Game 22: Pens Vs. Panthers Preview
SUNRISE, Fla. (KDKA) - The Pittsburgh Penguins will be looking to keep their hot streak going when they travel to Florida to take on the Panthers Monday night.
After a slow start to the season, the Pens have started to heat up by going 4-0-1 in their last five games.
Marc-Andre Fleury has been in goal for all five of those contests and has looked sharp.
On Saturday, the Penguins knocked off the Carolina Hurricanes 5-4 in a shootout.
Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang scored, while Fleury stoned Jussi Jokinen to lock up the extra point in the standings.
Florida (9-9-0-18 points) is also playing well recently, having gone 4-2 in their last six games. On Saturday, the Panthers exploded in the second period against the New York Islanders.
In a span of 7:54, Florida scored four goals to help send the Islanders to their 12th straight loss.
Balanced scoring is one key to Florida's recent success, as six different players have at least 10 points this season.
Michael Frolik is leading the way with 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 17 games. David Booth and Stephen Weiss lead the team with five goals each.
In net, Tomas Vokoun has shouldered a bulk of the load. Vokoun has started 15 of the team's 18 games and is 8-6 with a 2.32 GAA and .926 save percentage. He has also posted two shutouts.
Against Pittsburgh, Vokoun is 7-7-2-4 with a 2.60 GAA, .926 save percentage and has two shutouts.
Pittsburgh is dealing with some bumps and bruises to big name players.
Evgeni Malkin did not participate in Sunday's practice. Meanwhile, Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz left practice early on Sunday.
All are expected to participate in Monday's morning skate.
Crosby is riding an eight-game point streak (eight goals, 10 assists) and is coming off a four-point night against the Hurricanes on Saturday.
He now trails Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos by one point in the NHL scoring race.
Crosby has performed well against the Panthers in his career with 11 goals and 12 assists in 19 games.
Fleury (5-6-1, 2.95 GAA, .883 save percentage) has struggled against the Panthers at times during his career.
In 10 career starts, Fleury is 4-6 with a 3.51 GAA,.884 save percentage, but has one shutout.
The puck is set to drop at 7:30 and can be seen on FSN Pittsburgh.
