Penguins/NHL
Pre-Game Buzz
Marc Andre Fleury will get the start in goal tonight, it has been confirmed from a source on the scene.
It will be Fleury’s first start in eight days. Brent Johnson will sit after winning three straight games for Pittsburgh. Johnson (4-0) has led Pittsburgh to all four victories this season.
Fleury is 0-3-0 on the season with a 3.41 GAA and .853 Save percentage. He will also make his first start on the road this season. All three losses have come at the Consol Energy Center.
Fleury last played on Wednesday October 13, against the Toronto Maple Leafs, a 4-3 loss to the Leafs in which Fleury gave up 4 goals on 14 shots.
Lineup News
The Nashville Predators were pushed around in Tuesday night’s game against the Calgary Flames which resulted in the team losing All-Star defenseman Ryan Suter for at least a week.
Facing the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight who are one of the league’s most physical teams (184 hits), word out of Nashville is that the Predators may put tough guy Wade Belak back into the lineup who has appeared in three games this season.
If Belak is inserted into the lineup, Eric Godard would likely dress for the Penguins. Godard took a regular shift in the morning skate and according to a source on the scene, Godard is regarded as a “possibility” and will be a game time decision.
Nashville’s decision whether to dress Belak or not will dictate Bylsma’s decision on Godard.
Morning Skate Lines
Kunitz – Crosby – Dupuis
Comrie – Letestu – Malkin
Cooke – Talbot – Kennedy
Tangradi- Adams – Godard – Rupp
Defensemen
Martin – Letang
Goligoski – Lovejoy
Hutchinson – Engelland
Marc Andre Fleury will start in goal
Out: Brooks Orpik (groin), Arron Asham (shoulder), Jordan Staal (foot) and Zbynek Michalek (shoulder)
Michalek did not travel the team on their road trip. Brooks Orpik, Jordan Staal and Arron Asham all skated this morning.
