Penguins/Phantoms PREVIEW

Friday, February 22, 2013

The Penguins embark on another three games in two and a half days stretch starting tonight at the Wells Fargo Center, home of the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers. The Pens take on the Phantoms at 7 p.m. EST.

Expected Starting Goalies
Brad Thiessen (WBS): 10-9-1, 2.59 GAA, .903 SV%, 4 SO
Scott Munroe (ADK): 11-12-0, 2.57 GAA, .918 SV%, 1 SO

Thiessen is 2-0 against the Phantoms this season, including a 20 save shutout in the last meeting between the two teams back on February 2nd in Wilkes-Barre.

Breaking Down the Matchup

Adirondack: 5th Place Northeast Divison, 20-25-2-1= 43 points
PENGUINS: 3rd Place East Division, 26-22-2-1 = 55 points

There's still opportunity this weekend for the Penguins to creep back into East Division race.  The Penguins trail Binghamton by 10 points and Syracuse by 13 entering tonight's games. 

Leading Scorers

Adirondack: Jason Akeson (7G, 18A), Danny Syvret (4G, 21A), Jon Sim (7G, 10A)
PENGUINS: Chad Kolarik (19G, 24A), Riley Holzapfel (16G, 18A), Trevor Smith (16G, 16A)

Renewed Rivalry?
 
For the Penguins, Alex Grant never returned after an apparent head injury from a hit by Norfolk's Mat Clark last Friday and won't play this weekend. Chris Collins, who coach Hynes originally told me missed practice yesterday due to a maintenance day, also appears to be out of the lineup.

The Penguins signed forward Christian Minella to a PTO this morning. Minella had been playing with the Penguins' ECHL affiliate in Wheeling and is a big body that hovers around the net. Another hard working, grind it out type player at the Penguins disposal this weekend. From those I have talked to, his style is comparable to that of Adam Payerl.


I'll have the latest on who's starting for the Penguins tonight as well as updates of all the action and a recap with thoughts from the players and coaches shortly after the game. Follow on Twitter tonight with @H_P_Hockey.

Injured list: Tom Kuhnhackl (upper body), Paul Thompson (upper body), Phil Dupuis, Alex Grant (upper body), Chris Collins (lower body) and Steve MacIntyre.

Healthy Scratches: Reid McNeill

Expected lineup:

Kolarik - Smith - Holzapfel
Gibbons - Megna - Kostopoulos
Farnham - Peters - Uher
Minella - Sill - Payerl

Reese - Dumoulin
Wild - Mormina
Samuelsson - Morrow

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