Game 25: Flames Vs. Pens Preview
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - The Penguins will look to extend their winning streak to six games when they host the Calgary Flames Saturday afternoon.
On Friday, the Penguins' power play proved to be the difference by scoring twice in a 2-1 win over the Ottawa Senators.
Evgeni Malkin and Alex Goligoski got the goals, while Sidney Crosby extended his point streak to 11 games.
Marc-Andre Fleury (8-6-1, 2.57 GAA, .905 save percentage) has been on fire recently having gone, 7-0-1 in his last eight starts. On Friday, he faced a ton of rubber, but only surrendered one goal on 44 shots.
Pittsburgh now only trails Philadelphia by three points in the Atlantic Division. If the playoffs started today, the Penguins would be the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Neither team today will have an advantage when it comes to rest, as both played matinee games on Friday.
Calgary knocked off the Flyers 3-2 in a shootout to snap a three-game losing streak. However, only one of those three losses came in regulation.
The Flames (9-11-2-20 points) are off to a slower start than they would probably like and are currently fourth in the Northwest Division and 14th in the Western Conference.
Captain Jarome Iginla (nine goals, nine assists) and Alex Tanguay (six goals, 12 assists) are leading the Flames with 18 points in 22 games.
However, one of the Flames' notable players is mired in his own slump, but couldn't be happier to be playing Pittsburgh.
Olli Jokinen (two goals, six assists) has been a Penguin killer for years. In 41 games against the Pens, Jokinen has 17 goals and 18 assists, including 10 power play points and six game-winning goals.
Goaltenders have not been announced, but it is likely that Brent Johnson (6-2-1, 2.11 GAA, .927 save percentage) will be back in net for the Penguins.
He was held out of Wednesday's game against the Buffalo Sabres due to an illness. Fleury stepped in an backstopped the Pens to a 1-0 win.
Johnson has performed quite well against the Flames in his career by posting a 3-2 record with a 2.00 GAA, .918 save percentage and one shutout.
The puck is set to drop on the only meeting between the clubs this season at 1 p.m. and can be seen on FSN Pittsburgh.
