Pittsburgh Penguins vs Colorado Avalanche preview
In their first game without veteran Pascal Dupuis, the Pittsburgh Penguins will face the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center live on NBCSN at 10 PM EST.
The loss of Dupuis comes at a time where the Pens would need him the most, following an offensive struggle last weekend. The team had a season low 20 shots-on-goal last Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings, and the following day only scored one goal versus the Anaheim Ducks.
However, if the Penguins have a shot to get back on the right track, tonight is the night. Pittsburgh is facing a 12-15-1 Avalanche team who is gave their backup goaltender Reto Berra the go-ahead for tonight’s contest. Hopefully it will help the Penguins get some shots in the back of the net, as they currently rank 26th in the NHL in goals per game with 2.31.
The only current success the offense is having is for the most part due to young breakout star Olli Maatta, who in 20 games this season has notched 4 goals and 2 assists. Most of the current struggles are due to captain Sidney Crosby underperforming, with a disappointing 8.2 shooting percentage. 6 goals on 73 shots is far from one of the best players in the NHL, and if Crosby can’t bounce back soon then the Pens are going to have a big problem.
On the other end of the ice, former Penguin Jarome Iginla is having a great year so far for the Avalanche. In an interview with NHL.com, he stated that he believes in the young team in Colorado but knows they need to improve.
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“There are not many teams that you go, ‘Oh man, we play these guys tonight, if we can just hang in there…” said Iginla. “That’s why you can’t lose those games that you’re leading going into the third. Each point matters and later it seems teams find a way to get those points, that one or two. It’s possible. We know we have our work cut out for us.”
Marc-Andre Fleury should be able to stop the young Avalanche team, having went 7-2 in his last nine contests against them. Despite the loss to Anaheim on Sunday, Fleury remained at the top of his game, stopping 23 shots from the Ducks. He currently ranks ninth in the league in save percentage with .926.
Next: Pascal Dupuis to retire due to medical condition
Hopefully the Penguins can get a win in Colorado and return to the Consol Energy Center this weekend with some momentum for the home crowd.