2015-2016 Game 31: Bruins at Penguins

Home and home with Boston concludes tonight in Pittsburgh.
Game day:
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.ht...id=DL|PIT|home
"The Inside Scoop: Game Day (Pens vs. Bruins)
Friday, 12.18.2015 / 12:50 PM ET / Features
By Joseph Guzy
Comment Print E-mail Good afternoon hockey fans. Tonight the Penguins host a familiar foe in the Boston Bruins on the back end of a home-and-home series.
In their last meeting on Wednesday night in Boston, it was the Bruins who walked away with a 3-0 victory. Despite the loss, the Penguins moved the puck up ice and totaled 34 shots thanks to some cleaner breakouts. If they can keep up the fast style of play, the puck will find its way in the back of the net.
Sheary’s Success
Conor Sheary skated on the top line with Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz during the morning skate. The 23-year-old certainly earned the promotion after being bumped up on a line with Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel against the Bruins on Wednesday. No doubt his high-caliber play over his 16:41 of ice time earned him another promotion this morning.
“I just have to play my game,” Sheary said. “Because (head coach Mike Sullivan) was my coach down in (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton), he has a little bit of trust in me. I think he knows how I can play and I think he thinks that I can play at that level. I’m just going to bring my own game and hope it works out.”
Sullivan certainly knows Sheary’s game and broke down what he brings to the lineup.
“Conor has a really high hockey IQ,” Sullivan said. “He’s a good playmaker. He sees the ice well. He’s very good in tight spaces. He can play that give-and-go game with whomever he plays with.
“He brings a lot of energy. I think he knocks a lot of pucks down. He creates a lot of turnovers with his pursuit because he’s quick in the tight space. I think the use of his stick is one of his strengths. He has an element of deception to his game defensively with how he utilizes his stick. I think regardless of whom he plays with, he’s going to bring those skillsets to that line.”
Even though they’ve only shared the ice for one game, Crosby knows what Sheary brings as well.
“A lot of speed,” Crosby said of the Massachusetts native. “He’s able to get to loose pucks and create a lot with his speed. He’s a smart player. I think the big thing that sticks out right away was just getting up and down the ice and creating a lot that way.”
Finding yourself on a line with Sidney Crosby in your second NHL game certainly comes with a little bit of pressure, but the captain offered some tips for the lightning-fast rookie.
“Just tell him to relax and have fun,” Crosby said. “I think that the biggest thing is for him to feel comfortable with his game and trust it and don’t try and look for other guys. Just play his game and let the plays come to him.”
Forward lines and defensive pairs:
Kunitz-Crosby-Sheary
Perron-Malkin-Kessel
Plotnikov-Bonino-Hornqvist
Sprong/Porter-Cullen-Fehr
Maatta-Daley
Cole-Warsofsky
Dumoulin-Lovejoy
Clendening rotated on a pairing with Sprong.
Jeff Zatkoff will be in goal.
Power-Play Shuffle
Sullivan shuffled the power-play units again after going 0-for-3 on the man-advantage in Boston on Wednesday:
1) Warsofky at the center point, Malkin and Crosby on the walls with Hornqvist and Kunitz at the net.
2) Daley at the center point, Kessel and Maatta on the walls with Bonino and Perron at the net.
Sullivan noted the power play hit a few posts and had some breakaways on Wednesday night, but stressed working in the offensive zone as well.
“We have to have some patience and give ourselves a chance to have success on the power play, which starts with our shot selection and the decisions we make with the puck,” Sullivan said. “But we also have to recognize the opportunities when it is the right time to get the puck to the net and give ourselves a chance to bang in a rebound or a deflection or simply a goal off of a one-timer.”
The captain had a similar remedy for their recent power-play woes.
“When we get an opportunity, instead of trying to go through sticks, just taking shot,” Crosby said. “Take what’s given to us, not really forcing things. It’s easier said than done sometimes. Just making sure we’re patient with the puck, moving it to where we see an opening to shoot and making sure that we’re taking the shots when they’re there.”
Solving Rask
Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask stopped all 34 shots the Penguins put on net Wednesday night. A few of the Penguins net-front guys know what it will take to convert on their chances against the 2013-14 Vezina Trophy winner.
“He’s one of the top goalies in the league,” Patric Hornqvist said. “If you spend time (in front of him), you’re going to get puck luck once in awhile. Hopefully we can find those rebounds and when we get those chances, make sure we get them right under the bar and really shoot hard at him.”
“We want to get better at going to the net,” Nick Bonino said. “It’s been kind of a key the last few games. Just try to get to the net and make it hard on Rask.”
Letang Update
Sullivan didn’t have a definite timeline for defenseman Kris Letang other than “it will be one of those day-today situations,” but noted that the defenseman skated on his own without the team before the morning skate.
Game Info
Where: CONSOL Energy Center
When: 7 p.m.
TV: ROOT Sports
Radio: 105.9 the X, the Penguins Radio Network
Social: @penguins, @PensInsideScoop"
Fan Guide:
http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=792624
"Fan Guide: Penguins vs. Boston Bruins 12.18.15
Thursday, 12.17.2015 / 12:00 PM ET / Fan Guide
Pittsburgh Penguins
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The Penguins will wear their Pittsburgh Gold Third Jerseys
Be sure to stop by PensGear to check out Friday’s Item of the Game – Buy more, save more! Enjoy $5 off your purchase of $25, $15 off $50 or $40 off $100! Friday only and only at PensGear!
7:00 PM
Doors will open at 6:00 PM
Ticketmaster | Ticket Exchange | Student Rush
The new 2016 Penguins & Paws Charity Pet Calendar is on sale now! Pick up a copy or two for the Penguins fans and pet lovers in your life by stopping by the tables on the concourse behind Sections 120 and 217 or order online today at pittsburghpenguinsfoundation.org! Sales from this perfect stocking stuffer benefit the Animal Rescue League Shelter & Wildlife Center.
Set your DVR before you head to the game! A new episode of PensTV’s Emmy award winning show, "In The Room” presented by RAM premieres Friday after the game on ROOT Sports. Click here to take “A Peek Inside” presented by Clearview Federal Credit Union or watch previous episodes.
Before heading to the game, head to pittsburghpenguins.com/trip to enter for a chance to win a trip for two to Florida’s Gulf Coast courtesy of the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau! This incredible prize includes roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodations for four nights, tickets to see the Penguins battle the Lightning in Tampa on January 15th and much, much more!
“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 night!
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 Friday’s special chef-prepared creation: Smoked strip loin with crispy bacon, provolone cheese, lettuce and tomato 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 Friday’s special: Turkey & Swiss panini with sliced tomato and caramelized onions on whole wheat bread
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 Friday'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."