PENGUINS WEEKLY – 3/27/18
Well-traveled Penguins come home for big showdowns with P-Bruins
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (38-20-6-2) hosts Providence in potential playoff preview
Weekly Rewind
Tuesday, Mar. 20 – Penguins 3 at Toronto 4 (OT)
The Penguins gave the top team in the league all it could handle, throwing 40 shots on net and coming back from down 2-0, but fell short in extra minutes against the Marlies.
Friday, Mar. 23 – Penguins 4 at Utica 5 (OT)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s resiliency was on display once again, this time erasing a 3-0 deficit to force overtime. However, an early OT marker gave Utica the win. With two points (1G-1A), Daniel Sprong reached the 50-point plateau.
Saturday, Mar. 24 – PENGUINS 5 at Binghamton 4 (SO)
For the third game in a row, the Pens required extra time. In the eighth shootout round, Garrett Wilson scored so the team remained undefeated in five contests against the Devils.
Sunday, Mar. 25 – PENGUINS 3 vs. Bridgeport 6
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s penalty kill was put to the test, having to defend 11 man advantages for Bridgeport. Despite two power play goals early in the final period, the Pens were unable to construct a comeback to force OT again.
The Week Ahead
Wednesday, Mar. 28 – PENGUINS vs. Providence
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton will face Providence for the fifth time this season. The Penguins look to gain the lead in the season series, which is tied at two wins apiece.
Friday, Mar. 30 – PENGUINS at Hartford
The Penguins travel to Hartford for the final time this season. The Pens are 10-1-1-0 at XL Center over the past five years.
Saturday, Mar. 31 – PENGUINS vs. Providence
Big points are on the line as the Pens and P-Bruins compete for a potential four-point swing for the second time in four days.
Ice Chips
– By scoring on Saturday, defensemen Jarred Tinordi (4) and Andrey Pedan (8) both established new career highs in goals.
– With his goal on Sunday, Pedan totaled 22 points (9G-13A) this season, surpassing his previous career-best 21 points in 2015-16.
– Daniel Sprong is currently ranked in the top four in three different categories among AHL rookies. He’s placed second in goals (24), third in shots (164) and is tied for fourth in power play goals (9).
– Michael Leighton is 3-0-0-0 in his time with the Penguins with all three wins coming beyond regulation against the Binghamton Devils.
DIVISION STANDINGS
| TEAM | GP | W | L | OTL | SOL | PTS | Pt% |
| 1. Lehigh Valley | 68 | 42 | 17 | 4 | 5 | 93 | .684 |
| 2. Providence | 66 | 40 | 21 | 3 | 2 | 85 | .644 |
| 3. PENGUINS | 66 | 38 | 20 | 6 | 2 | 84 | .636 |
| 4. Charlotte | 68 | 39 | 26 | 0 | 3 | 81 | .596 |
| 5. Bridgeport | 66 | 32 | 26 | 5 | 3 | 72 | .545 |
| 6. Hartford | 68 | 30 | 30 | 5 | 3 | 68 | .500 |
| 7. Hershey | 68 | 28 | 31 | 4 | 5 | 65 | .478 |
| 8. Springfield | 67 | 28 | 33 | 5 | 1 | 62 | .463 |
TEAM LEADERS
| SKATERS | GP | G | A | PTS |
| Daniel Sprong* | 55 | 24 | 27 | 51 |
| Jean-Sébastien Dea | 61 | 15 | 27 | 42 |
| Teddy Blueger | 61 | 17 | 21 | 38 |
| Ryan Haggerty | 38 | 16 | 19 | 35 |
| Garrett Wilson | 60 | 15 | 19 | 34 |
| GOALIES | GP | W-L-OT | GAA | SV% | Shutouts |
| Casey DeSmith^ | 27 | 16-8-3 | 2.73 | .910 | 2 |
| Anthony Peters | 22 | 10-7-3 | 2.78 | .902 | 1 |
* = rookie
^ = currently with Pittsburgh
UPCOMING GAME SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME
Wed, Mar. 28 Providence Mohegan Sun Arena 7:05 p.m.
Fri, Mar. 30 Hartford XL Center 7:15 p.m.
Sat, Mar. 31 Providence Mohegan Sun Arena 7:05 p.m.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Tue, Mar. 27 (G) Alex D’Orio Signed to ATO
Tue, Mar. 27 (LW) Jan Drozg Signed to ATO
Fri, Mar. 23 (RW) Josh Jooris Reassigned from PIT
Fri, Mar. 23 (D) Kevin Schulze Released from PTO
