Pittsburgh Penguins Vs. Anaheim Ducks GameDay, Odds, TV/Radio, And Preview
By Larry Snyder
Following their 3-1 loss Wednesday to the Avalanche in Colorado, the Pittsburgh Penguins (36-17-9, 81 points) seek to rebound and begin a new win streak tonight when they take the ice against the Ducks in Anaheim.
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The Pens continue to hold onto third place in the Metropolitan Division, but slipped to sixth place in the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League. They are four points in back of the New York Rangers (39-17-7, 85 points) in the Metro, and six points behind the first place New York Islanders (42-21-3, 87 points). Mike Johnston’s crew is 6-3-1 in their last 10 contests, and 16-8-6 this season away from the Steel City.
The Rangers lost 2-1 in overtime Wednesday to the Red Wings in Detroit. The Blue Shirts will be back in action Sunday, March 8 against the Blackhawks in Chicago. The Isles edged the Predators Thursday 4-3 in Nashville. They visit Florida Saturday to skate against the Panthers.
The Penguins remain one point ahead of the fourth place Washington Capitals (35-21-10, 80 points) in the Metro. The Caps defeated the Minnesota Wild 2-1 Thursday at home and host the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.
Bruce Boudreau’s squad is in first place in the Pacific Division of the NHL’s Western Conference with a record of 42-17-7, 91 points. Anaheim is coming off a 3-1 victory Wednesday at home over the Montreal Canadiens.
The Ducks have won their last four in a row, and are 7-3-0 in their last 10 contests. They own a solid 22-9-3 record at home and are the first team in the NHL this season to reach 90 points.
This evening is the second of two meetings this season. Pittsburgh won the season opener Thursday, Oct. 9 at home 6-4 against Anaheim. Special teams were key to the matchup as the Penguins went 1-for-4 on the power play and the Ducks were 3-for-6 with the man advantage.
When: Friday, March 6
Puck Drop: 10:05 p.m., ET
Site: Honda Center
Television: ROOT Sports Network
Announcers: Paul Steigerwald and Bob Errey
Radio Coverage: 105.9 FM – The X and the Penguins Radio Network
Announcers: Mike Lange and Phil Bourque
Live Video Steam: NHL GameCenter LIVE
Audio Stream: Penguins Radio 24/7
Sirius XM Satellite Radio: XM Internet 942
Odds: According to the Bovada Online Sportsbook, oddsmakers currently have the moneyline on the two teams listed as Pittsburgh +110 / Anaheim -140 with the Over/Under at 5.5.
Anaheim has surrendered just five goals to the opposition over their four game win streak. The Ducks are doubly good in goal with Frederik Andersen, who has 30-8-5 record with a 2.34 goals against average and a .917 save percentage while Pittsburgh native John Gibson is 9-5-0 with a 2.41 GAA and a .924 save percentage.
Center and team captain Ryan Getzlaf is tied for ninth in the league in scoring with 20 goals and 41 assists for 61 points. It should be noted that 10 of his 20 goals have either tied the game or given the Ducks a lead in the contest. Left wing Matt Beleskey leads the club with eight game winning scores while recently acquired left wing Jiri Sekac has three assists in five contests with Anaheim.
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Tonight is the first meeting since Monday’s trade that sent defenseman Simon Despres, 23, to the Ducks in return for 31-year-old blueliner Ben Lovejoy. The 6-foot-1, 206-pound New Hampshire native recored two shots and three hits over 19:27 minutes of ice time while skating alongside Derrick Pouliot against the Avalanche.
Evgeni Malkin has posted six points and six assists during a six-game points streak. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound center leads the team with 27 goals and 65 points going into tonight’s match-up. He also is the club leader with nine power play scores.
Up Next: The Black and Gold roll down the California highway to the Staples Center Saturday, March 7 when they take on the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings (31-21-12, 74 points). They will drop the puck at 10 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ROOT Sports Pittsburgh.
From The Clipboard: Left wing Chris Kunitz will be playing in his 400th game tonight with the Pens…Sidney Crosby has points in seven of his eight career contests against the Ducks…Defenseman Ian Cole was second on the club with three blocks and four hits in his debut Wednesday against the Avalanche in Colorado.