Penguins/NHL
Stadium Series
Flyers (28-25-7, 63 pts) vs Penguins (37-14-8, 82 Pts)
Forecast (Puck Drop): 36 Degrees, Winds 18 mph
Penguins Outdoor Game all-time record | 1-2-0 |
Jan 1, 2008 | Pittsburgh 2 – Buffalo 1
Jan 1, 2011 | Washington 3 – Pittsburgh 1
March 1, 2014 | Chicago 5 – Pittsburgh 1
Penguins Outdoor Game all-time Leaders
Goals: James Neal (1), Colby Armstrong (1), Evgeni Malkin (1),
Assists: Sidney Crosby (1) Kris Letang (1), Marc Andre Fleury (1)
NHL’s All-time Outdoor Game leading Goal Scorer: Eric Fehr (3 Goals)
Tonight’s Storylines
Mike Sullivan going with the sentimental choice tonight in goal was always a longshot, so it wasn’t a surprise this morning when Matt Murray was confirmed as the starter tonight.
It was always the plan to start Murray, Sullivan just made it a little interesting yesterday in not committing to who would start.
That said, while no one steps in Mike Sullivan’s way on who to play, Fleury has a lot of fans in the organization on a personal level and there is believed to have been a discussion between Sullivan and those above him about potentially starting Fleury.
— Kris Letang is out of the lineup tonight for the Penguins. Justin Schultz will play.
— The Flyers five points out of the playoffs and desperate for a big win, will start Michal Neuvirth in goal who has been anointed the Flyers No. 1 goaltender of late. Neuvirth is 10-8-1 with a 2.84 GAA and .888 save percentage. The Flyers are 0-1-1 all-time in two outdoor games.
Player Spotlight
— Claude Giroux (12 Goals – 30 Assists – 42 Pts) having a down season, is a point per game player in his career vs Pittsburgh with 13 goals, 24 assists for 37 points in 37 games.
— Sidney Crosby (33 Goals – 33 Assists – 66 Points) has 83 points in 56 career games vs the Flyers. Crosby has 4 goals and 7 points in his last four games vs the Flyers.
Trade Deadline Chatter
NHL Source: Penguins/Hurricanes discussed Fleury last weekend
The Marc Andre Fleury rumors continue to heat up as the trade deadline is just days away and the messages coming out of the Penguins organization has made a drastic turn in the last 36 hours.
Yet to receive a single offer for Fleury this season, sources say the Penguins have prioritized trying to bring a suitor to the table between now and Wednesday and are the aggressors in trade talks.
While the Stars and Flames are two of the known teams the Penguins have had varying degrees of conversations with on Fleury, there’s a third team Pittsburgh has tried to bring to the table.
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NHL sources say Penguins GM Jim Rutherford met twice with Hurricanes GM Ron Francis last weekend and those conversations weren’t just focused on defenseman Ron Hainsey. The Penguins have made an attempt to gauge Carolina’s willingness to do a potential Fleury deal and Pittsburgh scouting Eddie Lack’s performance last night has fueled some speculation not to write off the Hurricanes just yet.
The Hurricanes, though, have signaled to teams over the last couple months they’re not in the goalie market.
Ron Francis is a fan of Fleury but not the contract. So we shall see.
Going to be an interesting next couple of days.[/hide]
Related posts:
TIOPS Friday Takeaways: Crosby’s Shooting Percentage; Trusting Youth; Latest Fleury Trade Talk
Hurricanes Back and Forth interest in Marc Andre Fleury
Latest Penguins Buzz: New Fleury Developments & Stadium Series Mystery
Penguins – Hurricanes Quick Hits: Neal’s Overtime winner lifts Penguins to 4-3 OT win
