Game 67 Preview: WBS @ Manitoba - Part 2

Brad Thiessen was given the start in back-to-back games in Abbotsford after he registered a shutout in the first game. So why shouldn't John Curry get the start tonight?

After a 2-0 victory last night the WBS Penguins were hoping they would get back two of their defensemen for tonight's game at 8:30 P.M EST against the Manitoba Moose. With the Pittsburgh Penguins leaving Ottawa last night and not having another game until Sunday, both Corey Potter and Steve Wagner were re-assigned to WBS.

Now with 7 healthy defenseman it looks like either Jason DeSantis or Alex Grant will be the odd man out. Up front, look for either David Marshall or Nick Petersen to be the 13th forward and a healthy scratch.

Both Eddie Lack and John Curry were outstanding last night, and you should expect that both will be in net again tonight. Curry picked up his second shutout of the season, with 23 saves, while Lack kept the Moose in the game through the first 54:35 of play.

The Stat of the Day:
For those of you who don't follow me on Twitter, the line of Keven Veilleux (0G,4A), Geoff Walker (3G,2A) and Ryan Craig (3G,3A) has been the team's best forward line this month, the last 6 contests.


A Quick Look at the East Division Standings:
WBS: 95 points, 14 games remaining
Hershey: 88 points, 11 games remaining
Norfolk: 81 points, 14 games remaining
Charlotte: 80 points, 13 games remaining
Binghamton: 75 points, 14 games reamining

The Pens are still in control with a seven point lead with three games in hand, one of which will be made up tonight. A win tonight puts the lead to nine with two games in hand on second place.

If you're scoring at home, the magic number of points the Pens need to clinch the East Division is at 110 points right now meaning the Pens need to get 15 out of a possible 28 points in the last 14 games this season. That's .500 hockey and not at all out of reach for this Penguins team that has found ways to continue to win. The WBS Penguins also need just five more points to clinch the first playoff spot for the AHL's Calder Cup Playoffs.