Game 47: Canucks at Penguins

Vancouver is in town for an afternoon tilt versus Pittsburgh.
Scouting the Canucks:
http://video.penguins.nhl.com/videoc...id=DL|PIT|home
Digital Preview:

Fan Guide:
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=797909
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The Penguins will wear their home black jerseys
Be sure to stop by PensGear to check out Saturday’s Item of the Game – receive a free gift with a $50 purchase – Saturday only and only at PensGear!
12:30 PM
Doors will open at 11:30 AM
Ticketmaster | Ticket Exchange | Student Rush
Groundhog Day is just around the corner – and Saturday you can meet the one and only Punxsutawney Phil in person! Just stop by the FedEx Level behind Section 110 before the end of the second intermission! Don’t miss your chance to see this legendary groundhog before he makes his prognostication on February 2!
The Bulliest Dozer,” co-written by Penguins center Eric Fehr, is now available for sale at the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation’s silent auction stand outside of the First Niagara Club. This children’s book about why bullying doesn’t pay is signed by Fehr for just $20. You can also purchase the book by using the Foundation’s mobile bidding app at bidpal.net/pens.
Bid to win one-of-a-kind Penguins items from the comfort of your seat with the new Penguins Foundation silent auction app! Visit bidpal.net/pens from your smartphone to take home a unique piece of Penguins memorabilia Saturday afternoon!
As a reminder, new walk-through metal detectors have been installed at CONSOL Energy Center. The walk-through detectors are part of a league-wide initiative by the NHL to enhance security and allow arenas to deliver a smoother, faster screening experience. Previously, fans entering the arena were screened by security personnel with wands. The NHL policy of searching all permitted bags will remain in place. The walk-through metal detectors will be used for Penguins games and all other events at CONSOL Energy Center.
Pittsburgh Penguins fans in attendance can get the VIP treatment with Upgrade Your Game! Upgrade Your Game offers fans access to once-in-a-lifetime Penguins experiences like in-seat visits with Iceburgh, pre-game Lexus Club dinner reservations, post-game photo shoots on the ice and premium seat upgrades! Simply download the Penguins app and register today under the “Upgrade Your Game” section!
Please note, only small personal bags (purses, baby or diaper bags, etc.) will be permitted inside CONSOL Energy Center and all items are subject to searches upon entrance. Large bags, coolers, backpacks and sealed packages of any kind are not permitted. In addition, CONSOL Energy Center allows only small, personal still-cameras equipped with a 3 inch lens or smaller. Cameras with detachable lenses or flashes are not permitted. For a complete list of frequently asked questions, please visit CONSOL Energy Center’s A to Z Guide.
Stop by “The Carvery” located by Section 107 to purchase Saturday’s special chef-prepared creation: Smoked prime rib with buffalo pepper cheese, caramelized onions and garlic mayo on a Kaiser roll.
Premium Seat Holders, don’t forget to stop by an Action Station conveniently located inside the Captain Morgan and First Niagara Clubs to purchase Saturday’s special: Breakfast burrito with scrambled eggs, country sausage, pepper jack cheese, sour cream and salsa.
For the kids, don’t miss the Kids Zone Menu at Sections 116 and 231 that includes kiddie sized sodas, popcorn, hot dogs and nachos for $2.75 each.
Pick up your tickets for the Penguins Foundation 50/50 raffle for a chance to win Saturday’s jackpot. The more you play the more it pays. Proceeds from this season’s raffles benefit the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation and the numerous charitable organizations it supports. Visit one of the concourse kiosks or watch for ticket sellers through the second intermission - the winning number will be announced in the third period."
The Inside Scoop:
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=799084
"The Inside Scoop: Malkin Says Pens Will Make Playoffs
Friday, 01.22.2016 / 2:02 PM ET / Features
By Sam Kasan
Comment Print E-mail Following their 4-3 win against the Philadelphia Flyers last night at CONSOL Energy Center, the Pens are right on the cusp of a playoff position. Pittsburgh’s 51 points places them in the 9th spot in the playoff chase, just 2 points behind New Jersey and Boston for the 7th and 8th spot.
But one player has no doubts that by the end of the season, the Pens will be playing in postseason action.
“Now we are starting to believe that we can win every game,” center Evgeni Malkin told Penguins.com in an exclusive interview. “We have a great team. We started playing better. I believe that we will make the playoffs.”
The Pens picked up a big 2 points last night against one of the teams battling them for a playoff spot in the Philadelphia Flyers. While beating your most hated rival makes the win extra sweet, the 2 points are crucial.
“Every game is important,” Malkin said. “We aren’t in the playoffs. We understand that each point is important. Our rivalry against the Flyers is amazing every time. It doesn’t matter if we play here or in Philadelphia. The Flyers showed us in the first 20 minutes. They dominated. But it’s good how we came back. We focused on the last 40 minutes.”
At one juncture this season the Pens' record ranked 12th in the entire Eastern Conference. But the hiring of new head coach Mike Sullivan has helped spark and rejuvenate the team.
“It was a slow start for the team this year,” Malkin said. “But now we’re playing good. We changed the coach. It takes time to change the system.”
The Pens are 7-3-4 in their last 14 games under Sullivan. The team is starting to show more success on the ice, but it all starts with Sullivan’s demeanor off the ice.
“He came to the team and brought more energy and emotion,” Malkin said. “Sullivan is an emotional guy in the locker room too. It’s good for us. We were down 2-0 (against the Flyers after the first period) and he came to the locker room and pressured us here, showed emotion and we brought emotion to the game. It’s good for the team.”
Malkin scored his 20th goal of the season Monday night in St. Louis on a brilliant individual effort. This year marks the 8th season in which Malkin has hit the 20-goal mark, and the 3rd consecutive. All season long, Malkin has been one of the Pens’ most consistent players.
“I think (Malkin) has been one of our more consistent players,” Sullivan said. “He’s been a threat most nights. He generates a ton of offensive chances for his line and the people he’s on the ice with. He’s a big part of this team.”

BENNETT CLOSE
Winger Beau Bennett, who is recovering from a shoulder injury, had another practice with the team Friday afternoon at CONSOL Energy Center and afterward took part in some battle drills with assistant coach Rick Tocchet.
“I battled for the last 20 minutes against ‘Tocc,’ he’s a pretty strong guy,” Bennett said. “I withheld that test. I feel pretty confident going forward.”
Bennett said his return date will be a decision for the coaching staff at this juncture.
“He’s had some pretty solid practices with the team. Now it’s a matter of him and I having a discussion on when he’s comfortable enough to play,” Sullivan said.
Bennett had to work off some rust from Wednesday’s practice, but felt like he was making progress.
“That first day I was feeling the rust and wasn’t feeling the puck very well,” Bennett admitted. “Today was a lot better. My conditioning level is good. You’ll never know how well conditioned you are until you play a game.”
Bennett was injured in the Pens’ Dec. 14 game against the Washington Capitals following a hit by T.J. Oshie. He’s missed the past 17 games, but tried to remain positive during his recovery.
“You have to be mentally strong and I’ve been through it enough to try to laugh it off, but it gets frustrating at times,” Bennett said.
THIS ‘N AT
*Chris Kunitz, Kris Letang and David Warsofsky were absent from the team’s afternoon practice.
*Kunitz, who was hurt late in the third period against Philadelphia last night, has a lower-body injury and is a game-time decision against Vancouver Saturday afternoon.
*Letang will also be a game-time decision.
*The Pens used the following workflow at practice…
Bennett-Crosby-Hornqvist
Hagelin-Malkin-Kessel
Kuhnhackl-Fehr-Rust
Porter-Cullen-Sheary
(Plotnikov)
Maatta-Pouliot
Dumoulin-Lovejoy
Daley-Cole"
Sunday's Game at Capitals Postponed:
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=799222
"Sunday's Pittsburgh at Washington Game Postponed
Saturday, 01.23.2016 / 9:24 AM ET / News
Pittsburgh Penguins
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NEW YORK (Jan. 23, 2016) – The game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals at Verizon Center scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 24, NHL Game No. 720, has been postponed due to the severe snowstorm impacting the Washington, D.C., area.
A makeup date will be announced as soon as it can be confirmed."