Expansion Teams Since 1991ġ991-92 San Jose Sharks 8-0, W Dec. Since the San Jose Sharks joined the league as the 22nd franchise in 1991-92 (with Mike Sullivan in their lineup), the Penguins have gone 8-2 in their first meeting against an expansion foe. The Seattle Kraken became the 11th expansion team added by the NHL since 1991, growing the league to 32 teams. The Pens have done well in first time meetings with brand new franchises. As expected, Mike Sullivan isn’t going to change up a winning formula. It was the same lines yesterday at practice for the Penguins after their big win on Saturday night. IR: Evgeni Malkin (knee), Bryan Rust (undisclosed lower body injury) Scratches: Sam Lafferty, Mark Friedman, Brian Boyle Possible Starting Goalie: Casey DeSmith (update after morning skate, it’s DeSmith tonight) Zach Aston-Reese - Drew O’Connor - Dominik Simon Jason Zucker - Jeff Carter - Danton Heinenīrock McGinn - Teddy Blueger - Kasperi Kapanen Jake Guentzel - Sidney Crosby - Evan Rodrigues The Kraken will have Eberle available, which was in question until he practiced yesterday on a normal line. *Schwartz was out early for practice, officially his game status (and Jarnkrok’s) are still up in the air as of this morning, but it doesn’t look like they will be ready in time to play tonight. Scratches: Jeremy Lauzon, Schwartz*, Lind Possible Starting Goalie: Philipp Grubauer (Joey Daccord backup) Jaden Schwartz - Calle Jarnkrok - Kole Lind Jared McCann - Morgan Geekie - Brandon TanevĬolin Blackwell - Riley Sheahan - Joonas Donskoi Ryan Donato - Yanni Gourde - Jordan Eberle Marcus Johansson - Alex Wennberg - Mason Appleton #Blackhawks, #Yotes, #BringittoBroad struggling /MD7l1ZzYC9- JFresh December 4, 2021 #Flames, #LetsGoPens, #GoBolts good at both ends The Kraken are bottom five in xGF, but make up for it by being top five in xGA. Seattle has not tried to follow it, they have stayed true to being a low event team that suppresses a lot defensively to make up for the fact they don’t have a ton of high-end skilled players to create goals. That might have clouded the expectations or set an unreasonable bar for the next expansion team to follow. The Vegas Golden Knights were so flashy and skilled, right from the very beginning. Philipp Grubauer still remains the worst ranking starting goalie in the league in terms of goals saved above average. Goaltending may be in the process of turning around, the glaring weakness in Seattle’s first month was shoddy netminding. Ryan Donato has 3G+1A in his last five games, Jared McCann has 3G+1A in his last six games. Yanne Gourde has six points (1G+5A) in the last two weeks, six games. Jaden Schwartz has 13 points in the last 13 games (5G+8A). The good players have been pretty good this season for Seattle. SBN Team Counterpart: Check out Davey Jones Lockerroom for the newest SBN Hockey blog around. 625 points percentage on the road is tied for 7th in the NHL. Random fact: Pittsburgh has points in nine of 12 road games this season (6-3-3), including points in six of the last seven contests away from PPG Paints Arena (5-1-1). Season Series: The Kraken make their first ever trip to Pittsburgh for a game on Thursday, Jan 27th. Then the Pens will have to get back to town quickly, they will play Saturday at home for the first time in a while against Anaheim. Pittsburgh gets a few days off and play after tonight next on Friday in Washington, DC. Pens path ahead: Finally the last late night game for a while for the Pens, who return back east after tonight. Including that game, the Kraken are 5-1-1 in the last seven with wins over teams like Carolina, Florida and the aforementioned Caps. In November, Seattle started the month 1-7-0 but had a turning point on Nov 21 when they defeated the Washington Capitals 5-2. Overall the new team has slowly been gaining traction. Opponent Track: The Kraken won 4-3 at home against Edmonton on Friday in their last game. How to Watch: AT&T Sportsnet locally in Pittsburgh, Root Sports Northwest for the away broadcast, ESPN+ Who: Pittsburgh Penguins (11-8-5, 27 points, 4th place Metropolitan division) Seattle Kraken (9-13-2, 20 points, 7th place Pacific division)
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