Mike Sullivan lamented on Saturday. "It robs you of an opportunity for a rebound or a next play chance."
The Penguins average 34.3 shots per game, second-most in the NHL. But they aren't very accurate with them at 5-on-5. Their 6.9 shooting percentage at even strength is second-worst in the league, but they are tops on the power play at 17.24.
Having played with Fleury for years, the Penguins should know his tendencies and weaknesses. With his lateral movement, Fleury takes away the bottom half of the net; you have to go high on him. Also, though improved, it's still an adventure when Fleury handles the puck.
Sidney Crosby has gone eight games without a goal -- on just 19 shots -- and remains stuck on 399. Here's thinking No. 400 would be extra special if it's against Fleury.
3. They have to convert on their chances.
Vegas' penalty kill is very good at home, ranking fifth in the NHL at 85.5 percent. On the road, however, that ranking drops to 19th, where they've killed off 79.5 percent.
That's a fairly significant gap and one the Penguins' top-ranked power play can drive a truck through.
Saturday's loss in New Jersey was the 21st time that the Penguins were held without a power play goal. They are 9-12 in those games. They are 12-2 when scoring two or more goals on the power play.
The Penguins have lived on their power play this season. If they get their chances tonight, they've got to bury them.
Surely, Fleury will surely bring his best game. His .949 power play save percentage is tops in the NHL among goalies with 20-plus starts -- it's even better than his .936 save percentage at even strength -- but not even the Flower can stop the Penguins power play when it's on.
Here's today's live file.
To continue reading, log into your account:
