Game 12 Preview: Penguins Vs. Hurricanes
RALEIGH, N.C. (KDKA) – The Pittsburgh Penguins will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak when they take the ice tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Penguins have only scored four goals during this losing streak, despite holding a decisive advantage in shots in all three contests.
One solution could be to get more bodies to the crease to track down rebounds. The Penguins fired 38 shots on net against the Leafs Saturday night, but there was rarely a chance off a rebound. It's going to be hard to score when most shots are from the outside or the point.
At some point, you need to pay a price and get to the blue paint.
Look for the third and fourth lines to lead the way in that regard tonight against Carolina.
Another reason to get to the net early and often tonight is because the Hurricanes are without starting goaltender Cam Ward and backup goaltender Anton Khudobin due to injuries.
As a result, Justin Peters (0-2-0, 3.16 GAA, .891 save percentage) will likely be in the net against the Penguins.
Peters is only 2-3-1 against the Penguins in his career with a lofty 4.42 GAA and .882 save percentage. He has allowed 25 goals on 212 shots in six appearances against Pittsburgh.
Jeff Skinner leads the team with nine points (three goals, six assists), but suffered an upper-body injury on Thursday. He reportedly underwent an MRI on Sunday and is questionable to play tonight.
As for the Penguins, Sidney Crosby continues to pace the team and the league with 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists).
Crosby has also torched the Hurricanes for seven goals and 23 assists in 23 career games.
Meanwhile, the other half of the two-headed monster, Evgeni Malkin, also enjoys games against the Hurricanes.
In 23 career games, Malkin has nine goals and 19 assists.
This will be the second meeting between the two teams this season. Pittsburgh won the first game 5-2 back on Oct. 8, in Pittsburgh, thanks in large part to Jussi Jokinen's hat trick.
Marc-Andre Fleury (7-2-0, 1.88 GAA, .926 save percentage) stopped 25 shots to improve his record to 10-6-2 against Carolina. He also holds a 2.70 GAA and a ,907 save percentage against the Hurricanes.
The puck is set to drop at 7 p.m. and you can watch the game on Root Sports.
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