Pittsburgh Penguins Vs. San Jose Sharks GameDay, Odds, TV/Radio, And Preview
By Larry Snyder
With victories over the Ducks and Kings, the Pittsburgh Penguins (38-18-9, 85 points) have achieved a two-game win streak as they head north on Interstate 5 in California to skate tonight against the Sharks in San Jose.
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The Pens remain in third place in the Metropolitan Division, but moved back into fifth place in the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League. They are just two points in back of the New York Rangers (40-17-7, 87 points) in the Metro, and three points behind the first place New York Islanders (42-21-4, 88 points). Mike Johnston’s squad is 14-5-2 against the teams of the Western Conference and 6-3-1 in their last 10 match-ups.
The Rangers won 1-0 in overtime Sunday over the Blackhawks in Chicago. The Battle for the Big Apple is renewed Tuesday, March 10 as the Blue Shirts visit the Islanders. The Isles are in Toronto tonight to take on the Maple Leafs. They are coming off a 4-3 loss Saturday in a shoot-out against the Panthers in Florida.
The Penguins enjoy a three point lead over the fourth place Washington Capitals (36-21-10, 82 points) in the Metro. The Caps downed the Buffalo Sabres 6-1 Saturday at home and host the Rangers on Wednesday.
Todd McLellan’s crew is in fifth place in the Pacific Division of the NHL’s Western Conference with a record of 32-26-8, 72 points. They are five points behind third place Calgary in the Pacific Division. They remain six points behind Winnipeg for the final Wild Card slot in the West.
The Sharks have put together a 15-15-5 record at home this season and are 4-6-0 in their last 10 contests. San Jose lost Saturday 3-2 at home to the Vancouver Canucks.
This evening is the first of two meetings this season. The last time these two got together was Thursday, March 6, 2014 and Pittsburgh lost 5-3 at San Jose. They will meet up again in the Steel City on Sunday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m.
When: Monday, March 9
Puck Drop: 10:05 p.m., ET
Site: SAP Center
National Television: NBC Sports Network
Announcers: Dave Strader and Brian Engblom
Pittsburgh 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: Penguins -1.5 According to Bovada Online Sportsbook with the Over/Under at 5.5.
San Jose is expected to go with Antti Niemi in goal tonight. Over six career starts against the Pens, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Finnish netminder is 3-1-1 with a 3.11 goals against average.
Joe Pavelski puts the bite in the Sharks offense as he leads the team with 32 goals and 61 points. Of those 32 scores for the 5-foot-11, 190-pound center from Wisconsin, 17 have come on the power play. Center Logan Couture is tied for the team lead with Pavelski for shots on goal with 210 and leads the club with two short handed scores.
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Pens center Brandon Sutter leads the squad with three short handed goals. Left wings Chris Kunitz and Blake Comeau are tied for the most game-winning goals at five apiece. Sidney Crosby and Kunitz are tied for the second most power play goals with eight each, just one score behind Evgeni Malkin in that category.
The Tribune Review is reporting that Marc-Andre Fleury will likely to get the start this evening between the pipes. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound goaltender has a 2-2-2 record with a 2.51 GAA in his career opposite San Jose.
Up Next: The Black and Gold are back at Consol Energy Center Thursday, March 12 when they host the Edmonton Oilers (18-37-11, 47 points). They will drop the puck at 7 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ROOT Sports Pittsburgh.
Down On The Farm: Pittsburgh goaltending prospect Matt Murray has an 18-8-2 record in 30 appearances for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League. The 6-foot-4, 178-pound rookie netminder has recorded a 1.57 GAA and a .940 save percentage. The 20-year-old from Thunder Bay, Ontario has matched Fleury by putting up nine shutouts this season.
From The Clipboard: Left wing David Perron has two goals and two assists in his last three match-ups against the Sharks…Brandon Sutter has won at least 50% of his face-offs in 10 straight contests…Patric Hornqvist has game winning goals in back-to-back games for just the third time in his career. The last time was in January 2011 and it also came against the Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings.