Game 53: Penguins @ Avalanche 02.09.17

Game Preview:
https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/ga...vs/c-286587042
"The Pittsburgh Penguins travel to the Rocky Mountains to face the Colorado Avalanche.
MATCH: Penguins vs. Avalanche
TIME: 9 p.m. EST
PLACE: Pepsi Center
TV: ROOT Sports
RADIO: 105.9 FM, the X
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
Colorado won the previous match, 4-3 in overtime, in Pittsburgh on Oct. 17 … The Pens are 3-0-1 since the All-Star break … Pittsburgh is holding its 8th annual Dads' Trip. The team is 8-5-1 overall during the Dads' Trip … Sidney Crosby enters the contest with 998 career NHL points, 2 away from the magic number 1,000. He would become the 86th player in NHL history to achieve the milestone. Crosby has 10 points (6G-4A) in 9 games against the Avs, including 5 (3G-2A) in 4 at Colorado … Chris Kunitz has 5 points (2G-3A) in his last 5 games … Pittsburgh injuries: Evgeni Malkin (lower-body); Carl Hagelin (concussion); Conor Sheary (upper-body) … The Avs finish off a 3-game homestand against Pittsburgh. Colorado won the first 2 games against Winnipeg, 5-2, and Montreal, 4-0 … Mikko Rantanen recorded his 1st career hat trick against the Canadiens, becoming the 2nd-youngest Av to reach the feat at 20 years, 101 days (Nathan MacKinnon, 19 years, 174 days) … The Avs rank 2nd in the NHL in faceoff percentage at 53.6% … Colorado is 5-1 in overtime, including a win against the Pens … Colorado injuries: Tyson Barrie (lower-body), Erik Johnson (broken leg), Semyon Varlamov (season-ending hip surgery).
MORNING SKATE REPORT:
*The Pens held an optional morning skate. Only Crosby and Phil Kessel did not participate.
*Matt Murray was the 1st goaltender off the ice and will start in goal."
Digital Preview: