PRE-GAME

The Penguins embark on another weekend of back-to-back games and both are the typical four point swing games.

What the Penguins need to avoid for the second straight season is going into the final day of the season needing a win to get in the playoffs.

A regulation win vs the Red Wings (85 pts) this afternoon and Pittsburgh would go five points up on the Red Wings with eight games remaining, putting the Penguins in a strong position of avoiding the type of situation they were in last spring.

A bad weekend for the Penguins and the script flips again for them with just over two weeks left in the regular season.

It is also a big weekend for the New York Rangers (92 pts) who the Penguins face Sunday. At Montreal tonight, New York can put themselves in the drivers seat to get home ice in the first round with a three or four point weekend.

Tidbits

— Pittsburgh has won the last two meetings vs the Red Wings, scoring 11 goals combined in the the two contests. The Red Wings have played a skilled skating game vs the Penguins and tried to outscore Pittsburgh in both meetings. It’s played into how Pittsburgh wants the pace of the game to be. Will be interesting if we see some adjustments from Detroit today in their style of play.

Marc Andre Fleury starts for Pittsburgh. Petr Mrazek starts for the Red Wings. He is 27-15-6 for the Red Wings with a 2.26 GAA and .922 save percentage.

Nick Bonino made the trip to Detroit and does not have a broken hand. He could play today, Mike Sullivan told reporters moments ago.

Ben Lovejoy is in the lineup today in place of the injury Olli Maatta.[/hide]