More photos » by John Bazemore - AP

Ondrej Pavelec has stepped up big time in the wake of Kari Lehtonen's never-ending injuries. Lehtonen's return may still keep him out with a bruised ego.

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[SBN Atlanta Thrashers blog - Bird Watcher's Anonymous]

Last season the Penguins swept the Atlanta Thrashers in all four regular season meetings, outscoring them by a combined 18-8.  This season it may not be as easy, especially when you consider Atlanta is playing with a healthy Ilya Kovalchuk and a stellar netminder who goes by the name of Ondrej Pavelec.  More on him later.

But first, Kovalchuk.  He's beast.  He's dangerous.  He plays with a ridiculous level of intensity.  But did you really need me to tell you that?  Since returning to the lineup, after missing nearly a month with a broken foot, it would appear as if the guy hasn't missed a beat. 

Here are his numbers since returning (in just four games played):

And here's where he stands on the season:

Look at that assist total.  It's scary to think seven of his eight assists this season came in just four games - his last four played since returning from injury.  Is it possible this guy returned from injury better than before he went out?  Perhaps, but I suppose that assessment leaves room to more or less conclude that he wasn't good before he left.  That is, of course, not true.

On to Pavelec, who may be one of the better goaltenders to emerge from an injured roster in the very early part of this season.  His 6-5-2 record indicates a winning percentage, just barely, but when you look at his other numbers (and the average of these numbers), the guy really works hard out there.  Pavelec is averaging just about 32 saves per game over his last five appearances.  And although he's giving up just about three goals per game during this same span, he is also managing to keep his team in it long enough to make a run at regaining the lead.  Three games ago Pavelec recorded his first career shutout, a 7-0 beatdown of the LA Kings.  Atlanta wound up victims of a shutout in the next game against Boston, and tonight look to pick up a win with Pavy in net.

With any luck Ruslan Fedotenko decides to not break his hand on Colby Armstrong's face again and the Pens leave this one free of pain, and hopefully with the 'W' as well.  It's already a good sign that Brooks Orpik will return for this one.

Puck and thread drop at 7:00.  Bring your A game.

More photos » by FRED CHARTRAND - AP

Chris Neil. Brutal.

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[SBN Ottawa Senators blog - Silver Seven]

The Penguins kick off a short three-game road trip tonight as they head north of the border to take on the Ottawa Senators.  In the last meeting between the two, the Penguins skated away with a 4-1 victory thanks to goals from Bill Guerin, Jordan Staal and Tyler Kennedy, the latter of whom actually scored two of em. 

It goes without question that the recent injury report regarding Jay McKee puts the Pens in an interesting situation, as they now officially find themselves with only one of the starting six defensemen from the first day of the season (Mark Eaton).  Martin Skoula, announced earlier in the year as the seventh d-man, looks as if he has his work cut out for him over (at least) the next two to four weeks.

On a positive note, Max Talbot makes his triumphant return to the ice, confirmed yesterday by the Trib-Review.

But enough about the Pens - you know what's going on here.  Take the jump and check out what's going on with the Senators.

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More photos » by Chris Carlson - AP

Jonas Hiller made some big saves against the Pens earlier in the month. Is he up for a repeat effort tonight?

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[SBN Anaheim Ducks blog - Anaheim Calling]

[SBN Cali blog - Battle of California]

Tonight the Pens and Ducks meet up once again for the second of two regular season meetings.  Earlier in the month Pittsburgh shot out to the west coast for a series of games some of us (and I'm sure the Pens are included in this) would like to forget.  However it did kickoff on the right track, and that was with a 4-3 win over the Ducks.

This home-ice rematch for Pittsburgh gives them a chance to tally up another 'W' to the record and perhaps launch a new streak of sorts.  Of course, it would seem every game this season is met with a new set of challenges.

Since the November 3 meeting in Anaheim, the Pens have posted a 1-4 record that still gives them a spot at the top of the division and conference.  However, with New Jersey well on its way to a hot eight-game win streak and three division games against the Islanders and Rangers pending at the end of the month, now's the time for the Pens to really pick up some points.

For Anaheim, the stretch between the last meeting has been only slightly better at 2-2-1.  Former Penguin Erik Christensen is back in the Ducks' lineup after filling an injured Saiku Koivu's spot.  Nothing special really going on for him since getting sent to waivers earlier in the month, but I always feel obligated to mention when a former Pen is set to go up against the current roster.  If you wonder why, consider Mark Recchi's recent milestone of 900 points and who he recorded the assist against.  In that respect I guess I should also mention Ryan Whitney while I'm at it. 

There, I mentioned him.

Corey Perry still leads all Ducks in points with 23 (13g, 10a), followed closely behind by Ryan Getzlaf with 22 (2g, 20a).  In the last meeting, Perry picked up two goals, while Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan tallied an assist each.  Koivu, who notched the third goal, will be out of the lineup with an obligatory "lower-body injury." 

Puck and thread drop at 7:30.  Come on by and join in.

by Winslow Townson - AP

That guy looks familiar. Oh right, Mark Recchi. He scored his 900th career point against Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Oh happy day.

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[SBN Bruins blog: Stanley Cup of Chowder]

Four days ago the Pens and Bruins met up in Boston for what turned out to be Pittsburgh's second consecutive shutout.  Of course the shutout was against them, not for them, and simultaneously extended Pittsburgh's scoreless streak to seven periods.  As you may know, that thankfully came to an end Thursday against the Devils, but the end result leaves Pittsburgh in the grips of a four-game losing streak.

But alas, Evgeni Malkin is labeled a game-time decision in this one.  Even if he doesn't play (which, personally, I feel will not be the case) we can at least all breathe a sigh of relief knowing he's due back by the next game for sure.

Boston, similar to Pittsburgh, played only one game since the 3-0 shutout win over the Pens earlier in the week.  In that ironic twist that seems to exist more in hockey than any other sport (this can't be proven of course, mere speculation), the Florida Panthers blanked the Bruins 1-0 in a shootout win Thursday night.

Now both teams reconvene on Mellon Arena ice for a rematch.  With the exception of Brooks Orpik taking time off for injury, Ben Lovejoy's promotion, Chris Conner's demotion and Geno's return from injury, the Penguins' roster more or less looks the same. 

Boston's David Krejci, who missed some time after contracting the H1N1 flu, is questionable. 

Time to see the Pens make good on this rematch and halt the losing streak at four.  Geno's return should hopefully bring back a punch to the sad looking power play.  If anything, it gives Sid a few more options on the ice out there.

More photos » by Bill Kostroun - AP

Martin Brodeur and the Devils are a perfect 8-0 on the road this season.

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[SBN Devils blog - In Lou We Trust]

The last time these two teams met the Devils went and broke Pittsburgh's seven-game win streak at home on Mellon ice, delivering a 4-1 loss to a team that just looked, for lack of better words, tired.  Tonight the Devils return with a perfect 8-0 record on the road to take on a battered and bruised Penguins team that's relying on a bandaged blue line to help snap a seven period scoreless streak.

Last night the Devils took down Anaheim 3-1 at Prudential Center in a win that not only extends their current streak to six but also puts them in a 24-point tie with Pittsburgh for first place in the Atlantic.  Add Washington into the mix and we have ourselves an early season, three-way tie for first in the East.

Jamie Langenbrunner, David Clarkson and Zach Parise each picked up a goal in last night's win.  Parise leads the team in points (8g, 11a) while Langenbrunner (3g 10a), Clarkson (5g, 8a) and Zajac (6g, 7a) are in a three-way, 13-point tie for second. 

Martin Brodeur stopped 31 of 32 Anaheim shots en route to his 10th win of the season.  Back-to-back starts, especially splits between home and away, aren't all that common these days.  But if any goaltender in the league is up for doing it then we should all know by now that Brodeur is that guy.  While I do expect Brodeur to get the nod tonight, it's worth mentioning back-up goaltender Yann Danis is 2-0 in two starts.  He's allowed only one goal in each game to boot. 

Puck and thread drop at 7:30.  Stop on by and chat it up.

More photos » by Charles Krupa - AP

Bruins goalie Tim Thomas

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[SBN Bruins blog - Stanley Cop of Chowder]

The Bruins and Penguins have a lot more in common than just the black and gold (more like yellow for Boston, but whatevs) as they square off tonight at TD Bank North Garden. 

Injuries.  Illness.  You know, the fun stuff.

We know about Pittsburgh's injuries, so really there's no sense in bringing them up again here (for now at least).  But Boston isn't entirely immune to the injury bug either.  Milan Lucic, broken finger.  Marc Savard, broken foot.  Michael Ryder, flu(?).  David Krejci, swine flu (although he recently returned to practice).  Much like the Penguins' injury report, this doesn't take into account the guys out there playing through the typical bumps/strains/bruises that come with the territory. 

The wins aren't coming easy for Boston, when they do come at all.  On Thursday the B's were less than a minute away from getting shutout 1-0 to Montreal before Patrice Bergeron tied it up and sent it to OT and a shootout.  In the end Montreal edged out the win but Boston picked up a hard-fought point in the process.  That's the sort of team Pittsburgh's  going up against tonight.  Both teams will be scratching and clawing for a point or more.

Bergeron leads all Bruins with 10 points (5g, 5a), while Zdeno Chara and Derek Morris follow closely behind with nine points a piece.  Let's also see if the Pens consider keeping an eye on former Penguin (x3) Mark Recchi, who's still showing that time is not a factor here in his 22nd NHL season.  The Recchin' Ball has five points on the year (3g, 2a).

There's a good chance we'll see Tim Thomas get the start between the pipes for Boston tonight, although his 1-3-1 record over the last five starts is anything but flattering.  But just in case, back-up netminder Tuukka Rask is the other option.  Rask has seen a little bit of work over the past few seasons, starting only one game last season (a win) and three the year before (2-1).  So far this season he's 3-1-1 with a win in two-staight.

The Bruins are 1-2-1 for the month of November and 7-7-2 overall, good enough for 10th in the East.

Puck and thread drop at 7pm.  Join us.  After all, it has to be better than a 5-0 loss to San Jose.

...right?

by Jerry S. Mendoza - AP

Alex Goligoski may be battling the flu - perfect timing for an already banged-up Penguins team.

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Tally up another one in the injury department, although it would appear Goligoski is more a victim of the flu or exhaustion rather than any injury.  Or at the least, we can hope it's only the flu and  not labeled such so as to cover up some sort of other, more detrimental problem.  After yesterday's morning skate, Dan Bylsma alluded to the fact that GoGo is "worn down" and "a little bit tired."  More on that in the Post-Gazette.

With that in mind, the Penguins have recalled defenseman Deryk Engelland in what I can only imagine is an option available for Dan Bylsma come gametime.  From what I'm reading and seeing around the interwebs, GoGo will try and make the effort to play tonight but is still listed as a game-time decision.

Tyler Kennedy is listed as doubtful for tonight's game against the Sharks, but Bylsma hasn't officially ruled him out just yet.  Guess that would make him a game-time decision as well.  This issue tends to be a lingering one for TK.  Ankle?  Groin?  Hard to say.  The guy apparantly played injured against the Ducks, not that you could tell with the speed in which he was skating with and the two assists he picked up before all was said and done.

If all goes sour for the Pens by the time the puck drops, we could be watching a Pittsburgh team skating without the likes of Evgeni Malkin, Sergei Gonchar, Tyler Kennedy and Alex Goligoski.  Also, purely speculative of course, they could be skating with a banged-up Sidney Crosby. 

This one's gonna be tough. 

After the jump, a little background info on Deryk Engelland, in the event we see him on the ice onight.

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More photos » by Marcio Jose Sanchez - AP

If we learned anything from his days in Ottawa, it's that Dany Heatley likes scoring against Pittsburgh.

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[SBNation Sharks Blog - Fear the Fin]

[SBN Cali blog - Battle of California]

I'll admit - I was prepared to concede at least one game on this west coast road trip.  Prior to playing the Kings, I was ready to make it this one against the Sharks.  Now?  Not so much. 

I wouldn't necessarily call that outlook pessimistic either.  The Kings and Sharks are good, much like Pittsburgh, but are currently not affected by injuries to the same degree in which the Penguins are.  That easily gives each team a one up over the Pens, so really coming out of this west coast trip 2-1 is, as far as I'm concerned, a success. 

3-1 after the trip to Boston on Tuesday would be even better, but let's not get too far ahead of ourselves.

On Thursday night the Sharks watched their six-game win streak come to an end in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Red Wings.  However, they still haven't lost a game in regulation since the Lightning smacked them around 5-2 back on October 22, so San Jose's point streak is still alive and well.  It's no surprise then that San Jose sits atop the Pacific with 24 pts (11-4-2) and are serious contenders with Colorado for the #1 spot in the West.

Unfortunately for Pittsburgh this isn't the first round of the playoffs.  In other words, San Jose is still a viable threat.  Look no further than the top three for San Jose: Patrick Marleau (11g, 11a), Joe Thornton (4g, 17a) and offseason drama queen Dany Heatley (10g, 8a).  And just for the record, Devon Setoguchi and his seven goals should not be taken lightly either.  Evgeni Nabokov is once again a force between the pipes, holding down a 10-3-2 record that ties him with Marc-Andre Fleury and LA's Jonathan Quick for second most wins by a goaltender (Colorado's Craig Anderson is first with 11).

Again, this game does not end the road trip, although it will send the Pens back east to wrap up the fourth of four on the road against the Bruins Tuesday night.  I'd imagine a stopover in Pittsburgh is on the agenda, but I'm no team secretary so I can hardly confirm that.

Puck and thread drop at 10:35.  Come by and hang out for the night.