Tonight is the first game in a back to back in Florida.
This is the third of 16 back to back games the Penguins will have in the season and the third this month (the last is a road trip to MInnesota and Winnipeg). I feel the more important game is with Tampa (not saying the Panthers game isn't important), but I believe the team needs a win over Tampa more so Sullivan will start Niemi tonight. If correct, Niemi will start under a Penguins team that is rested so he has no excuses (unless the team gives up chances he can't stop).
At the moment, the team is having a bit of a Stanley Cup hangover. They lost their first two, won their next two, lost one then won their next two. The team has played good enough to be third in the Metro at the moment , but they need to start playing with more consistency.
If they come off with back to back wins, they could jump in the standings. If they don't it's fine but they definitely need to at least get a win in either the Panthers or Lightning game.
Forward Line Ups:
(Bold means a player that gets promoted regular font means demoted)
First line:
Jake Guentzel-Sidney Crosby-Conor Sheary
Second Line:
Bryan Rust/Carl Hagelin-Evgeni Malkin-Phil Kessel
Third line:
Carl Hagelin/Bryan Rust-Greg Mckegg-Patric Hornqvist
Fourth Line:
Tom Kuhnhackl-Carter Rowney-Ryan Reaves
Defensive Pairings:
1. Brian Dumoulin-Kris Letang
2. Ian Cole-Justin Shultz
3. Olli Maatta-Chad Ruhwedel
Goalies:
Antti Niemi
Matt Murray
Notes:
I think that Rust and Hagelin are interchangeable, if Sullivan thinks that we need more speed up on the second line, he'll probably move Hagelin up. Antti Niemi needs to play as solid as he can, he can't get shelled then have Murray come in as that can guarantee a loss to the Lightning. Our even strength defense needs to be more consistent and not let Niemi get shelled because Florida generally generates more shots on goal. Discipline will also have to be under control because the Panthers Power Play may not be above 20%, they still generate shots. Penguins vs Panthers coverage Pittsburgh Penguins