Game Day Preview: Game 2, Florida Panthers at Pittsburgh Penguins
by John Beatty on Oct 11, 2011 12:22 PM EDT
in Florida Panthers Game Previews: '11-12
Email
Print
Florida: 1-0-0 (2PTS)
Pittsburgh Penguins: 2-0-1 (5PTS)
Season Series: 0-0-0
The Panthers play their second home opener of four tonight against the league-leading Pittsburgh Penguins. The Pens will once again be missing center Evgeni Malkin, who left their second game of the season with an unspecified lower body injury that is apparently unrelated to the knee he had worked on last season. The Penguins are not much less of a threat without their usual two leading scorers. They made it to a second round game 7 of the playoffs last year without Malkin and captain Sidney Crosby and won 5-3 against the Flames on Saturday night before losing to the Oilers in a shootout on Sunday night. The Panthers have the Penguins travel schedule going for them. The Cats played Saturday night on Long Island, then had a quick trip to Pittsburgh, while the Pens flew overnight from Edmonton Sunday, arriving early Monday morning. The Penguins have been to two shootouts in three games. Tonight's game is the lone nationally televised game for the Panthers on US television, so thank you to the Pens for hosting the Cats for their home opener.
More from our Pittsburgh Penguins cohorts at PensBurgh.
Panthers vs Penguins coverage coverage at SB Nation.
TSN preview.
Litter Box Cats game thread will open 30 minutes before game time.
News and Notes
Last meeting
The Panthers lost their fourth game against the Penguins in early April. Zybnek Michalek scored the winning shootout goal and backup Brent "One-Punch" Johnson got the win.
Last Game
The Panthers won their season opener 2-0 on Long Island. Stephen Weiss scored the opening goal and eventual game winner. Jose Theodore got his sixth shutout against the Islanders and 31st for his career in the win. The Panthers won their season opener on the road for only the third time.
Lineup
Injuries
- G Scott Clemmensen (knee), 9/26, 3-8 weeks
- F Mike Santorelli (shoulder), 9/27, 2 weeks
Healthy Scratches
- D Keaton Ellerby
- F Evgeny Dadonov
Starting goaltenders
The Panthers will once again start Jose Theodore, while the Penguins will almost certainly start Marc-Andre Fleury in their home opener.
Lines (from last game)
Forwards
- Fleischmann-Weiss-Versteeg
- Booth-Kopecky-Upshall
- Bergenheim-Goc-Skille
- Bradley-Matthias-Carter
Defense
- Campbell-Garrison
- Jovanovski-Gudbranson
- Kulikov-Weaver
47 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Thanks. Confused Saturday’s and Sunday’s games and I was working quickly. Looked everything up but that, so of course that was the one thing that was wrong.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
Working quickly excuse
Here it is ‘You need to brush your teeth" My wife said to me as I watched the closing minutes of Saturday night’s game and tried making a comment in the game thread about Theodore’s shutout totals after checking on them. I got it wrong. Next time I got to double check.
Sorry, guy, I got a job that pays my mortgage and this ain’t it. There was a problem with the original preview and I had to rewrite it in between things at work. We’re working without copy editors here and I see as many mistakes in the sports section of the newspaper as I do here in a week. Deal.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
John
I was joking around about how easy it is to make a mistake commenting or blogging. If I offended you, I apologize. Take care.
Sorry, saw “excuse” in the title and got all riled up. One of those days. Had a big deal event today that people have been poking at me about for weeks and so I’m extra surly today. Will be fine once I get home, relax and have a beer.
I’ll be reasonably well behaved in the game thread. :)
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
Yeah, that’s me. It’s the Flyers fan coming out.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
VERY PUMPED FOR TONITE!
I know I am very much looking forward to the end of work today! Not too often I get the Panthers on TSN up here, so a Panthers game in English and in HD will be a treat no matter what but getting to see the new team is just 10 times better. Should be entertaining, win or lose!
Oh and no Malkin either… thats too bad…. Means our old pal MacIntyre likely draws in… a player we Panther fans know well… but I know just a little better. Played hockey against him years ago a few times… him and a certain annoying player from Columbus too…
Cant wait for 5:00!!!!
by saskpantherfan on Oct 11, 2011 12:38 PM EDT reply actions
So the D pairing for us says Garrison and Weaver are back together? It also says “Lines from last game”… But I don’t think they were together last game. Kuli was with Weaver and Garrison was with Campbell… Hmmm
Hope it stays that way. Need defense ti shine tonight, and Weaver-Garrison is necessary for that.
I’m putting here for reflection later on in the season…. #14 Tomas [Fleischmann] is getting a 40G season. FLASH COUNT: 0G/1A
by RPC on Sep 17, 2011 5:20 PM MDT
Find me on Twidduh And look at my Marmots
by Chris S Roberts on Oct 11, 2011 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah.. and in the process it means kulikov now has to hang back more often when campbell drops low to take a shot or try to create a play like he’s known to do.
by Rob PKane McMahon on Oct 11, 2011 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions
If it were the case, would that be a bad thing for one season? Once Gudbranson can hold his own after this year Kuli could go back to a more offensive centric role.
I’m putting here for reflection later on in the season…. #14 Tomas [Fleischmann] is getting a 40G season. FLASH COUNT: 0G/1A
by RPC on Sep 17, 2011 5:20 PM MDT
Find me on Twidduh And look at my Marmots
by Chris S Roberts on Oct 11, 2011 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
it happened last season, no reason to handcuff the kid again
by Rob PKane McMahon on Oct 11, 2011 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions
No, it’s wrong. It’s Campbell-Garrison and Kulikov-Weaver again. See above comment. Think I’ve got all the errors corrected now.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
I hope the panthers play AWESOME tonight however I am NOT looking forward to the versus guys talking about crosby nonstop..seriously, yeah he is good but there are so many other players the nhl can talk about that get little or no recognition. Jose please beat those penguins!!!!!
Dara
Agreed
I cant get over how much the media has a Crosby-Crush. No worries though, he cant hurt us tonite.
by saskpantherfan on Oct 11, 2011 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions
My Crystal Ball says
it will be Jonathan Huberdeau in five years time that will be the talk of NHL commentators and broadcasters. After he comes in with 44-53 goals three consecutive years and takes Florida to their first Stanley Cup title.
Of course there will also be at least one North of the Border hockey writer who will spread rumors of Florida trading Jonathan Huberdeau to Montreal or Toronto for a bunch of ho hum players.
Check back in and 5 years and see if the crystal ball is right.
honestly.. I think Huber could end up being more of the 30g-50a type of player.. Look at P.Kane his days in the OHL I think his last year he had something like 160pts? clearly it didn’t transition into the nhl.. is he dangerous? hell yeah but not like anyone may have expected him to be
by Rob PKane McMahon on Oct 11, 2011 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Could be worse. At least it won’t be the Pens announcers.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
Just curious
What is Theodore’s lifetime record vs. The Pens?
Theodore played great Saturday but the concern is his consistency. Donny has made that remark and so have other Hockey commentators.
Personally I’ll take a two goals given up performance tonight as Booth, Versteeg, Goc, and Jovanovski all tally one goal in a 4-2 Panthers win.
19-4-2 with a tie and a 2.32 goals-against average over 26 starts versus the Penguins
Hockey is a business, only we fans love it as a game.
No kidding, its spectacular
I’m putting here for reflection later on in the season…. #14 Tomas [Fleischmann] is getting a 40G season. FLASH COUNT: 0G/1A
by RPC on Sep 17, 2011 5:20 PM MDT
Find me on Twidduh And look at my Marmots
by Chris S Roberts on Oct 11, 2011 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I can't wait until Florida is taken seriously by national media. Maybe by 2015?
Just read the game preview over at ESPN. Florida’s coverage started on the 13th paragraph (yes, I counted). OK, yeah, someone has to go last, but it’s always the Panthers. I look forward to when that changes.
No Brooks Orpik either. That the big three that are out.
Should be an interesting match up though, I am waiting to see how well the Panthers can handle this type of opportunity. I didn’t realize this was a Versus/TSN game either. 7:30 start instead of the usual 7:00 start time.
It's always a great day or night for hockey - no matter the time or place!
Weekday games usually start at 730 while weekend games are at 7. I think it partially has to do with people working and giving them enough time to get to the game without rushing and such
by Rob PKane McMahon on Oct 11, 2011 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
For the Panthers, yes. Penguins home games are usually at 7:00 unless they’re on Versus.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
by John Beatty on Oct 11, 2011 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Opening Night
So a little hard to make Opening Night from Saskatoon…. BUT…. in wandering to the cable providers site this morning I found out that we have Center Ice as a free preview for two weeks, so will watch on TV and join you all in spirit!!! Too bad the cable provider failed to tell anyone that they are offering the preview…. cant wait to break the news to my wife! 5 Panther games in two weeks!
It should be on TSN2 there… of course the ottawa game is on TSN because that’s such a better game to watch insert sarcasm tag here
by Rob PKane McMahon on Oct 11, 2011 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Yup sure is. I have had this date circled since TSN released their schedules for broadcasting. I believe we get the VS commentators, but whatever…
Totally agree… this will be the better game. I was just waiting for them to TRY to reschedule and put something else on… like… ugggg curling….
Just over 2 hours away from my first Panthers game of the new era!!! (Its ALMOST pretty sad a 31 year old can get THIS excited)
Just noticed something as I was looking through the schedule.. our last game of the season once again isnt televised.. whoever makes this TV schedule should be fired
by Rob PKane McMahon on Oct 11, 2011 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed
Though they sure will be kicking themselves if it is a BIG game… and/or when we become a big deal to the NHL.
by saskpantherfan on Oct 11, 2011 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions
If, by some bizarre twist of fate, it has playoff implications for the Panthers, then FSF will pick it up. But, quite frankly, it’s a game that’s likely not worth broadcasting. The last home game of the season is generally well attended, and with the Panthers usually long out of the playoffs by the end of the season, hardly anyone is going to watch it on television.
And, anyway, it will be on Center Ice, since the Canes are broadcasting it.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
by John Beatty on Oct 11, 2011 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Just read too that I made the right call on tonites hockey. Had to make the decision on either the FLA/PIT game on the TV tonite, or taking in the future and seeing the Saskatoon/Moose Jaw game…. but Howden is not expected to play I hear…. so right call made.
by saskpantherfan on Oct 11, 2011 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Walked the BAC today...
…lots of work still going down. Barn’s gonna sparkle on Saturday.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
Winnable game yes? yes.
So let’s get this W tonight. The march to the playoffs has begun! Go Cats!
by Special_Delivery on Oct 11, 2011 6:16 PM EDT via iPhone app reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Litter Box Cats
Related FanShots on Litter Box Cats
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
