Game 3 Preview: Maple Leafs Vs. Penguins
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The Pittsburgh Penguins will make their long anticipated return to the Consol Energy Center tonight when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs in their home-opener.
The Penguins (2-0) opened up the shortened season with road wins against Philadelphia and the New York Rangers.
This will be the first time the Penguins have played at Consol Energy Center since a 3-2 win in Game 5 of their opening round playoff series with the Flyers last spring.
Toronto (1-1) enters tonight's game looking to erase a 2-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres in their own home opener on Monday. The biggest story from that game was arguably the Leafs' opening ceremony, which featured a puck drop from outer space and several legendary former players.
The Maple Leafs opened the season with a 2-1 win on the road against the Montreal Canadiens.
Toronto features a roster of young talent, but are led by Phil Kessel, Joffrey Lupul and Dion Phaneuf.
Currently, Kessel is tied for the team lead in points with Michael Kostka, Tyler Bozak and Nazem Kadri with two each.
Kadri has the team lead with two goals and both came on the power play.
In goal, Ben Scrivens has been solid in the first two games. He's only allowed three goals on 42 shots and comes into the contest with a 1.53 GAA and .929 save percentage. Scrivens has not faced the Penguins in his young career.
According to the Penguins' official website, Pittsburgh has won three in a row against the Leafs, including both contests played at Consol Energy Center last year.
Evgeni Malkin leads the way for the Penguins with four points, but has not lit the lamp yet this season. However, that could very well change tonight.
In 20 career games against Toronto, Malkin has nine goals and 29 assists with four goals and 14 assists coming on the power play.
Speaking of the power play, the Pens' new look has paid dividends thus far by going 4 for 8 in the first two games.
James Neal (three goals, zero assists) and Paul Martin (one goal, two assists are tied for second on the team in points with three.
Sidney Crosby recorded an assist against the Rangers on Sunday and has 17 goals and 18 assists in 22 games against the Maple Leafs.
Marc-Andre Fleury is expected to be back in net tonight after a sparkling performance against Philadelphia on Saturday. Fleury allowed one goal on 27 shots to backstop the Pens to a 3-1 win.
Against Toronto, Fleury is 11-7-3 with a 3.14 GAA and a .893 save percentage.
The puck is set to drop around 7 p.m. and you can watch the game on Root Sports.
You can follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sheavedice
RELATED LINKS
More Shea-ved Ice Blog
More Sports News
More Penguins News
Pittsburgh Penguins
NHL
