Penguins Line Combos vs Panthers and other news

The Penguins are starting two back-to-back road games in Florida.  Tonight, they face off against the Florida Panthers for the second time this season.  The first game was a home game less then a week ago.  The Penguins won that game 4-3.  Tomorrow night’s game is against the Tampa Bay Lighting.  This is also the second contest against them this season.  They won the first one, 5-4.  So, with back-to-back road games, the big question is who gets the net tonight?  Will it be Matt Murray? Or, will it be back-up goalie Antti Niemi?  Quick analysis:  Antti Niemi for tonight makes the most sense.  Then, start Matt Murray tomorrow night against Tampa Bay Lightning.

Videos →
Crosby: https://t.co/KauQJD6wYN
Murray: https://t.co/YJ3P5V6LPp
Niemi: https://t.co/hraBTffJEt
Sullivan: https://t.co/qwtXer9wqv

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 19, 2017

It’s a good bet that the top three forward lines will look something like this tonight.  The fourth line could include any of five different players.  So, we will see closer to game time who will make the roster tonight.  In the mix for the left wing is: Tom Khunhackl, Scott Willson, and Josh Archibald. Center would almost certainly be Carter Rowney. On the right wing, Ryan Reaves.

Guentzel-Crosby-Sheary
Rust-Malkin-Kessel
Hagelin-McKegg-Hornqvist
Archibald, Reaves, Wilson, Kuhnhackl rotating with Rowney
-MC

— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) October 19, 2017

The defensive situation: Matt Hunwick is out on injury. This leaves some question as to who will be paired with who.  The top pairing will most likely be Brain Dumoulin and Kris Letang.  The second pairing, Olli Maatta/Chad Ruhwedel.  The third paring, Ian Cole and Justin Schultz.  The Penguins did recall Zach Trotman.  He is likely the 7th defense men.

The other question:  will Olli Maatta remain hot offensively?  He currently has an impressive four goals and three assists in the first seven games.

Coach Sullivan on Hunwick: “He was diagnosed with a concussion. He was being evaluated this morning. It happened in practice, I believe.”

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 18, 2017

The #Pens have recalled defenseman Zach Trotman (@Ztrotman4) from the @WBSPenguins. Details: https://t.co/lCrQ9h3SLk pic.twitter.com/JkqIw4eeQ3

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 19, 2017

“I’m pretty excited to get in the lineup. I’ve been waiting patiently for this, and hopefully get a W out of this.” – MacKenzie Weegar pic.twitter.com/rK9FM2zHHP

— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) October 20, 2017

The legendary Roberto Luongo is expected in net for the Panthers.  He was expected to start in the first game, and at the last minute James Reimer was announced as the starting goal tender for the Florida Panthers.

Jonathan Huberdeau is the player to watch out for on the Panthers.  He had two goals against the Penguins in the game last week.