Game 19 Preview: Avs @ Penguins

The road momentum stalled for the Avs in Toronto Tuesday night. Despite controlling the play for most of the game, the Avalanche made a handful of mistakes and allowed the Leafs to do what so many of those Mike Babcock coached Re Wings teams did in years past, and take advantage of their opportunities. The Leafs definitely took advantage of their power play opportunities, scoring on four of their five chances, including two goals from former Avalanche P.A. Parenteau.

The Avs will look to get back on track Thursday night against the Penguins. While the Pens hold a winning record, there is one black cloud that still hangs over there season currently: Sidney Crosby. If possible, expectations were even higher than normal coming into the season for the All-World player. Crosby was expected to play with new addition, Phil Kessel, and together the two would light up the league. However, that did not pan out and Kessel has since found his success with Evgeni Malkin and Crosby has been left to the worse offensive start to his career. After 18 games, Crosby has just two goals and is not looking like the Art Ross trophy winner of two years ago. Crosby will look to get back on track against his Cole Harbour counterpart, Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche.

LINES

Landeskog-MacKinnon-Duchene

Comeau-Soderberg-Iginla

McLeod-Grigorenko-Everberg

Martinsen-Street-Skille

Beauchemin-Johnson

Holden-Barrie

Gormley-Guenin

Berra

Pickard

Scratches: Mitchell, Wagner, Redmond

NOTES

- The Pens will be without star defenseman, Olli Maatta who will be out 3-4 weeks after receiving a cheap shot from Wild forward Nino Niederreiter. Niederreiter did not receive a suspension for the play.

- Speaking of suspensions, Gabriel Landeskog will return from his two-game suspension Thursday night.

- Evegeni Malkin was on fire Tuesday night, putting up four points including a higlight reel goal in the second.

- Last time these teams played in Pittsburgh, Blake Comeau scored the lone goal in the game for the Pens in overtime, erasing a fantastic shutout worthy performance by Calvin Pickard.

- Though still listed on the Injured Reserve, Semyon Varlamov could return to the nets after practicing with the team.

GAME INFO

Game time: 5pm MT

TV: ALT