GDT: #16 – Penguins at Sabres – Sun Feb 17 – 12:30PM ET – TV: NBC – Radio: WGR-AM

[kirby11]

Some blurbs from today's game notes:

• NBC Crew: Gord Miller, Joe Micheletti
• Referees: Dave Jackson (8), Kevin Pollock (33)
• Linesmen: Derek Nansen (70), Tim Nowak (77)
• Ntl. Anthem: Baylee Morrison (so that 8-y/o girl again)

Also, some more stats:

• The Sabres are 2-8-0 in their last 10 games vs. the Penguins; 3-4-3 at home.
• Buffalo’s 4-2 win on Friday vs. BOS was the team’s first win without getting a point from Thomas Vanek or Jason Pominville since March 23, 2012 at NYR (4-1 win).
• Jason Pominville has been held without a point in three consecutive home games for the first time since Nov. 20 to Nov. 26, 2010.
• The two teams combined to score 32 goals in the four meetings last season (PGH, 17; BUF, 15). That’s the most combined goals in the season series between the teams since 1995-96 when they totaled 45 goals (PGH, 23; BUF, 22) in six meetings.
• The 8.0 combined average goals per game for the Penguins and Sabres last season was the most since they combined to average 8.5 goals in four games in 1992-93 (PGH, 18; BUF, 16).
• The Penguins dominated the special teams matchup between the teams last season, going 6-for-14 (42.9%) on the man-advantage and killing off all 10 Buffalo power-play chances.
• The Penguins have held the Sabres without a power-play goal in six straight meetings entering today. The last time Buffalo scored on the man-advantage against Pittsburgh was Dec. 11, 2010. Since that PPG from Tyler Ennis, the Penguins have killed off 16 straight Buffalo power plays.
• Pittsburgh has gone 17-7 in its last 24 meetings against the Sabres. In those 24 games the Penguins have averaged 3.38 goals.
• The Penguins have gone 8-3 in their last 11 visits to the First Niagara Center.
• D Deryk Engelland has notched four points (2G-2A) in seven career games against Buffalo. The Sabres are the lone NHL team he has scored multiple goals against, while his four points against them represent the most he has accumulated against any team (also has 4 points vs. NYR).
• The Penguins are 13-5-1 in day games over the past two seasons
• James Neal has notched at least one goal in three straight games and he has six goals over his previous six games.
• Sidney Crosby enters today’s game having recorded at least one point in 13 straight games against the Buffalo Sabres. During his streak, Crosby has 20 points (7G-13A), while the Penguins have posted a 10-3 record. Crosby has tallied points in all 12 of his visits to the First Niagara Center – totaling 17 points (7G-10A). For his career, Crosby has tallied at least one point in 19 of 21 games against the Sabres.
• Fleury is 5-1-1 with a 2.10 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage in seven career starts at the First Niagara Center. He is 6-1 in his last seven overall starts against the Sabres.

The bolded stats are pathetic. Also, no clue how we're going to win this because miller always gives up 3+ goals against the pens and enroth sucks.
5-2 'Bres lose.

 

[vcv]

Looks like Brennan may be in for Sekera, which wouldn't be a huge surprise.

Grigs is also sitting and McCormick is in for him.

 

[Woodhouse]

Scouts in attendance this afternoon (), include:

Quite a few NHL scouts in the building right now. More are scheduled to arrive closer to game time.

Western teams in the house today: Minnesota, Anaheim. LA, Edmonton, Colorado, Chicago, Dallas, Nashville, and St. Louis.

If trades are going to be made in this truncated season, and they will, then expect GMs to make deals outside of their conferences. Darcy Regier alluded to this point when he was a guest on WGR radio on Friday, before Friday win over Boston. Regier said that he had spoken that day with two Western GMs who had lost the night before (Phoenix and Minnesota).

Link: http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/GARTH/Hockey-Day-Matinee/6/49360

 

[sba]

Grigs is also sitting and McCormick is in for him.

 

[kirby11]

Lines and pairings:
VHP
FES
Gerbe-Hecht-Ott
Scott-McCormick-Kaleta

Regehr-Myers (puke)
Ehrhoff-Sulzer
Weber-Leo (potential dumpster fire)

 

[Woodhouse]

Looks like Brennan may be in for Sekera, which wouldn't be a huge surprise.

Grigs is also sitting and McCormick is in for him.

7 D dressed for warm-ups, but it's Weber based on the line rushes tweeted by our beat writers. Grigorenko's benching isn't a shocker either, considering Ruff would only see a few opportunities to play him versus an experienced Pens team.

 

[EC09]

Ready for this game. Ready for some hockey action. Ready for another Sabres game that I don't have to stream.

 

[Chainshot]

Up in 306 with my son. Hope this isn't a rout.

 

[sba]

Up in 306 with my son. Hope this isn't a rout.

Little guy has to learn early on.

 

[Harvey Birdman]

Pens fan here in peace, I always dislike playing Buffalo, because in the East they are one of my top favorites to cheer for after my team. Not that I'm torn at all if they are playing Pittsburgh, but I just can't bring myself to cheer AGAINST Buffalo.

So here's to a good game, hope all the stars on both benches light it up... But the Pens get one more than Buffalo...

 

[Chainshot]

Brennan is scratched

 

[couture23]

NBC is going on too long with this Hockey in Harlem thing. I want to see the anthem.

I hope this isn't a blowout.

 

[stokes84]

The bolded stats are pathetic. Also, no clue how we're going to win this because miller always gives up 3+ goals against the pens and enroth sucks.
5-2 'Bres lose.

Not really pathetic considering Vanek and/or Pominville haven't scored in only 2 or 3 games...

 

[EC09]

So much for that 12:30 start.

 

[Royisgone]

Excuse me while I wipe the tears from this "hockey in Harlem" piece on NBC.

START THE DAMNED GAME.

I absolutely despise what NBC does with sports!

 

[FearTheBeard]

are they going to start the game or keep showing these stupid kids?

 

[PlamsUnlimited]

Love how they are just rolling over the game with stupid crap.

 

[sba]

This is gonna be ugly. 6-1 Pens

 

[FearTheBeard]

Well thats awesome, we get no pre-game or anything because they had to ask kid do a hockey celebration when it was obviously his first time on skates, sweet.

 

[DeadGhost]

Will probably get to see 1 period and 3 minutes of the 2nd before I head to the BCA for Amerks. Drop the puck!

 

[PlamsUnlimited]

Have a bad feeling about this game. If we DO win, it's a huge confidence boost.

 

[End on a Hinote]

Gord Miller is on NBC!? Had no idea.

 

[VaporTrail]

Love how they are just rolling over the game with stupid crap.

I was just going through all my cable channels, and looking on the internet as to why I didn't have the game...

I finally get a chance to watch a game from beginning to end, and I get no RJ....this blows...they should let the local broadcast override NBC.....

 

[DeadGhost]

Have a bad feeling about this game. If we DO win, it's a huge confidence boost.

The last thing they need right now. Not even .

 

[EC09]

We sure this little girl is 8? My goodness what a voice.