Gameday 35 - Panthers
CONSOL Energy Center
If the dictionary had a definition for "trap game," this would be it.
The Pens are coming off of a big victory against Phoenix and heading to Washington tomorrow.
The Capitals are already thinking about Pittsburgh.
But Pittsburgh has to be thinking about Florida.
The Panthers beat Philadelphia 5-0 on Monday, so they know how to take advantage of their opportunities.
And unfocused, distracted Penguins team won't cut it tonight.
On if the “We want Pittsburgh” chant from Washington’s game last night, and if the Capitals are more obsessed with the Penguins than vice versa:
I did not see what you’re talking about last night. I was busy watching the Florida game in Philadelphia.
We know the question kind of had to be asked, but what else was Disco supposed to say there?
We hope the rest of the team is on the same train of thought as their coach.
We saw last week against the Rangers how quickly a game can fall apart if you lose focus.
Pens' lines:
Chris Kunitz - Sidney Crosby - Pascal Dupuis
Matt Cooke - Evgeni Malkin - Max Talbot
Chris Conner - Mark Letestu - Tyler Kennedy
Mike Rupp - Craig Adams - Arron Asham/Eric Godard
Brooks Orpik - Kris Letang
Paul Martin - Zbynek Michalek
Alex Goligoski - Deryk Engelland
Brent Johnson
Panthers' lines from Hockey Utopia:
David Booth - Mike Santorelli - Steve BernierSteve Reinprecht - Stephen Weiss - Michael FrolikKenndal McArdle - Marty Reasoner - Evgeny DadonovShawn Matthias - Bill Thomas - Darcy HordichukKeaton Ellerby - Dennis WidemanDmitri Kulikov - Bryan McCabeJason Garrison - Mike WeaverTomas Vokoun
The Panthers are no joke. They have some talented players in their line-up and Vokoun is solid.
If the Pens look past tonight's game and ahead to the Capitals, there will be trouble.
Don't fall into the trap.
Go Pens.