PENGUINS WEEKLY – 3/28/17
Goaltending and defense propel Penguins to four-game win streak
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (46-18-3-0) firing on all cylinders as magic number dwindles down
Weekly Rewind
Friday, Mar. 24 – PENGUINS 5 at Syracuse 1
In a clash of the Eastern Conference’s division leaders, the Penguins emerged victorious without allowing a goal at even strength. Zach Aston-Reese scored for the second game in a row while he, Kevin Porter and Barry Goers all had multi-point games.
Saturday, Mar. 25 – PENGUINS 4 at Lehigh Valley 0
Tristan Jarry pitched Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s second shutout of the season and handed the Phantoms their first scoreless game of the season in the process. Jarry made 35 saves, and the Penguins’ penalty kill went a perfect nine-for-nine.
Tuesday, Mar. 26 – PENGUINS 2 vs. Utica 1
Casey DeSmith made a team season-high 45 saves to hold off the Comets in a Sunday matinée at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. The teams traded power play goals in the second period before Dominik Simon potted the game-winner in the third.
The Week Ahead
Friday, Mar. 31 – PENGUINS at Springfield
The Penguins shuttle up to MassMutual Center for their final meeting of the season with the T-Birds. Springfield is one of only two teams that is over .500 against the Pens (3-2-0-0).
Saturday, Apr. 1 – PENGUINS vs. Lehigh Valley
The Penguins and Phantoms face one another for the fifth time in four weeks. The Penguins hold a narrow edge in the season series, 5-4-0-0, but the Phantoms have won their last two visits to Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Sunday, Apr. 2 – PENGUINS vs. Utica
The Comets return to Northeast Pennsylvania for another Sunday matinée and Kids Get In Free game at Mohegan Sun Arena. It is the Pens’ last game against a North Division team this season.
Ice Chips
– Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is 26-4-1-0 in games which they played the night before.
– The Penguins have outscored their opponents 16-4 over the course of their four-game winning streak.
– Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has not surrendered a goal in 149:29 of even strength time.
– Dominik Simon leads the team with six game-winning goals, which is also tied for the second-highest total in the league.
– Wilkes-Barre/Scranton boasts the best penalty kill in the league (87.4%).
– Jarry is tied for the second-most wins in the AHL (27).
– New ATO signee Jeff Taylor finished second among ECAC defensemen in points this past season (33).
DIVISION STANDINGS
TEAM | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | PTS | Pt% |
1. PENGUINS | 67 | 46 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 95 | .709 |
2. Lehigh Valley | 67 | 43 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 90 | .672 |
3. Providence | 67 | 39 | 19 | 5 | 4 | 87 | .649 |
4. Hershey | 68 | 38 | 19 | 8 | 3 | 87 | .640 |
5. Bridgeport | 67 | 39 | 24 | 3 | 1 | 82 | .612 |
6. Springfield | 67 | 27 | 29 | 9 | 2 | 65 | .485 |
7. Hartford | 67 | 22 | 39 | 4 | 2 | 50 | .373 |
TEAM LEADERS
SKATERS | GP | G | A | PTS |
Tom Kostopoulos | 67 | 24 | 27 | 51 |
Kevin Porter | 63 | 11 | 34 | 45 |
David Warsofsky^ | 50 | 15 | 29 | 44 |
Dominik Simon | 64 | 14 | 29 | 43 |
Jake Guentzel*^ | 33 | 21 | 21 | 42 |
GOALIES | GP | W-L-OT | GAA | SV% | Shutouts |
Tristan Jarry | 42 | 27-14-1 | 2.19 | .924 | 2 |
Casey DeSmith* | 24 | 18-4-2 | 2.23 | .917 | 0 |
* = rookie
^ = currently with Pittsburgh
UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME
Fri, Mar. 31 Springfield MassMutual Center 7:05 p.m.
Sat, Apr. 1 Lehigh Valley Mohegan Sun Arena 7:05 p.m.
Sun, Apr. 2 Utica Mohegan Sun Arena 3:05 p.m.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Mon, Mar. 27 (D) Jeff Taylor Signed to ATO
Sat, Mar. 25 (D) David Warsofsky Recalled by PIT
Sat, Mar. 25 (D) Frank Corrado Reassigned by PIT
Thu, Mar. 23 (RW) Josh Archibald Recalled by PIT