Shea-ved Ice: Penguins Vs. Bruins Preview
BOSTON (KDKA) – The Pittsburgh Penguins will be looking to get back in the win column Saturday afternoon on the road in Boston.
The Penguins saw their eight-game winning streak come to an end with a 1-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs Wednesday night.
Clarke MacArthur's late third period goal avenged Tuesday's meltdown by the Leafs, which resulted in two points in the standings for the Penguins.
Brent Johnson made 23 saves in the losing effort, while James Reimer stopped all 25 shots the Penguins fired at him.
As for today's opponent, the Bruins are among the league's stingiest teams when it comes to allowing goals.
Through 49 games, the Bruins have only allowed 108 goals. Only the Rangers (100) and Blues (102) have allowed fewer.
Also, the Bruins lead the league in goals scored with 175. By comparison, the Penguins have scored 157 and have allowed 132.
One of the biggest reasons for Boston's success in keeping opponents off the scoreboard is the play of their goaltenders.
Tim Thomas (21-9-0, 2.15 GAA, .933 save percentage) and Tuukka Rask (11-6-2, 1.88 GAA, .936 save percentage) are arguably the best tandem in the league right now.
It also doesn't hurt having a giant among men as your captain and anchor on defense in Zdeno Chara. Not to mention the guy owns the NHL's hardest shot at 108.8 mph.
Currently Patrice Bergeron (15 goals, 28 assists) and Tyler Seguin (19 goals, 24 assists) lead the team with 43 points.
As much as I don't want to bring this up, it has to be done.
The last time these two teams met back on Dec. 5 was the last time we saw Sidney Crosby in the lineup for the Penguins. The Penguins lost that game 3-1.
A neck injury has recently come to light, though when it was actually suffered remains a mystery.
Evgeni Malkin (27 goals, 32 assists) continues to lead the Penguins and the NHL in points with 59.
James Neal is tied for the team lead in goals with 27 with 13 of them coming on the power play.
In goal, Marc-Andre Fleury (27-12-2, 2.28 GAA, .913 save percentage) is still riding a personal eight-game winning streak.
A starter has not been named for today's game at this time.
It would seem likely that Fleury would start against Boston today, but with the Penguins playing a division game against the Devils on Sunday, Dan Bylsma may elect to go back to Johnson.
Against the Bruins, Fleury is 7-5-2 with a 2.30 GAA and a .927 save percentage. Johnson is 4-4-1 with a 3.32 GAA and .895 save percentage.
The puck is set to drop at 1 p.m. and you can watch it locally on Root Sports. The game will also be televised nationally on NHL Network.
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For More Penguins Coverage Check Out Puck Talk With Popchock.
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