Pittsburgh Penguins vs Boston Bruins Game Time!

Tonight the Pittsburgh Penguins return home to play the Boston Bruins. Game time is 7PM. Boston comes into the game having lost its last 2 games. This has dropped their record to 7-3-1, still good for 3rd place in the Northeast division despite playing 4 games less than the 2 teams ahead of them(Ottawa and Montreal). Boston has a good mix of scoring and defense. They are 7th in the league scoring 3.0 goals per game. They have been riding Tim Thomas's remarkable goaltending and only allowing 1.7 goals against, good for 2nd in NHL. They kill 92.9% of penalties which is tops in the league. Their power play is also going good at 21.4% which is 9th in the league.

Boston is dealing with several key injuries. Marc Savard is still dealing with post concussion symptoms from Matt Cookes hit last season. First Line Center Marc Krejci is also now out with a concussion. The Penguins are relatively healthy with the exception, of course, of Jordan Staal. They did recall Chris Conner today in the event that Mike Comrie can not go. Comrie has been dealing with a bout of the flu.

Boston plays a defense first style. They kinda model the New Jersey Devils of old--trap, trap, trap, and pounce on turnovers. They are going to give the Pens a very tough challenge. Tim Thomas will be in goal for the Bruins. He has been lights out on the year posting a 7-0 record and 1.07GAA. On the flip side, Brent Johnson will start in goal for the Penguins. He too has been red hot, posting a 6-1-1 record and 1.63GAA.

The Pittsburgh-Boston games of late have really taken on an intense rivalry. Things only got nastier after Matt Cooke took out Marc Savard. I expect nothing less than the same intensity tonight. Usually I do a pro's and con's for each game, but I'm short on time today. Should be a good game!




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