Game Preview: Pittsburgh Penguins Look to Sweep Panthers

In their third and final meeting of the season, the Pittsburgh Penguins aim to sweep the Florida Panthers.

Today is former Penguin Jaromir Jagr‘s 44th birthday. Hopefully, it’s also the day his first team can hand his current one a loss.

The seemingly ageless Czech helped the Pittsburgh Penguins to consecutive Stanley Cup victories in 1991 and 1992, and is certainly aiming to add another to his repertoire. The Florida Panthers, the most recent team he’s using to try to achieve that goal, sit first in the Atlantic Division.

Despite their standing, the Panthers have been struggling recently, losing games by wide margins. Forwards Aleksander Barkov, Quinton Howden, and Brandon Pirri, along with defensemen Willie Mitchell and Erik Gudbranson, are injured and out of the lineup.

Feb 10, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) looks on against the New York Rangers during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Rangers shutout the Penguins 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Panthers’ starting goaltender Roberto Luongo has also had a rough go of it behind these depleted ranks. The ‘Cats have lost four of their last five, and Luongo has allowed more than three goals in each of his last five appearances.

Marc-Andre Fleury has not been stellar in net, either. In his past five starts, he has allowed 14 goals, nine of those coming in two games. Though he’s been getting back to where he should be, after a strong showing in Carolina on Friday, it’s still a worry for the Penguins.

Undoubtedly, the Panthers will be looking to get back on their feet against the similarly injured Penguins. Just as a significant portion of their lineup is call-ups from their AHL affiliate, the Portland Pirates, each of the Penguins’ bottom-six forwards began their season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

The first time the Penguins and Panthers met this season, Evgeni Malkin scored the game-winning goal in overtime; most recently, Kris Letang did the same. Malkin is still out of the lineup with a lower-body injury, and though he seems close to returning it will not be before tonight.

It’s obvious how much the Penguins rely on Malkin’s play when he’s missing from the ice. He’s a powerful force on the powerplay and is a clear upgrade over the man currently centering the second line, Matt Cullen.

On the other hand, Barkov provides that same presence for the Panthers. A veritable force in the shootout and gifted scorer, both on the powerplay and otherwise, his absence is as sorely missed as Malkin’s.

Neither team is at its pinnacle of play right now; while the Panthers hold their division lead it’s quickly slipping away with their play of late, and the Penguins are struggling to snatch the final playoff spot in the East.

Both, therefore, are desperate for every win they can get.

A bright spot for Pittsburgh is that their entire defensive lineup is healthy. Letang and Olli Maatta are the top pairing and have been eating up major minutes. Letang is offensively gifted enough to make up for the exhausted forward situation, and Maatta is a fast, young player who isn’t afraid to block shots or make offensive plays.

The Panthers’ defense is missing both their captain, Mitchell, and a big physical presence in Gudbranson. Despite former first overall draft pick Aaron Ekblad‘s prowess, he can’t make up for their absences by himself.

The Penguins need to capitalize on the Panthers’ current shakiness and get behind the defense to shoot. Speedy forwards Phil Kessel and Carl Hagelin did a great job of that against Carolina, and need to do it again tonight. Given how unreliable Luongo has been recently, as has his backup Al Montoya, the Penguins will have a great chances to score any time they can do this.

Montoya looks to be getting the start tonight. Despite his subpar save percentages in recent games, “The Big Cubano” is a veteran in net and might provide a spark for the Panthers.

Captain Sidney Crosby has been impressive against the Panthers in recent seasons, so – as always – make sure to keep an eye out for his playmaking abilities.