The Pens return home looking for their first win of the season in their home opener against the undefeated Montreal Canadiens.
The Pens are looking for ways to generate more offense after posting just one goal in their two-game season-opening road trip.
It appears the Pens will do lineup shuffling up front. Sticking with the combinations from late in the Arizona game on Saturday night, Pittsburgh practiced Monday with David Perron and Sergei Plotnikov flipped. Perron worked with Evgeni Malkin and Patric Hornqvist, while Plotnikov was with Nick Bonino and Beau Bennett. Plotnikov had some early chemistry on his new line in the contest and even head coach Mike Johnston noted that the move gave Plotnikov a shot of life.
“It’s a good contrast of style,” Bennett said of the trio. “Sergei is a bull out there. He’s very north-south. … It worked in the third period. We didn’t generate enough to score, but going into tonight we feel pretty good.”
The Pens held an optional morning skate. The only missing healthy players were defenseman Rob Scuderi and forwards Bonino, Chris Kunitz, Sidney Crosby and Phil Kessel.
BEHIND ENEMY LINES
The Montreal Canadiens, who are playing their fourth and final game of a season-opening road swing, are one of the hottest teams to start the season and are clicking on all cylinders. Under head coach Michel Therrien, the Habs have been a strong defensive team. Their disciplined style of play paired with having the reigning NHL MVP and goaltender of the year between the pipes in Carey Price will give you that result.
But the Canadiens, a team blessed with tremendous speed, have also been filling the net in the first three games. They’ve totaled 10 goals in the opening three games, led by Tomas Plekanec’s three tallies and captain Max Pacioretty and P.K. Subban’s four points each.
Somebody's grandma surprised them! Awwwwww......
Our dear penny provided this awesome image. Let's Go Fleury!
Let's Go Pens!!!
