How Are the Penguins Faring Against Eastern Conference Heavyweights?

Given the Penguins’ recent struggles against Metro Division rivals Carolina and the Rangers, there’s a general perception that our guys aren’t performing too well against other playoff teams. So I decided to take a look at how the Eastern Conference heavyweights are faring against each other in head-to-head competition.

Without further ado, here are the results:

	PIT	CAR	NYR	WSH	FLA	TBL	TOR	BOS
PIT		2-1-0	2-1-0	2-1-0	2-1-0	1-2-0	1-2-0	0-1-0
CAR	1-1-1		1-1-0	3-1-0	3-0-0	1-1-1	2-1-0	0-3-0
NYR	1-2-0	1-1-0		1-1-0	1-2-0	0-2-1	1-0-1	0-1-1
WSH	1-1-1	1-2-1	1-1-0		2-1-0	2-0-0	1-0-0	2-0-0
FLA	1-1-1	0-1-2	2-1-0	1-1-1		1-2-0	1-0-0	1-1-0
TBL	2-1-0	2-0-1	3-0-0	0-1-1	2-0-1		1-1-0	2-0-1
TOR	2-1-0	1-1-1	1-1-0	0-1-0	0-1-0	1-0-1		0-2-0
BOS	1-0-0	3-0-0	2-0-0	0-2-0	1-0-1	1-2-0	2-0-0
Total	9-7-3	10-6-5	12-5-0	7-8-2	11-5-2	7-9-3	9-4-1	5-8-2
Points	21	25	24	16	24	17	19	12
Points%	0.553	0.595	0.706	0.471	0.667	0.447	0.679	0.400

No, we’re not burning up the track by any means. However, as you can see, with a 9-7-3 record the Pens are holding their own against the other playoff-positioned clubs. We’re fourth in points and fifth in points percentage. In other words, middle of the pack, which feels about right.

The Rangers have the best points percentage (.706), followed somewhat surprisingly by Toronto (.679). Florida is third at .667.

The Pens have the second fewest games remaining against fellow playoff contenders, one game each against the Rangers and Capitals and two against Boston.

Zucker to Return

It’s pretty much a lock that Jason Zucker will return to the lineup tonight against his old team the Wild. Jason’s missed the past 30 games due to core muscle surgery. He’s slated to skate on the second line alongside Evgeni Malkin and newcomer Rickard Rakell, who’ll slide to right wing.

To make room, it appears Radim Zohorna will take a seat. Big Z’s acquitted himself very well in his second go ‘round with the black and gold. Seeing mostly fourth line duty (ATOI 10:23) he’s tallied two goals and six points in 17 games to go with a sparkling plus-12…tied with Sidney Crosby for the best mark among our forwards. He’s been on the ice for only one even-strength goal against.

It appears Mark Friedman will supplant Marcus Pettersson on the third pairing. Here are the likely line combinations and defense pairings for tonight’s game.

Forwards

Guentzel-Crosby-Rust Zucker-Malkin-Rakell Rodrigues-Carter-Kapanen Boyle-Blueger-Heinen

Defense

Dumoulin-Letang Matheson-Marino Friedman-Ruhwedel

Goal

DeSmith

Old Friends

Tonight’s game will definitely have a Pittsburgh feel. No fewer than four former Pens, Nick Bjugstad, Marc-Andre Fleury, Frederick Gaudreau and Alex Goligoski play for the Wild. A fifth, defenseman Calen Addison, currently skates for the Iowa Wild of the AHL. And, of course, Bill Guerin’s the general manager.

Enjoying a solid season, Goligoski recently signed a two-year contract extension. With nine goals and 31 points in 59 games, Gaudreau’s having a fine season as well. Sure wish we could’ve kept him. I just like the way Freddy competes and plays the game. Gritty, smart and crafty. A glue guy. Kind of like Nick Bonino.