Game Day: Penguins vs Canadiens – Preview, Lines, Goalies, TV, Fantasy
Jordan Lambe
Pre-game Notes and Quotes
Michel Therrien on Mike Condon‘s first NHL start Sunday: “He made some key saves at the right time, this is just something he did through the course of the training camp. He played really well for us. He played well for us in the minors last year. He got the first win and that’s always something special for any player”.
Former Leaf, Phil Kessel, finally broke out versus the Coyotes Saturday night, as he scored Pitsburgh’s only goal of the season (which was unassisted, leaving all the other Penguins without a point so far this season).
Since entering the NHL in 1909 the Habs have only started a season 3-0-0 12 times and this is of course the second straight season this feat has been accomplished.
Mike Johnston: “I always think it’s a process at the beginning of the year, when you have several new players, it doesn’t just happen at the snap of your fingers.”
Matchup
CONSOL Energy Center, Pittsburgh, PA. | October 13, 7:00 PM ET | TV: RDS,CITYM,ROOT
2015-’16 statistics
PENGUINS
CANADIENS
0 (12th)
Points (Eastern conf. rank)
6 (1st)
0-2-0
Record
3-0-0
0-0-0
Home
0-0-0
0-2-0
Road
3-0-0
0-2-0
Last 10
3-0-0
1.67
G/G
3.33
3.67
GA/G
1.33
20.0
PP%
7.1
63.6
PK%
81.8
43.5
CF%*
60.8
51.9
CF60*
68.5
67.5
CA60*
44.2
*Advanced statistics: Score adjusted, even strength. CF%: Corsi for percentage of total CF60: Corsi For/60 minutes CA60: Corsi Against/60 minutes (via War on Ice)
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
2014-’15 regular season: Record: 0-2-0 GAA: 2.57 Sv%: .921 SO: 0 Alternate: Jeff Zatkoff
2015-’16 regular season: Record: 2-0-0 GAA: 1.50 Sv%: .948 SO: 0 Alternate: Mike Condon
Fantasy Outlook
On the Pittsburgh side there really isn’t a lot of relevant things to talk about as Kessel has scored their only goal (and it was unassisted) of the season. Keep a special eye on Sergei Plotnikov as he is slated to be the third wheel on a line that has Evgeni Malkin and Patric Hornqvist. If Plotnikov isn’t already drafted in your league, go grab him now.
Believe it or not, on a team with Crosby (who has yet to register a shot), Malkin, Hornqvist, Kessel and company, Kris Letang leads their team in shots. Yes, a defenseman has more shots than any forward on their team; although he should start every game on your fantasy team anyway, continue to start him with confidence.
Tomas Plekanec is starting out the 2015-16 season on a hot streak with three goals (and 11 shots) in his first three games. Although this isn’t sustainable over the full season, he is on a line with the lethal Max Pacioretty, so the potential for this streak to continue for a few more games is certainly there. He is definitely worth a pickup in shallow leagues and daily pools.
Alex Semin may not have a goal so far this season, but he has had two assists in three games. The newly signed free agent is also logging huge powerplay minutes, as he played 6:33 of his 16:34 on the powerplay versus the Senators, so the potential for special teams points is there. If Semin is still available in your fantasy hockey pool, he is a worthy pickup.
